Rhinoplasty (Nose Surgery)
Rhinoplasty is a reconstructive surgical procedure aimed at aesthetically optimizing the nose, which may need enhancement due to natural growth, an accident, or a tumor. A nose correction can also be performed to improve breathing.
Rhinoplasty requires craftsmanship and empathy.
More than in other forms of plastic facial surgery, a nose correction requires exceptional craftsmanship, expertise, and years of experience. Our highly skilled expert team is capable of visualizing the expected results in advance.
Duration of the treatment
3–5 hours
Fit for everyday life
After 2 weeks
Follow-up treatment
Special splint for 1–2 weeks, nasal packing for 1–2 days.
Clinic stay
Outpatient
The most frequently asked questions
How long does a rhinoplasty take?
The duration of the procedure is typically 3 to 5 hours.
How long does the healing process take after a rhinoplasty?
After about two weeks, you will be ready to resume your daily activities. A specialized follow-up treatment with a splint is required for 1–2 weeks, and a nasal packing is used for 1–2 days.
What methods of rhinoplasty are there?
There are closed and open rhinoplasty techniques. For minor adjustments, the nose is corrected using a closed approach, with small incisions inside the nostrils. For more significant changes, such as a substantial reduction in nose size, an open correction may be necessary.
Can a rhinoplasty be performed without surgery?
Yes, with hyaluronic acid, minor aesthetic corrections can be made, such as lifting the nasal tip or concealing a nasal hump. This method is purely cosmetic and is often referred to as the “5-minute rhinoplasty.”
Can a rhinoplasty improve nasal breathing?
Yes, a nose correction can help improve obstructed nasal breathing, for example, due to a deviated nasal septum (septum deviation). Additional examinations, such as computed tomography (CT) and rhinomanometry, are often performed to assess the condition in detail.
How much does a rhinoplasty cost?
The costs are individual and depend on the type and complexity of the procedure, as well as your personal preferences. A detailed consultation and planning are necessary beforehand to determine the exact costs.
"There is no 'one-size-fits-all' nose."
SailerClinic is globally renowned in the field of complex facial deformity surgery and has successfully performed thousands of nose surgeries. The true art of rhinoplasty lies in fulfilling the wishes and needs of each patient, always placing them at the center of the process.
Unfortunately, some surgeons attempt to create the same “nose” for all patients. A skilled and responsible surgeon listens carefully, striving to achieve the desired outcome—while ensuring that the procedure is carried out safely and ethically.
Preparations and Initial Consultation
In line with Professor Sailer’s philosophy, our approach to nose surgery combines both surgical precision and artistic vision. During the initial consultation, we address any questions, discuss expectations, and explore possible outcomes. This is followed by a thorough clinical examination of the nose to determine, together with the patient, which changes are both desired and realistically achievable.
This approach is important to collaboratively determine the necessary measures with you. Only in this way can rhinoplasty be successfully performed and existing issues be addressed.
The planning of a rhinoplasty in Switzerland is individualized.
To ensure comprehensive surgical planning, the nose is photographed from various angles, and a 3D image is created. Additionally, a cephalogram (a true-to-scale lateral X-ray) is always taken. This allows for an accurate assessment of the results both before and after surgery.
The 3D image of the nose is particularly useful for discussing your preferences and visualizing the planned changes in advance.
A thorough analysis and examination of the nose is essential to perform a perfect rhinoplasty. Only in this way can the new structure of your nose be determined together with you, while simultaneously addressing any existing issues.
In rhinoplasty, it is crucial to understand the structure of your nose, which consists of cartilage, bone, muscles, and ligaments, as well as their interconnections. Additionally, special attention must be given to ensuring that nasal function is not only preserved but also improved during the correction.
Aesthetic rhinoplasty aims to ensure that your nose aligns with your desired appearance after the procedure. However, whether this vision can be fully achieved depends on several factors. One crucial aspect of nasal correction is maintaining proper nasal function, which sets certain medical limitations for rhinoplasty.
Additional factors that influence the outcome include skin quality, tissue regeneration, and individual wound healing. These elements play a crucial role in determining the final appearance of the corrected nose.
It is also important to consider whether the nose has been operated on before. In such cases, existing scars and/or changes in nasal blood circulation may impact the surgical approach and healing process.
In the reconstruction of the nasal framework, it may be necessary to use “tissue material.” This tissue is typically bone or cartilage, which is taken from the nose itself or the ears. For more extensive rhinoplasty procedures, this tissue may also be taken from other areas. During a detailed consultation, you will be informed about the best approach for your individual case.
Before and after pictures
How is a rhinoplasty performed?
Currently, there are various methods available to gently correct a nose. “Ultrasonic knives” or very fine surgical instruments can be used. These allow for the gentle and precise cutting of bone, resulting in minimal swelling or bruising. The nasal tip can also be shaped gently and easily using these techniques.
For a long time, nasal corrections were performed using the “open” approach, meaning an incision was made on the columella to expose the nasal framework before reshaping the nose. Today, this method is avoided whenever possible.
Instead, the closed technique is preferred, where only very small incisions are made inside the nostrils. However, if significant changes are required—such as a major reduction in nose size—an open correction may still be necessary.
Before the procedure, a precise overall facial analysis and treatment plan must be conducted. This examination and surgical planning are subject to a fee.
Using true-to-scale X-ray images, we analyze facial structures in detail and thoroughly discuss your wishes and their feasibility. A lateral X-ray (cephalogram) is used to simulate the treatment process. This simulation provides a clearer understanding of the procedure and offers a realistic preview of the potential postoperative outcome.
Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty in Zurich
In a non-surgical nose correction, the nose is carefully reshaped using hyaluronic acid. This procedure is often referred to as a “5-minute nose correction.” During the treatment, a fine needle is used to precisely inject hyaluronic acid into the area requiring correction, such as the nasal bridge or tip. The hyaluronic acid acts as a filler. A non-surgical nose correction is typically performed to lift a drooping nasal tip, conceal a nasal hump, or narrow the columella. This procedure is purely aesthetic.
Rhinoplasty for Impaired Nasal Breathing
If nasal breathing is impaired due to a deviated septum (septal deviation), a computed tomography (CT) scan of the nose and paranasal sinuses should always be performed. In many cases, a rhinomanometry (a measurement technique used to determine nasal airflow resistance) is also necessary. During nasal correction in Zurich, all these measures are taken to ensure unobstructed nasal breathing for you.
Trust the team at SailerClinic, renowned for the best nose corrections in Switzerland. A nose correction always requires a holistic approach to the patient to ensure that the nose is perfectly harmonized with facial proportions. On our website, you will find photos of nose corrections, including before-and-after images.
A rhinoplasty always requires precise, comprehensive facial planning. Depending on the complexity, a rhinoplasty may be performed minimally invasively or openly in the area of the nasal bridge. For this reason, the cost of a rhinoplasty is individual and depends on your wishes and needs, as well as the type of procedure.
Your expert team
Hermann F. Sailer Prof. Dr. med., Dr. med. dent., Dr. h. c. mult., Dr. sc. h. c. mult.
Specialist in oral, maxillofacial, and facial surgery, founder of the clinic, senior director
Martin Lanzer PD Dr. Dr. med. Dr. med. dent., eMBA
Specialist in oral, maxillofacial, and facial surgery, clinic director and CEO
Do you have questions? Contact us.
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"The experience at the SailerClinic was exceptional in every respect. From the first telephone conversation with an employee to the operation, I had the impression of the highest level of competence. Everything was clear, precise and imbued with genuine caring. Best wishes from Seattle! I am so happy with my nose and often think of you all!"
M. Wallhoff, Seattle USA
