Service
Rhinoplasty (nose surgery)
Rhinoplasty changes the shape of the nose — it removes a bump, narrows or lifts the tip, straightens a crooked nose, and makes the nose smaller or larger as a whole. When breathing is also difficult, the septum is corrected as well (septorhinoplasty).
Nose surgery
I don't like my nose — a bump, a wide tip, a nose that is crooked or too big. The upper part of the nose, near the root, is made of bone; the tip and nostrils are made of cartilage. That is why the width of the root is changed on the bone, the shape of the tip and nostrils on the cartilage, and the bump, where one passes into the other, on both. The shape of the nose is inherited, and it is also changed by injury, often from childhood. The nose keeps changing with age: the tip drops and the cartilage softens.
See also:
Closed and open technique
With the closed technique, all incisions are inside the nostrils. With the open technique, a small incision is added on the strip of skin between the nostrils, which gives a better view of the tip of the nose. The technique is chosen according to what is being changed, not according to which is “better”.
For most patients everything can be done with the closed technique, through incisions inside the nostrils: the bridge is lowered or levelled, the bones are moved and narrowed, and the cartilages of the tip are shaped and fixed. The open technique is chosen when the tip needs a larger procedure, with more marked asymmetry and in secondary operations. The nasal tip is the part that most determines the character of the face — width, projection and the angle to the upper lip — and small changes there mean a lot, so the cartilages of the tip are shaped while keeping their natural support, so that the nose does not look “operated on”.
When breathing is also difficult, the nasal septum is straightened in the same procedure — for most people it is enough to straighten its front part, which also helps in shaping the tip. The combination (septorhinoplasty) is the most common and the most rational procedure, because function and appearance usually go together, and two separate procedures would mean two recoveries. At the end, the nose is secured with internal packing, when it is needed, and an external splint that is removed after seven days.
Secondary rhinoplasty
A nose that has already been operated on can be operated on again once the tissue has settled, usually at least a year after the first operation. The procedure is more complex because it is done in scar tissue and sometimes needs cartilage from another site. The plan is made only after an examination and, if possible, the records of the first operation.
When is the procedure not suitable?
The nose is not operated on before growth has finished — for most people after the age of sixteen to eighteen. The procedure is also not planned when a nose “from a picture” is expected — the result depends on the bone, cartilage and skin you have; thick skin on the tip, for example, cannot give a sharp, fine tip, and this is discussed openly at the examination. Nose correction is, as a rule, not done together with a facelift.
General reasons for postponing a procedure (pregnancy, breastfeeding, inflammation, a clotting disorder, smoking): When is a procedure postponed?
Anaesthesia
Before a procedure under general or regional anaesthesia, you are seen by the anaesthetist, who works full time at the clinic; the same doctor is also present during the procedure. The anaesthetic assessment and the anaesthesia for larger operations are included in the price of the procedure. What happens before, during and after anaesthesia is described on the Anaesthesia page.
Risks
Occasional — temporarily difficult breathing because of swelling, bruising around the eyes, an irregularity that needs correction, a change in sensation at the tip of the nose, nosebleeds in the first days, dryness of the mucous membrane.
Rare — a hole in the septum (septal perforation), lasting difficulty breathing from collapse of the nasal wings, the need for a secondary operation.
Expected, and rare but serious → Risks and complications: what is the course of healing, and what is a complication?
Price
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Rhinoplasty, closed technique | €2,500–3,500 |
| Rhinoplasty, open technique | €3,000–4,000 |
| Septorhinoplasty | €3,000–4,000 |
| Secondary rhinoplasty | €4,000–5,500 |
Specialist and team
Specialty: plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery.
When the procedure is done under sedation or general anaesthesia, the anaesthesia is led by a specialist in anaesthesiology, resuscitation and intensive care who works full time at the clinic.
In the operating theatre, the surgeon is assisted by head nurse Martina Šereg, with the help of nurses Kristina Jurešić and Mateja Tomorad, and in recovery the care assistant Mirjana Kovačić is with you. Martina also looks after preparation, scheduling and contact after the procedure.
Who will operate is decided at the examination, based on the findings and the type of procedure. You know the name of the surgeon before the procedure and meet them at the examination.
What happens at the examination?
The first examination lasts 30 to 45 minutes on average. The surgeon examines the area you are concerned about, asks about illnesses, medicines, allergies and previous operations, and talks with you about what you expect. If the procedure is appropriate and likely to help, you receive a plan: which procedure is proposed, under which anaesthesia, what recovery looks like and what is included in the price. If the procedure is not needed or would not give you what you expect, you will hear that at the examination too.
What if the result is not as agreed?
The result of a procedure is assessed at a follow-up visit, once the swelling has gone down and the scar has matured, not in the first weeks. If it differs from what was agreed at the examination, the same surgeon carries out the correction.
→ Poliklinika Barbel's correction policy
In the same visit
- Septoplasty (straightening the nasal septum) — the septum is straightened through the same internal incisions, in one procedure and with one recovery.
- Chin correction — the profile is made by the nose and chin together, so the chin is often corrected in the same visit.
Frequently asked questions
Will the nose look “operated on”? The aim is a nose that is not noticed — your nose, only more harmonious. An “operated” look comes from removing too much and losing support of the tip; that is why the cartilages of the tip are shaped while keeping support, and it is better to remove less than more.
When can the final result be seen? The basic shape after the splint is removed and most of the swelling goes down, in the first weeks. The tip of the nose stays swollen the longest — fine details form over six to twelve months. That is why corrections are not discussed until a year has passed.
Is the scar visible with the open technique? The incision on the strip of skin between the nostrils fades with time and is in a place that cannot be seen from the usual angle.
Can I wear glasses? Not for the first six weeks, because the frame presses on the bridge, which is healing. Contact lenses can be worn straight away, and in this period it is best to choose light frames that do not rest on the bridge.
What is looked at during the examination? The nose is looked at in relation to the whole face, not on its own: the height of the forehead, the position of the chin and the width of the face determine which nose suits that face. We look at the thickness of the skin (thin skin shows every detail of the bridge, thick skin hides the work on the tip), the firmness of the cartilage of the tip and, on the inside, the septum and breathing. Photographs are taken from five angles, and on those photographs we look together at what bothers you. If what you are asking for is technically not feasible or would impair breathing, we say so at the examination.
When can I exercise after nose surgery? Exercise is put off for four to six weeks, and contact sports for three months, because a blow can move the nose while it is healing. The splint is removed at the follow-up visit after seven days.
How much does the result depend on care after the procedure? The larger the procedure, the more it depends on it, but it always does. Healing takes weeks and months and happens almost entirely at home, so the instructions you receive when you go home, about the wound, physical activity and the scar, are part of the procedure, not a recommendation.
Who is with me if I stay overnight in the clinic after the procedure? You stay overnight when the doctor judges it necessary and this is agreed with you. You then spend the night in a room in the recovery unit, which has a bed, a television and a bathroom. A nurse is with you all night and a doctor is on call. The overnight stay and night care are included in the price of the procedure.
→ How long do you stay in the clinic after surgery?
Medical review: doctors of Poliklinika Barbel · October 2026.