Primary rhinoplasty is a first-time surgical procedure to reshape the nose for aesthetic reasons, functional reasons (such as improving breathing), or both. Because the nose sits at the centre of the face, even small changes can affect overall facial balance. The aim is usually a natural-looking result that suits your facial features while protecting, and where needed improving, nasal airflow.

What primary rhinoplasty can achieve

Primary rhinoplasty can adjust the size, shape and proportions of the nose. Common goals include:

• Smoothing a dorsal hump or refining the bridge
• Improving tip shape, definition, rotation (how much the tip points up or down), or projection (how far it sits from the face)
• Narrowing or balancing the nostrils
• Correcting asymmetry or a crooked appearance, including changes after injury
• Addressing internal structural issues that affect breathing, such as a deviated septum or nasal valve weakness (when appropriate)

It is important to understand that rhinoplasty is a bespoke operation. The plan depends on your anatomy, skin thickness, cartilage strength, and what changes are realistically achievable without creating an “operated” look or compromising breathing.

Who may be a good candidate, and who may not

Primary rhinoplasty may be suitable if you:

• Feel your nose is out of proportion with the rest of your face
• Have a visible bump, drooping tip, wide bridge, asymmetry, or post-traumatic deformity
• Have nasal blockage or breathing difficulty linked to internal nasal structure
• Are in good general health and able to stop smoking around surgery
• Have stable expectations and are seeking improvement rather than perfection

It may be less suitable, or require extra caution, if:

• You have uncontrolled medical conditions that increase surgical risk
• You smoke and are unable to stop, as this can impair healing
• You have significant untreated anxiety about appearance or are seeking surgery primarily to meet someone else’s expectations
• You are expecting an exact “copy” of a celebrity nose or a guaranteed outcome

Age and facial growth also matter. Rhinoplasty is usually considered once facial growth is complete, which is often in the mid to late teens, but suitability is assessed individually.

Assessment and planning at our clinic

Rhinoplasty planning is as important as the operation itself. At your consultation, our medical team will:

• Listen carefully to what you would like to change and what bothers you most
• Review your medical history, medications, allergies, and any previous nasal injuries
• Examine the outside of the nose and the internal nasal passages
• Assess breathing and identify structural causes of obstruction where relevant
• Discuss how your nose relates to other facial features such as the chin and forehead, as overall balance matters

Clinical photography is commonly used for planning and for comparing changes over time. In some cases, imaging may be used to support discussion of goals, but it cannot promise an exact final result. The consultation is also the right time to discuss scarring, recovery timelines, and the possibility, however small, of needing revision surgery in the future.

How the procedure is generally performed

Primary rhinoplasty is typically carried out under general anaesthesia. The operation is tailored to your anatomy and goals, and may involve an open approach (a small incision across the columella, the skin between the nostrils) or a closed approach (incisions inside the nostrils). Both approaches aim to reshape the underlying bone and cartilage framework.

Depending on what is needed, the procedure may include:

• Refinement of nasal bones to change bridge width or correct deviation
• Cartilage reshaping to refine the tip
• Structural support using cartilage grafts when needed to maintain shape and breathing
• Septoplasty and/or turbinate reduction if internal blockage is contributing to symptoms

At the end of surgery, a protective splint is usually placed on the outside of the nose. Some patients also require internal supports for a short period, depending on the surgical plan.

After surgery: what recovery is usually like

Recovery varies between individuals and depends on the extent of reshaping and whether functional corrections are performed.

In the first week:

• Swelling and bruising around the eyes and cheeks are common
• A blocked or congested feeling is expected
• Mild to moderate discomfort is typical and is usually managed with prescribed pain relief
• The external splint is commonly removed at around 7 to 10 days

In the first few weeks:

• Most visible bruising settles within about 2 weeks
• Swelling reduces gradually, but the nose can look puffy, especially at the tip
• Many people return to desk-based work and social activities after around 10 to 21 days, depending on bruising and how they feel

Over the following months:

• The nose continues to refine as swelling slowly resolves
• Tip definition often takes longer to settle than the bridge
• Final results commonly take up to 12 months, and sometimes longer, particularly with thicker skin

You will be given personalised aftercare instructions. These often include sleeping with your head elevated initially, avoiding nose blowing for a period, limiting strenuous exercise, and protecting the nose from knocks. Glasses may need to be avoided or supported differently for a time, depending on the technique used.

Follow-up and ongoing support

Rhinoplasty is not a “one appointment” treatment. Follow-up is a key part of safe care and good outcomes. Reviews are typically arranged soon after surgery and then at intervals over the following months to monitor healing, breathing, scar maturation, and the gradual refinement of shape.

Our medical team remains available to advise on expected changes, manage symptoms such as prolonged swelling, and assess any concerns. If you have breathing symptoms, these are taken seriously and assessed promptly.

Risks, limitations, and important considerations

All surgery carries risks, and rhinoplasty has specific considerations because it affects both appearance and breathing. Your surgeon will discuss risks in detail, tailored to your health and surgical plan. Potential risks include:

• Bleeding, including nosebleeds
• Infection
• Poor wound healing or unfavourable scarring (including thickened scars, more common in some skin types)
• Persistent swelling or prolonged numbness
• Asymmetry or irregularities that become noticeable as swelling settles
• Changes in skin sensation
• Septal perforation (a hole in the septum), which is uncommon but can be complex to treat
• Nasal valve narrowing or breathing difficulty
• Need for further treatment or revision surgery if healing is unpredictable or goals are not fully achieved

Rhinoplasty results are influenced by healing biology, skin thickness, cartilage strength, and how tissues settle over time. For this reason, outcomes cannot be guaranteed, and patience during the healing phase is essential.

Making a confident decision

Choosing primary rhinoplasty is a personal decision that should be based on clear goals, realistic expectations, and a full understanding of recovery and risk. A careful consultation helps confirm whether surgery is likely to meet your aims, whether any breathing issues should be addressed at the same time, and what kind of result is achievable for your face.

If you decide to proceed, your care is coordinated through our specialist clinic, with continuity from assessment and planning through surgery, aftercare, and longer-term follow-up. The priority throughout is a balanced, natural result with safe surgical technique and attentive support during recovery.