What is it and how is it done?
Rhinoplasty reshapes the bony and cartilaginous framework of the nose. Alongside concerns about shape, such as a hump or crookedness along the bridge, a drooping or wide tip, or uneven nostrils, breathing difficulty caused by a deviated septum can be treated in the same operation; this combined procedure is called septorhinoplasty. The aim is not to give everyone the same nose, but to create one that looks natural and in balance with the person's forehead, cheeks, lips and chin.
Rhinoplasty can be performed through a closed or an open approach. In closed rhinoplasty the incisions stay inside the nostrils, which suits more limited changes. In open rhinoplasty a small incision across the columella, the narrow strip of skin between the nostrils, lets the surgeon see the tip cartilages directly, so the tip can be shaped, cartilage grafts placed and asymmetries corrected with more control. In most people this scar becomes hard to see over time. The choice is made at the examination and depends on the structure of the nose, how much work the tip needs, whether grafts are required and how thick the skin is. When the tip is refined, the cartilages are supported with sutures and, where needed, with small pieces of cartilage taken from the septum. If breathing is obstructed, the deviated septum is straightened (septoplasty) and, if necessary, the turbinates inside the nose are reduced.
Planning uses 3D facial imaging and simulation. A three-dimensional image of the face is taken at the consultation, and possible changes to the bridge, tip and profile are reviewed together on screen. The simulation gives patient and surgeon a shared language for discussing the goal, but it cannot show how skin thickness, healing and swelling will affect the outcome, and it is not an exact picture of the result. When it is considered useful, the planned nose is printed as a 3D model; these models and transparent templates help compare the shape achieved during surgery with the plan.
Skin type strongly influences recovery. Thick, oily nasal skin shows the refinement of the cartilage later and to a lesser degree, and swelling at the tip lasts longer in these noses. The splint usually stays on for a week and most visible swelling and bruising fade within the first two weeks, but the final shape settles over 12–18 months.
At the consultation with Prof. Dr. İlker Yazıcı at the practice in Nişantaşı, the outside and inside of the nose are examined, and you are asked about breathing problems, past injuries, allergies and any previous surgery. The technique that suits you, the possible risks, the recovery and the items that make up the cost are then discussed openly.
What are the aims?
- To bring the nose into better balance with the forehead, cheeks, lips and chin.
- To reduce a hump or crookedness along the bridge of the nose.
- To give the tip a more defined, balanced shape and angle.
- To make breathing through the nose easier where a deviated septum or narrowed internal structures are present.
- To reduce asymmetry between the nostrils and the nostril wings.
- To achieve a natural nose that belongs to the face and does not look operated on.
Images
With any surgical or interventional procedure, results may vary from person to person. You are advised to obtain detailed advice from your doctor before the procedure.
Who is it suitable for?
- Your nose has finished growing, which is usually around the age of 16 in girls and 17–18 in boys.
- You have a clear concern about the shape, profile or tip of your nose that you can describe.
- You have breathing problems caused by a deviated septum, nasal blockage or a previous injury to the nose.
- Your general health allows surgery and general anaesthesia.
- You are able to stop smoking before surgery and throughout recovery.
- Your expectations are realistic, and you accept that the aim is a nose that suits your own face, not someone else's.
- You can set aside time to recover: limited social activity for the first 1–2 weeks and mild swelling that can last for months.
When is it postponed or not recommended?
- Teenagers whose nose is still growing; conditions that seriously block the airway are assessed separately.
- People with uncontrolled heart or lung disease, a bleeding or clotting disorder, or another health problem that rules out anaesthesia.
- People who focus intensely on very small differences in their nose and have persistent, distressing worries about their appearance; if body dysmorphic disorder is suspected, a psychiatric assessment is advised first.
- People who expect an exact copy of someone else's nose, or who are considering surgery because someone else wants them to.
- People who have recently injured their nose or have active sinusitis or another infection; surgery is postponed until this has healed.
Alternatives
- Non-surgical nose reshaping with filler
- Hyaluronic acid filler can disguise a small hump or temporarily fill a dip along the bridge, but it does not make the nose smaller, does not correct breathing problems and carries rare but serious risks in this area, such as blocking a blood vessel.
- Septoplasty alone
- If breathing is the only concern, the deviated septum can be straightened without changing the outside of the nose.
- Medication or turbinate treatment
- If the blockage is caused by allergy or enlarged turbinates, medication or a minor procedure on the turbinates may be enough as a first step.
