Rhinoplasty surgery is suitable for people who are unhappy with the shape of their nose or have difficulty breathing due to functional problems (e.g. deviation). People considering this surgery usually apply for the following reasons:

• To reduce or enlarge the size of the nose.
• Nasal tip shaping (low, wide or thick nasal tip correction).
• Correcting or filing the bridge of the nose.
• To remove asymmetry in the nose.
• To solve breathing difficulties and deviation problems.

Rhinoplasty is usually performed after the nose has completed its development. Nasal development is completed around the ages of 16-17 in girls and 17-18 in boys. However, it can be performed at an earlier age in severe deformations due to trauma or severe breathing difficulties. There is no age limit in adults, but the general health condition should be suitable for surgery.

Rhinoplasty surgery can be performed with open or closed technique.

• Closed Rhinoplasty: The nose is shaped with incisions made through the nostrils. In this technique, there is no scar on the outside.
• Open Rhinoplasty: A small incision is made in the area between the nostrils and the surgeon shapes the nose structure by seeing it better. This technique is preferred in more complex cases. The incisions are hidden under the nose and the scar is usually not obvious.

In both techniques, the surgeon achieves the desired aesthetic and functional result by shaping the cartilage and bone structure of the nose. The surgery usually takes between 1-3 hours and is performed under general anaesthesia.

The recovery process after rhinoplasty varies from person to person, but in general the following is expected:

• A splint or bandage is placed over the nose for the first week. Tampons may also be placed in the nose after surgery and these are usually removed after a few days.
• Swelling and bruising may occur in the first week, especially around the eyes. These symptoms decrease over time and usually disappear within two weeks.
• Full results may take several months, or even a year in some cases. As the final shape of the nose settles, the swelling gradually subsides.
• There may be a feeling of nasal congestion for the first few weeks and this is part of the healing process inside the nose.

Like any surgical intervention, rhinoplasty has some risks. These may include:

• Haemorrhage and infection
• Asymmetry in the shape of the nose or undesirable results
• Respiratory problems
• Reactions to anaesthesia
• Tenderness or numbness of the nose
• Need for revision surgery

However, these risks are minimal in rhinoplasty operations performed by an experienced surgeon.

There are some important rules after surgery to speed up the healing process and prevent complications:

• Any impact to the nose should be avoided for the first few weeks. Glasses should not be worn and heavy physical activities should be avoided.
• The head should be kept elevated, and the head should be kept elevated by using several pillows while lying down.
• Moisturising sprays can be used to avoid drying the inside of the nose. In addition, medications prescribed by the doctor should be used regularly after surgery.
• It is important to protect from the sun, especially to prevent scarring in the surgical area.
• The nose should not be blown and intranasal manipulations should be avoided until the tampons are removed.

The results of rhinoplasty surgery are permanent. However, the structure of the nose can change naturally over time. During the aging process, the nasal tissues may lose their elasticity and the nose may undergo a slight change in shape. However, the aesthetic and functional improvements provided by rhinoplasty surgery continue for many years.

Each rhinoplasty surgery may not give the desired result or minor corrections may be needed. Revision rhinoplasty is an operation performed to correct unwanted deformities after the first surgery. However, this situation is not very common and usually the results of the surgery are satisfactory.