Will A Subnasal Lip Lift Keep Me From Biting My Upper Lip?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I have two questions. Will a subnasal lip lift get rid of the overhang that I keep biting? Will rhinoplasty make the tips of my nose less droopy when smiling?

A:Thank you for sending your pictures. A subnasal lip lift will certainly shorten the distance between the base of the nose nx the upper lip. However it’s lip lifting effect is unlikely to significantly elevate the lower part of the lip in which you are probably biting. There is not a one-to-one correlation between the amount that the lip is listed under the base of the nose and how much the bottom part of the lip lifts. Therefore if that is a significant concern you may need to consider doing some mucosal resection on the inside of the lip at the same time as the subnasal lip left to reduce or eliminate that problem.

When it comes to the rhinoplasty it is important to recognize that this is a static procedure not a dynamic one. Meaning it’s effects are best seen in a static or nonsmiling posture. What the effects of a rhinoplasty procedure may do when you are smiling is completely unpredictable. Thus you would only consider a rhinoplasty for what his benefits would be in the static position for their overall shape of the nose. Should there be any inadvertent benefit to your smiling concerns that would be considered a bonus and not an absolute expected sequelae of the surgery.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Plastic Surgeon