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.
A similar type of rhinoplasty takes only 20-40 minutes.
With a properly performed operation, sensitivity fully returns within three months after the surgery (usually within a week).
- After this type of operation, sutures are applied to the outside of the nose. After their removal, the area may appear reddish for 2-3 weeks, and the skin in the nose folds may peel or become oilier. However, this can be easily corrected with concealer. In summary, it's not advisable to work as a cosmetic brand model in the first few weeks after the operation, but for everyone else, except for the camera, you will look great.
If you don't want your colleagues to know about your surgery, we recommend taking a one-week leave until the sutures are removed. If it doesn't matter to you, you can return to work the next day.
Most surgeons agree that the patient should be at least 18 years old. In some cases, the operation may be performed a little earlier with the guardian's consent.
The final result can be seen within 3-4 months after the operation, but the nose will look normal after 7-8 days.
It should be at least three months after childbirth and the end of breastfeeding.
When correcting only the skin of the nostrils or wings, there is no such side effect.
There are no restrictions when correcting only the skin of the nostrils or wings.
The likelihood of needing a repeat operation is practically nonexistent.
Yes, this option is available.
No, such cases have not been observed.
Yes, you can combine it with all surgeries except for the bullhorn operation.
Surgeons agree that any time of year is equally comfortable for patients. The most popular seasons for plastic surgery are spring and autumn, so we recommend booking at least 1-2 months before the operation during these times of the year.
- Your next step is a consultation with a coordinator and a plastic surgeon. To get a consultation, please fill out the QUESTIONNAIRE and attach your photos.
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.