What is rhinoplasty?
Rhinoplasty is surgery that reshapes the nose so that it is in proportion with the rest of the face while preserving — or improving — nasal breathing. The bones and cartilages that form the framework of the nose are reshaped, and when necessary the nasal septum and turbinates inside the nose are corrected at the same time. A good result looks natural: the nose should fit the face rather than draw attention to itself.
Who is a candidate?
Rhinoplasty is suitable for people who are bothered by a hump, a wide or drooping tip, asymmetry or a crooked nose, or who have nasal obstruction caused by a deviated septum. Facial growth should be complete (usually 16–17 in girls, 17–18 in boys), general health should allow anaesthesia, and expectations should be realistic. Smoking must be stopped well before surgery because it impairs healing.
Consultation and planning
The first visit includes an endoscopic examination of the inside of the nose, an assessment of facial proportions and standardised photographs. Your wishes, the anatomy of your nose and the thickness of your skin are discussed together, and the plan is tailored accordingly. If you also have breathing problems, they are built into the same operation (septorhinoplasty). Patients travelling from abroad can send photographs beforehand so that the consultation is used efficiently.
Open and closed technique
In the closed technique all incisions are placed inside the nostrils. In the open technique a small incision is added across the columella (the skin between the nostrils) to give the surgeon a direct view of the nasal tip; it usually heals to a barely visible line. The choice depends on what needs to be done: extensive tip work, revision surgery or a markedly crooked nose usually favour the open approach, while simpler hump corrections can often be done closed.
Recovery timeline
You go home the day after surgery. An external splint stays on for 5–7 days; internal silicone splints, if used, are removed in the first week. Bruising around the eyes fades within 7–10 days, and most patients return to desk work within 7–10 days. Light walking is fine from the first day; cardio exercise such as brisk walking or light jogging, and swimming in the sea, can start from week 3, the pool after 2 months and weight training after the 3rd month, while sports with a risk of nasal trauma resume only with your surgeon's approval — individual instructions take priority. When glasses resting on the bridge can be worn depends on whether osteotomies were performed, on bone healing and on technique; unless your surgeon gives a different period, they should not be worn for 8 months, and if needed they can be taped to the forehead. Prolonged sun exposure should also be avoided in the early weeks. Most of the swelling settles in 6–8 weeks, while the fine definition of the tip continues to improve for up to a year.
Rhinoplasty in Gebze, near Istanbul
Consultations and surgery take place in Gebze, Kocaeli — on the Asian side of the Istanbul metropolitan area, about 45 minutes from Sabiha Gökçen International Airport and within easy reach of Istanbul, Kocaeli and Sakarya. For patients coming from other cities or from abroad, the consultation, operation and early follow-up visits are arranged in a single schedule so that the trip is as short as possible.
Frequently asked questions
How long does rhinoplasty take, and do I stay in hospital?
When can I go back to work?
Is rhinoplasty painful?
When will I see the final result?
Will my breathing problem be corrected in the same operation?
Is there an age limit?
Would you like more detailed information on this topic?
Read the detailed guide- Ishii LE, et al. Clinical Practice Guideline: Improving Nasal Form and Function after Rhinoplasty. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2017. PubMed
This article is for general information; please consult your physician for diagnosis and treatment.