Ethnic rhinoplasty in Switzerland: harmonising the nose while respecting identity

Switzerland is a country of great diversity: a large part of its population has roots in other regions of the world, and the faces that make it up reflect this richness. Nose surgery must take this into account. Ethnic rhinoplasty refers to a rhinoplasty that respects the characteristics specific to each face and each heritage, instead of applying a single model. In practice, it often concerns noses with thick skin, a low bridge, an under-projected tip or wide nostrils, or, conversely, noses with a strong, convex bridge. This page explains what this approach involves, which techniques it uses, how to preserve your identity, what precautions to take depending on your skin, how recovery goes and how to organise your project in Switzerland.

Ethnic rhinoplasty is not a separate technique but a philosophy: refining, supporting or harmonising the nose without erasing the features that make up a face's identity. It often relies on strengthening the structure with cartilage grafts rather than reduction, particularly for thick skin. Olive or dark skin requires particular attention to scarring and pigmentation. Tip swelling can last more than a year. For the basics of nose surgery, see our page on rhinoplasty in Switzerland; for the budget, our page on ethnic rhinoplasty prices in Switzerland.

For a long time, cosmetic nose surgery was based on a single ideal: a narrow, straight nose with a fine, upturned tip. Applied to all faces, this ideal sometimes produced discordant results that matched neither the other features of the face nor the person's identity. Today, most surgeons think differently.

Harmonising rather than transforming

The aim is a nose in balance with the person's forehead, eyes, cheekbones, lips and chin, not a standardised nose. A finer nose can look artificial on a face with full features; conversely, a higher nose can balance a face with wide cheekbones.

Preserving identity

Many patients say it clearly: they want a more harmonious nose, but to remain recognisable, to resemble their family, to keep the features that connect them to their roots. A good surgeon hears this request and places it at the centre of the project.

Listening to the real request

Requests vary widely: refining a wide tip, raising a low bridge, reducing the width of the nostrils, softening a pronounced hump, or improving breathing. Every request is personal, and none should be inferred from the patient's origin.

Avoiding stereotypes

There is no single nose per origin. Within every population, shapes are extremely varied. The surgeon analyses your nose, not a category.

Rather than talking about origins, it is more accurate and more useful to talk about anatomical characteristics, which are found in people from very diverse backgrounds. It is these that determine the surgical steps.

The same nose may have several of these characteristics. The surgical plan combines the necessary steps, always with restraint and respect for the proportions of the face.

In ethnic rhinoplasty, the thickness and quality of the skin often weigh more heavily than anything else. Thick skin acts like a blanket: it softens shapes and hides the details of the cartilage structure.

Why removing does not work

On thick skin, removing cartilage to refine a tip often gives a disappointing result: the skin does not shrink onto a smaller structure, and the tip looks even rounder, or even distorted by scar tissue. That is why surgeons favour strengthening: they project and define the tip with grafts, so that the skin drapes over a solid framework.

Prolonged swelling

Thick skin swells more and for longer. The tip can remain thick for twelve to eighteen months, sometimes longer. It is important to know this before going ahead, so as not to worry.

Possible aids

Some surgeons carefully reduce part of the fatty tissue under the skin of the tip, offer targeted injections to limit scar tissue, or recommend night-time taping. Dermatological treatment of oily skin can sometimes be discussed with a dermatologist, before or after the procedure.

Expectations

On thick skin, the realistic goal is a better defined and better projected tip, not a very fine tip. An honest surgeon will tell you so from the consultation onwards.

Olive and dark skin: scars and pigmentation

Olive and dark skin carries a higher risk of thick scars, or even keloids, and of pigmented marks after trauma. The surgeon takes this into account in the placement and closure of the incisions, particularly for alar base reduction or an open approach. Mention any history of thick scarring after a piercing, wound or surgery. Strict sun protection for several months and early follow-up of the scars allow an unfavourable development to be treated quickly.

The skin of the nose is often oily, with enlarged pores, particularly in people with thick skin. Active acne on the nose must be treated before the procedure to reduce the risk of infection. Some acne treatments, which affect healing, must be stopped several months beforehand; tell the surgeon about them. After the procedure, gentle cleansing and non-comedogenic products help keep the skin healthy during the swelling.

Raising the bridge

For a low bridge, the surgeon adds volume with cartilage grafts. They may use a single-piece graft, or cartilage finely diced and wrapped in a thin fibrous tissue taken from behind the ear or from the temporal region, forming a malleable roll that is shaped onto the bridge. This latter technique gives smooth, natural contours.

Projecting the tip

A graft placed between the tip cartilages, or as an extension of the septum, acts as a pillar to project and support the tip. Grafts placed on the tip itself can improve its definition through thick skin.

Supporting the columella

A short columella can be lengthened and strengthened, which shows a little more of the nostrils in profile and improves the angle between the nose and the lip.

Alar base reduction

To reduce the width of the nostrils, the surgeon removes small pieces of skin in the crease between the ala and the cheek, or inside the nostril. The amount removed must be measured: excessive reduction gives pinched, artificial nostrils.

Measured reduction of a strong bridge

For a convex, powerful bridge, reduction is cautious, to keep a strong profile in keeping with the face. Preservation techniques can be useful.

Osteotomies

Narrowing the root of a wide nose requires osteotomies. These can be performed with conventional or ultrasonic instruments; see our page on ultrasonic rhinoplasty.

Where does the cartilage come from?

Ethnic rhinoplasties often require more cartilage than a reduction rhinoplasty. The nasal septum is the first source, but it is sometimes small or thin. Ear cartilage, taken from behind the auricle, is well suited to the tip. Rib cartilage, taken through a small incision on the chest, provides a large amount of strong material, essential for significant bridge augmentation or reconstruction. The surgeon chooses according to the amount needed and explains the advantages and drawbacks of each site.

What about synthetic implants?

In some regions of the world, silicone or other synthetic implants are commonly used to raise the bridge of the nose. They are simple to place, but carry long-term risks: displacement, visibility under thin skin, infection, or even exposure through the skin. In Switzerland, most surgeons favour the patient's own cartilage, which is better tolerated and longer lasting. If you already have an implant, mention it: it can be removed and replaced with cartilage if necessary.

Like any rhinoplasty, ethnic rhinoplasty must preserve, or even improve, breathing. Excessive reduction of the nostrils or too marked narrowing of the root can reduce airflow. Conversely, supporting the tip and columella can improve the external nasal valve. If the septum is deviated or the turbinates are enlarged, they are treated at the same time. See our page on septoplasty, whose functional part may be covered by basic insurance.

Respiratory allergies swell the mucous membrane of the nose and can impair breathing regardless of its shape. They must be stabilised before the procedure. After the operation, anti-allergy sprays can generally be resumed after a few weeks, on the surgeon's advice. Scheduling the procedure outside the pollen season makes recovery more comfortable.

Expressing what you want to keep

Say what bothers you, but also what you want to keep: the overall shape, a family resemblance, a characteristic of your face. This information is as important as the request for change.

Showing realistic references

If you bring photos of noses you like, choose faces with features close to yours. A nose admired on a very different face will not necessarily be harmonious on yours.

Analysing the skin

The surgeon assesses the thickness and oiliness of the skin, which determine what is achievable.

Assessing the structure

They palpate the tip to judge the strength of the cartilage, and observe the height of the bridge, the length of the columella and the width of the base.

Simulating and discussing

A digital simulation helps visualise a direction, provided it remains realistic and takes the skin into account. It should show a nose that is harmonious for you, not a standard nose.

Discussing scars

If you tend to form thick scars, the surgeon will adapt the incisions and plan early follow-up.

Photo or three-dimensional simulation helps visualise the direction of change and avoid misunderstandings about the height of the bridge, tip projection or the width of the base. It is particularly useful in ethnic rhinoplasty, where preserving the identity of the face is a central issue. It is not, however, a promise: the result depends on the skin, healing and anatomical constraints, which the simulation only imperfectly reproduces.

Ethnic rhinoplasty is performed under general anaesthesia. Because it often involves grafts, it is frequently performed through the open approach, which allows grafts to be placed and secured precisely. It generally takes three to five hours, longer if rib cartilage is harvested.

Harvesting the grafts

Depending on the plan, the surgeon harvests cartilage from the septum, ear or rib, and sometimes a thin fibrous tissue to wrap diced cartilage.

The structure

They build or strengthen the framework: tip support graft, columella lengthening, bridge augmentation.

Definition

They shape the tip with sutures and grafts, taking the thickness of the skin into account.

The base

If necessary, they reduce the alar base at the end of the procedure, in a measured way.

Closure

They carefully close the incisions and place an external splint and, if necessary, internal splints.

Rib cartilage harvesting causes chest pain in the first few days, worse when coughing or moving. The alar reduction and columella scars must be protected from the sun and monitored, especially on dark skin. Tip swelling, longer lasting with thick skin, requires patience: the result is rarely judged before a year.

Thick scars and pigmentation

More common on olive and dark skin. Early follow-up allows a thickening scar to be treated with silicone dressings, injections or other treatments.

Prolonged swelling

On thick skin, it can last more than eighteen months and temporarily mask the definition of the tip.

Graft complications

Displacement, partial reabsorption, warping of a rib graft, visibility under thin skin.

Complications of rib harvesting

Pain, a chest scar, rarely a pleural complication, which the surgeon prevents with careful technique.

Pinched nostrils

Excessive reduction of the base gives artificial-looking nostrils and can impair breathing; hence the importance of restraint.

A result that does not match the person's identity

This is a risk specific to this type of surgery: a nose that has been changed too much and no longer looks like the person. Clear communication beforehand prevents it.

The risk of infection after rhinoplasty is low, but it is slightly higher when large grafts or an implant are used. Preventive measures include careful disinfection, sometimes antibiotics, and attentive care of the nose after the procedure. Increasing redness, worsening pain, fever or a foul-smelling discharge require you to contact the team promptly.

