• 목록
• 답변
• 글쓰기
• 게시판 리스트 옵션
  • 수정
  • 삭제

Nose Surgery FAQs – Q&A about Rhinoplasty

refers to a range of procedures, including , , and . Nose surgery is designed to improve the appearance and function of the nose. Centre for Surgery is considered the leading plastic surgery clinic in London and is home to some of the . Here, we answer your most commonly asked questions about all aspects of nose reshaping surgery.

NOSE SURGERY OVERVIEW

Common reasons to have a rhinoplasty include:

RELATED:

People often face a variety of nose-related problems, ranging from cosmetic to functional. A deviated septum occurs when the nasal septum is misaligned, causing breathing difficulties, snoring and even sleep apnoea. Nasal polyps are non-cancerous growths that can cause chronic sinusitis and reduced sense of smell. Allergic rhinitis is an inflammation of the nasal lining triggered by allergens. Sinusitis involves inflammation or infection of the sinuses. Cosmetic concerns — such as a dorsal hump, wide nostrils, a drooping or bulbous tip, or a crooked nose — are also common reasons for seeking rhinoplasty.

A nose job, also known as rhinoplasty, is one of the most popular facial plastic surgery procedures performed in the UK each year.

Nose aesthetics are subjective. Generally, a nose that is in proportion to the face and looks balanced, natural and harmonious with other facial features is considered beautiful. A straight and symmetrical nose with a well-defined nasal bridge, refined tip and well-defined nostrils is often considered aesthetically pleasing.

RELATED: 

AM I SUITABLE FOR NOSE SURGERY?

Yes. Centre for Surgery observes a mandatory reflection period between your consultation and your surgery date. This ensures you have had sufficient time to consider your decision fully, ask any remaining questions, and feel completely confident before proceeding. Your surgeon will confirm the specific timeframe at your consultation.

We recommend waiting until at least 18 years of age before considering a nose job, as the nose may still grow before then. At Centre for Surgery, patients must be a minimum of 18 years of age to have a consultation or procedure.

There is no ideal age to have a rhinoplasty, although most people who have it done are between the ages of 20 and 40.

There is no upper age limit for rhinoplasty surgery. Patients should be in a good state of health with no chronic medical conditions and have realistic expectations of what can be achieved after surgery.

RHINOPLASTY PREPARATION

Avoid taking any medicines containing aspirin as these can increase the risk of bleeding. Stop smoking at least four weeks before surgery. Focus on eating a healthy diet and keeping well-hydrated. Organise at least one week off work. Follow the preoperative fasting instructions provided by our clinical support team on the day of your procedure.

Avoid medicines containing aspirin, all types of herbal supplements, and supplements containing vitamin E. Do not smoke for at least four weeks before surgery.

Avoid shaving your face for at least 24 hours before surgery to minimise the risk of minor cuts, which could increase the risk of infection.

Wear loose, comfortable, cotton-based clothing buttoned from the front. Avoid T-shirts or other clothing that has to be removed over your head.

RHINOPLASTY PROCEDURE

A nose job is a surgical procedure involving the reshaping of the nose by surgically altering the underlying bone and cartilage. Incisions for rhinoplasty are most commonly made at the columella between the two nostrils — known as an open rhinoplasty. In a closed rhinoplasty, all incisions are made inside the nose.

involves an incision on the columella, providing full visibility of the nasal anatomy for precise changes to the underlying bones and cartilage. It is often used for complex cases, severe nasal deformities or revision surgeries. involves all incisions made within the nostrils, avoiding visible external scarring. It is often used for simpler cases such as a small hump, droopy tip or slight deviation.

Most types of nose surgery are performed under general anaesthesia. You will be completely asleep for the procedure. Certain types of nose surgery, such as , can sometimes be performed under local anaesthesia.

A nose job usually takes two to three hours, depending on the complexity of the surgery.

