Rhinoplasty, specifically hump removal, is the most popular type of rhinoplasty among residents of the CIS countries. Many patients, both men and women, opt for this surgery because they desire a nose with a slightly curved shape (resembling a crescent) and an uplifted tip, which is considered ideal for women. For men, the ideal nose is straight and unblemished. As humps do not fit these criteria, more patients are choosing to undergo hump removal, often combined with osteotomy, a procedure where the surgeon shaves down the lateral parts of the nose bones to make it thinner and more elegant.
Brief information about the surgery
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Procedure: Rhinoplasty with Hump Removal
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Duration: 1.5 – 2.5 hours
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Anesthesia: Sedation and local anesthesia
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Hospitalization: 2-3 hours
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Recovery Time: Next day
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Clinic Visits: 2-3 times
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Stitches Removal: 7th day
Why patients consider rhinoplasty
Heredity: In some cases, individuals may inherit a small and well-defined child’s nose that develops into a bent nose with a hump during adolescence. This is particularly common among people from certain European, Caucasian, and Middle Eastern regions.
Constant Mechanical Pressure: Wearing heavy-framed glasses consistently can lead to indentations and small growths on the nose. Correcting these issues may require rhinoplasty.
Nose Injuries: Almost everyone experiences childhood nose injuries, and in many cases, these injuries can result in the formation of a hump or an “open roof” shape, characterized by a low and wide nasal bridge.
Who is a suitable candidate for the surgery
The hump removal nose surgery is suitable for individuals who are dissatisfied with the profile of their nose due to a prominent hump or a wide nasal bridge. Candidates should be in good health and free from serious medical conditions that could affect the recovery process. It is also essential to have realistic expectations of the surgery’s results, as the changes will be moderate but significant for the overall facial appearance. Patients should be prepared to follow post-operative recommendations to achieve the best outcome.
Why South Korea?
South Korea leads the world in the number of cosmetic procedures and surgeries performed annually. Local doctors are considered among the most educated and competitive globally, as only 0.01% of medical school graduates become plastic surgeons. The country’s medical equipment and facilities are on par with those in the United States and Germany, placing it in the top three countries with the best-equipped clinics.
All rhinoplasty procedures are carried out in accredited clinics with permission to treat foreign patients, and they have in-house anesthesiologists. Surgeons who operate on our patients have 15 to 30 years of experience specializing in rhinoplasty and perform a maximum of two surgeries per day.
To begin your journey towards hump removal rhinoplasty in South Korea, reserve a consultation with our clinic coordinator or plastic surgeon today!
You can book a consultation by filling out the QUESTIONNAIRE or contacting us via any messenger at +82-10-4214-9603.
How to prepare for rhinoplasty in South Korea
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Fast for 8 hours before the procedure and take a shower.
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Avoid taking Aspirin, Ibuprofen (including medications like Advil or Motrin), and other drugs that can increase the risk of excessive bleeding for 2 weeks before the surgery. Tylenol is prohibited only for 3 days before the operation.
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Do not smoke, including hookah and electronic cigarettes. Smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and can slow down the tissue healing process. If you are a smoker, your doctor may recommend quitting smoking before the surgery. Some surgeons refuse to perform surgery on smokers due to the high risk of complications. It is also unsafe to be around smoking relatives and friends or in public smoking areas.
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Review your medical history. Be prepared to answer questions about current and past illnesses, as well as any surgeries you have undergone. Tell the surgeon about any medications you are currently taking or have taken recently. Please do not hide this information from the surgeon and coordinators.
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Consult with the surgeon and show them photos of the desired result. Most clients from CIS countries want a thin, straight, and slightly upturned nose (referred to as a “half-moon” by doctors). If you want a different shape, be sure to inform the coordinator.
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If you have had tests done less than a month ago, you can bring them with you. If not, all necessary tests will be conducted in Korea.
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Ask someone to drive you to the clinic or help you after the operation if you plan to arrive by car.
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Place items next to your bed that you may need during rest, such as lip balm, water, a chocolate bar, or your mobile phone.
Surgery process for hump removal
After the anesthesiologist puts you to sleep, the surgeon makes a careful incision on the inside of the nostrils and the columella, lifting the upper part of the nose to expose the cartilage and the base of the bone.
Depending on the chosen surgical technique and the patient’s case, the surgeon removes excess parts of bone and cartilage and, if necessary, grafts them or uses donor material (rib or ear cartilage or silicone implant) to create a straight nose line.
At the end of the surgery, sutures are applied to the columella and the inside of the nostrils, cotton swabs and silicone plates are inserted into the nose, and a splint is attached to the bridge.
What to expect after rhinoplasty surgery
After the surgery is completed, a translator or medical staff will wake you up and assist you in transitioning to your room. Most patients don’t remember this moment, as anesthesia has a numbing effect.
In the first 10-20 minutes after waking up, you may experience shivering, which will quickly pass. There’s a warming mattress on your bed to make this period more comfortable. There is minimal pain on the first day, thanks to pain-relief injections and medications used during the surgery. However, you may feel swelling in your nose, cheeks, eyes, and even the forehead. This is normal because the surgery involves reshaping bones and cartilage, and your body is starting the healing process.
The biggest discomfort comes from the gauze and silicone splints in your nose, which may be used together or separately (each surgeon has their own technique). Breathing can be challenging due to them, and you might have to breathe through your mouth, leading to dry lips (be sure to have lip balm by your bedside).
Within a few minutes after waking up, you’ll be provided with a cold compress. You can apply it not only to the areas around your nose but also to other parts of your face. The more you use the compress during the first week, the faster the swelling will go down.