Switzerland's major cities are also its most diverse: Geneva, Lausanne, Basel, Zurich and Bern are home to populations from every continent, and the surgeons who practise there are used to a great variety of faces. Ethnic rhinoplasty, which requires experience with cartilage grafting and the management of thick skin, is mainly performed in these centres.

Looking for experience with grafts

More than the city, it is the surgeon's experience of structural rhinoplasty that counts: cartilage grafting, bridge augmentation, tip projection, possibly rib harvesting. Ask how many procedures of this type they perform.

Looking at comparable results

Ask to see photos of patients with characteristics close to yours: skin thickness, bridge height, width of the base. A surgeon used to the diversity of faces will have them.

The consultation language

In the major cities, many surgeons consult in several national languages and in English, sometimes in other languages too. Understanding each other perfectly is essential to express what you want to keep and what you want to change.

Scar follow-up

For skin at risk of thick scarring, close follow-up in the first few months is useful. Choosing a practitioner who is easily accessible from home makes this follow-up easier.

For 48 Swiss cities, this table shows the centre where people generally consult for ethnic rhinoplasty, the indicative travel time, how easy close scar follow-up is and the usual price difference compared with Geneva. These are indicative trends.

Ethnic rhinoplasty often involves more grafting than a reduction rhinoplasty, which lengthens the procedure and increases its cost. The following table positions the main options, taking as a base of 100 a full primary cosmetic rhinoplasty without significant grafting.

Differences between cities follow the general trend. If a breathing correction is combined, its functional part may be covered by insurance. Details on our page on ethnic rhinoplasty prices in Switzerland.

These profiles are fictitious, inspired by common requests in Switzerland. They show the diversity of expectations and solutions, without linking any request to an origin.

Aïcha, 26, Geneva: a tip to define

Aïcha found her tip round and poorly defined, on thick skin. She wanted to keep the overall width of her nose, which was close to her mother's. The surgeon proposed projecting and defining the tip with septal cartilage grafts, without reducing the alae. He warned her that the tip would remain thick for more than a year.

Minh, 31, Zurich: a bridge to raise

Minh wanted a slightly more defined bridge to balance his cheekbones, without transforming his face. The surgeon raised the bridge with ear and septal cartilage, finely diced and wrapped in a thin fibrous tissue, for a smooth contour.

Carla, 38, Lausanne: a strong hump to soften

Carla had a convex, powerful bridge. She wanted to soften it, but not to end up with a "fine" nose. The surgeon proposed a measured reduction using a preservation technique, which kept a strong profile.

Daniel, 44, Basel: wide nostrils

Daniel was bothered by the width of his base. A measured alar reduction under local anaesthesia improved the balance of his face. The surgeon monitored the scars closely, because of a history of thick scarring.

Inès, 29, Bern: a poorly tolerated implant

Inès had a silicone implant placed years earlier, which had become visible and mobile. The surgeon removed it and rebuilt the bridge with rib cartilage. Recovery took longer, but the bridge became stable and natural.

Samuel, 35, Lugano: breathing and harmonising

Samuel breathed badly and wanted a better-supported tip. A septorhinoplasty corrected his septum and projected the tip; the functional part was covered by his insurer after a prior request.

"Ethnic rhinoplasty is about erasing your origins"

It is the opposite: the modern approach aims to harmonise while respecting identity.

"Removing cartilage is enough to refine the nose"

On thick skin, removing often gives an even rounder tip. Strengthening is usually needed.

"Implants are simpler"

They avoid harvesting, but carry long-term complications. The patient's own cartilage is safer.

"The result is visible within a month"

On thick skin, the tip often takes more than a year to become defined.

"All people of the same origin have the same nose"

Noses vary enormously within every population. Only individual analysis counts.

"Reducing the nostrils a lot carries no risk"

Excessive reduction gives pinched nostrils and can impair breathing.

"Scars are always visible on dark skin"

With an appropriate technique and early follow-up, they usually become discreet.

• It does not turn one face into another.
• It does not eliminate thick skin, which limits how fine the tip can be.
• It does not guarantee perfect symmetry of the nostrils.
• It does not give a final result before twelve to eighteen months.
• It does not resolve difficult breathing if the cause is not treated.

A nose is never judged alone. On a face with wide cheekbones, full lips or a strong jaw, a nose that is too fine or too small will look out of place. Harmony is a matter of balance.

The nose and the lips

The width of the base of the nose is often compared with the width of the mouth and the distance between the eyes. A face with full lips suits a well-proportioned nasal base better than very narrow nostrils.

The nose and the cheekbones

A slightly more defined bridge can balance wide cheekbones and give relief in profile.

The nose and the chin

As with any rhinoplasty, a weak chin makes the nose look bigger. Genioplasty can sometimes complete the harmony; see our page on genioplasty.

The nose-lip angle

Lengthening a short columella and projecting the tip slightly opens the angle between the nose and the lip, without creating an upturned nose.

The tip of the nose and the upper lip are linked by muscles and ligaments. When smiling, some noses see their tip drop, which can be bothersome. Conversely, significantly changing tip projection or rotation can slightly change the appearance of the lip and the smile. The surgeon observes the nose at rest and in motion, and takes this into account to keep the face harmonious and expressive.

The single-piece graft

A block of cartilage, from the septum or rib, is carved and placed on the bridge. It gives a clean result, but its edges must be carefully smoothed so that they do not show, especially under thin skin.

Wrapped diced cartilage

Cartilage is cut into very small pieces, then wrapped in a thin fibrous tissue taken from behind the ear or from the temporal region. The surgeon obtains a malleable roll that is shaped onto the bridge. The contour is smooth, and the risk of visible edges is low.

Diced cartilage under the skin

For small corrections, finely diced cartilage can be placed directly to fill a slight depression.

The right height

The surgeon chooses a bridge height that balances the face, neither too high nor too low. Significant overcorrection gives a nose that dominates the face.

For some noses with a moderate hump, so-called preservation techniques lower the bridge while keeping its natural surface, instead of shaving it down and rebuilding it. They can give a very natural bridge, with fewer visible irregularities. They are not suitable for every nose, particularly when the bridge needs to be raised or significantly reshaped. The surgeon explains whether this approach suits your anatomy.

In people whose nasal bridge is low, particularly at the root between the eyes, glasses often slip or rest on the cheeks. This everyday nuisance is a common reason for seeking advice, sometimes more than appearance. A moderate augmentation of the root and bridge of the nose with a cartilage graft improves how glasses sit.

After the procedure, glasses must not rest on the nose for several weeks while the graft stabilises. Light glasses held by a support, or contact lenses, get you through this period.

The columellar strut

A thin graft placed between the tip cartilages supports the tip like a pillar, increases its projection and prevents it from dropping.

The septal extension

A graft fixed as an extension of the septum allows precise control of tip projection and rotation. It is a powerful technique for soft cartilage.

Definition grafts

Small grafts placed on the tip improve its definition through thick skin. They are carefully smoothed to remain invisible.

Sutures

Fine sutures reshape the alar cartilages to refine and even out the tip, in addition to grafts.

Alar base reduction is a common step in ethnic rhinoplasty, but it requires great restraint.

What is corrected

A base that is too wide for the face, very flared nostrils or alae that protrude on either side.

Techniques

The surgeon removes a small crescent of skin in the crease between the ala and the cheek, inside the nostril, or a combination of the two, depending on whether the excess concerns the flare of the alae or the width of the nostril entrance.

Restraint

Removing too much gives pinched nostrils, an artificial shape and sometimes breathing problems. The surgeon prefers a moderate correction, possibly supplemented later.

Scars

Placed in natural creases, they generally become discreet. On at-risk skin, they must be closely followed in the first few months.

Possible as a standalone procedure

In some patients, alar base reduction is the only procedure needed. It can then be performed under local anaesthesia, with a quick recovery.

The columella, the small pillar between the two nostrils, may be short or retracted backwards, giving an under-projected tip and more horizontal nostrils. Correction involves a cartilage graft placed in the columella, which supports and lengthens it, often combined with tip projection. This step requires skin that is supple enough to accommodate the lengthening; the surgeon assesses this during the examination.

A slight difference in shape or size between the nostrils is very common. It may be due to a deviated septum, asymmetry of the cartilage or the alar base. The surgeon assesses it and can improve it, but perfect symmetry of the nostrils is rarely achievable. Asymmetry that appears after the procedure often fades as the swelling resolves; it is judged at one year.

A nose that looks wide from the front may be so at three levels: the bony base, between the eyes; the tip, if the cartilages are spread apart or the skin is thick; and the alar base, if the nostrils are wide. The surgeon analyses each of these levels. The bones can be brought together with osteotomies, the tip refined with sutures and grafts, and the base reduced with small resections. When the skin is thick, refinement of the tip remains limited, and raising the bridge can make the nose look slimmer without actually reducing its width.

The alae of the nose, that is the sides of the nostrils, can be thick and rounded, widening the base. Reducing their thickness or flare is done through small excisions hidden in the crease between the ala and the cheek or inside the nostril. The step must remain measured: excessive reduction can narrow the entrance to the nostrils and impair breathing, or leave an artificial shape.

When the base of the nostrils is reduced, small scars are placed in the crease between the ala and the cheek, or inside the nostril. They are generally very discreet. On skin that marks easily, they require monitoring and careful care: sun protection, possibly silicone, and early treatment if they thicken.

When large quantities of cartilage are needed, particularly to raise the bridge significantly or rebuild a nose after removal of an implant, rib cartilage is often the best solution.

Harvesting

Under general anaesthesia, the surgeon makes an incision a few centimetres long, generally in the crease under the breast in women or on the chest in men. They harvest a segment of rib cartilage, preserving the neighbouring structures, then close carefully.

