We have gathered the most common questions about rhinoplasty (nose surgery) on one page: who can have surgery, how anaesthesia and pain work, when you see the result, what the risks are and how recovery goes. At İstanbul Burun Estetiği, our clinic in Bakırköy, Istanbul, we also answer these questions individually at the consultation. The answers below are general information; they do not replace personal medical advice, diagnosis or a treatment plan. No operation can guarantee a result and the decision is made together after an in-person examination.
How should you use this page?
The questions that come to mind when deciding on nose surgery are often similar. The questions below follow the process in order, from before the operation to after recovery. If you cannot find the answer to your question, you can write to us by phone, WhatsApp or email. For detailed information you can also look at our related pages: rhinoplasty, open rhinoplasty, closed rhinoplasty, revision rhinoplasty, recovery and cost.
What to ask yourself before deciding
Asking yourself these questions before you go to the consultation makes the meeting more productive: What exactly do I want to change in my nose? Do I have a breathing complaint? Have I had nose surgery or a blow to the nose before? Why was the proposed technique chosen and what were the alternatives? Do I understand the risks, the recovery time and the chance of revision? Is it in writing what the quote includes and excludes? We clarify the answers together at the consultation. At our clinic we do not pressure you to decide and we respect your wish to get a second opinion.
Process summary: from consultation to long-term follow-up
The rhinoplasty process can be summarised in five stages. The details of each stage are explained on the related pages.
1. Consultation and planning
Your expectations, health history and nasal structure are assessed together with our doctor. The nose is photographed from several angles and breathing function is examined. The recommended technique, possible alternatives, risks and expected recovery are shared with you. Needed tests are requested and a written quote is prepared.
2. Preparing for surgery
You need to stop smoking and nicotine for a period, stop medicines and supplements that may increase bleeding under medical supervision, follow the fasting instructions before anaesthesia and have someone with you on the day of surgery. It also matters to arrange your work and social plans in advance for the recovery period.
3. The day of surgery
You arrive at the clinic at the set time, fasting. Your health history and the operative plan are reviewed once more and the anaesthetist assesses you. The operation is done under anaesthesia and you feel no pain. After surgery you are monitored in the recovery room and, if suitable, discharged within the time our doctor advises.
4. The first weeks
In the first days, nasal blockage, swelling and bruising are expected. Keeping your head raised, not blowing your nose and taking your medicines regularly are important. The splint and stitches are usually removed at our clinic around the first week. See our recovery page for details.
5. Long-term follow-up
Most swelling goes down in the first weeks, but the final shape of the nose often takes 12 months or longer to settle. Planned check-ups are carried out during this time. For people travelling from abroad, contact arrangements after returning home are planned in advance.
Honesty about realistic expectations and risks
Rhinoplasty is an operation whose result cannot be guaranteed. The result is influenced by many factors such as skin thickness, cartilage and bone structure, healing tendency and adherence to aftercare. A small proportion of patients may need revision (a second operation). Knowing that surgery is not a promise of perfection, that recovery takes time and that the result varies from person to person helps keep expectations realistic.
At our clinic we do not use absolute words such as “guaranteed result”, “best” or “certain”. Instead we explain the risks, limits and alternatives openly. You can ask any question you cannot find the answer to at the consultation; we give you time to decide.
Frequently asked questions
A surgical procedure that changes the shape, size or breathing function of the nose. It can aim at cosmetic change, functional improvement, or both.
In people whose growth is not complete, surgery is usually postponed. The right timing is assessed at the consultation.
You feel no pain during the operation because it is done under anaesthesia. In the following days most people report mild to moderate discomfort that can be managed with painkillers; experience varies.
It is usually done under general anaesthesia. In some selected cases a combination of sedation and local anaesthesia may be considered. The type is planned with the anaesthetist according to your health history and the extent of surgery.
A primary rhinoplasty commonly takes about two to four hours. Revision or graft-heavy cases may take longer.
Neither is better than the other. The right choice is decided at the consultation according to the structure of the nose, the planned correction and the surgical plan. See our open and closed rhinoplasty pages for details.
When the splint comes off the nose is still swollen, so the result cannot be judged at first sight. As swelling goes down the shape of the nose becomes clear.
Most swelling settles in the first weeks, but the final shape often takes 12 months or longer.
It can both improve and worsen breathing. Nasal function should be assessed before surgery and included in the plan.
Yes. If there is both a cosmetic concern and a breathing complaint, septoplasty and rhinoplasty can be done in the same operation, which is called septorhinoplasty.
Usually at our clinic at around one week; timing depends on our doctor's assessment.
Bruising usually turns yellow within the first week and fades noticeably in the second to third week. How long it lasts varies from person to person.
For desk work most people return in about 1–2 weeks; physical jobs may take longer. This depends on our doctor's assessment.
Heavy exercise and sports with a risk of knocks to the nose are usually avoided for several weeks. Gentle walking may be possible earlier with our doctor's approval.
Glasses can press on the bridge. For several weeks special supports or alternatives are used as our doctor advises.
Risks include bleeding, bruising, infection, complications related to anaesthesia, difficulty breathing, asymmetry, changes in shape over time and the need for revision. The risks are explained individually at the consultation.
A small proportion of patients may need an additional correction. No operation can guarantee a result. See our revision rhinoplasty page for details.
Smoking and nicotine impair tissue blood supply and harm healing; stopping for a period before and after surgery is advised. Alcohol can also increase bleeding and swelling, so follow our doctor's instructions.
Some medicines and supplements that may increase bleeding must be stopped before surgery. Always ask your doctor which medicine to stop and when; do not stop medicines on your own.
Yes. In thick skin, refining the tip may be limited and swelling lasts longer. See our thick-skinned noses page for details.
With measured corrections that suit facial proportions and by preserving the structural support of the nose. Over-reduction or lifting the tip too far can lead to an artificial look.
Revision rhinoplasty can correct many cases. It is generally advised to wait at least about a year after the first operation; the decision is made at the consultation.
A fair amount can only be set once the nose has been examined and the extent of the planned procedure is known. The exact amount is set in a written quote. See our cost page for details.
Purely cosmetic operations are usually not covered; the functional part aimed at a breathing problem may be assessed differently under some policies. Check your policy with your insurer.
Accommodation, the length of stay for the first check-up and follow-up arrangements after returning home are planned in advance. You can ask us about the details when you arrange a consultation.
The surgical principles are the same; but because nasal anatomy and aesthetic goals can differ, the plan is made to suit the male face. See our male rhinoplasty page for details.
Stop smoking and nicotine, adjust medicines under medical supervision, follow the fasting instructions before anaesthesia and have someone accompany you on the day of surgery.
Contact the clinic or an emergency service without delay for uncontrolled bleeding, high fever, severe and increasing pain, shortness of breath, or redness and pus around the nose.
Reach us by phone, WhatsApp or email to arrange a consultation. Our clinic is in Yalı Ataköy, Bakırköy, Istanbul.