What is rhinoplasty?
Rhinoplasty, often called a nose job, is an operation that changes the shape, size or proportions of the nose. The surgeon works on the bone, cartilage and soft tissue beneath the skin to create a nose that suits your face. It can be done for cosmetic reasons, for medical reasons, or for both at the same time.
When the inside of the nose is also corrected to improve airflow, the operation is called a septorhinoplasty. Every rhinoplasty is planned individually, taking into account your facial features, skin thickness, breathing and personal goals.
Who is rhinoplasty suitable for?
People choose rhinoplasty for many reasons. Common cosmetic goals include:
reducing a hump on the bridge
refining a wide, round or drooping tip
making the nose smaller or, less often, larger
straightening a crooked nose or correcting asymmetry
narrowing wide nostrils
Medical reasons include a deviated septum, breathing difficulty, changes after an injury and deformities linked to a cleft lip or palate.
You should be in good general health, fit for general anaesthesia, and your nose should have finished growing. It is also important to have clear, realistic goals. A good result is a natural nose that fits your face, not a copy of someone else's.
Open and closed rhinoplasty
Open rhinoplasty
The surgeon makes a small cut across the columella, the strip of skin between the nostrils, and connects it to cuts inside the nose. The skin can then be lifted to give a clear view of the whole structure. This approach suits major reshaping, complex tip work and revision surgery.
Closed rhinoplasty
All incisions are made inside the nostrils, so there is no visible scar. It is usually chosen for smaller changes, such as reducing a hump, and may lead to slightly less swelling.
How the operation is done
Rhinoplasty usually takes 1.5 to 3 hours, depending on how much work is needed.
Tests and consultation
You arrive the day before surgery for blood tests and an anaesthesia check. Your surgeon examines your nose, takes photographs and agrees the plan with you.
Anaesthesia and incisions
You are given general anaesthesia. The surgeon then makes the incisions for an open or closed approach.
Reshaping
Depending on your plan, the surgeon may remove or file down bone, reshape or trim cartilage, or add small cartilage grafts for support. If needed, the septum is straightened at the same time to improve breathing.
Closing and support
The incisions are closed with fine stitches. A splint is placed on the outside of the nose, and soft internal supports may be used to hold the new shape while it sets.
Recovery timeline
- First 48 hours
Your nose feels blocked and you breathe through your mouth. Swelling and bruising around the eyes are common. Keep your head raised and use cold compresses as advised.
- Days 6–7
The splint and any internal supports are removed. Your nose will still look swollen, but you can see the new outline. Most people return to desk work after 7 to 10 days.
- Weeks 2–6
Bruising fades and most visible swelling goes down. Light exercise can start after about three weeks, with more strenuous activity after six weeks.
- Months 3–12
The remaining swelling, mainly at the tip, slowly settles. The final shape usually becomes clear at around one year.
Aftercare
sleep with your head raised for the first two weeks
do not blow your nose for at least the first week; sneeze with your mouth open
keep the splint dry
wear tops that button or zip at the front so nothing pulls over your face
brush your teeth gently and avoid big facial expressions in the early days
avoid knocks, contact sports and heavy lifting for at least six weeks
protect your nose from the sun and avoid smoking and alcohol while you heal
Risks and side effects
Rhinoplasty is a common operation, but it has risks that your surgeon will explain before you consent. They include:
nosebleeds and bleeding
infection
reactions to anaesthesia
long-lasting swelling or skin discoloration
numbness of the nose or upper teeth, usually temporary
breathing difficulty
asymmetry or a shape that does not meet your expectations, which may need a revision
a small hole in the septum, which is rare
Results
You see the new shape when the splint comes off, but it keeps refining for months. Patience is important: the nose often looks larger or less defined in the first weeks because of swelling. Once healed, the result is permanent, although your nose will change slowly with age like the rest of your face.
Rhinoplasty in Turkey: your trip
Before you fly
You send us photographs of your nose from several angles, tell us what you would like to change and share your medical history. The surgeon reviews your case, and we send you a treatment plan and quote. Stop smoking and avoid aspirin and ibuprofen for two weeks beforehand, and tell us about every medicine and supplement you take.
In Istanbul
A driver meets you at the airport. A translator joins you for tests, the consultation and discharge, and a companion can stay with you at no extra cost. You stay in hospital for 4 nights and have a check-up before you leave.
Back home
Your coordinator stays in touch on WhatsApp throughout the year of healing, and passes your photos and questions to the surgical team.
What the Rhinoplasty package includes
- VIP transfers from and to Istanbul Airport (IST)
- Fully equipped room in the hospital
- Translation services at the hospital and during follow-up
- Pre-operative testing
- Consultation with your doctors
- Post-operative care and follow-ups for a year
- General anaesthesia
- Special compression garments
- One companion included in the price
- Three meals a day for you and your companion
- Full hospital stay for 4 nights, 5 days
- Aftercare package with a full set of medications to take home
Rhinoplasty FAQ
Open or closed rhinoplasty: which is better?
Neither is better for everyone. Open rhinoplasty gives the surgeon a full view and suits bigger changes, especially to the tip. Closed rhinoplasty avoids an external scar and suits smaller corrections. Your surgeon will recommend the approach that fits your nose and goals.
Will I have a scar?
With closed rhinoplasty all cuts are inside the nose. With open rhinoplasty there is a small cut across the strip of skin between the nostrils, which usually heals to a fine line that is hard to see. If the nostrils are narrowed, there may also be small scars in the natural creases at their base.
How long will I be swollen?
Most visible swelling and bruising settles within 2 to 3 weeks. Subtle swelling, especially at the tip, takes much longer, and the final shape usually appears at around 12 months, sometimes longer if your skin is thick.
Can rhinoplasty fix my breathing?
Often, yes. If your breathing is affected by a deviated septum or enlarged turbinates, these can usually be corrected in the same operation, which is known as a septorhinoplasty.
How long do I need to stay in Turkey?
Plan for 5 days in Istanbul. Your package includes a full hospital stay of 4 nights, so you recover in a private room with nurses on hand day and night. The splint and any internal supports are checked before you fly home, and your coordinator arranges removal if it is due later.
Is rhinoplasty painful?
Most patients describe pressure and a blocked feeling rather than strong pain. This is usually well managed with the prescribed painkillers and improves after the first few days.
How old do I need to be?
The nose should have finished growing, which is usually by around 16 for girls and 17 to 18 for boys. Many surgeons prefer to wait until adulthood for cosmetic changes, and every patient must be fit for general anaesthesia.
When can I wear glasses again?
Heavy glasses should not rest on the nose for around 4 to 6 weeks while the bones heal. Your surgeon can show you how to tape them to your forehead or suggest lighter frames or contact lenses in the meantime.
