Rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty changes the shape of the nasal bridge, tip or nostrils. Most of the swelling goes down in 2 to 3 weeks, the shape takes several months to settle, and a revision is usually discussed at least 6 months after the first surgery.
01Overview
Rhinoplasty is an umbrella term for surgery that changes the shape of the nose, such as the height of the bridge, the shape of the tip or the width of the nostrils. One area can be changed on its own, or several at once. Some operations also address breathing problems, such as a deviated nose or septum.
The technique, materials and recovery time depend on what is changed and by how much. Two reviews that both say "rhinoplasty" may describe quite different operations.
02Types
- Bridge augmentation: an implant (such as silicone) or your own tissue (cartilage, dermis and so on) is placed to raise the bridge.
- Tip surgery: the tip cartilage is reshaped or repositioned, or cartilage is added, to adjust the height and direction of the tip.
- Alar reduction: part of the nostril base is removed to narrow wide nostrils.
- Hump and deviation correction: a bony hump is smoothed down, or a crooked bone and cartilage are straightened.
- Revision: corrects problems from earlier surgery, such as implant position, shape or inflammation.
Comparing materials: Silicone implants vs. your own cartilage
03Recovery
Swelling and bruising are worst in the first few days, and most of the swelling goes down within 2 to 3 weeks. Residual swelling at the tip lasts longer, so the shape takes several months to settle.
- Splints and tape usually come off after about a week.
- Clinics commonly advise avoiding glasses, sleeping face down and blowing your nose hard for a while.
- When you can go back to exercise, alcohol and saunas differs from clinic to clinic.
More detail: Swelling and recovery after rhinoplasty
04Cost
Cost varies widely with the extent of surgery, the materials, whether it is a revision, and the clinic. Review sites also list prices on different bases (promotional prices, whether anesthesia or tax is included and so on), so numbers from different sites cannot be compared directly.
Asking for an itemized quote at each consultation makes clinics easier to compare.
05Side effects and revision
As with any surgery, bleeding, infection and inflammation can occur. With an implant, the implant may show through or shift, and the capsule around it can thicken and shorten or lift the nose (contracture).
If the result is not what you expected, or problems like these appear, a revision is discussed. A revision calls for a closer look at the tissue than the first surgery, so records of the previous operation (materials, extent) help at the consultation.
More detail: When to have a revision rhinoplasty
06What the reviews show
Being compiled
07FAQ
When does the swelling go down after rhinoplasty?
Most of the swelling and bruising fades within 2 to 3 weeks, while residual swelling at the tip goes down slowly over several months. It varies a lot from person to person, so it is best to check the expected course with the clinic that did your surgery.
When can I have a revision?
The tissue needs time to settle, so many people wait 6 months to a year or longer after the first surgery. Urgent problems such as inflammation or a visible implant are treated before that.
Is silicone or my own cartilage better?
There is no set answer. The material is chosen, or the two are combined, based on the height you want, your skin thickness and whether you have had surgery before.
Edit
Topics3
- When to have a revision rhinoplasty
A revision rhinoplasty is usually discussed 6 months to a year or more after the first surgery, once the tissue has settled. Urgent problems such as inflammation or an implant showing through are treated first, without waiting.
- Swelling and recovery after rhinoplasty
After rhinoplasty, most of the swelling and bruising goes down within 2 to 3 weeks, and residual swelling at the tip eases over several months. The splint usually comes off after about a week.
- Silicone implants vs. your own cartilage
Silicone is easy to shape and relatively simple to remove. Your own cartilage is your own tissue, so there is less worry about a foreign-body reaction, but it has to be taken from another part of the body. Neither is simply better. The material is chosen, or the two are combined, based on the height you want, your skin thickness and any previous surgery.
Rankings
Sources
- Review observation data · compiled 2026-09
- Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (Korea), medical device information ↗
- Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, patient information
History
Rev. 2 · show 2 entries
| Rev. | Time | Editor | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2026-10-12 11:00 | @translator | Aligned with Korean rev. 4 (links, related topics, glossary terms) |
| 1 | 2026-10-10 16:00 | @translator | Translated from Korean rev. 4 |
Cite WikiDoc, 「Rhinoplasty」, wikidoc.app/en/guide/nose/ (2026-10-12 retrieved)