A is a surgical procedure that focuses specifically on altering the shape of the nasal tip. It can be performed alone or alongside other rhinoplasty procedures. Techniques include cartilage reshaping, cartilage grafting, suture techniques and alar base reduction.

aims to preserve as much of the patient’s original nasal structure as possible while achieving the desired cosmetic results. The goal is to minimise the amount of tissue removed while achieving a more natural-looking result. This technique is often used for revision rhinoplasty or subtle changes.

A cartilage graft nose job involves the use of cartilage taken from other parts of the body — typically the septum, ear or rib — to reshape or augment the nose. It is commonly used to correct structural issues, improve shape, or address asymmetry or previous surgical deficiencies.

RELATED: 

Rib cartilage is typically needed when the patient lacks sufficient cartilage in the nasal septum or ears. It is strong and flexible, and can be used to build up the bridge of the nose, create a more defined tip, or augment the nostrils.

If you need the upper third of your nose narrowed, your surgeon may need to fracture your nasal bones to facilitate this. This is known as a lateral osteotomy and involves a controlled fracture of the nasal sidewalls using an osteotome.

RECOVERY AFTER RHINOPLASTY SURGERY

Recovery after most types of nose surgery requires at least six weeks. It can take up to twelve months for your final results to appear.

RELATED: 

Yes. Following most types of rhinoplasty, a rigid external splint or cast is applied to the nose immediately after surgery. This protects the newly reshaped nasal structures, supports the bones and cartilage in their new position, and helps reduce swelling. The splint is typically worn for one to two weeks before being removed by your surgeon at a follow-up appointment. You may also have internal nasal packs or soft splints inside the nostrils, which are usually removed within the first few days.

General anaesthesia is used for a nose job, which means you will not experience any pain during surgery. Any discomfort after surgery can be easily controlled with painkillers and lasts for more than a few days in most cases.

Common side effects include numbness of the nose tip, localised discomfort, swelling and bruising, and difficulty breathing through the nose for the first few days after surgery.

Most patients will experience swelling and bruising around the eyes and nose immediately after the procedure. The majority of swelling and bruising typically subsides within the first two weeks, with a significant improvement in appearance. However, final results may not be evident for several months, as some swelling can take up to a year to fully resolve.

RELATED: 

Follow post-operative instructions carefully. Use cold packs for the first 72 hours to minimise swelling. Lie propped up on a few pillows to reduce congestion and swelling. Avoid blowing your nose. Do not smoke or drink alcohol for the first four weeks. Focus on eating a healthy diet and staying well hydrated. Avoid any strenuous exercise for a full six weeks after surgery.

You must not drive home yourself after any surgery involving general anaesthesia or sedation. You will require a responsible adult escort to pick you up on the day of surgery.

You can safely have a shower 48 hours after rhinoplasty. Do not use hot water, as this can increase swelling.

Some patients undertaking desk-based work can safely return to work after seven to ten days. People with physically demanding occupations should wait at least three to four weeks before returning to work.

You must not sleep on your side after a nose job. You must sleep on your back with your head elevated.

You should wait at least seven days before flying.

You can start shaving again after approximately four weeks.

You should avoid caffeinated beverages during the first four weeks, including coffee, as they can diminish the effectiveness of painkillers.

Avoid spicy foods or foods that require lots of chewing, such as steak. Focus on a soft diet for the first two weeks after surgery.

Excessive nose-touching can delay tissue healing and adversely affect the final result. Avoid touching your nose during the first four weeks.

NOSE SURGERY RESULTS

A nose job can transform your face’s overall appearance. A nose that is even moderately enlarged can have a significant effect on facial aesthetics. A nose job can help to improve the overall balance and harmony of your facial features.

A reduction rhinoplasty is the most effective and permanent way to reduce the size of a big nose.

RELATED:

A rhinoplasty may temporarily alter the appearance of the upper lip during the early recovery period due to swelling. If the tip of the nose has been lifted during surgery, the appearance of the upper lip may be enhanced.

Rhinoplasty performed for functional reasons can help address breathing difficulties, snoring or sleep apnoea. It may be combined with other ENT procedures to eliminate sleep apnoea permanently.