Preparation

The cartilage is carved into suitable grafts: strips to support the tip or extend the septum, blocks or diced cartilage for the bridge. The surgeon uses carving techniques that limit the cartilage's tendency to curve.

After-effects

Chest pain is common in the first few days, especially when coughing, laughing or turning over. It decreases within one to two weeks. Torso exertion and carrying heavy loads are limited for several weeks.

The scar

It measures a few centimetres and generally becomes discreet, especially when hidden under the breast. On at-risk skin, it is monitored like the other scars.

Complications

Rare: haematoma, infection, thick scar and, exceptionally, injury to the pleura, the membrane surrounding the lung, which the surgeon prevents with careful technique. Any difficulty breathing after the procedure must be reported immediately.

The surgeon chooses the source according to the quantity needed and the area to be rebuilt. In many ethnic rhinoplasties, where the bridge must be raised and the tip supported, rib cartilage is often preferred, particularly when the septum offers little material.

When a piece of rib cartilage is harvested, the chest area is often more painful than the nose for the first few days, especially when breathing deeply, coughing or getting up. Prescribed painkillers, a cushion pressed against the chest when coughing and gradual movements help a great deal. The discomfort decreases markedly after one to two weeks. Intense chest pain with breathlessness must be reported immediately.

Some patients come to see a surgeon in Switzerland with an implant placed previously, often made of silicone or another synthetic material. If the implant is well tolerated and causes no problems, it is not always necessary to remove it. However, an implant that moves, is visible under the skin, causes redness, pain or thinning of the skin, or has become infected must be assessed quickly.

Removal is generally performed through an internal or open approach. If the implant is infected, it may be necessary to allow healing before rebuilding. Otherwise, reconstruction can be carried out at the same time, with the patient's own cartilage, often from the rib when the volume to be replaced is large. The surgeon assesses the condition of the skin, sometimes thinned by the implant, and adapts the strategy. Bring all available information about the implant and the original procedure.

Silicone or porous polyethylene implants are sometimes used to raise the bridge of the nose, particularly in some regions of the world. They avoid cartilage harvesting, but carry long-term complications: displacement, visibility under thin skin, thinning of the skin, infection and sometimes exposure through the skin. Many surgeons in Switzerland prefer the patient's own cartilage grafts, which are safer in the long term. If an implant is proposed to you, ask about the reasons for this choice and the associated risks.

The first few months

The tip looks swollen, wide and poorly defined. It is more swollen in the morning and after exertion, heat or a salty meal. This is expected.

Helpful steps

Sleep with your head raised, limit salt, avoid intense heat and the sun, and follow the surgeon's instructions; they may suggest night-time taping or gentle massage.

The role of the dermatologist

If the skin is very oily or prone to acne, a dermatologist can propose suitable treatment, at a time chosen in agreement with the surgeon.

Targeted injections

In some patients, injections to limit scar tissue in the tip may be proposed after a few months, with caution and depending on progress.

Patience

The result of the tip is often judged after a year and a half. Comparing with your starting photos, rather than with your daily reflection, helps measure the progress made.

When the skin is thick, the tip of the nose can remain swollen and firm for many months, or even thicken through a scarring reaction. Small cortisone injections, given by the surgeon at specific points during follow-up, can reduce this swelling and refine the tip. They require experience, as too much can thin the skin or change its colour. They are only proposed if progress warrants it.

After rhinoplasty, a simple routine helps keep the skin healthy: gentle cleansing morning and evening, a non-comedogenic moisturiser and daily sun protection. Thick, oily skin sometimes benefits from regular in-clinic treatments, such as light peels, once healing is complete. These treatments do not refine the structure of the nose, but they improve the texture of the skin.

This protocol is indicative: your surgeon will adapt it. The key is to report early any scar that swells, reddens, itches severely or extends beyond the edges of the incision.

On olive and dark skin, areas irritated by the procedure, such as the columella or the alar base, may darken temporarily, especially with sun exposure. High-factor sun protection, a hat and avoiding direct sun for several months limit this risk. If a mark appears, lightening creams prescribed by a dermatologist fade it within a few months.

In Switzerland, many people have multiple roots. Their nose sometimes combines varied characteristics that fit no pattern. For them, the notion of ethnic rhinoplasty has one real meaning: starting from their face, not from a category.

Family resemblance is often an important issue. Many patients want to continue to resemble a parent, their siblings or their children. Bringing photos of relatives whose features you like helps the surgeon understand what should be preserved. A nose that fits into a family story is often better accepted than a "perfect" nose with no connection to the face.

Many requests come from young adults, often influenced by images seen online, sometimes retouched by filters that systematically slim the nose. These images convey a uniform ideal that matches neither the diversity of faces nor what surgery can achieve, especially on thick skin. A good surgeon takes the time to understand the request, to check that it comes from the person themselves and not from outside pressure, and to explain what is realistic. They may recommend a period of reflection. The best result is the one you will still be happy with in ten or twenty years, not the one that follows a trend.

Geneva

An international city, Geneva has several surgeons used to a great diversity of faces and to cartilage grafting. Consultations there are often possible in several languages.

Vaud

Lausanne offers a good choice of practitioners; patients from across the canton can reach it in less than an hour.

Neuchâtel

For a rhinoplasty with significant grafting, many Neuchâtel residents consult in Lausanne or Bern.

Jura

Basel, less than an hour away, is the most accessible centre.

Fribourg

Lausanne and Bern, half an hour away, offer a wide choice; Fribourg has local provision.

Valais

Lausanne and Geneva for French-speaking Valais, Bern for Upper Valais. Protect the scars from the sun at altitude.

Bern

Bern has experienced practitioners; Biel/Bienne offers a bilingual alternative.

Zurich

Zurich offers the widest choice of practitioners experienced in structural rhinoplasty, including with rib harvesting.

Lucerne

Lucerne has a few practitioners; Zurich widens the choice.

Uri

Uri residents consult in Lucerne or Zurich.

Schwyz

Zurich for the north of the canton, Lucerne for the south.

Obwalden

Lucerne is the usual centre.

Nidwalden

Lucerne, a quarter of an hour away.

Glarus

Zurich, about an hour away.

Zug

Zurich, twenty-five minutes away, and Lucerne.

Solothurn

The Olten hub makes access to Bern, Basel and Zurich easy.

Basel-Stadt

Basel, a very diverse city, offers a local choice of practitioners.

Basel-Landschaft

Basel is close by.

Schaffhausen

Zurich is the usual centre.

Appenzell Ausserrhoden

St. Gallen, then Zurich for complex cases.

Appenzell Innerrhoden

St. Gallen, then Zurich.

St. Gallen

St. Gallen has local provision; Zurich for a wider choice.

Graubünden

Zurich is the usual centre for procedures involving significant grafting.

Aargau

Zurich, twenty minutes from Baden, and Basel for the west of the canton.

Thurgau

Zurich or St. Gallen.

Ticino

Lugano offers provision in Italian; some patients also consult north of the Alps.

Two to three months before

Stop smoking. If your skin is oily or acne-prone, see a dermatologist to prepare it. Gather photos of yourself when younger and of relatives whose features you want to keep.

One month before

Carry out the pre-operative check-up. If rib harvesting is planned, prepare your home to limit torso exertion during the first few weeks. Organise two to three weeks of recovery.

Two weeks before

On medical advice, suspend products that encourage bleeding. Avoid the sun. Buy high-factor sun protection and silicone dressings if the surgeon recommends them.

The day before

Shower, remove make-up and nose piercings, and follow the fasting instructions.

Cosmetic rhinoplasty is not performed during pregnancy or breastfeeding, as a precaution regarding anaesthesia and medication, and because hormones temporarily alter the nasal mucous membrane and swelling. It is advisable to wait a few months after breastfeeding has ended. If you are planning a pregnancy soon, discuss it with the surgeon to choose the right time.

Smoking reduces the blood supply to the skin of the nose and to cartilage grafts, which increases the risk of poor healing, infection and a less predictable result, particularly when the skin is thick or the tip is significantly reshaped. Stopping completely for several weeks before and after the procedure is strongly recommended, including vaping and nicotine replacement products, according to the surgeon's instructions.

Day 1

Blocked nose, swelling, pressure on the face. After rib harvesting, chest pain when breathing deeply or moving.

Days 2 to 4

Peak swelling, sometimes bruising. Rest with your head raised, rinse as instructed, and hold a cushion against your chest when coughing if rib was harvested.

Days 5 to 7

Removal of the splint and stitches. The nose looks wide and thick: this is swelling, particularly with thick skin.

After a week

Start of scar care, sun protection, gradual return to quiet activities.

After the splint has been removed, some surgeons recommend applying thin adhesive strips to the nose, especially at night, for a few weeks. This taping helps limit swelling of the tip and bridge, particularly in people with thick skin. It must be applied according to the surgeon's precise instructions, without tightening, and removed gently so as not to irritate the skin.

With the splints and swelling, you breathe mainly through your mouth for a few days, which dries the throat and lips, especially at night. Drinking regularly, humidifying the bedroom, applying lip balm and sucking sugar-free lozenges make this period more comfortable. Nasal breathing gradually returns after the splints are removed.

During the first few weeks, sleep on your back with your head raised on two pillows, to limit swelling and avoid pressing on the nose. A U-shaped travel pillow stops you rolling onto your side. If a rib graft has been harvested, a pillow under the arm on the operated side may bring relief. Humidifying the bedroom makes breathing more comfortable.

Saline rinses several times a day remove crusts and make breathing easier during healing. They are done gently, without strong pressure. Clean the entrance of the nostrils and the columella scar with a moist cotton bud, without going in deeply, then apply the prescribed ointment. Do not blow your nose hard for two weeks.

