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I recently had to leave the horns home to travel south and when I came back - 8 days later - and played a half hour, my lip felt like I had been punched - swollen to twice its normal size. But just the top one. Any ideas about why?

You shouldn't be losing muscle tone after just a little time off. Any change in diet? Salt or blood pressure issues?

Too much mouthpiece pressure on the top lip will make it swell. The bottom lip can take a lot but not the top.

So, I am getting the feeling it is only me that has ever had this issue. Interesting. I have always thought this was a common thing with brass players.

Mine does too. I make sure I spend double or triple the time warming up after a layoff. That usually fixes it for me.