- Chin surgery (genioplasty)
- If a receding chin is one reason the nose looks large, chin surgery on its own or combined with rhinoplasty can balance the profile.
The process step by step
- 1
First contact
You can send photos of your nose from the front, the side and below and a short description of your concerns by WhatsApp or e-mail, or call the practice. This information gives you a general idea of the options and helps plan the examination; the medical assessment and the decision take place at the examination in Nişantaşı.
- 2
Consultation and 3D planning
Prof. Dr. İlker Yazıcı examines the inside and outside of your nose and assesses your airway at the practice in Nişantaşı; the intended change is discussed together using 3D imaging and simulation, and you receive a written plan and cost information.
- 3
Preparing for surgery
Blood tests and an anaesthetic assessment are carried out, and a CT scan of the nose is requested if needed. Blood thinners and certain supplements are adjusted on medical advice, and you stop smoking. Where needed, a 3D printed model and template are prepared.
- 4
Surgery
The operation is performed under general anaesthesia in a partner hospital and usually takes 2–4 hours; most patients stay in hospital for one night.
- 5
Splint removal and first check-up
The splint and any stitches are removed at around day 7–10, and you are shown in detail how to care for the inside of your nose and how to rinse it.
- 6
Long-term follow-up
Check-ups usually take place at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months, and the result is reviewed together as the swelling at the tip settles.
Recovery timeline
Days 1–3
A splint sits on the nose, and swelling and bruising around the eyes are at their most noticeable. Sleeping with your head raised, cold compresses and the prescribed painkillers help. Call the clinic straight away if bleeding increases, you develop a fever or pain keeps getting worse.
Days 7–10
The splint and any stitches are removed; if silicone splints were placed inside the nose, they usually come out at this visit. The nose may look swollen and slightly more upturned than it will be; this is temporary.
Weeks 2–3
Most of the bruising has gone, and most people return to desk work and social life. With regular rinsing, the blocked feeling gradually eases.
Weeks 4–6
Exercise is resumed gradually; contact sports and activities with a risk of a knock to the nose wait for your surgeon's approval. Heavy glasses should not rest on the bridge of the nose during this period.
Months 3–6
The bridge becomes more defined, and swelling and firmness at the tip slowly reduce. It is normal for the nose to look a little more swollen in the morning.
Months 12–18
The tip approaches its final definition and the final assessment is made; in noses with thick skin this can take longer.
Risks and possible complications
Every surgical procedure carries risks. Your personal risk is assessed in detail at the consultation.
- Nosebleeds: slight oozing is normal in the first days; call the clinic straight away if bleeding increases or does not stop.
- Infection: uncommon; fever, increasing redness and swelling, or a foul-smelling discharge need to be checked.
- A collection of blood in the septum (septal haematoma) or a hole in the septum (perforation): rare; it may be noticed as a whistling sound, crusting or repeated bleeding.
- Prolonged swelling: especially in noses with thick skin, swelling at the tip can last 12–18 months.
- Problems with shape: small asymmetries, irregularities that can be felt along the bridge, or a tip that settles differently from what was expected; some of these may later need a minor revision operation.
- Changes in breathing: scar bands (adhesions) inside the nose or narrowing that persists can cause a blocked feeling.
- Altered sensation: temporary numbness of the nasal tip and the upper front teeth is common; rarely it lasts longer.
- Scarring: after open rhinoplasty the scar on the columella occasionally remains noticeable; if the nostrils were narrowed, a fine scar forms in the nostril crease.
- Risks related to general anaesthesia and, rarely, a blood clot in the leg veins; your individual risk is discussed during the anaesthetic assessment.
What determines the cost?
The cost of rhinoplasty varies from person to person, so it would not be accurate to quote a single figure before an examination. The main factors are the extent of surgery (the bridge only, or the tip and septum as well), whether an open or closed approach is used, whether cartilage grafts are needed and where they are taken from, functional additions such as septoplasty or turbinate surgery, the length of the operation, hospital and anaesthesia costs, and whether a 3D printed model and template are prepared.
After the examination with Prof. Dr. İlker Yazıcı, you receive a written, itemised quote for the planned procedures that states what is included. If you have private health insurance, it is worth asking your insurer separately whether airway surgery (septoplasty) with a documented medical need could be considered; the cosmetic part is generally not covered.
