Rhinoplasty

Preservation Rhinoplasty

Lowering the nasal dorsum by preserving your own anatomy rather than removing and rebuilding it.

At a glance

Operating time: 2.5–3.5 hours
Anaesthesia: General anaesthesia
Hospital stay: 1 nights
Back to desk work: approx. 7 days
Social recovery: approx. 14 days

About this procedure

BeforeAfter

Preservation rhinoplasty reduces a dorsal hump not by cutting away and rebuilding the bony and cartilaginous roof of the nasal bridge, but by keeping that structure intact and lowering it as a whole. The hump is brought down by a controlled reduction of the supporting tissue beneath the bridge, with the aim of preserving the nose's natural dorsal line and inner structure.

Surgical approach and technique

The operation is performed under general anaesthesia and takes about 2.5–3.5 hours. A thin strip is removed from the cartilage and bone support beneath the bridge, and the bridge is lowered as a single unit without opening its roof. Where needed, the tip is reshaped in the same operation and a deviated septum is corrected. In suitable patients it can be combined with the closed approach. One night is spent in hospital after surgery.

Who is it for?

Assessed in patients with a dorsal hump and an otherwise straight, regular bridge who have not had nose surgery before (primary cases), when keeping the nose's natural dorsal line is the goal. Which technique suits you is decided at examination.

Recovery

A nasal splint is worn for the first week, and there may be swelling and bruising under the eyes. The splint comes off around day 7, when desk work can resume; social life is usually possible from about the second week. The fine swelling of the tip can take 6–12 months to resolve fully as the final shape settles.

Who it may not suit

Patients who have had nose surgery before and whose bridge has been altered; revision techniques are usually needed
People with a marked deviation or irregularity of the bridge
People with no dorsal hump who only want the tip changed

Preservation vs traditional (structural) rhinoplasty

Which technique suits you is decided at examination.

	Traditional (structural) rhinoplasty	Preservation rhinoplasty
Hump removal	The hump is cut away and the bridge rebuilt	The bridge is kept and lowered from beneath
Roof of the bridge	Opened and reshaped	Kept intact
Suits	A wide range of noses, revisions	A straight bridge with a hump, first operation

Preparing for surgery

Smoking and nicotine products must be stopped for a period before and after surgery.
Blood thinners and some herbal supplements are stopped for a period before surgery, under medical guidance.
Blood tests and an anaesthetic assessment are carried out.

Recovery timeline

When	What to generally expect
Day 1	One night in hospital
Week 1	Nasal splint and, if used, internal silicone splints; swelling and bruising under the eyes
Around day 7	Splint removed and check-up; return to desk work
About week 2	Return to social life
Weeks 4–6	Return to strenuous exercise with the surgeon's approval; glasses as the surgeon advises
Months 6–12	Swelling of the tip largely resolves and the final shape settles

For patients travelling from abroad

We recommend staying in Istanbul for 7–9 nights. The flight home is usually planned for day 7–10, after the splint has been removed and you have been checked.

Possible risks

Like any surgery, preservation rhinoplasty carries risks, and all of them are shared with you in writing before the operation:

Bleeding
Infection
Prolonged swelling
Partial return of the dorsal hump (a risk specific to the preservation technique)
Asymmetry or irregularity of shape
Nasal obstruction
Need for revision
Risks related to anaesthesia

Back to desk work: approx. 7 days. Social recovery: approx. 14 days. Depending on the scope of surgery you should plan for between 6 and 12 nights. The exact figure is confirmed in writing with your treatment plan.

The information on this page is general and does not replace medical advice. Timings and recovery vary between individuals; a definitive plan can only be made after examination.

Frequently asked questions

How does preservation rhinoplasty differ from traditional rhinoplasty?

In the traditional technique the hump is cut away and the bridge is rebuilt; in the preservation technique the bridge's own roof is kept and lowered from beneath.

Will it affect my breathing?

The inner structure of the nose and the airway are preserved, and a deviated septum is corrected in the same operation. The aim is to preserve or improve breathing.

Can the hump come back?

A partial return of the hump is a known risk of the preservation technique. Careful patient selection and surgical planning aim to reduce it.

Will there be a scar on my nose?

With the closed approach the incisions are inside the nose and not visible. With the open approach the small incision on the columella usually fades over time.

When does the swelling go down completely?

Visible swelling eases over the first weeks; the fine swelling of the tip can take 6–12 months to resolve fully.

Can I wear glasses?

In the first weeks glasses may be restricted so they do not press on the bridge; your surgeon will tell you for how long.

Is the tip reshaped too?

Yes. Where needed, the tip is reshaped in the same operation.

How much does it cost?

The fee is given according to the personal plan set after examination. The quote covers the operation, anaesthesia, hospital, medication, transfers and follow-up visits.

A personal assessment for this procedure

Share your photographs and let us plan the right technique and timeline together.

Request a consultation