Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure that brings the shape, size and proportions of the nose into harmony with the face while preserving or improving the airway. Changes to the tip, the bridge and the nostrils are planned in a single operation.

Who is it suitable for, and at what age?

As a general rule I wait for the facial skeleton to finish developing before rhinoplasty — usually around the age of 18. This is not arbitrary: surgery at an early age can affect the natural growth of the nose and facial bones.

There are exceptions. If there is a congenital anomaly causing severe breathing difficulty, a serious injury (an accident or sports trauma), or an obstruction that seriously impairs quality of life, we can assess patients under 18 on medical grounds — in these cases the decision is entirely individual and is made together with the family.

There is no upper age limit. If general health allows surgery, rhinoplasty can be performed safely in the forties and fifties as well.

Open or closed technique?

The choice between the open and the closed (endonasal) technique differs for each patient — there is no standard rule. I base the decision on three things: the degree of the anatomical problem, whether you have had surgery before (in revision cases the open technique gives a clearer view), and how fine and delicate a correction the tip needs.

In the closed technique the incisions stay inside the nose, there is no external scar and recovery is usually a little faster — I prefer it for more limited, clearly defined changes. The open technique uses a small, almost invisible incision at the base of the nose to give a direct, wide view of the nasal structures — in complex cases, revisions or when the tip needs fine adjustment, that clarity gives a safer result.

In short: we decide together which technique suits you after I have examined your nose.

How long does surgery take, and which anaesthesia is used?

Rhinoplasty is performed under general anaesthesia. A standard case takes about 2 hours on average; in revision cases, where the tissues are more complex because of earlier surgery, it can take up to 4–5 hours.

If there is a breathing problem, is it corrected in the same operation?

Yes. If your nose has both an aesthetic and a functional problem (such as a deviated septum or enlarged turbinates), I correct them in the same session rather than leaving them for a separate operation. Septal deviations and turbinate hypertrophy are treated at the same time as rhinoplasty — appearance and breathing are planned together.

When is the result final, and how long does swelling last?

Swelling and bruising around the eyes are expected in the first few days — usually most noticeable on day 2, then fading quickly. The splint stays on for about a week; when it comes off, the general outline of the nose is already visible. Within the first month most of the swelling goes down and most patients are back to daily life; the final result emerges at about one year.

The final shape takes longer, however: the fine swelling at the tip can take 6–12 months to settle completely. This does not mean the operation has failed — nasal tissue by its nature heals slowly and gradually. I advise my patients to be patient for a year; the true “final” photograph is taken then. For a detailed timeline, see Recovery After Rhinoplasty.

Which hospital, and how long is the stay?

Operations are performed at affiliated hospitals (NP İstanbul and Acıbadem Kozyatağı Hastanesi). The hospital stay is one night — you remain under observation overnight after surgery and are discharged the next day.

What are the risks and complications?

Like any surgical procedure, rhinoplasty carries risks: infection, bleeding, complications related to anaesthesia, mild asymmetry, an unexpected change in breathing and the need for revision. In experienced hands these are uncommon, but the risk is never zero. In the fine adjustments to the tip and the bridge in particular, 100% symmetry cannot be guaranteed — the aim is a natural result in harmony with the face, not mathematical symmetry. The real purpose of regular follow-up after surgery is to notice any problem early and manage it.

How do you prepare for surgery?

At the first consultation your nose is assessed both aesthetically and functionally, and imaging is requested if needed. Routine blood tests are done before surgery; if you smoke, you are asked to stop at least a few weeks beforehand — because smoking impairs wound healing — and medicines with a blood-thinning effect and certain herbal supplements are stopped. I recommend that you do not rush the decision, ask your questions and form a clear expectation; choosing your surgeon is one of the most important steps in this process — I cover it in detail on the page Choosing a Rhinoplasty Surgeon: What to Look For.

Which techniques do you use?

In rhinoplasty I prefer techniques that preserve the structural tissue as far as possible — rather than completely breaking and reshaping the cartilage and bone of the nasal bridge, I aim to make fine adjustments while keeping the original supporting structure wherever possible. This approach aims for more natural results and a more predictable recovery. Which technique suits you is determined by the anatomy of your nose.

How do thick and thin skin affect rhinoplasty?

Skin thickness directly affects how the operation is planned and when the result becomes clear. With thin skin, changes to the underlying cartilage and bone show more clearly and sooner — but small irregularities can also be more noticeable. With thick skin, changes appear more slowly and swelling can take more than 12 months to settle completely, but the skin hides small irregularities better. I take your skin thickness into account when planning surgery.

Why is the nasal tip a more difficult area?

The tip is the part of rhinoplasty that calls for the finest adjustment, because of its delicate cartilages, variable skin thickness and the most sensitive blood supply in the nose. Changes of a millimetre make a visible difference here, so I proceed more gradually with corrections to the tip. The tip usually takes longer than the rest of the nose to reach its final shape.

Is rhinoplasty planned differently for men and women?

Yes. In male rhinoplasty the aim is a straighter bridge, a stronger and more defined tip angle and a less upturned profile in keeping with the masculine lines of the face. In female rhinoplasty a finer, slightly upturned tip and softer lines are generally preferred. In both cases the goal is an understated result that suits the person’s own facial structure and expectations.

I do not recommend rhinoplasty for patients under 18 whose facial skeleton has not finished developing (unless there is a medical necessity), for patients with unrealistic expectations, or where a serious underlying health problem increases the risk of surgery. When I notice an obsessive concern about body image — for example a disproportionate focus on a small asymmetry — I talk about it openly with my patient before any decision on surgery; a mild concern may benefit from surgery, but not every concern is resolved by an operation.