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Septorhinoplasty in Istanbul
Septorhinoplasty is for people whose bent septum blocks their breathing and who also want to change the shape of their nose. Here is how both are treated in one operation, what to expect for breathing and how recovery goes.
- Operation time About 1.5–3 hours (septoplasty alone 30–90 min)
- Hospital stay Same day or one night
- Time in Istanbul About 7–10 days after surgery
- Back to work 1–2 weeks
What is septorhinoplasty?
Septorhinoplasty combines two operations: septoplasty, which straightens the bent wall inside the nose (the septum) to open the airway, and rhinoplasty, which changes the outer shape. Septoplasty alone does not alter how the nose looks, so the combined operation suits people who want both. It is done under general anaesthesia in about 1.5 to 3 hours, often with reduction of enlarged turbinates. Most people breathe clearly better by about 6 weeks, return to work after 1–2 weeks and see the final shape at about a year.
What it can do
- Straighten a bent septum to improve airflow
- Reduce enlarged turbinates in the same operation
- Correct a crooked, blocked nose after an injury
- Change the outer shape at the same time
What it cannot do
- Promise lasting relief for everyone
- Help a deviation that causes no symptoms
- Treat sinus disease, which needs its own assessment
Is it right for you?
Septorhinoplasty suits people with a real breathing problem caused by the septum who also want a change in shape. Suitability is confirmed at an in-person examination.
Usually a good fit if
- Your nose feels blocked in daily life because of a deviated septum
- You would also like to change the outer shape, such as a hump, a crooked bridge or the tip
- Your nose is both crooked and blocked after a fracture
- You are 18 or over, in good health and can stop nicotine 6 weeks before surgery
Better to wait or consider alternatives if
- Your septum is bent but causes no symptoms, so there is no functional reason to operate
- You have used cocaine in the past 6–12 months
- You are not fit for general anaesthesia, or have an uncontrolled bleeding disorder
- You expect your breathing to be fixed once and for all, or live with body dysmorphic disorder
Techniques
Septal cartilage removed for breathing can also serve as graft material for the shape.
Septoplasty
The lining is lifted and bent cartilage and bone are removed or straightened, always leaving an L-shaped strip 10–15 mm wide to support the bridge and tip.
Best for
Most deviated septums
Extracorporeal septoplasty
In severe deviation the septum is taken out, straightened and put back.
Best for
Severely twisted septums
Turbinate reduction
Enlarged turbinates are reduced; combined with septoplasty, this lowered a standard blockage score (NOSE) by about 40 points on average.
Best for
Blockage from enlarged turbinates
Spreader grafts
Strips of cartilage along the bridge widen a narrowed internal valve.
Best for
Valve narrowing after injury or earlier surgery
Rhinoplasty component
The hump, width or tip is changed through an open or closed approach, as in rhinoplasty.
Best for
Changing the outer shape
Op. Dr. Bilgehan İlker
Specialist in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery
- Specialist training: Dokuz Eylül University
- Medical degree: Trakya University
- Health tourism authorization: ST-2657
- Dr. İlker speaks English and Turkish.
How Dr. İlker approaches septorhinoplasty
Op. Dr. Bilgehan İlker is a specialist in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery, trained at Dokuz Eylül University. On her own pages she explains that when the septum also needs straightening, this is done during the rhinoplasty, with techniques chosen for that nose.
She performs rhinoplasty under general anaesthesia after a detailed medical history, including medicines from other doctors, and writes that no two noses follow the same plan.
- Symptoms first Functional surgery needs real symptoms, so your breathing history is taken alongside the examination.
- Inside and outside together The septum, turbinates and nasal valve are checked as well as the outer shape.
- Honest expectations Breathing usually improves, but not for everyone, and symptoms can return over the years.
The operation, step by step
A typical sequence:
-
Assessment
Symptoms are scored (NOSE scale), and the inside of the nose, the valve and the outer shape are examined, with an endoscope if needed.
-
Anaesthesia
The combined operation is done under general anaesthesia.
-
Septum and turbinates
Through an incision inside the nose, or from above in open surgery, the septum is straightened and the turbinates are reduced if needed.
-
Shaping
The rhinoplasty steps follow: hump, bones, tip and grafts, as planned.
-
Closing and splints
The septal lining is stitched together to prevent bleeding beneath it; soft silicone splints or packing go inside and a splint outside.
Your days in Istanbul
Plan around an examination before surgery, removal of splints or packing and a check before flying.
