Surgery of the nose can reduce the overall size, change the shape of the tip, remove a bump from the bridge, narrow the span of the nostrils or even change the angle between the nose and the upper lip. Correcting a deviated septum or enlarged turbinates may help to relieve breathing problems.

A bump on the nose can be refined or completely removed. Flared nostrils can be narrowed by bringing the sides closer to the nose. When a prominent nose is made smaller, the nostrils may need to be reduced in size. Crooked and unbalanced noses can be straightened and made more symmetrical. Nasal surgery to reconstruct a deformed or unattractive nose is one of the most common of all cosmetic surgery procedures.

Incisions are made inside the nostrils or at the base of the nose. The surgeon works from inside the nose, carefully reshaping and sculpting the bones and cartilage. Incisions made inside the nose are never seen, while incisions at the nostrils heal to nearly invisible scars.

After surgery, a splint is applied to help maintain the new shape and to protect the nose. Nasal packing may be placed inside the nose for support. This will require you to breathe through your mouth for a couple of days until the packing is removed. The splint usually comes off in less than a week, when the sutures are removed.

You will need to rest in bed for a day or two with your head elevated. Any discomfort you experience can be controlled by pain medication prescribed by your surgeon. Cold compresses placed on your eyes will help to reduce swelling and bruising. Bruising around the eyes peaks in two or three days and then slowly fades, disappearing within a week or two.