Rhinoplasty (nose job) in Istanbul

The change is long-lasting: bone and cartilage that are removed, moved or reinforced stay that way. Your nose still changes slowly with age, sun and weight, like the rest of your face, so in twenty years it will not look exactly as it does a year after surgery.

Visible swelling lasts about 4–6 weeks, and around 90% has usually gone by month 3. The rest, mostly at the tip, fades over the following months; the final shape settles at about a year, sometimes 18 months. Puffier mornings are normal in the meantime.

Most people describe mild to moderate pain that eases within a few days to a week, and simple painkillers are often enough. A blocked nose and breathing through your mouth are normal in the first week. Pain that keeps increasing is not, and should be reported.

Not in the first weeks. Sleep on your back with your head raised: Op. Dr. Bilgehan İlker advises keeping your head above chest level for the first month. When you can turn onto your side depends on how you are healing, so ask at your check-up.

Plan on about 6 weeks before glasses or sunglasses rest on the bridge of your nose again, because pressure on the healing bridge should be avoided. If you rely on glasses, mention it at your consultation so you can plan ahead, for example with contact lenses.

Most people return to work after 1–2 weeks, and BAAPS notes that most patients take at least 2 weeks off. Bruising can take 10–20 days to fade, so allow longer for a public-facing or physical job. Heavy lifting and contact sport wait until 4–6 weeks.

Yes, if the blockage comes from a bent septum or another internal narrowing that is corrected during the operation. Your nose will feel blocked in the first week, and most people breathe more easily by about week 6. Mention any blockage at your consultation.

Closed rhinoplasty leaves no visible scar, because every incision is inside the nose. Open rhinoplasty leaves a fine scar across the skin between the nostrils, which usually fades over 12–18 months. Narrowing the nostrils adds small scars hidden in the natural creases.

The nose usually stops growing at around 15 in girls and 17 in boys. Dr. İlker performs cosmetic rhinoplasty from the age of 18; surgery after an injury is considered individually. At any age, good general health and realistic expectations matter most.

Plan on about 7–10 days after surgery, which covers splint removal around day 7 and a check before you leave. ASPS advises waiting 7–10 days after facial surgery before flying. BAAPS suggests arriving at least 72 hours before surgery so you can be examined in person first.

In the first week, probably: a meta-analysis of randomised trials found less early swelling, bruising and pain with piezo instruments. It does not remove the months of gradual swelling at the tip and is not superior for every nose. Dr. İlker can explain whether it suits your bone work.

Give it time: swelling hides the final shape for months, so a second operation is usually considered only after at least a year. Reviews report further surgery in up to 15% of patients, often minor. A revision rhinoplasty is more complex than a first operation.