Nose reshaping surgery is a delicate, complex operation. The results can’t be guaranteed, there are risks to consider, and it can be expensive. Be sure about your reasons for having it before you go ahead.

How much does it cost?

The cost of nose reshaping in the UK ranges from £7,000 to £9,000. You should also factor in the cost of any consultations, further surgery or follow-up care that may be needed.

What does it involve?

Nose reshaping is usually carried out under general anaesthetic.

The surgeon may do any of the following:

  • make the nose smaller (nose reduction), by removing some of the cartilage and bone
  • make the nose larger (nose augmentation), by taking cartilage from the ears and bone from the hips, elbow or skull, and using this to build up the nose (known as a “graft”)
  • change the nose’s shape (including the nostrils), by breaking the nose bone and rearranging the cartilage
  • change the angle between the nose and top lip

The skin over the nose should just shrink or expand to its new shape.

The operation involves either making one cut across the skin between the nostrils (“open rhinoplasty”), or tiny cuts inside the nostrils (“closed rhinoplasty“).

A closed rhinoplasty leaves no visible scars and causes less swelling, but isn’t always possible or available.

Either way, the procedure can take from an hour and a half to three hours. Most people would need to stay in hospital for one or two nights.

You’d probably leave hospital with dressings (“packs”) in each nostril, and a splint held over your nose with tape. You wouldn’t be able to breathe through your nose.

Painkillers would be given to control any mild pain.

Recovery

You may need to take up to two weeks off work to recover.

It might be several months before you see the full effect of the nose operation, and up to six months for all of the swelling to completely go.

You wouldn’t be able to drive for a few days after the operation – your surgeon would advise about this.

After about a week: Stitches would be removed (unless you had dissolvable stitches). The splint may be able to come off.

At three weeks: Bruises, swelling and redness may have faded. You may be able to swim.

At four to six weeks: You may be able to resume contact sports.

You’d probably be advised to:

  • prop your head up with pillows for a couple of days when resting, to reduce the swelling
  • avoid hot baths and getting the splint wet
  • avoid blowing your nose or removing any crusts until your appointment to have the splint removed
  • sneeze through your mouth, to avoid pressure on your nose
  • avoid dusty or smoky places
  • avoid strenuous exercise or contact sports for four to six weeks
  • take paracetamol or another prescribed painkiller to relieve any mild pain

Side effects to expect

It’s common after nose reshaping to have:

  • a blocked nose – you’d need to breathe through your mouth for a week or so
  • stiffness and numbness of the nose
  • soreness, swelling and bruising around the eyes, which can last three weeks
  • light nosebleeds for the first few days

What could go wrong

Nose reshaping surgery can occasionally result in:

  • permanent breathing difficulty
  • damage to the cartilage wall between your nostrils
  • an altered sense of smell
  • heavy nosebleeds

Any type of operation also carries a small risk of:

  • excessive bleeding
  • developing a blood clot in a vein
  • infection
  • an allergic reaction to the anaesthetic

The surgeon should explain how likely these risks and complications are, and how they would be treated if they occurred. Call London ENT today to find out how we can help you.