Rhinoplasty in Turkey

Rhinoplasty is commonly known as a “nose job”. It is a procedure to change the shape or size of the nose. Other than mere aesthetics, rhinoplasty also helps in enhancing the function of the nasal airways or treat any traumatic injury. People having trouble breathing are often recommended to get rhinoplasty.

Why is Turkey a suitable option for Rhinoplasty?

Turkey is a great place to offer world-class healthcare at affordable prices in addition to the scenic beauty. It has started sharing a global market in medical tourism with countries like India, Malaysia, Thailand, and Hungary. Patients come in huge numbers from across the world to get medical treatment for Cardiovascular surgery, cancer treatment, neurosurgery, orthopaedics or cosmetic surgery. Turkey has many JCI accredited hospitals and other medical institutions. There is a shorter waiting time as compared to other countries. 

As a tourist spot,  Turkey forms a significant part of the Mediterranean region of Eurasia. It has the black sea to its north, the Aegean Sea to its west, and Mediterranean sea to its southwest. Talking of its history and culture, Turkey happens to share the history with ancient Roman, Greek, Ottoman and Persian empires. Turkey’s capital city, Istanbul is full of minarets, domes, narrow streets, wooden houses and hookah lounges. Other than Istanbul, there are cities like Antalya which are popular for beach resorts present along the coast.

Who is eligible for Rhinoplasty?

• Typically, everyone who has crossed the growing age is eligible for rhinoplasty. Children who are still in teenage are not recommended for rhinoplasty because, during their growth, the facial features and hence the proportion of the nose with the entire face keep changing. However, young children with birth defects such as cleft palate are exceptions. 

• Other than this, people who are chronic smokers are not recommended to get rhinoplasty because they have poor blood flow and increased risk of damage to the tissues.

• People who have narrow or obstructed nasal airways or deviated nasal septum are advised to get rhinoplasty along with septoplasty.

Types of Rhinoplasty

What to expect during the surgery?

Rhinoplasty takes approximately one and a half to three hours to complete the procedure. If the surgeon performs closed surgery, the incisions are made inside the nostrils. In case of open surgery, the incisions are made across the tissue between the nostrils and inside the nostrils. If the nose needs to be augmented, the cartilage may be taken from the nasal septum. 

Pre-surgical preparations -

• The doctor takes a detailed medical case history, asking you about any history of nasal obstruction or difficulty breathing. It is important to tell the doctor if you have any bleeding disorder such as haemophilia. In such cases, rhinoplasty is not recommended.

• After taking the history, you will be examined clinically for the physical features such as the skin, cartilage etc. This is followed by taking pictures from different angles are taken which are often used for discussions with patients regarding goals and expectations, before-after assessments and reviews.

• You may be asked to stop taking medications such as aspirin or ibuprofen if at all you are taking. This is because they may increase bleeding. 

• It is also recommended to avoid smoking a few days before and after the surgery as it delays the healing process and increases the chances of infection.

Steps in Rhinoplasty

• Rhinoplasty needs local or general anaesthesia depending upon the complexity of the surgery. 
• After making the incisions, reshaping is done by taking cartilage either from the nasal septum, ear or rib cartilage. 
• After reshaping is done, all the layers of the skin are placed back and the incisions are sutured back. 
• The patient is kept in the recovery room for a day after the surgery and then discharged.

Additional information - “Liquid rhinoplasty or nonsurgical rhinoplasty” is an office-based procedure without putting the patient on anaesthesia. Fillers made of hyaluronic acid are injected to change the shape and size of the nose without any invasive surgery. 

Click here to read more about rhinoplasty in detail.

Recovery after the surgery

After the surgery, one is supposed to lie down with head held higher than chest level to reduce bleeding or swelling. There may be nasal congestion for the next few days after the surgery. Usually, the dressing remains intact for a week after which you will need to change the gauge. There may be slight drainage of blood or mucus while changing the gauge piece.

The patients are recommended to keep the following points in consideration during the recovery period:

• Avoid taking showers while there is bandage applied on the nose.
• Avoid blowing your nose
• Avoid excessive physical exertion like running, jogging, aerobics, etc.
• Eat food that is high in fibre to avoid constipation, as it may put pressure on the surgical site.
• Do not laugh or smile too much.
• Avoid harsh tooth brushing.
• Avoid wearing clothes that have to be pulled over the head.
• Do not keep eyeglasses over the nose for at least 4 weeks.
• Do not forget to apply sunscreen on the nose before going outside. 
• Reduce sodium intake to reduce swelling if there is any.
• Avoid using cold packs after the surgery.

After the surgery, you are expected to stay in the country for at least 10-14 days for the follow-up appointments. If you have gone through open surgery, you also need to get the stitches removed. Generally, one is expected to return to a normal routine within 2 to 3 weeks after the surgery. The success rate of rhinoplasty after the surgery 85 -90%. About 10 % of the patients may need revision surgery.

Rhinoplasty prices in Turkey

An approximate range for rhinoplasty in Turkey is around 3400 USD on an average. The exact price may be determined by the type of hospital, location of the treatment, fees of the doctor, cost of accommodation etc.

Best doctors for rhinoplasty in Turkey

Dr Bülent Cihantimur - He is a plastic surgeon with an overall experience of more than 15 years. He is an expert in facial, full-body surgery, hair restoration or genital rejuvenation. Dr Cihantimur was rewarded as the physician of the year in 2014 for his contribution to plastic surgery.

Dr Cagri Sade - He is a professional in plastic surgery with an overall experience of more than 18 years. He is amongst the best plastic surgeons in Turkey with rich experience in reconstructive and aesthetic surgery. He also received training under the supervision of Dr. Sherrell J Aston, who is a renowned plastic surgeon and educator in New York.

Dr Necmettin Kutlu is a plastic and oral maxillofacial surgeon with an overall experience of more than 25 years. He is also a member in reputed organizations like The Istanbul Medical Chamber, The Turkish Society of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic surgery, The Wound Healing Society, and The European Wound Management Association.

Best Rhinoplasty hospitals in Turkey

Estetik International Clinic - This is one of the largest centres for plastic and cosmetic surgery in Turkey. It specializes in surgeries related to face, body, breast surgery and hair transplant. It is known for using a unique technology known as Spider web for facelift. It caters more than 1000 patients each year.

Istanbul Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Center - It is a famous Turkish clinic which deals with plastic surgeries, dental procedures, hair transplant, butt lift etc. It also offers latest techniques such as Vaser liposuction, FUE and DHI hair transplant and PRP therapy for hair loss. More than 4000 patients visit the hospital each year for cosmetic surgeries. 

LIV Group of hospitals - This group of the hospital is a multi-speciality hospital having 2 branches in Ankara and Istanbul. It is known as a smart hospital with all the equipment working with the new generation technology. It offers the da Vinci robot-assisted system, MAKOplasty for knee replacement, YAG Laser for vascular surgery, virtual angiography etc. The hospital is known for having the biggest success rate among all the hospitals in Turkey.

What role does Vaidam Health play in facilitating medical treatment in Turkey?

The team of Vaidam Health helps in making your journey, a smooth process. With us, you don’t need to worry about your stay or other arrangements in the country. You can get yourself treated in a relaxed state of mind. Right from choosing the best hospital and the best doctor to the drop off to the airport before you leave back to your home, Vaidam is here to assist you for everything. The patients are only required to post a query on the website, and they will receive a call back by a case manager. Thereafter, the case manager will assist in everything.