Nose Reshaping Surgery
Rhinoplasty is surgery that changes the shape, size or angle of the nose, and it can also correct breathing problems caused by a bent septum or a narrow airway. Most patients in Surat return to desk work in 7 to 10 days, while the final shape of the nose settles over 9 to 12 months.
Rhinoplasty in Surat at Elegance Clinic is performed by Dr. Ashutosh Shah (M.B., M.S., M.Ch., D.N.B.), a board certified plastic surgeon. Every nose is planned around your face rather than a template, because a nose that suits a broad face will look wrong on a narrow one. This page explains what the surgery does, who it suits, what recovery really feels like, and what it typically costs, so you can decide before you book a consultation.
What rhinoplasty actually changes
The nose is built from bone at the top and cartilage in the lower two thirds. Rhinoplasty reshapes that framework and then lets the skin settle over the new structure. Depending on what bothers you, the surgery can:
- Reduce or smooth a dorsal hump on the bridge
- Refine a bulbous, drooping or wide nasal tip
- Narrow flared nostrils or reduce nostril show
- Straighten a nose that looks crooked from the front
- Lift a tip that drops when you smile
- Open a blocked airway by correcting a deviated septum at the same time
What it cannot do is give you someone else's nose. Skin thickness, existing cartilage strength and facial proportions set the limits, and those limits are discussed openly at the consultation.
Are you a candidate for rhinoplasty?
You are usually a good candidate if:
- Facial growth is complete, which is around 16 for girls and 17 to 18 for boys
- You are in general good health, with no uncontrolled diabetes, blood pressure or bleeding disorder
- You do not smoke, or you can stop for at least 3 weeks before and after surgery
- You can name one or two specific things you want changed, rather than a general wish to look different
- You accept that swelling hides the result for several months
Rhinoplasty is usually postponed or declined if you have an active nasal infection, are in the middle of severe acne treatment with isotretinoin, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if the consultation suggests body dysmorphic concerns that surgery will not settle.
Types of nose reshaping surgery
- Closed rhinoplasty: all cuts are made inside the nostrils. No external scar, less swelling, best suited to hump reduction and modest changes.
- Open rhinoplasty: a small cut across the columella, the strip of skin between the nostrils, gives direct access for precise tip work. The scar fades to a fine line that is difficult to see once healed.
- Septorhinoplasty: combines cosmetic reshaping with correction of a deviated septum, so appearance and breathing are treated in one anaesthetic.
- Tip plasty: a limited procedure for patients whose only concern is the tip.
- Revision rhinoplasty: correction after a previous nose surgery elsewhere. It is technically harder because of scar tissue and often needs cartilage grafts from the septum or ear.
What happens on the day
You arrive fasting, meet the anaesthetist and have photographs taken. Primary rhinoplasty takes about 1.5 to 3 hours under general anaesthesia. The surgeon reshapes bone and cartilage through the chosen approach, checks symmetry against your facial midline, then closes and applies an external splint. Internal splints or soft dressings are used only when the septum has been corrected. Most patients go home the same evening or the next morning.
Rhinoplasty recovery, week by week
| Day 1 to 2 | Blocked feeling, mild ache controlled with oral tablets, sleep propped on two pillows. Cold compresses around the eyes, never on the splint. |
| Day 3 to 5 | Swelling and bruising around the eyes peak and then start to fade. This is the low point emotionally for most patients. |
| Day 6 to 8 | Splint removed. The nose looks swollen and slightly upturned, which is normal and temporary. |
| Week 2 | Back to office work and social outings. Remaining bruising can be covered with makeup. |
| Week 4 to 6 | Gym, cardio and travel resume with clearance. Spectacles must stay off the bridge or be taped to the forehead for 6 weeks. |
| Month 3 | Roughly 70 to 80 percent of swelling has gone. The bridge looks close to final. |
| Month 9 to 12 | The tip finishes refining, especially in thick skin. This is the true final result. |
Rhinoplasty cost in Surat
Cost depends on the complexity of the work, whether the septum is corrected, whether cartilage grafts are needed, the anaesthesia time and the operating facility. The bands below reflect typical pricing in Surat for surgery with a qualified plastic surgeon. They are a guide, not a quote.