-
Be examined in person
Before surgery
If you are travelling far, BAAPS suggests arriving at least 72 hours before surgery, with the examination at least 48 hours beforehand.
-
Rest with your head raised
The first days
Expect ooze, blockage and a sinus-like ache. Packing usually comes out at about day 2.
-
Splints out, check done
Before you fly home
The outer splint comes off at about a week and internal splints within 1–2 weeks. ASPS advises waiting 7–10 days after facial surgery before flying.
Recovery, day by day
Typical timings: breathing and shape follow different clocks.
- Day 1
Blocked and oozing
Bloody ooze, blockage, a mild headache and fullness in the ears are common. Keep your head raised.
- Days 2–3
Pressure easing
Pressure around the eyes, cheeks and upper teeth fades. Do not blow your nose, and avoid spicy food for 1–2 weeks.
- Week 1
Splints out
Packing and splints are removed at your check, and saline rinses may start if advised. Walking is fine.
- Week 2
Back to work
Most people return to work, and flying is usually possible after 7–10 days.
- Weeks 3–4
More active
Heavy activity resumes after about a month, or after 4–6 weeks if rhinoplasty was included.
- Months 2–3
Breathing better
Most people breathe clearly more easily by about week 6, while bone and cartilage keep healing.
- Month 6
Sensation returns
Reduced smell, if any, usually recovers within 6 months, and numbness of the upper teeth fades over months.
- Month 12
Final shape
The shape settles at about a year; the improvement in symptoms is still measurable at 12 months.
Contact us straight away if you notice
- A nosebleed you cannot control
- Fever above 38.9 °C (102 °F), or fever lasting 2 days
- Confusion, a stiff neck or a severe headache
- Increasing pain that medicine does not relieve, or difficulty breathing
- A painful swelling inside the nose (a possible septal haematoma)
In an emergency, call your local emergency number.
Aftercare at home
- Do not blow your nose for the first 1–2 weeks; sneeze with your mouth open.
- Sleep on your back with your head raised.
- Leave packing in until the oozing stops, and call if bleeding soaks a gauze every hour.
- Use saline rinses if advised, and clean crusts only at the nostril opening, never deep inside.
- Keep glasses off the bridge for about 6 weeks.
Risks and how they are reduced
Septoplasty trials (721 patients) report complication rates of 0.31% to 4.12%; rhinoplasty adds its own risks. Figures come from the literature, not from this clinic.
Operating only for real symptoms, preserving the septal support, stitching the septal lining, using silicone splints, stopping nicotine and adjusting medicines as advised, in a licensed hospital in Istanbul, all reduce risk.
| Risk | How often |
|---|---|
Ooze, blockage and numbnessCommon early on, including temporary numbness of the nose and upper teeth that fades over months. | Common |
Bleeding or septal haematomaBleeding is the most frequent complication, usually controlled with packing; a blood collection on the septum needs prompt drainage. | Uncommon |
Septal perforationA hole in the septum; near the top it can lead to a collapsed 'saddle' bridge that needs revision. | Rare |
Reduced smell or adhesionsSmell can drop, mostly after turbinate surgery, and usually recovers within 6 months; silicone splints reduce scar bands inside the nose. | Uncommon |
Breathing not improved enoughThe most common long-term complaint. Reported satisfaction varies widely between studies, from about half of patients upwards; in one, 51% had no blockage at 9 months but 26% at 9 years. | Varies |
A second operation3.1% of 175,842 patients in a US study had a revision after a first septorhinoplasty. | Uncommon |
Infection and very rare eventsInfection is rare and usually settles with antibiotics; toxic shock syndrome and leaks of brain fluid are very rare. | Rare |
Results and how long they last
A meta-analysis of randomised trials found that septoplasty improved symptoms at 6 and 12 months more than non-surgical treatment. In some people symptoms gradually return over the years, for example after an injury, weight gain or shifting cartilage. The change in shape is long-lasting. Results vary from person to person.
How long it lasts: The shape change is long-lasting; breathing benefits usually last, but can fade for some.
With any surgical or interventional procedure, results vary from person to person. We recommend a detailed consultation with your doctor before any procedure.
Before and after
Before and after photos are shared only with patients’ written consent. You can ask to see examples during your consultation.
Before and afterQuestions to ask at your consultation
Take these to any surgeon you see — including us.
- Is my blockage caused by the septum, the turbinates, the valve or something else?
