What is rhinoplasty?
Rhinoplasty is an operation that changes the shape, size or proportions of the nose. It works on the bone and cartilage framework underneath the skin, and the skin then settles over the new framework as it heals.
When the septum is straightened at the same time to improve breathing, the operation is called septorhinoplasty. The aim is a nose that sits in balance with the rest of the face and still lets you breathe comfortably.
Op. Dr. Serdar Başer is an ENT – head and neck surgeon whose practice in Ankara focuses on rhinoplasty and functional nose surgery. Every plan starts with an examination of both the outside of the nose and the airway inside it.
Which nose concerns can rhinoplasty correct?
Patients usually come with one main concern and a few smaller ones. The table below shows common requests and the kind of change that is typically made.
| Concern | Typical surgical change |
|---|---|
| Hump on the bridge | Bone and cartilage of the hump are lowered and the bridge is smoothed |
| Wide bridge | Nasal bones are narrowed with controlled cuts (osteotomies) |
| Bulbous or wide tip | Tip cartilages are trimmed, shaped with sutures or supported with grafts |
| Drooping tip | The tip is supported and rotated slightly upwards |
| Crooked nose | Septum, cartilages and bones are re-centred |
| Wide nostrils | The nostril base is narrowed |
| Breathing difficulty | Septum, turbinates or nasal valve are treated in the same operation |
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons notes that every face is asymmetric to some degree, so a perfectly symmetrical result is not a realistic target. The goal is balance and proportion.
Who is a suitable candidate?
A suitable candidate has finished facial growth, is in good general health and has clear, realistic goals. The AAO-HNS clinical practice guideline asks surgeons to discuss each patient's motivations and expectations and to say openly whether those expectations are achievable.
Expectations matter for satisfaction. In a prospective study of 183 septorhinoplasty patients, satisfaction was strongly linked to how far the result met the patient's own expectations, and patients operated on for cosmetic reasons started with the highest expectations.
| Usually suitable | Better to wait or discuss first |
|---|---|
| Facial growth complete | Teenagers still growing |
| A specific feature you would like to change | A wish for a "copied" nose from a photograph |
| Breathing problems with a structural cause | Recent nasal injury that is still healing |
| Non-smoker, or willing to stop around surgery | Bleeding disorders or uncontrolled medical conditions |
| Able to take about a week off for recovery | Long-term use of decongestant nasal sprays (needs assessment) |
The guideline also lists conditions that should be checked before surgery, including obstructive sleep apnoea, bleeding disorders, body dysmorphic disorder and chronic use of decongestant nasal sprays.
Which techniques are used?
There is no single technique that suits every nose. The approach is chosen at the examination according to the anatomy, the skin and the changes you want. Each option has its own page:
| Technique | In short | More detail |
|---|---|---|
| Open rhinoplasty | Small incision across the columella; direct view of the cartilages | Open rhinoplasty |
| Closed rhinoplasty | All incisions inside the nostrils | Closed rhinoplasty |
| Piezo rhinoplasty | Bones shaped with ultrasonic instruments instead of chisels | Piezo rhinoplasty |
| Nasal tip surgery | Work limited to the tip cartilages | Nasal tip surgery |
| Septoplasty (added) | The deviated septum is straightened | Septoplasty |
A 2025 meta-analysis of 12 comparative studies (1,067 patients) found no significant difference between open and closed rhinoplasty in patient-reported appearance, breathing scores, swelling, bruising or complication rates. The authors concluded that the choice should be tailored to the patient and the surgeon's experience.
A 2026 meta-analysis of randomised trials found less swelling and bruising during the first week when the bones were shaped with piezoelectric instruments, while the effect on operating time remained uncertain.
Skin thickness also changes the plan. This is covered on the rhinoplasty by skin type page.
How is the operation carried out?
- Examination and planning. The nose is examined from the outside and inside, photographs are taken and the plan is agreed.
- Anaesthesia. Rhinoplasty is usually performed under general anaesthesia in a hospital operating theatre.
- Reshaping. Bone and cartilage are reduced, repositioned or supported. Cartilage grafts, most often from the septum, may be used to support the tip or the middle of the nose.
- Airway work. If needed, the septum, turbinates or nasal valve are treated in the same session.
- Closing. Incisions are closed with fine sutures and an external splint is placed on the nose.
The NHS describes an operating time of about 1.5 to 3 hours and a hospital stay of one or two nights; in practice the length depends on how much is being changed. Your own timings are confirmed at the consultation.
What does recovery look like?
Recovery is gradual, and swelling changes week by week. Cleveland Clinic notes that most swelling (around 90%) has gone after about three months, while minimal swelling can persist for up to a year.
| Time after surgery | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Days 1–3 | Blocked nose, swelling and bruising around the eyes; sleep with the head raised |
| Days 6–7 | Splint and any external stitches removed; first look at the new shape |
| Weeks 2–3 | Bruising fades; most people return to desk work |
| Weeks 4–6 | Strenuous exercise and contact sport can usually resume |
| Month 3 | Most swelling has settled; the profile looks close to final |
| Month 12 | Final result; thick-skinned noses may take longer |
During the first weeks one side may look more swollen than the other. Cleveland Clinic describes this asymmetrical healing as common and not a sign that something has gone wrong.
How do I plan the trip to Ankara?
Ankara is served by Esenboğa International Airport, north of the city. Dr. Başer's clinic is in the Maidan Business and Living Centre in Çankaya. Most patients plan a stay of about 8–9 days.
| Day | Plan |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive at Esenboğa Airport; consultation, examination and pre-operative tests |
| Day 2 | Surgery |
| Days 3–7 | Rest at the hotel, short walks, check-up as arranged |
| Day 8 | Splint removal (6–7 days after surgery) and final examination |
| Day 9 | Fly home, once Dr. Başer has confirmed |
Before you book, you can send photographs of your nose by WhatsApp (+90 544 736 05 86) for a preliminary opinion. The final plan is made only after the in-person examination. The clinic is open Monday to Friday 09:30–17:30 and Saturday 10:00–17:30.
What are the risks?
Rhinoplasty is a common operation, but it carries real risks. A 2020 systematic review of 36 studies reported rates for the need for revision of 0–10.9%, infection 0–4%, bleeding 0–4.1% and septal perforation 0–2.6%, with wide variation between studies.
- Bleeding or nosebleeds, mostly in the first days
- Infection
- Prolonged swelling or numbness of the tip
- Breathing difficulty
- Asymmetry or small contour irregularities
- A hole in the septum (septal perforation)
- A result that does not meet your expectations, sometimes leading to revision rhinoplasty
- Risks related to anaesthesia
Your personal risks are discussed at the examination and during informed consent, taking your medical history and the planned procedure into account.
Why does an ENT surgeon look at breathing as well?
The nose is a facial feature, but it is also the entrance to the airway. Reducing or narrowing a nose changes the space air flows through, so an aesthetic change can affect breathing if function is not considered.
The AAO-HNS guideline recommends that every rhinoplasty candidate is evaluated for nasal airway obstruction before surgery and told how the operation might affect breathing. As an ENT – head and neck surgeon, Dr. Başer examines the septum, turbinates and nasal valves as part of every rhinoplasty consultation, and treats them in the same operation when needed.
The same guideline recommends recording patients' satisfaction with both the appearance and the function of the nose at least 12 months after surgery, which is why follow-up continues until the healing year is complete.