In men, the surgeon preserves a strong, straight bridge, a slightly upturned tip and a base proportionate to a masculine face, which is often wider. Thick skin is common and limits refinement of the tip. Raising the bridge can give the profile more character. Scars at the base are sometimes better hidden by a beard. As for women, the aim is a harmonious nose that remains in keeping with the person's identity.

Sun in the mountains

Recent scars, especially on olive or dark skin, pigment easily. In the mountains, summer and winter, ultraviolet rays are more intense: high-factor sunscreen and a hat are essential for at least six months.

Ski goggles

After bridge augmentation or osteotomies, ski goggles, which press on the nose, have to wait two to three months.

Glasses

Contact lenses or glasses suspended from the forehead for several weeks, so as not to press on a raised bridge.

Contact sports

Football, ice hockey, combat sports: an impact could displace grafts. About three months before returning, with protection to be discussed.

In summer, many patients worry about not being able to wear sunglasses after the procedure. Very light models, resting without pressure, can sometimes be tolerated after a few weeks, on the surgeon's advice, especially if the bridge of the nose has been raised with a graft. A wide-brimmed hat and high-factor sunscreen effectively protect the nose and eyes in the meantime.

• What do you propose to change, and what will you preserve of my nose?
• How do you take the thickness of my skin into account?
• Will you need grafts? Where will they come from?
• Will rib cartilage need to be harvested?
• Will you reduce the alar base, and by how much?
• How do you prevent thick scars and pigmentation on my skin?
• Can you show me results on faces comparable to mine?
• How long will my tip stay swollen?
• Will my breathing be preserved, or even improved?
• What are the conditions for any touch-up?

For ethnic rhinoplasty, the surgeon's experience with your type of skin and nose is essential. Consulting two surgeons allows you to compare their analysis, their philosophy and the results they show on patients with characteristics close to yours. If their proposals differ, ask each to explain their reasoning.

Before the procedure, you sign a document detailing the planned steps, the origin of the grafts, the risks — particularly those related to thick skin and cartilage harvesting — and how long the result takes to develop. Read it at home and ask all your questions. You can withdraw up to the last moment.

An ethnic rhinoplasty with grafts, particularly rib grafts, is performed under general anaesthesia, in a clinic or hospital with an operating theatre and post-operative monitoring. Check the facility's cantonal authorisation, the presence of an anaesthetist and the possibility of staying overnight if necessary. The choice of surgeon and their team remains the main criterion.

Rhinoplasty is performed by plastic surgeons and by ENT surgeons specialising in facial surgery. For ethnic rhinoplasty, what matters is the surgeon's experience with low-bridged noses, thick skin and cartilage grafting, whatever their original specialty. Check their title in the MedReg register and ask to see results in patients with characteristics close to yours.

The entrance to the nostrils, called the external nasal valve, is bounded by the alae and the columella. In some people, the alae are soft and collapse against the septum on strong inhalation, particularly during sport. In others, the entrance to the nostrils is wide and breathing is not impaired there.

Ethnic rhinoplasty can act in both directions. Supporting the columella and tip, and sometimes grafts placed in the alae, strengthen the external valve and improve airflow. Conversely, excessive reduction of the base can narrow the entrance to the nostrils. That is why the surgeon assesses breathing before deciding how much to reduce, and sometimes tests the valve by supporting the alae during the examination.

When the procedure also aims to improve breathing, it is useful to note, before and after, how you breathe during exertion, at night and in different situations. Some simple questionnaires allow this discomfort to be measured. The surgeon can also examine the opening of the valves and the condition of the septum. This follow-up helps judge the functional benefit objectively, which is often appreciated as much as the aesthetic change.

• Is the tip swelling progressing normally?
• Should I continue taping, and for how long?
• When can I resume sport, wearing glasses, swimming?
• Is the graft properly in place?
• Is the columella scar healing well on my skin?
• Would a cortisone injection be useful in my case?

For several months, the nose is often more swollen on waking, after a night lying down, then slims during the day. This is more marked in people with thick skin. Sleeping with your head slightly raised, limiting salt and alcohol in the evening and briefly applying cold in the morning help reduce it. It gradually decreases over the months.

The nose changes slowly for more than a year. Taking front, profile and three-quarter photos at regular intervals and in the same light helps you follow the changes objectively and stay confident during the period when swelling masks the result. These photos are also useful at check-ups, particularly for discussing a detail with the surgeon.

It is common for one side of the nose to look more swollen than the other during the first few weeks, because of sleeping position, more extensive work on one side or lymphatic circulation. This asymmetrical swelling fades over time. Asymmetry that persists beyond six months is worth discussing with the surgeon at a check-up.

Morning

You arrive having fasted, accompanied. The surgeon reviews the simulation with you and what you want to preserve, then makes the markings.

The procedure

Under general anaesthesia, they harvest the necessary grafts, build or strengthen the structure, shape the tip and, if planned, reduce the base, before closing and applying the splint.

Waking up

Blocked nose, pressure on the face and, with rib harvesting, discomfort in the chest. A night at the clinic is common after a long procedure.

Discharge

With your care instructions, prescriptions, recommendations for the scars and the date for splint removal.

Alar base. The lower lateral part of the nose, around the nostrils.

Keloid. A scar that thickens and extends beyond the area of the wound.

Columella. The column of skin between the nostrils.

Wrapped diced cartilage. Finely diced cartilage wrapped in a thin fibrous tissue, used to raise the bridge.

Nasal bridge. The line running from the root to the tip.

Support graft. A piece of cartilage that supports and projects the tip.

Hyperpigmentation. Darker colouring of an area of skin, particularly a scar.

Thick skin. Dense, sebaceous nasal skin that hides the details of the structure.

Rib harvesting. Taking cartilage from a rib.

Projection. The distance between the tip of the nose and the face.

Augmentation. Increasing the height of the nasal bridge.

External nasal valve. The entrance to the nostrils, bounded by the alae and the columella.

For a useful first opinion, take a front view, two profiles, two three-quarter views and a view from below, in natural light, without make-up or filters. Add a close-up photo of the skin of your nose, which helps judge its thickness. Specify what you want to change and what you want to keep, any tendency towards thick scarring, any previous procedure or implant, and any breathing problem. If you wish, attach photos of relatives whose resemblance you would like to keep.

Asking for a nose unrelated to your face

A nose admired on another face may look out of place on yours.

Choosing a surgeon who only talks about reduction

On thick skin, reduction alone often gives a disappointing result.

Neglecting the scars

On at-risk skin, early follow-up makes a big difference to the result.

Judging the tip too soon

On thick skin, you often have to wait more than a year.

Over-reducing the nostrils

Excess reduction gives pinched nostrils and can impair breathing.

Some patients seek advice after a first rhinoplasty that tried to slim the nose at all costs: over-lowered bridge, pinched or collapsed tip, over-reduced nostrils, more difficult breathing, a nose that no longer suits the face. These situations are common when a reduction technique has been applied to a nose with thick skin or soft cartilage.

Correction most often involves rebuilding: raising the bridge, restoring solid support to the tip, reopening the nasal valve, and sometimes slightly widening overly pinched nostrils with composite grafts. It often requires rib cartilage, as the septum has already been used. It is complex surgery, performed at least a year after the first procedure, by surgeons experienced in revision. The aim is a more natural, stronger nose that breathes better and suits the face.

Most rhinoplasties are performed in a single procedure. In some complex situations, such as reconstruction after removal of an infected implant, very thick skin or a request for a major change, the surgeon may propose proceeding in two stages, several months apart. This approach allows the tissues to stabilise and the result to be fine-tuned in the second stage.

After ethnic rhinoplasty, a small touch-up is sometimes wanted to refine a detail: a slight irregularity of the bridge, asymmetry of the nostrils, a slightly wide tip. It is discussed after at least a year, once the swelling has gone. These touch-ups are often simpler than the initial procedure, sometimes under local anaesthesia. The financial conditions should be known before the first procedure.

Switzerland's population has diversified over the generations, and a large proportion of its residents have roots in other regions of the world, sometimes going back several generations. This diversity is reflected in surgeons' practices, where requests for rhinoplasty come from people with very varied histories and faces.

For surgeons, this reality calls for broader expertise: knowing how to work on thick and thin skin, how to augment as well as reduce, how to project as well as refine, and how to prevent thick scarring. Above all, it calls for an attitude: listening to the person, understanding what they want to preserve, and abandoning the idea of a single model. For patients, it means that it is legitimate to expect a result that looks like them.

The short nose with a round tip

Often associated with thick skin and a short columella. The surgeon lengthens and projects the tip with support grafts, for a more defined tip and a more balanced profile.

The nose wide at the root with a low bridge

The surgeon can combine slight narrowing of the root by osteotomies with augmentation of the bridge, for a more structured nose that is not narrow.

The long, convex nose

A measured reduction of the hump and slight support of the tip give a softened yet still strong profile.

The nose with a drooping tip

Supporting the tip, possibly with a septal extension, lifts it slightly without creating an upturned nose.

The nose with very flared nostrils

A measured alar base reduction, sometimes on its own, improves the balance from the front.

These profiles do not correspond to any particular origin: they are found in people from very varied backgrounds.

• Combining genioplasty, to balance the profile when the chin is set back.
• Combining facial fat transfer, to harmonise the volume of the cheekbones or temples.
• Combining septoplasty, to correct breathing.
• Combining otoplasty, for people bothered by prominent ears.

Each combination lengthens the procedure; the surgeon assesses whether it remains reasonable for you.

• Look for results on faces with characteristics close to yours, particularly skin thickness and skin tone.
• Check that the light and angle are identical; strong light can flatter a thick tip.
• Look at the scars on the base and columella on comparable skin.
• Favour results at more than one year.
• Ask yourself whether the person operated on still looks like themselves: this is the best indicator of a respectful approach.

