Rhinoplasty

About Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty is surgery to change the shape of the nose. It can reduce a hump, refine the tip, straighten the nose or change its size in proportion to the face. It may be combined with work to improve breathing.

The surgeon reshapes the bone and cartilage through incisions inside the nose (closed technique) or with a small additional cut across the skin between the nostrils (open technique). The aim is a nose that suits your face and works well.

Who it may be suitable for

• Concerns about the shape or size of your nose
• Breathing problems related to the structure of the nose
• Facial growth that has finished, usually from the late teens
• Good general health, a stable weight and no smoking, or willingness to stop

These are general points only. Whether an operation is suitable for you is decided by the treating surgeon after an in-person examination, your medical history and any tests they request.

How it works

1. 01

   Remote review

   You share photos and your medical history. The surgeon gives a first opinion on whether the operation is suitable and what it could realistically achieve.

2. 02

   Consultation in Istanbul

   The surgeon examines you in person, confirms the plan, explains the risks and arranges pre-operative tests before you give consent.

3. 03

   Surgery

   Under general anaesthesia, the bone and cartilage are reshaped through an open or closed approach, and a splint is applied.

4. 04

   Check before you fly

   The surgeon reviews healing before you travel home, and you receive written aftercare instructions and remote follow-up.

What to expect and aftercare

1. First week

   An external splint and sometimes internal splints are in place. Breathing through the nose is limited, and swelling and bruising around the eyes are common.

2. Days 7–10

   The splint is removed. The nose looks swollen and the tip may feel stiff or numb.

3. Weeks 2–6

   Most bruising has gone. You avoid contact sports, heavy exercise and resting glasses on the nose.

4. Months 6–12+

   Swelling, especially at the tip, settles slowly. The final shape can take a year or longer to show.

Timelines vary between people. Always follow the aftercare instructions from your treating clinic.

Risks and considerations

• Swelling, especially at the tip, can take a year or more to settle completely.
• Breathing may feel blocked for several weeks. Rarely, surgery affects breathing or sense of smell.
• Around one in ten people seek a revision operation, which is more complex than the first surgery.
• All surgery carries risks, including bleeding, infection, poor wound healing, blood clots and reactions to anaesthesia.
• Scars are permanent. Surgeons place them where they are easiest to hide, but how they mature varies from person to person.
• Smoking and nicotine products significantly increase the risk of wound-healing problems. Most surgeons ask you to stop for several weeks before and after surgery.

Common questions