How do I know if I have sleep apnoea?

Common symptoms of sleep apnoea include loud snoring, witnessed pauses in breathing during sleep, excessive daytime fatigue, and morning headaches. If you experience any of these symptoms, we recommend scheduling a consultation for further assessment.

What is the first step if I think I might have a sleeping disorder?

The first step is a consultation with one of our specialists, who will review your symptoms and medical history. In most cases, we arrange a home-based sleep study to measure your breathing and oxygen levels overnight. Once the results are available, we tailor a personalised treatment plan to address the root cause.

Are the treatments for snoring and sleep apnoea invasive?

Many of the treatments we offer are minimally invasive, including CPAP therapy and airway reconstructive procedures. Our specialists will recommend the best option based on your specific needs.

Do you provide diagnostic sleep studies?

Yes, we offer in-depth home-based diagnostic sleep studies to evaluate your condition and tailor the most effective treatment plan.

What is a sleep endoscopy (DISE), and why might I need one?

A Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy (DISE) is a procedure that allows us to observe your airway while you're in a sleep-like state. It helps determine more precisely the cause of snoring or sleep apnoea, ensuring that any recommended treatment is tailored to your specific needs.

How do I know if CPAP therapy is right for me?

CPAP therapy is commonly recommended for moderate to severe sleep apnoea. During a thorough diagnostic assessment, we'll evaluate your airway to determine if CPAP or another treatment is most suitable for your unique condition.

Can losing weight help with snoring or sleep apnoea?

Yes. Weight loss can reduce the severity of snoring and sleep apnoea, although other factors such as nasal blockage or throat anatomy may still contribute.

How quickly can I arrange a consultation?

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.

Is surgery always necessary for snoring or sleep apnoea?

No. Many patients improve with non-surgical treatments such as CPAP, nasal sprays, or lifestyle changes. Surgery is recommended only when it is likely to provide clear benefit.

Do you see children with sleep problems?

Yes. Children can experience sleep-disordered breathing, often due to enlarged tonsils or adenoids. Our consultants can assess and recommend treatment where appropriate.

What specialists are part of the Hillser sleep team?

Our pathway is consultant-led and supported by a nursing team and nutritionist, ensuring patients receive medical, lifestyle, and wellness support for lasting improvement.

Can lifestyle changes improve my sleep quality?

Yes, simple changes such as maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, avoiding alcohol before bedtime, and sleeping on your side can improve sleep quality. We also provide personalised advice based on your condition.

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.

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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

1-4 hours

Anaesthetic

General anaesthetic

Hospital stay

Day case (same-day discharge in most cases)

Time off work

Approximately 2 weeks

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 fascial grafts, cartilage reconstruction, or tissue strengthening may be used to restore form and function where previous surgery has affected nasal integrity.

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.

Why choose Hillser Clinic?

Senior ENT consultant reviewing sleep study at Hillser Clinic London

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 and grafting procedures.

Safety and clinical excellence – procedures carried out in leading London and South East hospitals.

FAQs

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.
A well-performed rhinoplasty should maintain or improve breathing. Our surgeons specialise in balancing function with aesthetics.
Revision rhinoplasty can correct both aesthetic and structural concerns from previous surgery. It is a more complex operation that may involve cartilage grafts for support and reconstruction.
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.

Initial recovery is around 10 days, with full refinement over the following year as tissues settle and final contour becomes defined.
Yes, results are long-lasting. However, subtle changes may occur naturally over time with the ageing process.
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.
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.