TL;DR:
- Pain and Recovery: Rhinoplasty is not usually very painful. Surgery is under anesthesia, pain is manageable with OTC painkillers, and most discomfort (e.g., swelling) subsides in about 3 days.
- Non-Surgical Alternatives: Hyaluronic acid can correct minor issues temporarily, but surgery is needed for permanent changes like straightening or reducing the nose. Less invasive surgical methods (e.g., PIEZO) are also available.
- Results Timeline: Initial changes are visible after bandage removal, but full results can take several months to a year due to healing.
- Functional Benefits: Rhinoplasty can improve breathing, sinus health, and snoring alongside aesthetics.
- Post-Op Care: Patients must avoid intense activity, sun, glasses, and certain sleeping positions for weeks. Return to work is possible after 2 weeks.
- Scarring: Closed techniques leave no visible scars; open techniques have minimal scarring, often unnoticeable.
- Candidate Suitability: Health issues (e.g., uncontrolled hypertension, heart disease) or smoking may disqualify some. Surgery is typically for those 18+ after growth is complete.
Nose correction, also known as rhinoplasty, is one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures. The number of surgeries performed shows how many people are unhappy with the appearance of their nose. Nevertheless, there are still many myths surrounding the procedure that discourage some from getting rid of the complex once and for all.
Nose surgery is very painful: MIT
Some people find it hard to believe, but nose correction is usually not associated with too much pain after the procedure. The surgery is performed under general anesthesia (or local anesthesia, it depends on the method and extent of the procedure), so the patient naturally feels nothing during the correction. After the operation, the doctor may prescribe appropriate painkillers to help alleviate any discomfort, although the pain is usually manageable with over-the-counter remedies. Of course, there may be some discomfort from swelling or nasal tamponade, but the vast majority of patients do not experience intense pain. Relief appears after about three days, when the tamponade is removed.
The shape of the nose can be changed without surgery: FACT/MIT
Much depends on the results you want. If you want to get rid of a small hump, change the shape of the tip of the nose or optically widen an unnaturally narrow nose, correction with hyaluronic acid may be enough. However, it is worth remembering that the effects here last for several months, and then the procedure must be repeated. To achieve permanent changes, nasal surgery is already necessary. Some patients fear surgical intervention, but with such correction it is possible to straighten a crooked nasal septum, remove a hump, make the nose smaller or more slender. Most importantly, there are increasingly less invasive methods available, such as PIEZO, so that surgical correction of the nose does not involve such a strenuous convalescence as it did decades ago.
The effects of nose correction can be seen as soon as the bandages are removed: MIT
Immediately after nasal surgery, the patient usually wears a bandage, which is removed after a few days. However, swelling and bruising after surgery can obscure the final result even after the surgery is removed. Often, the full effects of nose surgery do not become apparent until several months and sometimes up to a year after surgery. This is due to the lengthy healing process. The skin also has to adapt to the new shape. It is important to wait patiently for the effects of the operation, although the first changes can be seen as soon as the bandages are removed.
Nose correction is purely a matter of aesthetics: FACT/MIT
Although many people choose to have their nose corrected solely because of an unsatisfactory appearance, nose surgery may also be recommended for health reasons. Correction can make breathing easier, prevent frequent infections, eliminate the problem of snoring and chronic sinusitis. This is especially true for a crooked nasal septum, which causes improper airflow. Surgery can improve a patient's appearance and well-being, but sometimes it is also important for health reasons.
After rhinoplasty, you have to take care of yourself: FACT
Nose surgery is a surgical procedure and requires an adequate recovery period. Patients after rhinoplasty surgery must follow a number of recommendations to ensure a proper healing process, as the result depends on more than just the surgeon. At least for a few weeks, intense physical activity, sun and high temperatures should be avoided. It is also better not to wear glasses and wear clothes over the head or lie on the stomach. For example, nose tip surgery requires healing of the cartilage, which is easily damaged in the initial stages. Patients should also keep in mind that there may be bruising and swelling in the initial period after surgery, which will subside over time. Return to work is usually possible after about two weeks.
There are always scars left after surgery: MIT
Many people are concerned that after nose surgery there will be visible scars. This is not necessarily the case, as less and less invasive methods of correction are being used. The nose can be operated on using an open or closed technique. In the closed method, all incisions are made inside the nose, which eliminates visible scars. In the open technique, one small incision is made on the outside of the nose, but is positioned in such a way (usually on the dorsum of the nose) that the scar is almost invisible after healing. In any case, an experienced plastic surgeon will aim to minimize scarring and achieve the most natural look possible. Techniques such as PIEZO using ultrasound are also available – bones can be narrowed without breaking them. Preservation rhinoplasty is also performed – this is a conservative method, a tissue resection, by which the nose can be reshaped and straightened or a hump removed in the least invasive way possible.
Not everyone can opt for nose correction: FACT
Not everyone is a suitable candidate for nose correction. The decision on the possibility of surgery is made by the plastic surgeon, and the patient's health is the primary condition. People with certain health problems such as uncontrolled high blood pressure, heart disease or diabetes may be excluded. Smoking is also a contraindication. In addition, patients should have realistic expectations about the results of the surgery and be able to mentally cope with the change in appearance. Finally, for younger patients, it is advisable to wait until growth is complete. Many surgeons, therefore, operate on people from the age of 18, who are already capable of making such decisions. Not everyone is happy with the size and shape of their nose, plus nasal abnormalities sometimes reduce quality of life. The solution here is nose surgery, although some patients are wary of surgical correction. It is best to see an experienced plastic surgeon such as those at the “OT.CO Clinic”, who will determine which method is best and what results are possible for a particular patient.
Conclusion
Nose correction isn’t just about looks—it can aid breathing and boost confidence. While myths suggest pain or permanent scars, modern techniques make the process manageable and discreet. Recovery takes patience, but results often transform appearance and well-being. Not everyone qualifies for this surgery, so consulting a skilled surgeon is essential. Whether for health or aesthetics, rhinoplasty can be life-changing when approached with the right knowledge and expectations.