After rib cartilage harvesting, the chest scar requires the same care as those on the nose: local care in the first few days, silicone dressings or gels once it has closed, sun protection if it is exposed, and monitoring for any thickening. In women, a scar placed in the crease under the breast is hidden by underwear; a soft, non-wired bra that does not press on the scar is advisable for the first few weeks. Torso exertion, such as lifting loads or abdominal exercises, has to wait several weeks.

Two concepts come up again and again in ethnic rhinoplasty: tip projection and rotation. Understanding them helps you talk to the surgeon.

Projection

This is the distance between the tip of the nose and the face, seen in profile. An under-projected tip gives a flat nose; an over-projected tip lengthens the profile. In ethnic rhinoplasty, the aim is often to increase projection moderately, with support grafts, so that the tip gains relief through thick skin.

Rotation

This is the upward or downward orientation of the tip, reflected in the angle between the columella and the lip. Too little rotation gives a drooping tip; excessive rotation gives an upturned nose. The surgeon adjusts rotation by a few degrees, depending on the face and sex.

The balance between the two

Projecting without rotating lengthens the nose; rotating without projecting shortens it. The surgeon combines the two to obtain a harmonious tip, taking into account the length of the nose and upper lip.

In the first few weeks, the tip of the nose often looks more upturned and projected than planned. Tip swelling, tissue tension and the position of the grafts explain this impression. As the swelling resolves over several months, the tip drops slightly and takes up its final position. Surgeons anticipate this by planning a slight overcorrection, which avoids a drooping tip in the long term.

Injections

Hyaluronic acid injections can slightly raise a low bridge or project the tip a little. The effect is temporary, and injections in the nose carry a rare but serious risk of damage to a blood vessel. They must be performed by a very experienced doctor. On thick skin, the effect on tip definition is limited. See our page on hyaluronic acid injections.

Make-up

Contouring, which plays on shadow and light, can visually slim the nose day to day, with no risk at all. It does not change the structure, but it sometimes helps people live better with their nose or test a direction before deciding.

Accepting and appreciating

Many people end up appreciating a feature they found bothersome, particularly when it connects them to their family or origins. It is legitimate to take time to reflect on this before any procedure.

Hyaluronic acid injections can temporarily raise the bridge or root of the nose without surgery. They are tempting, but the nose is a high-risk area: an injection into a blood vessel can cause skin compromise and, very rarely, damage to vision. They must be performed by an experienced doctor with thorough knowledge of the vascular anatomy of the nose.

Repeated injections can also gradually widen the bridge of the nose and complicate later rhinoplasty. If surgery is being considered, always tell the surgeon about past injections.

For boxers, martial artists and contact sports players, an operated nose remains vulnerable to impacts for several months, while the grafts and bones consolidate. Non-contact training can often resume after a few weeks, but fights and sparring generally have to wait three to six months, with the surgeon's approval. A face guard is advisable on returning. It is useful to discuss this before the procedure in order to choose a suitable period.

The nose contributes to vocal resonance. During the first few weeks, the blocked nose gives a muffled voice. Once breathing is restored, the voice regains its resonance, sometimes improved if the procedure has cleared an obstruction. Singers, actors and teachers can gradually resume their vocal activity, avoiding significant strain for the first two weeks.

After ethnic rhinoplasty, generally allow one to two weeks off for office work, longer if a rib graft was harvested or if your job is physical. The swelling remains visible for a few weeks; many patients first return by working from home. The sick note does not state the nature of the procedure.

Walking is advisable from the first few days. Exercise bikes and gentle activities resume after two to three weeks, running and swimming after about a month, racket and ball sports after six weeks, and contact sports after three months or more. If a rib graft was harvested, movements that put significant strain on the chest also have to wait several weeks.

Those close to you may wonder about your decision, especially if it concerns family features. Explain what you want to change and what you want to keep. Warn them that your nose will look swollen and wide for months, and that the result should not be judged too soon. Their help will be invaluable in the first few days, particularly after rib harvesting, which makes some movements painful. And reassure them: the aim is for you to remain completely yourself, with a nose more in harmony with your face.

In the following weeks, people mainly notice the swelling, then, over the months, a face that looks "more rested" or "more harmonious" without always identifying the nose. This is often the sign of a rhinoplasty that respects identity. Some families attached to a resemblance worry before the procedure; showing them the simulation and explaining your decision can reassure them. You are under no obligation to justify yourself.

The cosmetic part of an ethnic rhinoplasty is not covered by basic insurance. If a medically established breathing problem is corrected at the same time, for example a deviated septum or a collapsing valve, its functional part can be the subject of a prior cost approval request to your insurer, with a medical report. The quote must then clearly separate the two parts. If the nose was deformed by an accident, accident insurance may be involved. Removal of a complicated implant, particularly an infected one, may be covered depending on the situation; check in writing.

Clarify your request

What you want to change, what you want to keep, and why.

Get a first opinion

From photos, to find out what is realistic given your skin.

Choose an experienced surgeon

Structural rhinoplasty, grafting, varied skin types, good listening.

Prepare your skin and your recovery

Dermatologist if necessary, sun protection, two to three weeks off.

Be patient

The result emerges over more than a year, especially on thick skin.

At one year, the bridge and base have reached their final shape, and the tip has become clearly defined, although it may still change slightly on very thick skin. The scars are mature; residual pigmentation may still fade. The photographic review allows an objective comparison with the initial state. If an adjustment is wanted, a targeted touch-up can then be discussed. After that, the nose will age with the rest of the face; the support grafts will help maintain tip projection.

Like the rest of the face, the nose continues to change with age: the tip tends to drop slightly, and the skin thins or loosens. A rhinoplasty that has strengthened the structure, with support grafts, generally withstands this ageing better than a procedure that only removed tissue. The patient's own cartilage grafts remain stable over time in the vast majority of cases.

It is useful to keep the operative report and the surgeon's contact details. If, years later, you experience a breathing problem, a change in shape or are considering another facial procedure, this information will make care easier. A surgeon who knows your nose, or who has the detailed report, will be better able to assess the situation.

A successful ethnic rhinoplasty gives a better defined nose, more in harmony with the rest of the face, often with better breathing, while remaining true to your features. It does not give a nose identical to one in a photo, and its refinement depends largely on the thickness of the skin. The result is judged over time: the impatience of the first few months generally gives way to satisfaction once the swelling has gone. Keeping this horizon of a year or more in mind helps you get through recovery calmly.

You might think that rhinoplasty is about making a nose smaller. In ethnic rhinoplasty, this is rarely the main issue. What counts is structure: the strength of the framework that supports the skin, the height of the bridge, the support of the tip and the shape of the alae.

A well-built structure allows the skin, even when thick, to drape over clean shapes. It resists the forces of healing, which tend to contract and collapse the tissues. It preserves breathing by keeping the valves open. And it ages better: a nose supported by strong grafts keeps its shape longer than one whose framework has been weakened. That is why surgeons experienced in ethnic rhinoplasty often spend more time building than removing.

Vertical proportions

The face is divided into three levels: from the forehead to the eyebrows, from the eyebrows to the base of the nose, and from the base of the nose to the chin. A nose that is too long or too short unbalances the middle level.

Horizontal proportions

From the front, the width of the base of the nose is compared with the distance between the eyes and the width of the mouth.

The profile

The line running from the forehead to the chin, through the nose and lips, should be harmonious. A receding chin or very projected lips influence how the nose is perceived.

Volumes

Full cheekbones, round cheeks or, conversely, hollow cheeks change the impression given by the nose.

Expression

The nose contributes to the smile. A tip that drops when smiling can be supported; an over-reduced base can make the smile look stiff.

Your family doctor can prescribe the pre-operative check-up, review your treatments and provide local follow-up, particularly of healing. A dermatologist can help before the procedure, to improve oily or acne-prone skin, and afterwards, to treat a thickening scar or persistent pigmentation. If you have a history of thick scars, inform all these practitioners. Coordinated follow-up clearly improves the result on at-risk skin.

The open approach, common in ethnic rhinoplasty, leaves a small zigzag scar on the columella. On most skin types, it becomes very discreet. On olive or dark skin, it may remain slightly more visible, lighter or darker than the surrounding skin, for several months. The surgeon takes particular care with its closure, using fine stitches removed early. Once it has closed, silicone care and strict sun protection help. If it remains pigmented, dermatological treatments can fade it. When the planned steps allow, a closed approach may be preferred to avoid this scar.

Ethnic rhinoplasty relies on a fine understanding of what you want to change and what you want to keep. Nuances matter: "a little slimmer", "more defined", "not too upturned". In Switzerland's major cities, many surgeons consult in several national languages and in English, and some in other languages. If you are not comfortable in the practitioner's language, ask whether an interpreter can be present, or come with a trusted person. Do not sign anything you have not fully understood.

For skin at risk of pigmentation, autumn and winter in the lowlands are often the most favourable periods.

For a rhinoplasty with a rib graft, or if you live far from the surgeon, it may be useful to plan a few days nearby after the procedure, until the first check-up and splint removal. A quiet hotel or a nearby flat, with a trusted person, allows you to rest without travelling. Later check-ups can sometimes be done partly using photos.

Young adults

This is the period of most requests. Healing is quick, but the thick skin of the tip stays swollen for a long time. The surgeon checks that the request is personal and well thought through.

Between 30 and 50

Requests are often precise and considered: refining a tip, slightly raising a bridge, reducing a base. Some patients seek advice to correct a previous rhinoplasty.

After 50

With age, the tip droops and the cartilage weakens, which can also impair breathing. Rhinoplasty then aims to support and lift rather than to change the overall shape.

Here is the fictitious but realistic account of the recovery of a 32-year-old patient who had bridge augmentation and tip projection, using ear and septal cartilage.

Day 1

"Blocked nose, swollen face. The ear where the cartilage was taken is a little tender."

Day 4

"The swelling is at its peak. A few shadows under my eyes. I do my rinses and sleep sitting up."

