Rhinoplasty: Frequently Asked Questions

Send five photos — front, both profiles, a three-quarter view and the base (looking slightly up), in natural light, without filters — plus a short note about your breathing and what bothers you.

You will receive an initial opinion on whether your goal is realistic with your anatomy and what the operation would broadly involve.

Most healthy adults whose facial growth is complete are candidates. Good candidates have a specific concern, a realistic goal and the patience for a healing period of about a year.

Poor candidates include people seeking a result their anatomy cannot support, those going through an unstable period in their lives and those who cannot commit to follow-up. Saying so is part of an honest assessment.

Yes. Bring them to the consultation. They are useful for showing direction.

Expect a frank answer about which parts of them your skin and cartilage can support.

Yes. Rhinoplasty is performed under general anesthesia, after an anesthesia consultation before surgery.

The operation takes about three to four hours, followed by one night in hospital.

Yes, where there is something to correct. Op. Dr. Ahmet Halit Aydın is an ENT specialist, and septal deviation, turbinate enlargement and weak nasal valves are corrected in the same operation.

A nose that looks better and breathes worse is not a success.

Operations are performed with the open technique, using ultrasonic (piezo) instruments to shape the bone. A small incision across the strip of skin between the nostrils (columella) gives direct visibility, which matters where structural support has to be built — as in most thick-skinned and revision cases.

The incision typically settles to a fine line that is hard to see at conversational distance.

Cartilage normally comes from the septum. Where more is needed, a rib cartilage graft is used.

The source is discussed with you before surgery.

The open rhinoplasty incision across the columella typically settles to a fine line. Alar base reduction leaves small marks in the natural crease at the nostril.

In deeper skin tones, fresh incisions can darken during healing. Sun protection matters more here, and this should be part of your decision rather than a surprise.

The main risks are bleeding, infection, changes in breathing, visible irregularities as swelling resolves, and the possibility of wanting a revision.

A minority of patients — the figure varies with case complexity — need a revision. A revision rate of zero is not a realistic answer from any surgeon.

Most patients describe pressure and blockage rather than pain. Simple pain relievers are usually enough after the first days.

The unpleasant parts are a dry mouth from breathing through it and interrupted sleep, rather than the nose itself.

Most patients have little or no bruising. Visible swelling usually settles within two to three weeks.

Most patients are back to desk work within ten days.

Visible swelling usually settles within two to three weeks. Residual swelling resolves slowly and unevenly, faster at the bridge than at the tip.

Full healing takes about a year, and in thicker skin the tip is the last part to settle.

Physical activity and sport can resume within four weeks.

Nothing should rest on the bridge of the nose for three months, sunglasses included.

Use contact lenses until then, or ask how to manage your frames.

Plan 8 nights (9 days). You arrive the day before surgery for the consultation and blood tests, surgery is on day two, your last check-up with the surgeon is on day eight, and you fly home on day nine.

Yes. Your hotel stay and airport transfers are included and arranged by the team. Patients stay at Hampton by Hilton Ataköy, about 15 minutes from the office and the hospital.

Yes. Many patients travel alone. You stay one night in hospital after surgery, and a nurse is assigned to your post-operative care.

If you would like to bring a companion, their hotel stay and transfers are arranged with yours.

Entry requirements depend on your passport and travel circumstances, and they change. Check Türkiye's official entry requirements (the Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa information page) before booking.

Once you have booked, the team sends an invitation letter you can use for your visa application.

Standard travel policies usually exclude complications of elective surgery. Specialist medical travel coverage exists and is worth looking into.

Read the exclusions, not just the summary.

Before you fly, there is a check-up at the office a few days after surgery and a final check-up with the surgeon, when the nasal packing is removed.

Once you are home, the cast is removed and your check-ups continue by online video call with the surgeon. You can stay in touch with the team throughout the year of healing.

Full healing takes about a year, so a second operation is not planned before then. Swelling resolves last at the tip, and early asymmetry is usually temporary.

Because the operation varies a great deal between patients, a single published figure would not reflect what most of them need. A straightforward primary case and a structural reconstruction with rib grafting are not the same operation.

Cost is discussed with you directly once your photographs have been reviewed.