| Tip plasty (tip only) | Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 70,000 |
| Primary cosmetic rhinoplasty | Rs. 70,000 to Rs. 1,50,000 |
| Septorhinoplasty (shape plus breathing) | Rs. 90,000 to Rs. 1,75,000 |
| Revision rhinoplasty | Rs. 1,20,000 and above, quoted case by case |
| Non-surgical nose reshaping with filler | Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 40,000 per session |
Your written estimate after the consultation includes the surgeon's fee, anaesthesia, theatre charges, splint and routine follow-up visits. When a deviated septum is corrected for a documented breathing problem, part of the cost may be covered by insurance, and the clinic can help with the paperwork.
Risks worth knowing about
Rhinoplasty is safe in trained hands, but no surgery is risk free. Bruising, temporary numbness of the tip and a blocked feeling for two to three weeks are expected rather than complications. Less common issues include asymmetry, a small residual bump, prolonged swelling in thick skin, and in a small percentage of cases a need for minor revision after a year. Infection and bleeding are uncommon and are managed with antibiotics and close follow-up.
How to prepare
- Stop smoking and nicotine products 3 weeks before surgery
- Pause aspirin, blood thinners and most herbal supplements 1 week before, on medical advice
- Arrange 10 days away from photographs, weddings and gym
- Bring a companion for the day of surgery
- Keep old photographs of yourself, they help the surgeon understand your natural proportions
Frequently asked questions
Is rhinoplasty painful?
Most people describe pressure and a blocked nose rather than sharp pain. The surgery is done under general anaesthesia so nothing is felt at the time. Afterwards, oral painkillers for three to four days are usually enough, and severe pain is uncommon.
How long does swelling last after a nose job?
Visible swelling and bruising settle in 10 to 14 days. About 70 to 80 percent of the swelling is gone by three months. The nasal tip is the last area to settle and can take 9 to 12 months, longer in people with thick skin.
When can I go back to work after rhinoplasty?
Desk work is realistic from day 8 to 10, once the splint is off. Jobs involving heavy lifting, dust or sun exposure need two to three weeks. Gym, running and swimming wait four to six weeks.
Will rhinoplasty leave a visible scar?
With the closed technique all cuts are inside the nostrils, so there is no external scar. With the open technique there is a small cut across the skin between the nostrils, which heals into a fine line that is hard to notice at conversational distance.
Can rhinoplasty fix breathing problems?
Yes, when the blockage comes from a deviated septum, collapsed nasal valves or enlarged turbinates. Correcting these at the same time as reshaping is called septorhinoplasty, and it treats appearance and airflow in one anaesthetic.
What is the right age for a nose job?
Facial growth should be complete first, which is usually around 16 for girls and 17 to 18 for boys. There is no upper age limit as long as general health and healing are good.
How much does rhinoplasty cost in Surat?
Typical ranges are Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 70,000 for tip work, Rs. 70,000 to Rs. 1,50,000 for primary cosmetic rhinoplasty and Rs. 90,000 to Rs. 1,75,000 when the septum is corrected as well. The exact figure depends on complexity, grafts and anaesthesia time.
Is rhinoplasty worth it?
For people whose concern is specific and realistic, satisfaction rates are among the highest in cosmetic surgery. It is less worth it when the expectation is a different face rather than a better balanced nose, or when someone else is pushing the decision.
Does a nose keep changing after rhinoplasty?
The surgical result is stable, but the nose continues to age like the rest of the face. Skin thins and the tip can drop slightly over decades. Most people never need anything further.
Planning your rhinoplasty consultation
At Elegance Clinic in Surat, the first consultation covers a nasal examination, an airway check, clinical photographs and an honest discussion of what your skin and cartilage will allow. You leave with a written plan and a cost estimate before you commit to anything. Call +91 83205 00350 or book a consultation online to have your nose assessed by Dr. Ashutosh Shah.