If you are coming to Istanbul
The practice is authorised by the Turkish Ministry of Health for international health tourism (certificate no. ST-2365); help with accommodation near the clinic and airport transfer can be arranged through authorised partners. If you are travelling from abroad or from another city, plan to stay in Istanbul for about 7–10 days after surgery, until the splint and stitches have been removed. Back home, you stay in touch with the practice by sending photos and messages; if something needs to be examined, a check-up in Istanbul or a visit to a local doctor is arranged. Return visits to the practice are usually advised at 3 and 12 months.
Frequently asked questions
Is rhinoplasty painful?
Rhinoplasty is performed under general anaesthesia, so you feel no pain during the operation. In the first days afterwards, most people describe pressure, a blocked nose and a discomfort similar to a headache rather than sharp pain, and this is usually controlled with the prescribed painkillers. If the pain keeps getting worse, or comes with a fever or bleeding that does not stop, contact the clinic without delay.
How long does it take to recover from rhinoplasty, and when can I go back to work?
After rhinoplasty the splint is usually removed on day 7–10. Most bruising fades within two weeks, and most people return to desk work and social life after 10–14 days. Strenuous exercise and contact sports wait 4–6 weeks. Although the nose looks presentable by then, mild swelling, especially at the tip, lasts for months; the final shape settles within 12–18 months.
What is the difference between open and closed rhinoplasty, and will there be a scar?
In closed rhinoplasty all the incisions are inside the nostrils, with no cut on the outside. Open rhinoplasty adds an incision a few millimetres long across the columella, the strip of skin between the nostrils; in most people this fades over time to a fine line. If the nostrils are narrowed, a fine scar also forms in the nostril crease. The approach is decided at the examination, based on how much work the tip needs, whether grafts are required and the structure of the nose.
Will my nose look exactly like the 3D simulation after surgery?
In rhinoplasty planning, 3D simulation is a tool for seeing and discussing the intended change together; it is not an exact preview of the result. It cannot show skin thickness, how the tissues will heal or the swelling that can last for months. It does, however, help clarify expectations about the profile, bridge and tip and set a goal that can realistically be reached. Where needed, the plan is carried into the operating theatre with 3D printed models and templates.
Can a breathing problem be fixed in the same operation as a nose job?
Yes. If breathing is difficult because of a deviated septum, enlarged turbinates or narrowing at the nasal valve, these problems can be treated in the same operation as cosmetic rhinoplasty; the combined procedure is called septorhinoplasty. The cause of the blockage is assessed in detail at the examination, with a CT scan if needed. If a receding chin is unbalancing the profile, chin surgery can also be planned in the same operation.
I am travelling to Istanbul for rhinoplasty. How many days should I stay?
Patients travelling to Istanbul for rhinoplasty are advised to plan a stay of about 7–10 days after surgery, until the splint and stitches have been removed. The consultation and pre-operative tests are usually completed in the days before the operation. Return visits to the practice are usually requested at around 3 and 12 months, and in between you can stay in touch by sending photos and messages.
Are rhinoplasty results permanent, and when will I see the final result?
The changes made to the bone and cartilage in rhinoplasty are long-lasting, but the nose, like the rest of the face, keeps changing with age. The final result becomes clear once the swelling has fully settled, usually within 12–18 months. In noses with thick skin the tip can take longer to refine. It is important not to decide on any further procedure before this time has passed, so that the result can be judged properly.
What is the right age for rhinoplasty?
Rhinoplasty is done once the nose has finished growing, which is usually around the age of 16 in girls and 17–18 in boys. There is no upper age limit; general health and skin quality are what matter. Under 18, parental consent is required, and the teenager is also asked separately what they want. Conditions that seriously block the airway can be assessed separately at an earlier age.
What does the cost of rhinoplasty depend on?
The cost of rhinoplasty varies from person to person, and it would not be accurate to quote a single figure without an examination. The main factors are the extent of surgery, an open or closed approach, whether cartilage grafts are needed, functional additions such as septoplasty or turbinate surgery, the length of the operation, and hospital and anaesthesia costs. After the examination with Prof. Dr. İlker Yazıcı, you receive a written, itemised quote for the planned procedures.
Do smoking and my medication affect rhinoplasty?
Yes. Smoking reduces blood flow to the tissues, slows wound healing and raises the risk of infection; stop at least 3–4 weeks before rhinoplasty and do not smoke during recovery. Blood thinners such as aspirin, some painkillers and supplements such as fish oil and ginkgo can increase bleeding. List every medicine you take at the consultation; which ones to stop, and when, is decided together with your doctor, so do not stop any medication on your own.
Last updated: · Responsible for content: Prof. Dr. İlker Yazıcı