Rhinoplasty in Turkey

Rhinoplasty is surgery to change the shape, size or proportions of the nose, to improve breathing, or both. It can reduce a dorsal hump, refine or lift a drooping tip, narrow wide nostrils, straighten a nose that is crooked after an injury, or correct the internal structures that block airflow. When the septum inside the nose is straightened at the same time, the operation is called a septorhinoplasty.

Plastic Surgery Turkey Group (PSTG) helps international patients plan rhinoplasty in Turkey, from the first photo assessment to follow-up after you return home. The surgery is performed by the treating surgeon at a contracted healthcare institution in Istanbul or Antalya. Because the nose sits at the centre of the face, the goal is a nose that suits your other features and still works well, not a standard template.

Rhinoplasty at a glance#

• What it is: surgery on the bone, cartilage and skin of the nose to change its shape, improve breathing, or both.
• Anaesthesia: usually general anaesthesia. Some limited procedures are done under local anaesthesia with sedation.
• Operating time: most operations take around two to three hours, longer for revision or complex functional work.
• Hospital stay: many patients stay one night, while others return to the hotel the same day.
• Time in Turkey: most patients plan around seven to ten days, so the splint can be removed and the nose checked before flying.
• Back to desk work: often after about one to two weeks, once the splint is off and the bruising has faded.
• Final result: most swelling settles over the first few months, but the tip keeps refining for a year or more.
• Usually not advised if: you are still growing, have had nasal surgery within the last year, smoke and cannot stop, or have uncontrolled medical conditions.

Who is a good candidate#

Rhinoplasty may suit you if you:

• are bothered by a specific feature of your nose, such as a hump, a wide or bulbous tip, asymmetry or overall size;
• have breathing problems caused by a deviated septum or collapse of the nasal valves;
• have a nose that has changed shape after an injury;
• have finished facial growth, which for most people is by the mid-to-late teens;
• are in good general health and have clear, realistic goals.

Rhinoplasty may not be the right step if you:

• are hoping for a nose copied from a photograph that does not fit your facial structure or skin type;
• have had nasal surgery recently, because surgeons usually wait at least a year before revision so that swelling and scar tissue can settle;
• are experiencing significant distress about your appearance that goes beyond the nose, where talking to a specialist first is often more helpful;
• smoke and cannot stop, or have untreated bleeding tendencies or uncontrolled medical conditions;
• regularly use nasal decongestant sprays or other substances that damage the nasal lining, until this has been addressed.

Techniques and options#

Rhinoplasty is not one technique. Surgeons choose an approach, and sometimes an instrument, according to your anatomy and what needs to change. The table compares the options people ask about most. It describes how they differ, not which is better, because the right choice depends on your nose and the surgeon's experience.

Open and closed rhinoplasty#

In open rhinoplasty, the extra view of the cartilage and bone is why surgeons often prefer it for complex tip work, marked asymmetry and revision cases. In closed rhinoplasty, all incisions are inside the nostrils, so there is no external scar, and it suits many cases where the changes are more limited. Which approach is chosen depends on your anatomy and the surgeon's assessment, not on which is considered better in general.

Piezo or ultrasonic rhinoplasty#

Piezo rhinoplasty uses a vibrating ultrasonic instrument to reshape or cut bone, instead of traditional chisels and rasps. Surgeons who use it describe more precise bone cuts and less trauma to the tissues around them, which is why it is often discussed in relation to bruising. Evidence that it gives better results overall is limited, and the technique is not suitable for every nose. Our article on piezo rhinoplasty in Turkey explains how it works and what to ask.

Preservation techniques#

Some surgeons use preservation rhinoplasty for suitable noses, lowering a hump by adjusting the structures beneath the bridge rather than removing and rebuilding the top of it. It is not suitable for every nose, and your surgeon will explain whether it applies to you.

Functional surgery#

Breathing problems are addressed by straightening the septum (septoplasty), reducing enlarged turbinates or supporting weak nasal valves with cartilage grafts. Functional and cosmetic changes are often planned together in a single operation.

Revision and grafting#

A revision rhinoplasty corrects problems after previous surgery. It is usually more complex, because the original support may have been weakened. Cartilage grafts, typically taken from the septum and sometimes from the ear or rib, are used to rebuild structure.

Other combinations#

Rhinoplasty is sometimes combined with chin surgery, since chin projection changes how the nose appears in profile (see plastic chin surgery), or with eyelid surgery. The surgeon decides whether combining is appropriate.

How the procedure is carried out#

Rhinoplasty is usually performed under general anaesthesia, although some limited procedures can be done under local anaesthesia with sedation. Most operations take around two to three hours, and longer for revision or complex functional work.

• Planning. The surgeon reviews your goals, examines the inside and outside of the nose and agrees the plan with you, often using photographs.
• Access. The open or closed incisions are made.
• Reshaping. Bone and cartilage are reduced, repositioned or supported with grafts. The septum is straightened if needed.
• Closure and support. Incisions are closed, and an external splint is placed over the bridge. Soft internal splints or light packing may be used.

Many patients stay in hospital for one night, while others return to the hotel the same day.

