Rhinoplasty

All about rhinoplasty

When rhinoplasty is the answer

Rhinoplasty corrects a wide range of imperfections in the nose, whether you’ve had them since birth, they follow a knock, or they’ve come with age. The most common requests concern a bump, a tip that’s too wide or bulbous, a deviated or asymmetric nose, or nostrils that feel too open.

The operation isn’t only about looks. A deviated nasal septum, or turbinates that are too large (the ridges lining the inside of the nose), can get well in the way of breathing. In that case the nose and the airflow are put right in the same operation: this is septorhinoplasty.

It’s best to wait until the nose has finished growing before going ahead, which is around 16 for women and 18 for men. At the other end of life, there’s no upper age limit as long as your health keeps up.

Today’s surgical techniques

The surgeon matches the technique to the shape of the nose and the corrections to be made.

Closed rhinoplasty (or endonasal) works through incisions inside the nostrils. No scar shows on the outside, and recovery tends to be quick: it suits moderate work on the bump or the tip.

Open rhinoplasty calls for a small incision on the columella, the thin strip of skin between the two nostrils. The surgeon then has a clear view of the structures of the nose, which makes it especially useful for complex cases and revisions. The scar is all but invisible after a few months.

Ultrasonic rhinoplasty (or piezoelectric) uses ultrasound instruments to reshape the bone of the nose with real precision, which can keep bruising and swelling down after the operation.

Anaesthetic and how long it takes

Rhinoplasty is most often done under general anaesthetic. Allow between 1 and 3 hours depending on how tricky the work is. Correcting a bump on its own goes fairly quickly; a full reshaping, taking in the tip, the septum and the nostrils, naturally takes longer.

Possible risks and complications

Like any surgery, rhinoplasty carries risks, even if serious complications stay rare. You might see some bleeding after the operation, swelling that lingers, or bruising that’s more marked than expected. A residual asymmetry is also possible and can be reason enough for a small touch-up.

On satisfaction, the figures are fairly reassuring. An analysis published in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal went through more than 2000 online patient reviews: overall satisfaction reached 83.6%, with a clear gap between women (87.6%) and men (56.1%). The disappointments most often came down to a leftover bump, or a tip that still looked round or under-rotated.

A cohort study published in 2024 in the Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery, run on 380 patients, points the same way: six months after the operation, how patients rated the look of their nose climbed on average from 3.2 to 7.9 out of 10.

Choosing your surgeon well

The result of a rhinoplasty owes a great deal to the surgeon’s experience and eye. Take the time to check their qualifications, how much nose work they actually do, and to look at before-and-after photos of their own patients.

At Body Expert, our surgeons, experienced in nasal surgery, work in our partner clinic in Istanbul, selected for its facilities and its surgeons’ experience. They’ve mastered the full range of techniques, from ethnic rhinoplasty to the most delicate revisions, by way of functional surgery of the nose.

Realistic expectations, and a human touch

Rhinoplasty can genuinely change how you see yourself and give your confidence a lift. The trick is to approach the operation without fantasy: the simulations done in consultation help you picture things, but the final result also depends on your bone structure, your cartilage and the quality of your skin.

That’s where support counts. Being well looked after by the medical team helps you get calmly through the weeks when the nose, still swollen, hasn’t yet found its final shape.

In summary

Rhinoplasty, or cosmetic surgery of the nose, rebalances the profile and the whole face, and can also help you breathe better when the septum is to blame. A bump, an over-prominent tip, a deviated nose, wide nostrils, the after-effects of an injury: every nose has its story, and every operation is planned to measure. Depending on the corrections, the surgeon works by the closed or open approach, or with ultrasound, under general anaesthetic, in one to three hours.

The final nose doesn’t show itself overnight: allow a few weeks for the swelling to settle, several months for the final shape, up to a year for the tip. A little patience during recovery, and realistic expectations from the outset, make a real difference to how the whole thing feels.

Having your nose done in Turkey means bringing together very experienced surgeons, partner clinics in Istanbul selected against our quality criteria and up to 70% savings compared with the UK, with no compromise on quality. Body Expert is with you from end to end, in English, from your very first question through to post-operative follow-up.

Want to get a clear picture of your project, the technique suited to your nose and the budget to plan for? Ask for your free quote within 24 hours: our advisers look at your case and answer all your questions, with no obligation.

Sources and references

1. International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. (2024). ISAPS International Survey on Aesthetic/Cosmetic Procedures Performed in 2023. https://www.isaps.org/discover/about-isaps/global-statistics/global-survey-2023-full-report-and-press-releases/
2. Khansa, I., Khansa, L., & Pearson, G. D. (2016). Patient satisfaction after rhinoplasty: A social media analysis. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 36(1), NP1-NP5. https://doi.org/10.1093/asj/sjv095
3. Luong, K. P., Slijper, H. P., Stubenitsky, B., Hummelink, S., & Ulrich, D. J. O. (2024). Changes in patient-reported satisfaction and quality-of-life 6 months after rhinoplasty. Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery, 91, 325-334. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjps.2024.02.038