2.1. EXAMINATION

🔹 Patient Process and Initial Consultation
We recommend that all patients planned for rhinoplasty have a preoperative consultation. For patients living abroad, we conduct this consultation online.

During the online consultation, the patient and doctor communicate one-on-one; detailed information is provided, and the patient’s expectations are clearly understood. After this consultation, patients can schedule their surgery appointment.

🔹 Arrival in Istanbul and Examination
When the patient arrives in Istanbul, Türkiye, we welcome them at our office on the first day. One of the most important steps at this stage is a detailed examination.

Evaluation of the inside of the nose is very important:

• Septum (nasal septum)
• Turbinates
• Sinuses

Even if the patient does not have a significant breathing complaint, a functional evaluation must always be performed. Because proper breathing is the foundation of a successful rhinoplasty.

🔹 3D Analysis and Planning
After the examination, 3D photographs of our patients are taken. This imaging system is one of the most important stages of surgical planning.

With 3D analysis:

• Possible postoperative results are shown realistically
• The patient’s wishes and expectations are clarified
• Not only “what it will look like,” but also “what it will not look like” is evaluated together

This process is extremely valuable in creating a shared aesthetic understanding between doctor and patient.

🔹 Conclusion
Our goal is to achieve a nose that is natural, functional, and harmoniously adapted to each patient’s face.

Therefore, correct communication and proper planning from the very beginning are as important as the surgery itself.

2.2. ANESTHESIA AND HOSPITAL

🔹 Hospital Selection and Safety
I perform surgeries only in fully equipped hospitals with international accreditation. I do not perform these operations in small medical centers or small clinics.

The hospitals we work with are not only for minor aesthetic procedures but also fully equipped centers where major surgeries are performed. This is extremely important for patient safety.

🔹 Anesthesia Evaluation and Preoperative Preparation
After the initial consultation, patients are referred to the hospital for anesthesia evaluation.

Routine preoperative tests are performed at the hospital. These tests are standard assessments carried out to ensure the surgery is performed safely.

Since our patients are generally young and healthy individuals, surgical risks are usually at the lowest level. If the risk exceeds this minimum level, we generally do not proceed with surgery.

🔹 Risk Assessment
There is a known risk classification related to anesthesia. There is no such thing as zero risk; however, risks are classified from lowest to highest.

Rhinoplasty is an elective procedure and should be performed under the safest possible conditions. Therefore, we prefer to proceed with patients in the lowest risk group.

The anesthesiologist provides detailed information to our patients regarding this matter.

🔹 Additional Diseases and Medication Use
If patients have existing medical conditions or regularly use medications, we already ask about these in detail before their arrival.

For example:

• Thyroid diseases
• Diabetes
• Other chronic conditions

These situations are evaluated separately. If necessary, the anesthesiologist may request additional consultations.

🔹 Preoperative Information
Before surgery, patients are informed in detail about:

• Medications that should be continued or stopped
• Special considerations regarding existing conditions
• General health-related questions

After all preparations are completed, the surgery is usually performed the next day.

2.3. SURGERY

🔹 Duration of Surgery
Primary rhinoplasty surgeries generally take about 1.5 to 2 hours.

When you wake up from surgery, you can breathe through your nose. However, for the first week, you may generally feel like you have a cold or flu. The nose is not completely blocked, but it is not fully open either.

During this period:

• Mild headache
• Fatigue
• Postnasal drip

may occur. These are completely normal.

Severe pain is not expected. Usually, simple painkillers such as paracetamol are sufficient.

🔹 Swelling and Bruising
Swelling occurs around the eyes after surgery. Bruising varies from person to person.

In some patients it is minimal, while in others it may be more noticeable. If bruising occurs, it usually resolves significantly within 4–5 days.

One of the main reasons for reduced bruising and swelling is the preservation (protective) surgery technique we use. This technique helps protect tissues better and ensures a more comfortable recovery process.

🔹 Splint and First Week
After surgery, a plastic splint is placed on the nose. This splint usually stays for 5–6 days.

It does not have a direct functional role but helps control swelling.

On day 1 or day 6:

• The splint is removed
• The inside of the nose is cleaned

After this, patients feel significantly more comfortable.

🔹 Taping and Return to Daily Life
After splint removal, tape is applied to the nose.

Patients can travel and return home with this tape. In other words, after about 5–6 days, once necessary checks are completed, there is no issue with traveling.

After one week, patients are asked to remove the tape themselves.

🔹 First 2 Weeks
After approximately 2 weeks:

• The nose looks better than before surgery
• A more natural appearance develops
• Most people cannot tell the person has had surgery

However, the nose is still swollen. Especially:

• Tip of the nose
• Side walls
• Radix area

may still have edema.

🔹 Final Result
The final shape of the nose takes time to develop. This process usually takes 1 to 1.5 years. However, even at earlier stages, a natural and facially harmonious appearance is achieved.

2.4. POSTOPERATIVE PERIOD

🔹 Return to Daily Life
Patients can take a shower the day after surgery and carry out daily activities. Bending or standing up is usually not a problem.

Some patients go out for walks or shopping the next day, while others prefer a few days of rest. This varies from person to person.

In general, we do not impose strict restrictions. Going out and walking around is allowed as long as the patient is accompanied.

🔹 First Week
During the first week, taste and smell may be slightly reduced. After the control visit, when the splint is removed and the nose is cleaned, patients feel significantly better.

🔹 Sports and Physical Activity
About 2 weeks after surgery:

• Light exercise
• Swimming
• Running

are allowed.

We recommend waiting about 4 weeks before using glasses.

🔹 Activities with Risk of Impact
We recommend postponing activities that carry a risk of impact to the nose. At least 8–10 weeks should pass for such activities.

2.5. POSTOPERATIVE FOLLOW-UP

🔹 First Check-up and Patient Experience
The first postoperative control is very important for us. When the splint is removed and the nose is opened, patients usually feel great relief.

However, we clearly inform patients that the appearance at this stage may look different and swollen, because the nose is still edematous and does not reflect the final result.

🔹 Touching and Cleaning the Nose
After this check-up, we tell patients that they can comfortably touch their nose.

They may gently clean and massage it to keep the pores open. Since we preserve bone and cartilage structures in primary surgeries, patients do not harm their nose.

After two weeks:
“You can blow your nose and touch it as you wish.”

There may be sensitivity when touched, but it is not possible for the patient to damage their own nose.

🔹 Taping and Misconceptions
We do not recommend long-term taping.

On the internet, you may see statements such as:

• “Do not touch your nose”
• “Tape your nose at night”
• “Do not shower after surgery”

However, in our practice, such restrictions do not exist.

🔹 Follow-up Process
We ask our patients to send photos at regular intervals:

• 2 weeks
• 2 months
• 6 months
• 1 year
• Every year thereafter

Lifetime follow-up is very important to us.

🔹 Revision and Long-Term Results
We assure patients that major revision surgery is not usually required.

In other words, after surgery:

• Procedures requiring rib cartilage
• Major collapse or significant deformities

are not expected.

However, as in every surgery, minor corrections may sometimes be needed. In about 3–4 out of 100 patients:

• A small irregularity
• Mild asymmetry
• A slightly higher or lower nasal tip than expected

may occur.

In such cases, a simple 10–15 minute correction is usually sufficient.