Nostril and wing surgery

Sometimes, patients come to us to modify the shape of their nostrils or the wings of their nose. This can be easily achieved through rhinoplasty. In both cases, the incisions are made on the outer side of the nose – when correcting the wings in the crease where they meet the cheeks, and when adjusting the nostrils – on the lower part of the nose, in the area where an incision is also made during upper lip lifting. While these surgeries won’t result in dramatic changes, they can complement nasal osteotomy or the correction of a wide nasal tip.

Watch our videos on rhinoplasty and nose wing shape correction YouTube.

Short surgery information

  • Surgery Time: 30-40 minutes

  • Type of Anesthesia: Sedation and local anesthesia

  • Hospitalization: 2-3 hours

  • Return to Normal Life: The following day

  • Clinic Visits: 2-3 times

  • Stitches Removal: 7 days

Why patients consider nostril and wing surgery

Hereditary Reasons Some patients seek correction solely on the soft tissues of the nose due to hereditary factors. Their parents, grandparents, or other relatives may have had a wide nose with large nostrils that appear disproportionate to the rest of their facial features.

Surgeon’s Recommendations Before Rhinoplasty Some patients don’t think about nostril or wing correction until they receive recommendations from a plastic surgeon during consultations for osteotomy, hump removal, or nasal cartilage plastic surgery. The surgeon’s goal is to achieve a natural and aesthetically pleasing result, and for this purpose, different techniques and additional surgeries such as nostril or wing shape adjustments may be chosen.

Who is a candidate for the surgery?

Candidates may have widened or disproportionately large nostrils, affecting the overall facial balance. Patients with wide or thick nose wings may also consider this surgery to achieve a more refined appearance. Ideal candidates are in good overall health, have no serious medical conditions that could complicate surgery or recovery, and have realistic expectations of the procedure’s results.

Why choose South Korea?

South Korea annually conducts more cosmetic procedures and surgeries than any other country in the world. Local doctors are considered among the most educated and competitive globally, as only 0.01% of medical school graduates can become plastic surgeons here. Korea’s medical equipment and technology are on par with the USA and Germany, placing it in the top three countries with the best clinic technical infrastructure.

All rhinoplasty surgeries are performed in accredited clinics authorized to treat foreign patients, with in-house anesthesiologists. All surgeons who operate on our patients have 15 to 30 years of experience specializing in rhinoplasty and perform no more than 2 surgeries per day. Fill out the QUESTIONNAIRE so we can calculate the treatment cost, conduct a preliminary consultation, and prepare a plan for your trip to South Korea for the surgery.

Book a consultation with a clinic coordinator or plastic surgeon today!

You can book a consultation by filling out the QUESTIONNAIRE or by contacting us on any messenger at +82-10-4214-9603.

How to prepare before rhinoplasty

  • Fasting: Refrain from eating or drinking for 6 hours before the procedure. Take a shower.

  • Medications: 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 within 3 days before the operation.

  • Smoking: Do not smoke, including hookah and electronic cigarettes. Smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and may slow down tissue healing. If you smoke, your doctor will recommend quitting before the surgery. Some doctors refuse to perform surgery on smokers due to the high risk of complications. Avoid being around smokers or in public smoking areas.

  • Medical history: Review your medical history. Be prepared to answer questions about current and past illnesses, as well as any recent medications you have taken. Please do not hide this information from the surgeon and coordinators.

  • Consultation with the surgeon: Visit the surgeon for an examination and show them photos of your desired outcome. Most clients from CIS countries prefer a slim, 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.

  • Medical tests: If you have had tests done less than a month ago, you can bring them with you. Otherwise, all necessary tests will be conducted in Korea.

  • Transportation: Ask someone to drive you to the clinic or assist you after the operation if you plan to come by car.

  • Prepare Items: Place items near your bed that may be needed during rest, such as lip balm, water, a chocolate bar, or your mobile phone.

Surgery process – what the surgeon does

After the anesthesiologist puts you to sleep, the surgeon makes a careful incision on the outer side of the nose. For nasal wing correction, the incision is made where they meet the cheeks. For nasal shape correction, it’s in the area where the lower part of the nose and columella meet the skin above the upper lip. The surgeon removes excess skin in these areas and closes the incisions with fine sutures.

If only shape correction is performed without altering the cartilage or osteotomy, there are almost no bruises, swelling, tampons, or medical patches after the surgery.

What to expect after rhinoplasty

After the surgery, a translator or nurses will wake you up and assist you to your room. Most patients don’t remember this moment, as the anesthesia takes effect, making it feel like they woke up in a warm bed.

In the first 10-20 minutes after awakening, you may feel cold, but this will quickly pass. There is a warming mattress on your bed to make this period more comfortable. There is no pain after correction of nasal shape or nasal wings. Pain is dulled by anesthesia on the first day and successfully blocked by medication. Although it is an operation with external stitches, it is considered minimally invasive, and it does not affect bone and cartilage tissues, minimizing discomfort during rehabilitation.

After a few minutes of awakening, you will be given a cold compress, which you can apply 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 after the surgery, the faster the swelling will subside.

You will remain in the clinic for another 1-2 hours after the operation. There will be a catheter in your arm, and medications will be administered through it. After the catheter is removed, the coordinator and nurses will check your condition. If you don’t experience symptoms like dizziness and nausea, you can prepare for discharge, change clothes, pick up your medications, and follow post-operative recommendations.

Remember not to rub your nose, sneeze, or blow your nose for all types of rhinoplasty. Starting from the second day after the operation, you will need to take care of the stitches by applying ointment to make them dissolve faster and become less noticeable.

Book a consultation with the clinic coordinator or plastic surgeon today! You can schedule a consultation by filling out the QUESTIONNAIRE or contacting us through any messenger at +82-10-4214-9603.

Rhinoplasty recovery process

Immediately after the procedure: Small bandages will be applied to the suture areas. Pain is typically minimal, and you can leave the clinic within 1-2 hours if you feel well.

Days 1-2: Minor bruising and swelling may occur, but it’s usually inconspicuous.

Days 3-7: Swelling begins to subside. Avoid activities that involve bending the head downwards. On the 6th-7th day, the surgeon examines and removes sutures, while nurses treat the skin and remove scabs.

Days 7-14: Swelling continues to decrease, and any possible bruises fade. Return to normal daily life is encouraged, with regular extended walks for faster recovery.

Days 14-21: Most patients can perform everyday tasks without discomfort. Continue to avoid intensive workouts and physical exercises.

Days 21-30: Sutures gradually fade, and the skin continues to recover

Days 31-60: Completion of the rehabilitation process.

Frequently Asked Questions

We provide our patients with the total cost, including post-operative care, anesthesia, room stay, medications, and even VAT (which can be refunded as tax-free). The cost for the procedure without other types of rhinoplasty ranges from 2,000,000 to 2,500,000 KRW. If correction is added to a comprehensive operation for hump removal, tip correction, or osteotomy, the additional cost is only 500,000 to 1,000,000 KRW. Accredited plastic surgeons in Korea caution that the operation's price may change after a personal examination and determining whether it's your first or revision surgery.

Before & After

Patient results may vary. Please remember that to provide you with detailed information about treatment and your trip, you need to fill out a QUESTIONNAIRE, describe your desired results in detail, and attach your photos. The information provided on the website does not guarantee that this procedure is suitable for you.