You’ll stay in the clinic for another 2-4 hours after the surgery. You’ll have a catheter in your arm, and medications will be administered intravenously. After the IV is removed and the catheter is taken out, the coordinator and medical staff will assess your condition. If you don’t experience symptoms like dizziness and nausea, you can start preparing for discharge: change your clothes, collect your medications, and receive post-operative instructions.
By evening, pain sensations may intensify. Make sure to place several pillows under your head to reduce swelling and take the pain relief medications prescribed by the surgeon. Apply the cold compress every few minutes. Fluid may drip from your nose (gently wipe it with a tissue), and you might feel tingling and slight headaches in the operating area. These symptoms are entirely normal; your main task is to be patient and get through the first few days.
Over the next three days, the swelling will increase, your eyelids and forehead may swell, and bruises or even slight bleeding may occur. Don’t be alarmed and continue applying the cold compress and following the rehabilitation guidelines. After the removal of the gauze or splints (which can stay in place for 1 to 7 days, depending on the patient’s case), breathing will become much easier, but your nose may start running. Be gentle while wiping away the fluid, and never blow your nose. The medical staff will remove any crusts during your clinic visit. By the end of the week, the swelling will start to decrease, and you’ll feel much better, ready to return to your regular life.
Book a consultation with the clinic coordinator or plastic surgeon today! You can schedule a consultation by filling out the QUESTIONNAIRE or contacting us via any messenger at +82-10-4214-9603.
Recovery process and post-rhinoplasty procedures
Immediately after the procedure: Your nose will have gauze and silicone splints, and there will be a small bridge on the spot where the hump used to be. Pain is nearly absent in the first few hours, and there may be some fluid discharge from the nose. You can leave the clinic within 3-5 hours after the surgery if you are feeling well.
Days 1-2: The surgeon may remove the gauze and silicone splints during this period. By the end of the second day, you may experience the peak of swelling, which can affect not only the nose but also the eyes and forehead. Bruises may appear. Try to apply a cold compress frequently and sleep in an elevated position.
Days 3-7: Swelling begins to subside. Avoid sports and any activity that requires bending your head down. On the 6th or 7th day, the surgeon will examine you, remove the bridge and stitches, and the nurses will treat your nose and scar and remove any scabs.
Days 7-14: Reduction in swelling, disappearance of possible hematomas, and a return to normal life. Regular and extended walks are recommended for faster recovery.
Days 14-21: Most patients can perform daily activities without discomfort. Continue to avoid intense workouts and physical exercises.
Days 21-30: Your nose may occasionally swell, depending on which side you slept on. The swelling may shift from left to right and vice versa daily; don’t be alarmed, as this is normal.
Days 31-60: The suture on the columella almost completely disappears, and you’ll forget that you recently had surgery. You can gradually start light physical activities.
Days 60-90: You can swim in the sea and sunbathe, but try not to dive to avoid nasal trauma. Your nose may still be swollen in the mornings during this period; it will fully subside a year after the surgery.
1 year after the surgery: Complete rehabilitation.
Frequently Asked Questions
We inform our patients of the final cost, which includes post-operative care, anesthesia, room stay, medications, and even VAT (which can be refunded as tax-free). The cost of the surgery ranges from 4,900,000 to 7,600,000 KRW depending on the clinic and what you want to correct in your nose besides the hump. Accredited plastic surgeons in Korea caution that the surgery cost may change after a personal examination and information on whether your surgery is the first or a revision.
On average, rhinoplasty takes from 1.5 to 2.5 hours. Quicker doesn't mean better.
With a properly performed surgery, sensitivity will fully return within three months after the operation (usually within a week).
During the surgery, the surgeon makes an incision on the columella – the area of skin between the nostrils. It may be reddish for several weeks but can be easily concealed with concealer.
If you don't want your colleagues to know about your surgery, we recommend taking a 2-week leave. If it doesn't matter to you, you can return to work as early as 3-4 days after the operation.
Most surgeons agree that the patient should be at least 18 years old. In some cases, the operation may be performed a bit earlier with the guardian's consent.
The final results can be seen one year after the operation, but the nose will already look normal in 10-12 days.
It should be at least three months after giving birth and finishing breastfeeding.
Yes, usually, this stops within 3-4 weeks, but sometimes it can continue for up to 2 months. Make sure to carry a nasal tissue or handkerchief with you.
Glasses can be worn 6 weeks after rhinoplasty.
If the surgery is performed by a rhinoplasty specialist, you won't need a revision surgery.
Yes, this option is available.
In very rare cases, a bony callus may form, but even if it does, its size will be much smaller than the original hump.
Yes, it can be combined with all surgeries except for bullhorn incision SMAS lifting. Some surgeons do not recommend combining rhinoplasty with bullhorn surgery.
Surgeons agree that any time of the year is equally comfortable for patients. The most popular seasons for plastic surgeries are spring and autumn, so we recommend booking at least 1-2 months in advance during these times.
Before & After
Step 1: Fill out the QUESTIONNAIRE
First and foremost, you need to fill out a form. This will help us and the surgeons better understand your expectations and review your medical history. In the form, be sure to provide your personal information, details about any previous surgeries, and your current health condition. Unfortunately, patients with HIV infection are not eligible for plastic surgeries in Korea.
Step 2: Attach photos
Attaching photos of the areas of your body or face that you would like to have corrected is a crucial step. This allows us to make a preliminary cost estimate and direct you to a specialist who can address your concerns.
Step 3: Submit and wait for confirmation
After submitting the form and photos, your application will be reviewed, and we will contact you to confirm details and schedule a consultation.
Step 4: Prepare for the consultation
Prepare a list of questions you would like to ask the coordinator and surgeon during the consultation. We recommend bringing a phone with notes or a notepad to help you stay organized and obtain all the information you need. Additionally, you can always ask any questions you have in a personal chat created for discussing the details of your trip.