What is Rhinoplasty?
Rhinoplasty — commonly called a nose job — is a surgical procedure that reshapes the nose by modifying the underlying bone, cartilage, and soft tissue to improve both its appearance and, where needed, its function. It is widely regarded as the most technically demanding procedure in facial plastic surgery, requiring a precise understanding of three-dimensional anatomy, facial proportion, and the behaviour of cartilage over time. At Panache in Delhi, Dr. Ankit Gupta approaches every rhinoplasty with a commitment to results that look natural — a nose that suits the individual face, not a standardised template. Whether the goal is reducing a dorsal hump, refining a bulbous tip, correcting a deviated septum, or reshaping the nostrils, each procedure is planned and executed with the patient's overall facial harmony as the guiding principle.
What Rhinoplasty Can Address
Rhinoplasty is one of the most versatile procedures in facial aesthetics, addressing a broad range of structural and aesthetic concerns.
- Dorsal hump — reducing the bump on the bridge of the nose seen in profile
- Bulbous or wide tip — refining a rounded or poorly defined nasal tip
- Wide nostrils — reducing alar width for a more refined, proportionate base
- Crooked or deviated nose — straightening a nose that appears off-centre
- Drooping tip — elevating a tip that points downward, especially when smiling
- Over-projected nose — reducing a nose that protrudes too far from the face
- Under-projected nose — augmenting a flat nose using cartilage grafts or implants
- Asymmetry — correcting differences between the two sides of the nose
- Breathing difficulties — correcting a deviated septum (septorhinoplasty)
- Post-traumatic deformity — correcting the nose after an injury
Open vs Closed Rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty is performed using one of two approaches, each with specific advantages depending on the extent of changes required.
- Open rhinoplasty: a small incision is made across the columella (the strip of skin between the nostrils), allowing the skin to be folded back and the full nasal structure to be directly visualised. Preferred for complex reshaping, tip work, and revision cases. Scar is typically imperceptible within months.
- Closed rhinoplasty: all incisions are made inside the nostrils — no external scar. Suitable for more limited changes such as a hump reduction or minor tip refinement. Faster recovery but less direct visualisation for the surgeon.
- Dr. Ankit will recommend the appropriate technique based on your anatomy and the scope of changes planned.
The Procedure
Rhinoplasty is performed under general anaesthesia and typically takes 2–3 hours, depending on complexity.
A thorough consultation with photographic analysis, profile assessment, and discussion of realistic outcomes. Dr. Ankit uses imaging to give you a visual idea of the potential result.
General anaesthesia administered by a board-certified anaesthetist.
Bone, cartilage, and soft tissue are carefully modified according to the surgical plan — hump reduction, tip refinement, osteotomies (bone cuts), cartilage grafting, or nostril reduction as required.
Incisions are closed with fine sutures. An external splint is applied to support the new shape during initial healing. Internal packing is rarely used.
Recovery
Rhinoplasty recovery requires patience — while the cast comes off at around 10 days and most patients are socially presentable within 2 weeks, the final result takes up to 12 months to fully reveal itself as subtle residual swelling resolves.
- Day 1–3: rest with head elevated. Splint and mild swelling/bruising around the eyes.
- Day 7–10: splint removed. Bruising resolving. Most patients go out in public.
- Week 2–4: swelling significantly reduced. Nose looks much improved.
- Month 2–3: around 70–80% of the final result is visible.
- Month 6–12: final subtle swelling resolves, especially at the tip. Full result visible.
- Avoid contact sports and any risk of nasal trauma for 3 months.
- No glasses resting on the nose bridge for 4–6 weeks.