Day 7

"Splint removed. My nose looks wide and higher than expected; the surgeon explains that it is swelling. The bridge is already straight and more defined."

Day 14

"Back at work. The marks have almost gone. I'm starting the silicone dressings on the columella."

Month 3

"The bridge looks really good in profile. The tip is still thick, especially in the morning. I protect everything from the sun."

Month 12

"The tip has really taken shape. People close to me think I look just the same, with a more harmonious face. It's exactly what I wanted."

Every patient progresses differently; this diary illustrates a typical recovery, not a guarantee.

When septal cartilage is not enough, the surgeon can harvest cartilage from the concha, the hollow part of the auricle. The incision is placed behind the ear or in a fold on the front, where it becomes very discreet. Harvesting does not change the overall shape of the ear, as the rim that supports it is preserved. A small compressive dressing is sometimes applied to prevent a haematoma. The ear may be tender for a few days. This cartilage, supple and naturally curved, is particularly well suited to the tip and alae of the nose.

An ethnic rhinoplasty with grafts often takes longer than a reduction rhinoplasty, especially with rib harvesting. In a patient in good health, this duration is well tolerated. The anaesthetist sees you in consultation to assess your medical history and treatments, and explains what will happen. During the procedure, they protect the airway, maintain an appropriate blood pressure to limit bleeding and prevent nausea. After rib harvesting, they arrange effective management of chest pain, so that you can breathe deeply and cough without too much discomfort.

If you live alone, arrange for a relative or friend to be present at least for the journey home and the first night, and longer after rib harvesting, which makes movement painful for a few days. Prepare simple meals, keep what you will need within reach and keep your phone close by. If no one is available, your doctor can prescribe visits from a home nurse.

Beyond the price of the procedure, allow for the initial consultation, often charged, the pre-operative check-up, medication, scar care products such as silicone dressings, good-quality sun protection, possibly a dermatology consultation, journeys for check-ups if you live far away, and days off work. These costs remain modest compared with the procedure, but they add up and are worth anticipating.

A deposit is often requested when booking the date, expressed as a percentage of the quote. Ask about the conditions for postponement in the event of a cold, infection or other health problem, and about cancellation conditions. Ask for them in writing, together with the conditions for any touch-up.

Nose surgery touches on identity. Surgeons who perform ethnic rhinoplasty take care never to impose a single aesthetic norm, nor to present a feature linked to an origin as a defect to be corrected. Their role is to help a person carry out a personal, carefully considered project, by explaining what is possible, what is less so and what might disappoint.

This means listening without judging, checking that the request does not result from outside pressure, offering time to reflect if necessary, and sometimes advising against a procedure. For the patient, it means choosing a practitioner with whom they feel understood and respected. A relationship of trust is the basis of a result you will be happy with for decades.

An experienced surgeon may advise against a rhinoplasty when the request seems unrealistic given the skin and structure of the nose, when it risks erasing the identity of the face, or when the motivation seems to come mainly from pressure from others. This refusal is not a judgement: it aims to avoid disappointment or a result that would not look like you. A second opinion remains possible.

Patients who have had ethnic rhinoplasty often describe the same fear at the outset: losing a family feature or no longer recognising themselves. Those who are satisfied say, on the contrary, that they feel more themselves, with a nose that better suits their face. Many stress the importance of a surgeon who listened to them, respected their origins and explained honestly the limitations related to their skin. They also mention the patience needed: the real result emerges at one year, sometimes later.

These accounts do not replace a consultation, but they are a reminder that success depends as much on dialogue and trust as on technique. Take the time to find the surgeon with whom this dialogue feels natural to you, even if it takes several consultations before you decide. In patients' own words, time invested at the outset is rarely regretted — quite the opposite.

"Why change what you inherited?"

A respectful rhinoplasty does not deny a heritage: it harmonises a feature that bothered you, while preserving what connects you to your family.

"Won't you look like someone else?"

That is precisely what the approach seeks to avoid. Those close to you recognise you, with a more balanced face.

"Is it dangerous?"

It is real surgery, with real but rare risks when properly supervised. Sharing the surgeon's explanations often reassures those around you.

After removal of an implant and reconstruction with cartilage, the nose often regains a more natural and stable shape. The skin, sometimes thinned by years of pressure from the implant, may remain somewhat thin; the surgeon then adds camouflage tissue to protect the new graft. Recovery is slightly longer than after a primary rhinoplasty, and swelling may last. If the implant was infected, reconstruction may be postponed for a few months. The final result is judged at one year. Most patients appreciate no longer having to fear complications related to a synthetic implant.

A successful ethnic rhinoplasty is often the result of collaboration. The surgeon leads the project, but may rely on a dermatologist for the skin and scars, an ENT specialist for breathing, the anaesthetist for a sometimes lengthy procedure, and your family doctor for local follow-up. This coordinated approach is particularly useful for skin at risk of thick scarring and for complex reconstructions.

• Ethnic rhinoplasty harmonises without erasing: say clearly what you want to keep.
• On thick skin, the structure is strengthened and projected rather than reduced.
• The patient's own cartilage is preferred to synthetic implants.
• Scars on olive or dark skin are prevented and monitored from the outset.
• Patience is essential: the tip often takes shape over more than a year.

Many patients whose tip was poorly supported or whose alae were soft notice easier breathing after the procedure, particularly during exertion. Supporting the columella and tip opens the entrance to the nostrils, and grafts placed in the alae prevent them from collapsing on breathing in. This functional benefit is an additional argument in favour of strengthening techniques, as opposed to reductions, which can, conversely, narrow the airway.

Before committing to rhinoplasty, some people test a direction in a reversible way. Contouring make-up, playing on shadow and light, lets you visualise a slimmer or more structured nose. The digital simulation offered at the consultation shows a possible direction. More rarely, a temporary hyaluronic acid injection, given by an experienced doctor, can give a preview of a raised bridge. These steps help clarify your expectations and check that a change really corresponds to what you want.

If you have recently settled in Switzerland, a few practical points deserve attention. Check that you are registered with a health insurer for basic insurance, which is compulsory for residents, and find out about the conditions of any supplementary insurance. For a cosmetic procedure, the question of coverage does not generally arise, but it matters for any functional part and for care in the event of complications. If you have already had nose surgery elsewhere, gather all available documents, translated if necessary, for the surgeon.

The Geneva conurbation

An international city par excellence, Geneva welcomes patients from very varied backgrounds, and its surgeons are used to adapting their approach. Multilingual consultations are particularly widely available there.

The Vaud side of the Lake Geneva region

Lausanne and the Riviera attract a diverse population of students and working people. Lausanne practitioners regularly perform structural rhinoplasties.

The Zurich conurbation

Zurich, Winterthur and the municipalities of the Limmat Valley have a very diverse population. This is where the choice of surgeons experienced in grafting is widest.

The Basel conurbation

At the meeting point of several language regions, Basel has a diverse population and solid provision, both in private practice and in hospitals.

Bern and the Mittelland

Bern and the bilingual city of Biel/Bienne offer suitable provision, with consultations in German and French.

Ticino

Lugano offers consultations in Italian, with a few practitioners performing structural rhinoplasty.

When nostrils have been over-reduced during a previous procedure, or a nostril is retracted, the surgeon can use a composite graft: a small piece combining skin and cartilage, generally taken from the ear. Placed in the ala of the nose, it restores fullness and suppleness to the nostril. It is a delicate revision technique that requires a good blood supply in the receiving tissues; stopping smoking is particularly important. It illustrates the value of favouring a measured reduction from the very first procedure.

The cells that produce skin pigment, melanocytes, react more strongly to trauma on olive and dark skin, which explains the tendency to pigmented marks after a wound, burn or scar. In addition, some people, often with a family predisposition, produce excess collagen during healing, resulting in thick scars or even keloids. These tendencies do not contraindicate surgery, but they call for precautions: incisions placed in favourable areas, tension-free closure, early care, strict sun protection and close follow-up. With these precautions, the vast majority of scars become discreet.

• Describe what bothers you in your own words, without looking for the technical term.
• Also say what you like about your nose and your face.
• Bring photos of yourself when younger and, if you wish, of relatives.
• Ask to see the proposed direction in the mirror or in a simulation.
• Ask all your questions about the skin, scars and how long the swelling will last.
• Take time to think before signing, and come back with new questions if necessary.

In ethnic rhinoplasty, dialogue with the surgeon is central. It is useful to explain what you want to keep of your nose as much as what you want to change, and to say whether members of your family have a nose you value. Photos of yourself at different ages and from different angles help the surgeon understand your face better. The more precise your request, the more likely the result is to look like you.

Budget

Price differences between cities and cantons, the quote breakdown and ways to save are detailed on our page Ethnic rhinoplasty: prices in Switzerland.

Related procedures

• Ultrasonic rhinoplasty in Switzerland
• Septoplasty in Switzerland
• Blepharoplasty in Switzerland
• Laser blepharoplasty in Switzerland
• Medical blepharoplasty in Switzerland

Combined procedures

• Rhinoplasty and buccal fat removal in Switzerland
• Rhinoplasty and genioplasty in Switzerland
• Profileplasty: nose, chin and double chin in Switzerland

Our guides

• Rhinoplasty in Switzerland
• Cosmetic surgery in Switzerland

Answers to the questions most often asked by patients living in Switzerland about ethnic rhinoplasty. For the basics of nose surgery, see also our page on rhinoplasty in Switzerland.

Understanding ethnic rhinoplasty

What is ethnic rhinoplasty? It is a rhinoplasty designed to respect the characteristics specific to each face and each heritage, rather than applying a single nose model. It often concerns noses with thick skin, a low bridge, an under-projected tip or wide nostrils, but also noses with a strong bridge. Its aim is a more harmonious nose that remains in keeping with the person's identity. The surgeon always starts from your face, not from a category.