- Will you treat my turbinates or nasal valve at the same time?
- What breathing improvement is realistic for me?
- What change in shape do you recommend, and why?
- Who performs the operation, and in which hospital?
- Whom do I contact after I fly home if there is a problem?
What shapes your plan and quote
We do not publish prices. After Op. Dr. Bilgehan İlker has assessed your case, you receive a personal written plan. It depends on:
- How much septal, turbinate or valve work is needed
- The extent of the change in shape
- Whether grafts are needed
- Operating time and hospital stay
We do not publish prices: every plan is personal and is written for you after your assessment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between septorhinoplasty and rhinoplasty?
Rhinoplasty changes the outer shape of the nose. Septorhinoplasty does that and also straightens the septum inside the nose to improve breathing. If you only have a breathing problem and are happy with how your nose looks, septoplasty alone may be enough.
Does septoplasty change the shape of my nose?
No. Septoplasty on its own works inside the nose and does not change how it looks from the outside. If you would also like a different shape, a rhinoplasty is added in the same operation, and the combination is called septorhinoplasty.
When will I be able to breathe through my nose?
Most people breathe clearly more easily by about week 6. The first week usually feels blocked while packing, splints and swelling settle, so you breathe mainly through your mouth. The full benefit of septoplasty is judged at 6–12 months, as healing continues.
Is septorhinoplasty a major operation?
It is a moderate one. Septoplasty alone is a relatively small, low-risk operation of 30–90 minutes. Combined with rhinoplasty, it takes about 1.5–3 hours under general anaesthesia and follows a rhinoplasty recovery, so plan for 1–2 weeks away from work.
Is septorhinoplasty painful?
Pain is usually mild to moderate and often feels like sinusitis: pressure around the eyes, cheeks and upper teeth that eases over a few days. A mild headache and fullness in the ears are common at first and settle as the swelling goes down.
When can I blow my nose after septorhinoplasty?
Not for the first 1–2 weeks. Until then, sneeze with your mouth open and use saline rinses only if your surgeon advises them. Ask at your check-up before you start blowing your nose again, and begin gently when you do.
How long does bleeding last after septorhinoplasty?
A bloody ooze is normal for the first day or two and is usually absorbed by the packing. Bleeding that soaks a gauze every hour, or a nosebleed you cannot control, is different: it needs prompt medical attention, so call straight away.
Will septorhinoplasty affect my sense of smell?
It can, mostly when the turbinates are reduced as well. Reduced smell usually recovers within about 6 months and only rarely lasts. If your sense of smell matters for your work, mention it at your consultation so it is weighed in the plan.
Does septoplasty really work?
For most people with genuine symptoms, yes. A meta-analysis of three randomised trials (721 patients) found that septoplasty improved symptom scores at 6 and 12 months compared with non-surgical treatment. In some people symptoms gradually return over the years, so long-term results vary.
How long should I stay in Istanbul for septorhinoplasty?
Plan on about 7–10 days, which covers removal of packing and splints and a check before you leave. ASPS advises waiting 7–10 days after facial surgery before flying, and BAAPS suggests arriving at least 72 hours before surgery so you can be examined in person first.
Medical informationThe information on this page is general information only. It is not medical advice and does not replace a diagnosis or treatment. Every surgical and interventional procedure carries risks, which will be explained to you in detail during your consultation. Whether this procedure suits you can only be decided after an in-person examination and assessment. We encourage you to also seek independent advice from your own doctor before deciding.
Sources
- Cleveland Clinic: Septoplasty
- StatPearls: Septoplasty
- ASPS: Rhinoplasty procedure steps
- NHS: Nose reshaping (rhinoplasty)
- StatPearls: Rhinoplasty (2024)
- Taha et al. Septoplasty versus non-surgical management, meta-analysis (2025)
- Spataro et al. Revision rates in 175,842 septorhinoplasty patients (2016)
- ASPS: Cosmetic surgery tourism briefing paper
A conversation, at your pace.
Is your breathing part of the question?
Send your questions, and photos if you wish. Op. Dr. Bilgehan İlker will tell you honestly whether septorhinoplasty is worth an examination.
- Nef 22 Ataköy, D Blok, Kat 1, Daire 36, Çobançeşme E-5 Yanyol Cad. No:22, Bakırköy / İstanbul
- Monday to Saturday, 10:00–18:00
- +90 542 280 27 51
- Dr. İlker speaks English and Turkish.
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