Rhinoplasty surgery is designed to produce results that can last a lifetime. The nose may slightly change in size and shape over time due to natural ageing, or you may sustain a traumatic injury requiring a revision rhinoplasty.

, also known as secondary rhinoplasty, is performed to correct or improve the results of a previous rhinoplasty procedure. It is a more complex procedure than primary rhinoplasty and is typically performed to address asymmetry, functional issues, dissatisfaction with shape or size, or to correct complications from previous surgery.

RISKS AND COMPLICATIONS OF RHINOPLASTY SURGERY

Rhinoplasty is not typically a painful procedure. Immediately after surgery, most patients report a feeling of congestion rather than actual pain or discomfort. Any pain can be easily controlled with painkillers.

Choosing an inexperienced surgeon may increase the risk of a nose job going wrong. In up to 20% of cases, a revision rhinoplasty procedure may be required to improve the results of the primary surgery. This percentage is lower when surgery is performed by a specialist rhinoplasty surgeon.

As with all surgical procedures, rhinoplasty carries some risks. These include:

In open rhinoplasty, a small scar is left on the columella. Although this scar is usually small and well-hidden, it can be a concern for some patients. In closed rhinoplasty, all incisions are made inside the nostrils and are not visible. In most cases, scars are not visible after healing.

You must follow all of the pre- and postoperative instructions given to you by your surgeon. Avoid excessive nose-touching, lifting heavy objects or strenuous activity too soon after surgery.

FINANCING NOSE SURGERY

The NHS does not perform cosmetic surgery, and a nose job is therefore not available on the NHS. If you have a breathing problem related to the nose, such as a deviated septum, you may qualify for NHS treatment, but current NHS waiting lists are several years long. We recommend seeking treatment at a reputable private clinic.

Most types of rhinoplasty are performed for cosmetic purposes and are therefore not covered by private medical insurance. If you have a septal deviation causing breathing difficulties, you may be able to have a procedure covered by insurance.

Centre for Surgery offers a full range of finance options through Chrysalis Finance, including 0% APR for eligible applicants.

RELATED:

Nose Surgery at Centre for Surgery

Centre for Surgery is considered the leading plastic surgery clinic in the UK and is home to the top rhinoplasty surgeons in London. We carry out hundreds of nose surgery procedures each year at our state-of-the-art Baker Street clinic in Marylebone. If you would like to have a nose reshaping procedure for aesthetic or functional reasons, get in touch with us today by calling or completing the contact form below.

RELATED:

Call or fill in the form below. A patient coordinator will call you within one working day to book your consultation with the consultant best matched to your enquiry.

—Please choose an option—Rhinoplasty (nose surgery)Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery)Facelift / Neck liftOtoplasty (ear surgery)Breast augmentationBreast surgery liftBreast reductionLiposuctionTummy tuckBrazilian Butt Lift (BBL)Mummy makeoverLabiaplasty / Cosmetic gynaecologyGynaecomastia (male breast reduction)FTM / MTF top surgerySkin lesion / mole removalMorpheus8 / Fotona / non-surgicalRevision surgery (any previous procedure)Other / not sure yet




Best time to call you

Morning (9am–12pm)Afternoon (12pm–3pm)Late afternoon (3pm–6pm)Any time

Send me occasional treatment guides, patient stories, and clinic news

I have read and understood the

Your enquiry is treated in strict confidence. We respond within one working day, Monday to Saturday.

Request a consultation

Primary Sidebar

I agree to receive marketing communications ()

Centre for Surgery is a CQC-regulated private hospital on London’s Baker Street, delivering plastic and cosmetic surgery through GMC-registered specialist surgeons. Our expertise spans facial procedures including and , , for men, and body contouring procedures such as and . Patient safety, surgical excellence and natural-looking results sit at the heart of everything we do.

Centre for Surgery is a CQC-regulated private hospital on London’s iconic , offering plastic and cosmetic surgery led by GMC-registered consultant surgeons.

Marylebone

London

W1U 6RN

Mon – Sat, 9am – 6pm

Saturday consultations available