Key Facts About Nose Surgery (Rhinoplasty)

Procedure Time

Procedure Time: 1-2.5 hours

Anaesthesia

Anaesthesia: General

Hospital Stay

Hospital Stay: Day case

Exercise

Exercise: 3-6 Weeks

Time Off Work

Time Off Work: 7 days

Recovery

Recovery: 4-6 weeks

The nose is one of the defining characteristics of the face, perhaps the most important. Any disproportion or irregularity in the nose can make you self-conscious. Sometimes irregularities are inherited (the “family nose”) or they are the result of a sporting injury or accident.

As well as being unsightly, nasal deformity may also create physical repercussions such as breathing difficulties and sinus infections. Rhinoplasty can therefore not only dramatically improve the look of your nose and the overall symmetry of your face, but also its function.

The Rhinoplasty Procedure

The procedure is usually performed under general anaesthetic, although it can be performed under heavy or “twilight” sedation which reduces recovery time. Generally the surgeon will work from the inside of the nose; the skin and external area is not touched from the outside which means there are no visible scars.

In open Rhinoplasty a tiny scar is made outside. The actual technique used will depend on the type of reshaping to be done, and your surgeon will discuss this with you at your consultation.

Enquire online to book your free Rhinoplasty consultation or call us on 0800 170 71 71

Before & After

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my consultation be with a surgeon?

All consultations pre nose surgery take place with a surgeon. We believe that only a surgeon can help and advise you on the best procedure to achieve the results you would like.

During your initial consultation, we will ask you about the results you are looking for and explain the rhinoplasty procedure so that you understand every stage of the process. The most important thing is that you feel completely at ease in our care and fully aware of the procedure and the resulting enhancement.

Are your consultations free?

All of our consultations for nose surgery are free with no obligation. You will be provided with advice and information relevant to achieve the results you desire from the rhinoplasty procedure.

What will happen after the Rhinoplasty surgery?

Your surgeon will see you when you have recovered to check that all is well, and you will usually be discharged the same day. You’ll be given medication and post-operative instructions along with appropriate telephone numbers in case you need to contact us at any time. Cold compresses should be applied regularly for the first couple of days to reduce swelling.

Week 1-2

You will be fully mobile but may still experience some minor discomfort which you can control with prescribed painkillers. Bruising and swelling around the eyes will diminish and is usually almost gone after two weeks, and, importantly, you will look “normal” to other people. During this time you will also receive a post-operative check with our nurse.

It’s worth anticipating your own reaction to the first sight of yourself and your new nose. To start with you will look rather strange in the mirror and not quite “you”. Remember that it takes a few days for your mind’s eye to adjust itself to your new appearance and to recognise it as “you”.

You should not worry about any minor problems of shape immediately after the operation: it takes around 12 months for your nose to settle and for swelling to subside completely.

Weeks 8-10

Your surgeon will see you again, usually 8-10 weeks after the procedure for a full post-operative consultation.

Can I get a nose job on the NHS?

There are a few types of nose jobs available. Some are available on the NHS where some are not.

The first type is ‘functional’ nose surgery. Functional rhinoplasty is a procedure that is performed to help you to breathe. If your nose shape naturally, or through trauma is obstructing your breathing, then this can potentially be corrected on the NHS.

The following nose surgeries would fall under a functional type of nose surgery:

  • Nose fracture or trauma
  • Genetic defect
  • Enlarged turbinates which affect breathing
  • Nasal polyps causing allergies
  • Deviated septum

All of these conditions may affect breathing or cause some sort of pain.

What is the cost of nose surgery?

Pricing is offered on a case-by-case basis during your consultation. As you can imagine, one patients’ requirements are wildly different to another patient. The cost of surgery will vary depending on how severe and drastic you would like your final result to be from your current look.

More subtle changes may not require as much work from your surgeon. On the flip side, a complete restructuring of the nose will require more from your surgeon and will cost more.

All of your options will be fully explained to you during your free consultation, including your surgeons expert advice. This will help you make the best decision.

As a general guide, rhinoplasty can cost anywhere from £3000-£6000 or more for the more involved surgery cases.

What types of cosmetic nose surgery and Rhinoplasty are there?

The other type of nose job, which isn’t available on the NHS, is cosmetic nose surgery which is undertaken for aesthetic purposes to enhance a patient’s appearance.

This doesn’t serve a functional purpose for example, doesn’t help with breathing and therefore, the NHS will likely not consider this cosmetic procedure. Although it could be argued that a cosmetic nose job does improve a patients’ quality of life generally, the NHS will not cover cosmetic surgeries.

The above is the type of procedure that we provide in our London and United Kingdom cosmetic surgery clinics at LINIA.

The procedure types that fall under the ‘cosmetic’ nose job banner include:

  • Radix correction (the bump toward the top of the nose)
  • Nose straightening
  • Nose tip reduction or rotating (up or down)
  • Width reduction
  • Alar “nostril” adjustment – often performed together with a width reduction
  • Adjusting the angle of the Nasolabial (line from upper lip to bottom of nose)
  • Changing the projection of the nose (how far the nose projects past the top lip)

We specialise in these cosmetic surgeries. While some of these surgeries sound quite technical, we’ll listen to your needs and then explain everything to you in layman terms so you can assess your options. Our goal at LINIA is for you to be happy with your rhinoplasty, and for you to experience the life-changing effects that Rhinoplasty’s can have when performed professionally according to your requirements.

You can request a free consultation by clicking here or calling us on 0800 170 71 71