# Rhinoplasty > Citation bundle for Rhinoplasty on The Treatment Registry. > URL: https://thetreatmentregistry.com/procedures/rhinoplasty > Bundle URL: https://thetreatmentregistry.com/api/citations/procedures/rhinoplasty - Category: cosmetic-surgery - Average recovery: 14 days - Typical sessions: 1 - Price range (USD international): $2,500–$10,000 ## Description Rhinoplasty (nose reshaping surgery) is performed to change the shape, size, or proportions of the nose for aesthetic or functional reasons. It may involve modifying bone, cartilage, and skin. Open and closed approaches exist, each with different recovery profiles and scar visibility. ## Overview Rhinoplasty is performed under general anaesthesia and typically takes two to three hours depending on complexity. In the open approach, a small incision is made across the columella (the strip of tissue between the nostrils), allowing full exposure of the cartilaginous and bony nasal framework. The closed approach uses incisions entirely within the nostrils, leaving no external scar but providing more limited visualisation. The surgeon modifies bone, cartilage, and soft tissue according to the pre-operative plan, which may include hump reduction, tip refinement, base narrowing, or correction of septal deviation. Ideal candidates are adults who have completed nasal growth (typically eighteen years or older), are in good general health, are non-smokers or have ceased smoking well in advance, and have realistic expectations regarding outcomes. Patients with very thick nasal skin have reduced definition from cartilage work and should be counselled accordingly. Functional concerns such as septal deviation and turbinate hypertrophy may be addressed concurrently with aesthetic rhinoplasty. A nasal splint is worn for approximately seven to ten days post-operatively. Significant bruising and periorbital oedema typically peaks at two to three days and resolves over two to three weeks. Patients are generally advised to remain near the surgical facility for a minimum of seven to ten days before travelling. The nose continues to refine over twelve to eighteen months as residual oedema subsides, particularly in the nasal tip. Final results cannot be fully assessed until this period has elapsed, and minor asymmetries apparent at one month may improve substantially. Revision rates in published series range from five to fifteen per cent. ## Peer-reviewed outcome rates - **Complication rate:** 5.00% (range 2.00–10.00%) — from 1 cited source - **Revision rate:** 10.00% (range 5.00–15.00%) — from 2 cited sources ## Common risks - Infection - Breathing difficulties - Unsatisfactory aesthetic result requiring revision - Numbness or altered sensation - Septal perforation - Visible scarring (open approach) ## FAQs ### Will rhinoplasty affect my breathing? Rhinoplasty performed purely for aesthetic reasons should not impair breathing if carried out by an experienced surgeon. When septal deviation or turbinate enlargement is contributing to breathing difficulties, these can be corrected concurrently, often improving airflow compared with before surgery. ### At what age can I have rhinoplasty? Most surgeons recommend waiting until nasal growth is complete — typically around sixteen to seventeen for females and seventeen to eighteen for males — before undergoing rhinoplasty. There is no upper age limit for suitable candidates in good general health. ### How long does swelling last after rhinoplasty? The majority of visible swelling resolves within six to eight weeks, at which point the general shape of the nose is apparent. However, the nasal tip — the last area to fully resolve — continues refining for twelve to eighteen months, particularly in patients with thicker skin. ### Will there be visible scarring? In the closed rhinoplasty technique, all incisions are inside the nostrils and no external scar is produced. Open rhinoplasty leaves a small scar across the columella, which typically fades to a fine, pale line and is not noticeable at conversational distance in most patients. ### Can rhinoplasty fix a deviated septum? Yes. A concurrent septoplasty can be performed to straighten a deviated septum during the same operation, combining aesthetic reshaping with functional correction. Patients who require only functional improvement without cosmetic change may prefer isolated septoplasty. ### How long is recovery from rhinoplasty? Most patients feel comfortable returning to light work and social activities within ten to fourteen days once the splint is removed and acute bruising has faded. Strenuous activity should be avoided for four to six weeks, and the final result is not assessable for twelve to eighteen months. ### What is the revision rate for rhinoplasty? Published revision rates in experienced surgeons' series range from five to fifteen per cent. Rhinoplasty is considered one of the most technically demanding aesthetic procedures, and minor asymmetries or residual deformities that require secondary correction are not uncommon. ### Is rhinoplasty performed under general anaesthesia? In most cases, yes — rhinoplasty is performed under general anaesthesia to ensure patient comfort and surgical precision during a procedure lasting two to three hours. Some surgeons perform limited rhinoplasty under sedation combined with local anaesthesia in selected straightforward cases. ### Can I wear glasses after rhinoplasty? Glasses should not rest on the nose for approximately six weeks after rhinoplasty, as pressure on the healing cartilage and bone can affect the result. Contact lenses during this period are preferable; if glasses are essential, patients can tape them to the forehead to avoid nasal contact. ## Alternative treatments - **Non-surgical rhinoplasty (filler)** — Camouflages dorsal humps and tip asymmetries without surgery; requires repeat treatment every 12-18 months. - **Septoplasty alone** — Functional alternative when only breathing — not appearance — is the problem. ## Sources - [ASPS — Quality and Health Policy practice parameters](https://www.plasticsurgery.org/for-medical-professionals/quality-and-health-policy) — American Society of Plastic Surgeons (accessed 2026-05-09) - [ISAPS — International Survey on Aesthetic/Cosmetic Procedures](https://www.isaps.org/discover/about-isaps/global-statistics/) — International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (accessed 2026-05-09) - [Royal College of Surgeons of England — Good Surgical Practice](https://www.rcseng.ac.uk/standards-and-research/standards-and-guidance/good-practice-guides/) — Royal College of Surgeons of England (accessed 2026-05-09) - [RCoA — Guidelines for the Provision of Anaesthetic Services (GPAS)](https://www.rcoa.ac.uk/standards-of-clinical-practice) — Royal College of Anaesthetists (accessed 2026-05-09) - [ISAPS — Practice Resources and Position Statements for Aesthetic Surgery](https://www.isaps.org/medical-professionals/practice-resources/) — International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (accessed 2026-06-29)