At a glance
- What is revision rhinoplasty? A new nose operation after a first rhinoplasty, to correct a disappointing aesthetic result or a breathing problem.
- When can it be done? Usually at least 12 months after the first operation, once swelling has gone and the tissues have healed.
- Why is it more complex? The tissues are scarred and cartilage has often been reduced. The surgeon frequently needs cartilage grafts from the septum, ear or rib.
- What is the recovery like? A splint for about a week, social life after two weeks, longer-lasting swelling than after a first rhinoplasty. Plan seven to ten days in Turkey.
- How much does it cost in Turkey? On quote, depending on the corrections and grafts, compared with roughly £8,000 to £15,000 for revision rhinoplasty in a UK private clinic.
A residual hump, a pinched tip, a nose that breathes poorly or does not look as planned: after a first rhinoplasty, a revision is sometimes needed. Revision rhinoplasty requires an experienced surgeon able to rebuild where cartilage is missing.
What is revision rhinoplasty?
Revision (or secondary) rhinoplasty is a new operation on a nose that has already had surgery. It corrects a disappointing aesthetic result, an asymmetry or a breathing problem that appeared after the first nose job.
A minor touch-up corrects a small detail, whereas true revision rhinoplasty reworks the structure of the nose. The second situation is more common than people think: a nose over-reduced during the first operation loses support over time.
The most frequently corrected problems
| Problem | What the patient notices | Usual correction |
|---|---|---|
| Residual hump | The profile is not straight | Hump reduction, often with a piezo instrument |
| Pinched or over-thin tip | Artificial tip, narrow nostrils | Cartilage grafts to rebuild the tip |
| Polly beak deformity | Fullness above the tip | Rebalancing the bridge and tip |
| Saddle nose | Collapsed bridge | Cartilage graft to raise the bridge |
| Crooked or asymmetric nose | Nose deviated from the front | Osteotomies and support grafts |
| Breathing difficulty | Blocked nose, collapsing nasal valves | Septoplasty, spreader grafts |
Why is revision rhinoplasty more complex?
In a first rhinoplasty the surgeon works on intact tissue. In a revision, they find scar tissue, skin that may be thicker or more fragile, and often reduced cartilage. They must rebuild as much as correct.
Cartilage grafts
When the septum has already been used, cartilage can be taken from the ear or a rib. Rib cartilage provides strong support to rebuild a collapsed bridge or tip. Harvesting is done through small, discreet incisions.
The open approach
Revision rhinoplasty is almost always performed open, with a small incision under the tip, to see the structures and place grafts precisely. To refine the nasal bones, the surgeon may use ultrasonic rhinoplasty.
A good revision rhinoplasty does not try to remove even more. It gives the nose a solid structure again, the key to a stable result and good breathing.
When to have revision rhinoplasty?
Wait at least 12 months after the first operation, until swelling has gone and internal scars have softened, especially with thick skin. The surgeon reviews your photos from before and after the first surgery and, if possible, the operative report.
- a result that has been stable for at least a year;
- precise, realistic expectations discussed with the surgeon;
- an assessment of nasal breathing if you breathe poorly;
- no smoking for several weeks before and after surgery.
How does the operation go?
- Anaesthesia: general.
- Duration: two to four hours depending on corrections and grafts.
- Incisions: open approach in most cases, plus a small incision if ear or rib cartilage is harvested.
- Hospital stay: usually one night at the clinic.
Recovery and results
- First days: swelling and bruising around the eyes, nose blocked by swelling.
- Splint: removed after about seven days.
- Social life: after about two weeks.
- Result: swelling lasts longer than after a first rhinoplasty; the final result is judged after 12 to 18 months, especially at the tip.
In Turkey, plan to stay seven to ten days, until splint removal and the post-operative check.
What are the risks?
Asymmetry, irregularities, an incomplete result, persistent breathing difficulty, displacement or resorption of a graft, and a scar at the donor site. The risk of a further touch-up is higher than after a first rhinoplasty, which is why choosing a surgeon used to revisions matters.
How much does revision rhinoplasty cost in Turkey?
The price is set on quote, as it depends on the extent of the corrections and grafts. It is higher than a first rhinoplasty. The package includes the procedure, a 5-star hotel and transfers with driver.
| Where | Indicative price |
|---|---|
| Istanbul, Aram Clinic | On quote, all-inclusive package |
| London, private clinic | Around £9,000 to £15,000 |
| Elsewhere in the UK | Around £8,000 to £12,000 |
Indicative ranges; the Aram Clinic price is confirmed by a personalised quote.
Our surgeons for revision rhinoplasty
Revising a nose requires extensive experience in rhinoplasty and reconstruction. At Aram Clinic, it is entrusted to plastic surgeons who regularly perform nose surgery.
Dr Mehmet Karaaltin (Istanbul)
A graduate of the Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine in Istanbul, certified by the Turkish Board of Plastic Surgery and a member of EBOPRAS and ISAPS, he has more than 25 years of experience. As an ISAPS member surgeon, he provides ISAPS insurance for the cosmetic procedures he performs. He created the SMART Template technique for rhinoplasty and performs functional and aesthetic nose surgery.
Dr Tolgahan Alpaydin (Izmir)
A graduate of Ege University (Izmir), he completed his plastic surgery residency there (1995–2001), then a microsurgery fellowship and aesthetic surgery training at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation (USA). He has directed the Izmir Aesthetic and Plastic Surgery Clinic since 2003. He performs ultrasonic and preservation rhinoplasty, backed by extensive experience in reconstructive microsurgery.
Dr Orhan Fahri Demir (Istanbul)
Trained at Gazi University (Ankara) and in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery at Ege University, he has practised as a plastic surgery specialist at Memorial Bahçelevler Hospital in Istanbul since 2025, with more than eight years of clinical and academic experience. He is known for ultrasonic, aesthetic and functional rhinoplasty, as well as craniofacial reconstruction.
Frequently asked questions
Can a rhinoplasty be redone before one year?
It is not recommended, except for a minor touch-up or an urgent problem. The nose changes throughout the first year.
Is rib cartilage always needed?
No. The surgeon first uses cartilage available in the septum or ear; rib cartilage is kept for major reconstructions.
Does revision rhinoplasty improve breathing?
Yes, when the problem comes from a deviated septum or narrow nasal valves; the functional correction is then part of the procedure.