Rhinoplasty & Revision Rhinoplasty
Restore harmony, balance, and clear breathing
Refined, natural results that enhance both appearance and function — delivered by specialist ENT and facial plastic surgeons.
Rhinoplasty reshapes and refines the nose to improve both its appearance and function. It can correct features such as a nasal hump, asymmetry, or breathing difficulties caused by structural issues. The goal is to achieve a nose that looks natural, feels balanced within the face, and allows comfortable airflow.
At Hillser, our consultant ENT and facial plastic surgeons bring advanced expertise in both functional and aesthetic nasal surgery. Whether you are considering rhinoplasty for the first time or seeking revision after previous treatment, your procedure will be designed with precision, safety, and artistry to achieve results that complement your features.
Procedure time
1-3 hours
Anaesthetic
General anaesthetic
Hospital stay
Day case (same-day discharge in most cases)
Time off work
Approximately 1 week
Return to exercise
3-4 weeks
Final results
9-12 months
What the procedure involves
Rhinoplasty is typically performed under general anaesthetic. Modern techniques include structural and preservation rhinoplasty. The surgical technique depends on the required correction:
Closed (endonasal) approach – all incisions are made inside the nostrils, leaving no visible scars.
Open approach – a small incision is made across the columella (the strip of skin between the nostrils), allowing greater access for complex adjustments.
Cartilage or soft tissue grafts may be taken from the ear or rib when additional structural support is needed.
The nasal framework is carefully sculpted and refined, and the skin is gently redraped for a natural result.
For revision rhinoplasty, additional techniques such as grafts, cartilage reconstruction, or the usage of ultrasonic tools may be used to restore form and function where previous surgery has affected nasal integrity.
Where bone reshaping is required, Hillser surgeons use ultrasonic rhinoplasty — a technique that uses high-frequency ultrasonic energy to reshape nasal bone with exceptional precision. Unlike conventional instruments, the device acts selectively on bone while leaving surrounding soft tissue, blood vessels, and cartilage intact.
This selective cutting and soft tissue preservation results in less post-operative swelling, greater surgical precision, and a safer approach in complex or altered anatomy. It is particularly well-suited to revision rhinoplasty, where scar tissue and prior structural changes demand a more controlled technique.
Where a patient has thicker skin, a different ethnic background, or has previously undergone nasal surgery, additional techniques may be required. Cartilage grafts — taken from the ear or, where greater volume is needed, from the rib — are used to rebuild or reinforce the nasal structure in more complex cases. Skin colour, texture and thickness all influence the surgical approach and the detail of result that can be achieved, and are discussed fully at consultation.
Most procedures take between two and four hours. Patients generally return home the same day or after an overnight stay.
Benefits
Improves facial balance and proportion.
Enhances nasal breathing and comfort.
Corrects asymmetry, humps, or tip irregularities.
Restores structural integrity following trauma or previous surgery.
Provides long-lasting results that age naturally with your face.
Recovery and aftercare
Most patients experience mild swelling and bruising around the eyes for one week. The nose may feel blocked during this period, and mouth breathing may be necessary temporarily. Pain is usually minimal and well-controlled with standard medication.
A small protective splint is worn on the nose for approximately one week. Most patients return to light activity within 10–14 days, though contact sports, heavy exercise, and wearing glasses on the nasal bridge should be avoided for several weeks.
Our consultants and nursing team monitor your progress closely, with scheduled follow-up appointments to ensure smooth healing. Subtle refinement continues over several months, with final results evident after 9–12 months.
Consultation and Candidacy
Your consultation at Hillser includes a detailed medical and aesthetic assessment:
Internal and external examination of the nose using endoscopy where appropriate.
Review of breathing function and nasal structure.
Discussion of your goals and priorities.
A comprehensive explanation of outcomes and risks involved in the surgery.
Candidates should be in good general health. Those considering revision rhinoplasty should ideally wait at least one year after previous surgery to allow full healing.
Individual results vary from patient to patient. All surgical procedures carry risks, which will be discussed fully with you during your consultation.
Why choose Hillser Clinic?
Consultant ENT and facial plastic surgeons – combining aesthetic precision with deep anatomical understanding.
Functional and cosmetic expertise – addressing both breathing and appearance for optimal outcomes.
Advanced reconstructive skills – experienced in complex revision, grafting procedures and ultrasonic technology.
Safety and clinical excellence – procedures carried out in leading London and South East hospitals.
FAQs
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Closed rhinoplasty is performed through internal incisions with no visible scars, while open rhinoplasty adds a small incision at the base of the nose for better visibility and precision in complex cases.
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A well-performed rhinoplasty should maintain or improve breathing. Our surgeons specialise in balancing function with aesthetics.
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Revision rhinoplasty can correct both aesthetic and structural concerns from previous surgery. It is a more complex operation that may involve cartilage grafts and ultrasonic tools (piezoelectric) to refine both functional and aesthetic outcomes.
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Rhinoplasty can make meaningful and lasting improvements to both the appearance and function of the nose, but it is not without limitations. It will not produce a perfect nose — the aim is a nose that looks natural, balanced and harmonious with your other features. The final result depends on factors including skin thickness and texture, the strength of the underlying cartilage, and how the tissues heal over time. Patients with thicker skin, for example, may see less definition in the tip than those with thinner skin. Your surgeon will give you an honest assessment of what is achievable in your specific case and why realistic expectations are an important part of a successful outcome.
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Ultrasonic rhinoplasty uses high-frequency ultrasonic energy to reshape nasal bone with exceptional precision. Unlike conventional instruments, the ultrasonic device cuts selectively — acting only on bone while leaving the surrounding soft tissue, blood vessels, and cartilage intact. This principle of selective cutting and soft tissue preservation is central to the modern approach to rhinoplasty.
The benefits are meaningful: patients typically experience less swelling and bruising compared to traditional techniques, and the precision afforded by the instrument allows for more controlled, nuanced bone reshaping. It is also particularly well-suited to complex anatomy, where conventional instrumentation carries a higher risk of unintended trauma to adjacent structures.
For this reason, ultrasonic rhinoplasty is especially valuable in revision cases — where anatomy may be altered, scar tissue present, and the margin for error reduced. At Hillser, the technique is selected where it offers a genuine clinical advantage, as part of an individually planned surgical approach.
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Initial recovery is around 7 days, with full refinement over the following year as tissues settle and final contour becomes defined.
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Rhinoplasty is a safe and well-established procedure when performed by an experienced specialist surgeon. As with any operation under general anaesthetic, there are general risks including bleeding, infection and anaesthetic reaction, all of which are uncommon. Procedure-specific risks include swelling that takes longer than expected to resolve, minor asymmetry, altered sensation in the nasal skin, and, in rare cases, the need for a revision procedure. At your consultation, your surgeon will discuss your individual risk profile and the steps taken to minimise it. All procedures at Hillser are carried out in accredited London and South East hospitals with full clinical support.
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We can usually offer appointments within just a few days. Diagnostics and any procedures are coordinated promptly at our partner hospitals in London and the South East.
If you are considering nasal refinement or have concerns following previous surgery, our consultants are here to help.
Begin your doctor-guided aesthetic journey today.