Recovery and results#

First week. The nose feels blocked and there is swelling and bruising around the eyes, usually at its most visible in the first few days. You sleep with your head raised, avoid blowing your nose, bending forward and strenuous activity, and follow cleaning instructions for the nostrils. The external splint is typically removed after about a week.

Weeks two to six. Bruising fades over the first couple of weeks and most people feel comfortable being seen in public. Breathing improves gradually as the internal swelling reduces. Contact sports and anything that could knock the nose are avoided for longer, on your surgeon's advice.

Months three to twelve and beyond. Most of the swelling resolves over the first few months, but the tip and fine definition continue to refine for a year or more. This takes longer for people with thicker skin. It is normal for the nose to look slightly different from week to week during this period.

A good result looks natural and balanced with the rest of your face.

This is one patient's result. Skin type, cartilage strength and the changes requested all affect what is possible, and noses heal differently, so use photos to understand what is realistic rather than as a promise. The rhinoplasty before and after gallery has more examples, and our week-by-week rhinoplasty recovery roadmap describes what the stages feel like.

Risks and limitations#

The main risks of rhinoplasty include:

• nosebleeds in the first days and, less often, bleeding that needs treatment;
• infection and the general risks of anaesthesia;
• prolonged swelling, especially of the tip;
• breathing difficulties after surgery, which may be temporary or, occasionally, need further treatment;
• asymmetry or irregularities, sometimes only visible once swelling has settled;
• numbness of the tip or upper teeth, usually temporary;
• septal perforation, a small hole in the septum, which is uncommon;
• the need for revision surgery if the result does not meet the agreed goals.

Rhinoplasty can change the nose substantially, but it works within the limits of your skin thickness, cartilage strength and facial proportions. Very thick skin, for example, limits how finely the tip can be defined. Preparation also matters: the article on plastic surgery and alcohol explains why avoiding alcohol around surgery supports healing.

How the price is built#

Rhinoplasty is priced as a plan, because noses and goals differ. The main things that shape a quote are:

• how complex the operation is, for example a primary hump reduction compared with a revision with cartilage grafts or combined functional work;
• whether breathing surgery such as septoplasty or turbinate reduction is included;
• the expected operating time and whether you stay in hospital overnight;
• how many nights you stay in Turkey and the hotel category;
• what PSTG coordinates beyond surgery: transfers, interpreter or assistant, medication, nursing and follow-up, including splint removal.

PSTG gives a written treatment plan and quote only after the surgeon has reviewed your photos and medical history. When you compare quotes from any provider, ask in writing which technique is planned, whether the hospital stay, anaesthetist, medication and follow-up visits are included, what happens if a minor revision is needed, and how aftercare works once you are home. For the full picture of what to ask, see our guide to rhinoplasty in Turkey and the checklist for choosing a nose job surgeon.

Flying in from the UK, the US or Australia#

Most patients travel a long way, and the journey home is part of the plan.

• From the UK and Europe: flights to Istanbul are usually a few hours, so a companion and a return visit for a check are easier to arrange.
• From the US and Canada: flights are typically ten hours or more. Ask the surgeon how long they want you in Turkey, and plan to have the splint removed before you fly.
• From Australia and New Zealand: with connections, the journey commonly takes 20 hours or more each way. Plan a longer stay and agree your return date with the surgeon rather than booking a fixed flight in advance.

Wherever you fly from, tell your own doctor about your plans, bring your operation notes and medication list home, and set up virtual follow-up before you leave. Your nose may still be swollen and blocked on the flight, so follow the surgeon's advice on nasal care, sleeping position and what to avoid.

Planning your treatment in Turkey#

Planning starts with photographs of your face from the front, both sides, three-quarter angles and from below, along with details of any breathing problems, previous nasal surgery or injuries. The surgeon reviews them and, if rhinoplasty is suitable, you receive a written treatment plan and quote.

Most patients plan to stay in Turkey for around seven to ten days, so that the splint can be removed and the nose checked before flying. Your surgeon will confirm when it is safe to fly. For practical information about arriving and moving around as a patient, see Navigating Healthcare in Turkey.

Depending on your package, PSTG coordinates:

• pre- and post-operative consultations and splint-removal and follow-up appointments;
• a 4-5-star hotel, and airport and clinic transfers;
• a personal interpreter or assistant and 24/7 support;
• post-operative medication and nursing care;
• virtual follow-up after you fly home and coordination with your home doctor.

Our full coverage page explains how the package works.

Where treatment takes place#

Your rhinoplasty takes place at a contracted healthcare institution authorised for international health tourism, in Istanbul or Antalya. The treating surgeon examines you, agrees the plan with you and makes every clinical decision. PSTG, a TÜRSAB-affiliated health-tourism intermediary, coordinates your treatment and stay and shares the institution's and surgeon's details before you book. Before you commit, ask who will operate, how many noses of your type they operate on, and what happens if you need a revision.

Related reading#

• Piezo rhinoplasty in Turkey explained
• The ultimate guide to rhinoplasty in Turkey
• The rhinoplasty recovery roadmap, week by week
• Finding a nose job surgeon in Istanbul: a checklist for your consultation
• A patient's journey for a nose job in Turkey

If you are thinking about changing the shape of your nose or improving your breathing, you are welcome to send your photos for a free, no-obligation assessment. You can also explore the other plastic surgery procedures available and take the time you need to decide.