Rhinoplasty
The nose sits at the centre of the face, so a change of a few millimetres changes the whole. Rhinoplasty reshapes the bridge, tip and nostrils — and, where needed, corrects breathing at the same time.
At a glance
How it is performed
Planning starts with your face, not with a catalogue. Skin thickness, the size and shape of the nose in relation to the chin and the rest of the profile are assessed; sometimes a small chin implant balances the face better than reducing the nose further. A computer-assisted consultation is the clearest way to show what is realistically achievable.
Most incisions are placed inside the nose. To narrow the base or the nostrils, small incisions are hidden in the natural crease at the nostril rim. In difficult or revision cases a fine incision is made across the columella, the strip of tissue between the nostrils. Through these openings the cartilage and bone are reshaped: a hump is lowered, the bridge narrowed and straightened, the tip refined and elevated. Where the nose needs to be built up rather than reduced, cartilage from the septum or the ear is used as a graft.
The change should satisfy you — not a relative, a friend or a photograph of someone else. Younger patients in particular are counselled carefully about their motivation before any date is set.
Who is it for
- A hump in profile, a bulbous or drooping tip, a wide, crooked or asymmetrical nose.
- Girls from about 16 and boys from about 17, once facial growth is complete. There is no strict upper limit — health and motivation matter more than age.
- Patients who also have a blocked airway: septum and turbinate work can be done in the same operation.
- Older patients, where lifting a drooping tip rejuvenates the face — often combined with a facelift.
Recovery timeline
- Day 1
Puffiness, aching around the nose and sometimes a mild headache, controlled with prescribed medication. Rest with the head raised.
- Days 2–3
Swelling and bruising around the eyes look as if they are worsening, then stabilise. Cool compresses help.
- Weeks 1–2
Most patients return to non-strenuous work after 7–10 days. Bruising fades in two to three weeks.
- Weeks 3–6
Avoid anything that raises blood pressure, and take care with washing and make-up. Glasses must not rest on the bridge for about six weeks.
- Months 3–12
Fine swelling at the tip settles gradually; the final refined shape appears over the first year.
Risks & honest expectations
- Temporary swelling, bruising around the eyes and some bleeding are expected rather than complications.
- Small reddish spots from broken vessels can appear; they are usually barely noticeable.
- Hematoma, infection and reactions to anaesthesia are uncommon and treatable.
- Numbness of the nasal skin may occur and is usually temporary.
- Scars are invisible when the work is done inside the nostrils; with an open approach the scar is small and hidden beneath the nose.
The information on this website is for general information only and is not a substitute for a personal medical consultation. Every surgical procedure carries risks; outcomes vary from person to person. Content is reviewed by Dr. H. Seçkin Öksar, Board Certified Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeon.
Questions about this procedure
Will my breathing improve as well?
It can. A deviated septum or enlarged turbinates are corrected in the same session where they are the cause of obstruction, so aesthetic and functional goals are met in one operation and one recovery.
Closed or open rhinoplasty — which will I have?
It depends on the anatomy and on whether this is a first or a revision operation. Most primary cases can be completed through incisions inside the nose; complex tips and revisions are safer with the small columellar incision.
When can I fly home?
Most international patients stay in Antalya for seven to ten days so that the cast can be removed and the first check-up completed before flying.
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Start with a conversation
Tell us what you are considering. You will get an honest answer about whether it is the right procedure for you — including when the answer is no.
Yeşilbahçe Mah. Metin Kasapoğlu Cad., Gökhan İş Merkezi No:19 D:9, Muratpaşa / Antalya, Türkiye