Isn't the term "ethnic" reductive? It is used in medical language as a reminder that noses vary according to heritage and that the technique must be adapted. But it must never lead to stereotypes: there is no single nose per origin, and each nose is analysed individually. Some practitioners prefer to speak of personalised or identity-respecting rhinoplasty. What matters is that every patient feels respected in their request.

Is it a different technique? Not really. The steps are the same as in any rhinoplasty, but in different proportions: more strengthening and grafting, less reduction, particular attention to the skin and scarring. It is above all a way of thinking about the result. The difference lies mainly in the emphasis on strengthening and skin management.

Does ethnic rhinoplasty aim to westernise the nose? No. On the contrary, the modern approach seeks to harmonise the nose with the rest of the face, without erasing the features that make up identity. A good surgeon respects your request, including if you want a subtle change. Your request, whether subtle or more marked, guides the project.

Who is it for? Anyone whose nose has characteristics that call for an adapted approach: thick skin, a low bridge, a poorly supported tip, a wide base, or a strong, convex bridge. These characteristics are found in people of very diverse origins, including mixed heritage. Two people of the same origin can have very different noses.

Why does thick skin change everything? Because it hides the details of the structure and does not shrink onto a reduced framework. Removing cartilage under thick skin often gives an even rounder tip. The structure must therefore be strengthened and projected so that the skin drapes over it and the tip gains definition. That is why skin thickness is assessed from the first consultation.

Can a very round tip be refined? It can be clearly improved by projecting and defining it with grafts. On thick skin, however, a very fine tip is not a realistic goal. The surgeon will show you what is achievable, using photos and an honest simulation. Definition improves for more than a year as the swelling goes down.

Can a low bridge be raised? Yes, with cartilage grafts placed on the bridge. The surgeon can use a single-piece graft or finely diced cartilage wrapped in a thin fibrous tissue, which is easy to shape and gives a smooth contour. The chosen height must balance the rest of the face.

Can the width of the nostrils be reduced? Yes, by alar base reduction, with small excisions in the crease between the ala and the cheek or inside the nostril. It must remain measured to avoid pinched nostrils and to preserve breathing. A moderate correction is often more harmonious than a maximal one.

Can a very strong bridge be reduced without losing its character? Yes. A measured reduction, sometimes using a preservation technique, softens a hump while keeping a strong profile in keeping with the face. The character of the profile is thus preserved.

Why are cartilage grafts often needed? Because it is often a matter of adding or strengthening rather than removing: raising the bridge, projecting the tip, supporting the columella. The patient's own cartilage is the safest and most durable material for this. These grafts also make the result more stable over time.

Where does the cartilage come from? Preferably from the nasal septum, from the ear for the tip, and from the rib when large quantities are needed, particularly to raise the bridge. The surgeon explains the choice according to your nose. The operative report will specify the origin of the grafts used.

Are synthetic implants used? Rarely in Switzerland. They carry long-term risks, such as displacement, infection or exposure through the skin. Most surgeons prefer the patient's own cartilage. If you have questions about an existing implant, do not hesitate to ask them.

I have an implant placed elsewhere: what should I do? Mention it. If it is causing problems or worries you, it can be removed and replaced with cartilage. The surgeon assesses its position and the condition of the skin covering it. Removal is sometimes combined with reconstruction at the same time.

What is the columella and why is it lengthened? It is the column of skin between the nostrils. When it is short, the tip looks low and the nostrils are barely visible in profile. Lengthening and supporting it with a graft improves tip projection and the angle between the nose and the lip. This step also often improves the balance of the profile.

Is ethnic rhinoplasty more difficult? It requires particular experience with grafts and the management of thick skin. It is often a longer procedure than a reduction rhinoplasty. It is therefore important to choose a surgeon who performs it regularly. Ask how many procedures of this type the surgeon performs each year.

Will the result look natural? That is the main aim. A natural result is a nose that suits your face, from the front and in profile, without obvious signs of surgery such as pinched nostrils or an overly fine tip. Ask to see results at more than one year.

Can I choose a nose from a photo? A photo helps express a direction, especially if it shows a face with features close to yours. But the result depends on your skin, your structure and your face; it cannot reproduce another nose. It helps express a direction, not a model to reproduce.

Are people of mixed heritage concerned? Yes. Their noses often combine varied characteristics. Individual analysis is all the more important because no preset pattern applies. A case-by-case analysis is then essential.

Can ethnic rhinoplasty improve breathing? Yes, if a cause of obstruction is present and treated at the same time: deviated septum, enlarged turbinates, narrow valve. Supporting the tip can also improve airflow at the entrance of the nostrils. An assessment of function is always part of the consultation.

Skin, scars and preparation

My skin is olive or dark: are there particular risks? The main one is a greater tendency towards thick scars and pigmented marks. The surgeon adapts the placement and closure of the incisions and plans early follow-up. Strict sun protection for several months limits pigmentation. The earlier the follow-up, the more effective the treatments.

What is a keloid? It is a scar that thickens and extends beyond the area of the original wound. It is more common on certain skin types and in certain families. If you have had one before, after a piercing or a wound, be sure to mention it. A family history of keloids should also be reported.

How can thick scars be prevented? Through careful placement of the incisions, tension-free closure, silicone dressings as soon as the scar has closed, strict sun protection and close follow-up. If a scar thickens, injections or other treatments can be given early. Follow-up in the first few months is decisive.

Is the columella scar visible on dark skin? It generally becomes discreet, but may remain slightly more visible or pigmented on some skin types. The surgeon may favour a closed approach when possible, or take particular care over this closure. Appropriate care often improves its appearance.

Are the alar reduction scars visible? Placed in the crease between the ala and the cheek, they generally become discreet. On at-risk skin, they must be closely monitored during the first few months. Close follow-up allows early action if necessary.

My skin is oily: is that a problem? Very sebaceous skin is often thick and stays swollen for a long time. Dermatological treatment, discussed with a dermatologist, can sometimes improve skin quality before or after the procedure. The surgeon adapts their expectations and technique. Dermatological support can improve skin quality.

Should the skin be prepared before the procedure? Skin in good condition, without infection or a significant acne flare-up on the nose, heals better. Your surgeon or a dermatologist can recommend suitable care in the preceding weeks. Healthy, calm skin heals better.

Is the sun dangerous after the procedure? It encourages pigmentation of the scars and prolongs swelling. High-factor sun protection and a hat are recommended for at least six months, summer and winter, and particularly in the mountains. This precaution also applies in winter, in the mountains.

Is smoking an obstacle? Smoking reduces the blood supply to the skin and grafts and increases the risk of healing complications. Stopping is strongly recommended before and after the procedure. Nicotine replacement products should also be discussed with the surgeon.

Do I need to stop certain medicines? Products that encourage bleeding are suspended on medical advice. Certain skin treatments must also be reported, as they can affect healing and require an interval. Never change a prescribed treatment without medical advice.

At what age can ethnic rhinoplasty be performed? Once the nose has finished growing, generally around sixteen to eighteen. There is no upper limit in a person in good health. Growth must be complete for a stable result.

How do I choose my surgeon? Look for regular experience of structural rhinoplasty and cartilage grafting, results on faces comparable to yours, and careful attention to what you want to keep. Check the title in the MedReg register. The quality of listening is an important criterion.

How do I express what I want to keep? Say it clearly: family resemblance, overall shape, character of the profile. You can show photos of yourself or relatives. This information guides the surgeon as much as the request for change. This information is as important as your wishes for change.

Is simulation reliable for thick skin? It helps agree on a direction, but it takes account of neither skin thickness nor swelling. An honest simulation shows a realistic improvement, not a very fine tip. Keep it as a reference for the agreed objective.

Is rib harvesting frightening? It is performed through a small incision under the breast or on the chest, under general anaesthesia. It causes chest pain for a few days and leaves a scar a few centimetres long. It provides a large amount of strong cartilage, essential for some augmentations. The discomfort decreases markedly within one to two weeks.

Can rib harvesting be avoided? Often, if needs are moderate: the septum and ear are enough. For significant augmentation of the bridge or a reconstruction, the rib often remains the best option. The surgeon will explain why they are proposing one source rather than another.

Is a particular work-up needed? The work-up is that of a rhinoplasty, with particular attention to the skin and any history of scarring. An examination of breathing is part of the consultation. The anaesthetist sees you in consultation before the procedure.

Can I get an opinion without travelling? Yes. Front, profile, three-quarter and from-below photos, in natural light, allow a first opinion on what is achievable. Mention your tendency to scarring and what you want to keep. This opinion is a useful step in preparing the consultation.

Are men concerned? Yes. In men, the surgeon preserves a strong bridge and a slightly upturned tip, in keeping with a masculine face, while improving harmony. The masculine profile is thus preserved.

Does a plan to become pregnant change anything? Rhinoplasty is planned outside pregnancy and, generally, outside breastfeeding. As pigmentation of scars can be influenced by hormones, it is better to allow time for healing before a pregnancy. Planning the procedure with this project in mind avoids unnecessary constraints.

Procedure and recovery

How long does the procedure take? Generally three to five hours, because of the grafts. With rib cartilage harvesting or removal of an implant, it may take longer. The surgeon will tell you the expected duration.

What anaesthesia is used? General anaesthesia. An isolated alar base reduction can be performed under local anaesthesia. The anaesthetist sees you before the procedure.

Open or closed approach? The open approach is common, as it allows grafts to be placed and secured precisely. A closed approach is possible for limited steps, avoiding the columella scar. The surgeon will explain their choice.

Do I need to stay at the clinic? Depending on the duration, the anaesthesia and any rib harvest, a night at the clinic is often offered. You must be accompanied home in all cases.

How long is the visible recovery? About two to three weeks: splint for a week, swelling, sometimes bruising. Social life generally resumes after this period. Working from home sometimes allows an earlier return.

