Rhinoplasty (nose aesthetic surgery) is a surgical procedure performed on the shape and/or the breathing function of the nose. Because it concerns not only appearance but also breathing, the nose's primary function, it is a surgery with both aesthetic and functional aspects.
Because the nose sits at the center of the face, its proportion to the other facial features — the forehead, cheekbones and chin — is decisive. For this reason, planning is based on an assessment of the face as a whole, not of the nose alone. The aim is a balanced result that does not stand apart from the person's facial character.
The situations below are among the topics discussed in connection with rhinoplasty. This is not an eligibility list; suitability for an individual can only be determined by examination.
In some people the concern is limited to the nasal tip: a tip that looks drooping, wide, blunt or asymmetric. In such cases the procedure may focus on reshaping the cartilages of the nasal tip, and the bridge of the nose may be left untouched. However, because the tip forms a whole with the rest of the nose, the scope is determined at the examination.
If structural conditions that make breathing difficult, such as a deviated septum or enlarged turbinates, are also present, they may be evaluated in the same session as the aesthetic correction. This is called septorhinoplasty.
1. Examination and assessment. The inside and outside of the nose are examined, and breathing function is assessed. Expectations are heard and the medical history is reviewed.
2. Planning. A facial analysis and measurements are carried out. Which technique (open or closed) may be suitable is determined according to the person's anatomy. In the open technique, a small incision is made across the columella (the tissue between the nostrils); in the closed technique, the incisions remain inside the nose. Both are standard methods; the choice is made according to need.
3. Procedure. It is performed under general anesthesia. The bone and cartilage structures are reshaped; if needed, support (a graft) from the person's own cartilage tissue may be used.
4. Follow-up. After surgery, a protective splint is placed on the bridge of the nose. Healing is monitored through follow-up appointments.
Swelling and bruising around the nose and eyes are expected in the first days; this is a natural part of healing. Keeping the head elevated and applying cold compresses, as advised by the physician, may make the process easier.
The protective splint is usually removed within a week. The appearance when the splint comes off is not the final result; the nose is still swollen at this stage.
It may take 6–12 months for the result to settle fully. For this reason, it would not be appropriate to comment on the final appearance early on; patience is a natural part of the process.
As with every surgical procedure, this one carries certain risks. Being aware of them is necessary for a sound decision:
This list does not cover all possibilities. Your personal risk profile, medical history and current health status are assessed in detail at the examination and shared with you as part of the consent process.
Both methods are standard surgical techniques. Which one is suitable is determined at the examination according to factors such as the structure of the nose, the extent of the correction to be made and whether the person has had a previous operation. Neither has an absolute superiority over the other.
If the cause of the breathing difficulty is a structural condition such as a deviated septum or enlarged turbinates, these may be evaluated in the same session. However, results vary from person to person, and it cannot be guaranteed that the complaint will disappear completely.
A gradual return is usually possible after the protective splint is removed. The exact time depends on your speed of healing, the nature of your work and your physician's recommendations.
Structural changes made surgically are permanent. However, the nose continues to be affected by the natural aging process throughout life.
Rhinoplasty (nose aesthetic surgery) lies within the shared field of work of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery and Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT). Op. Dr. Harun Tekin, as a specialist in Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, carries out assessments at his practice in Antalya.
Yes. "Rhinoplasty" is the medical name for nose aesthetic surgery. It aims to bring the appearance of the nose into harmony with facial proportions and, when necessary, to take breathing function into account as well.
Revision rhinoplasty is a secondary corrective operation performed on people who have previously had nose surgery. It differs from the first operation in that planning is more complex because of scar tissue in the tissues, altered anatomy and sometimes a shortage of cartilage. For this reason, a detailed examination and sharing information about the previous operation are important before planning a revision.
Procedures performed with filler materials, commonly called a "non-surgical nose job", do not change the bone and cartilage structure of the nose; they provide only limited contour corrections, and their effects are not permanent. They also do not offer a solution to breathing problems.
Rhinoplasty for aesthetic purposes is generally planned after adolescence, when facial and nasal development has largely been completed. For those under 18, parental consent and a detailed assessment are required.
Comprehensive rhinoplasty is usually performed under general anesthesia. For limited corrections, different anesthesia options may be discussed; the decision is made at the examination.
To allow the structure of the nasal bridge to heal, it is recommended in the first weeks that glasses do not place weight on the nose. The duration is determined by the physician according to the procedure performed.
Swelling at the nasal tip is the last to resolve. The appearance of the tip settles gradually over months; it may be necessary to wait 6–12 months for the final appearance.
Specialist in Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery. A graduate of Selçuk University Faculty of Medicine; he completed his specialty training at the University of Health Sciences, Afyonkarahisar Health Application and Research Center. He works at Antalya Yaşam Hastanesi (Şirinyalı, Muratpaşa / Antalya).