How long does tip swelling last? With thick skin, it can last twelve to eighteen months, sometimes longer. The bridge becomes defined within a few months; the tip takes shape slowly. Compare with your starting photos rather than with your daily reflection.

Is rib harvesting painful? Yes, for a few days, especially when coughing, laughing or getting up. Painkillers and a suitable position bring relief. The discomfort decreases markedly within one to two weeks. A half-sitting position and a cushion held against the chest help when coughing.

When is the splint removed? Generally around the seventh day, together with the stitches on the columella and alae. Removal is quick and causes little pain.

How should the scars be cared for? Once they have closed, apply the recommended care, often silicone dressings or gel, protect them from the sun and report any scar that thickens or itches severely. The surgeon will tell you which products to use.

When can I go back to work? Often after two weeks for office work. After rib harvesting or for a physical job, allow three weeks instead. Working from home often allows a quicker return.

When can I resume sport? Gentle exercise resumes around the third or fourth week, intense sport after six weeks, and contact sports after about three months. After rib harvesting, exertion involving the torso has to wait for the surgeon's advice. Sports involving a helmet or goggles have to wait for the surgeon's advice.

When can I wear glasses? After bridge augmentation or osteotomies, avoid resting glasses on the bridge of the nose for several weeks. Contact lenses or glasses suspended from the forehead allow you to wait. The surgeon will tell you the exact duration.

When is the result final? The result is generally judged between twelve and eighteen months, sometimes later with thick skin. The one-year review allows an objective assessment.

Can a raised bridge shift? A graft may shift slightly in the first few weeks. The splint and following the instructions limit this risk. Avoid any impact or pressure on the nose. The splint and avoiding impacts are the best protection.

Is the result lasting? Cartilage grafts are generally stable. A small proportion may be reabsorbed, especially with diced cartilage, which the surgeon anticipates by adjusting the volume.

What if my nose looks too wide at first? This is normal: swelling widens the nose for several months. Compare with your starting photos and wait for the one-year review. Tip swelling is the main cause of this impression.

Are massages needed? Some surgeons recommend gentle tip massage or night-time taping after a certain time. Follow their instructions, without acting on your own initiative. Do not start anything without their agreement.

Can I wear make-up? After the splint has been removed, avoiding the scars until they have closed. A concealer suited to your skin tone hides the last marks. Choose products suited to your skin tone.

How many check-ups should I plan for? At splint removal, then at one, three, six and twelve months. For skin at risk of thick scarring, an extra check-up around the third or fourth week is useful. These check-ups allow early action on the scars.

Will those close to me notice too big a change? If your request has been properly understood, those close to you should find your face more harmonious while recognising you perfectly. This is the sign of a rhinoplasty that respects identity. Clear communication beforehand is the best guarantee.

Risks and results

What are the main risks? Those of any rhinoplasty, plus specific risks: thick scars and pigmentation on some skin types, prolonged swelling, graft complications and, with rib harvesting, pain and a chest scar. The surgeon will explain the risks relevant to your situation.

Is a touch-up common? A small touch-up may be needed in some patients, for example to adjust a graft or the width of the nostrils. It is discussed after a year, once the swelling has resolved. It is generally simpler than the initial procedure.

Can grafts be visible? Under thin skin, a graft can sometimes be detected. Under thick skin, this is rare. The surgeon smooths the edges of the grafts and can add a thin layer of camouflage tissue.

Can rib cartilage warp? Rib cartilage tends to curve slightly over time. Surgeons prepare and cut it in a way that limits this warping. Current carving techniques limit this tendency.

Can the nostrils become asymmetrical? Slight asymmetry is common at first. After alar base reduction, lasting asymmetry can be corrected with a touch-up. It often corrects itself over time.

Can there be an infection? It is rare, slightly more common with large grafts. It is treated with antibiotics; exceptionally, a graft has to be removed. Report any redness or discharge promptly.

Could the result not look like me? This is the risk to avoid above all, through clear communication before the procedure. Express precisely what you want to keep and what you want to change. Also say what you do not want.

Can breathing be impaired? Excessive reduction of the nostrils or too marked narrowing of the root can impair breathing. The surgeon assesses function and preserves airflow. Preserving breathing is part of the plan.

Which signs should alert me? Heavy bleeding, fever, increasing pain, spreading redness, discharge, or difficulty breathing after rib harvesting. Contact the team immediately; in an emergency, call 144. Keep the practice's number to hand.

Does smoking increase the risks? Yes, particularly for graft survival and the quality of healing. Stopping is strongly recommended. Smoking also affects the blood supply to the grafts.

What if a scar thickens? Seek advice quickly: silicone dressings, injections or other treatments are all the more effective the earlier they are started. Do not wait until the scar is established.

Can the aesthetic result change over the years? The nose ages like the rest of the face. Supporting grafts help maintain tip projection over time. Regular sun protection helps preserve the result.

Are complications covered? For the cosmetic part, the after-effects may not be covered. For a covered functional part, related care is covered under the usual rules. Check in writing with your insurer.

Can a graft be removed if it causes problems? Yes, a poorly positioned or visible graft can be adjusted or removed during a touch-up, generally after a year. A targeted touch-up is often possible.

Who should perform the procedure? A plastic surgeon or an ENT specialist trained in facial surgery, experienced in structural rhinoplasty and cartilage grafting. Check their title in the MedReg register. Experience with grafts is an essential criterion.

Does the result depend on the city chosen? No, it depends on the surgeon's experience. The major cities offer more choice, but an experienced practitioner may work elsewhere. The choice of practitioner matters far more.

What if I am not satisfied? Wait for the one-year review, then discuss what bothers you with the surgeon. A targeted touch-up is often possible. Reference photos make the discussion easier.

Do I have to give up contact sports for good? No, but a blow to the nose can displace grafts or alter the result. Suitable protection can be discussed when you return.

Does scar pigmentation disappear? It often fades within a few months with strict sun protection. Dermatological treatments can help if it persists. Sun protection remains the most effective measure.

How can I reduce my risks? Choose an experienced surgeon, mention any history of scarring, stop smoking, protect yourself from the sun, and follow the care instructions and check-ups. These simple precautions significantly reduce the risks.

Organising your procedure in Switzerland

Where can I have ethnic rhinoplasty in Switzerland? Mainly in the major cities — Zurich, Geneva, Lausanne, Basel and Bern — where there are surgeons used to cartilage grafting and to a great diversity of faces. Lucerne, St. Gallen and Lugano also have practitioners. Always check the practitioner's experience.

How much does ethnic rhinoplasty cost? There is no official fee. Grafts and the longer duration often place it above a reduction rhinoplasty, especially with rib harvesting. Our price page details these differences in percentage terms. Compare complete quotes.

Does LAMal reimburse the procedure? Not for the cosmetic part. If a medically established breathing problem is corrected at the same time, its functional part may be covered by basic insurance, on prior request. A prior request is strongly recommended.

Can I consult in my own language? In the major cities, many surgeons consult in several national languages and in English, sometimes in other languages too. Understanding each other perfectly is essential; ask when booking. State your preferred language when booking.

Should I consult several surgeons? It is useful, particularly to compare how each understands your request and what they propose to preserve. Write down the answers so you can compare with a clear head.

What should the quote contain? The technique, planned grafts and their origin, the approach, any alar base reduction, anaesthesia, clinic costs, check-ups, VAT and touch-up conditions, distinguishing any functional part. A vague quote should prompt you to ask for details.

How many days off should I plan for? Generally two to three weeks, more after rib harvesting or for a physical job. Working from home can shorten the absence.

What is the best time of year? Autumn and winter, with less sun, are favourable for scars on olive or dark skin. Avoid your allergy season if this applies to you. A less sunny period makes it easier to protect the scars.

I live far from a major centre: what should I do? Have a photo-based pre-assessment, then consult in the nearest major centre. Plan splint removal and a scar check-up around the third or fourth week. Some check-ups can be done using photos.

Can my family doctor help me? Yes, with the pre-operative check-up, local follow-up and monitoring of the scars, in liaison with the surgeon. Give them a copy of the operative report.

Can a dermatologist help? Yes, to prepare oily or acne-prone skin, or to treat a scar that thickens or becomes pigmented. They can help both before and after surgery.

What should I prepare at home? Pillows to sleep with your head raised, cold compresses, saline solution, high-factor sun protection, silicone dressings if recommended and, after rib harvesting, a cushion to protect yourself when coughing. Keep what you will need within reach.

Do I need someone with me? Yes, for the journey home and the first night, especially after a long general anaesthetic. If you live alone, arrange for a relative or friend to be with you.

Which documents should I keep? The operative report, which specifies the grafts and their origin, prescriptions, instructions and the invoice. They will be invaluable in the event of a touch-up.

Can other procedures be combined? Yes: genioplasty, fat transfer, otoplasty or blepharoplasty, as needed. The surgeon assesses whether the combination remains reasonable. The combination lengthens the procedure.

Are waiting times long? With practitioners experienced in structural rhinoplasty, you often have to wait several weeks for a consultation. Plan ahead.

Can an implant placed elsewhere be removed? Yes, a surgeon in Switzerland can remove it and rebuild the bridge with cartilage. Bring all available information about the implant. Reconstruction can be carried out at the same time if the skin allows.

Is a request to the insurer needed? Only if a functional part is planned. The quote must then clearly separate the two parts.

How should I prepare my photos? A front view, two profiles, two three-quarter views and a view from below, in natural light, without filters or retouching. If you wish, add photos of relatives whose resemblance you would like to keep. Avoid filters, which distort the analysis.

How can I get a personalised opinion? Fill in the form on this page with your photos, specifying what you want to change, what you want to keep and any tendency to scarring. A surgeon gives you a first opinion and an estimate. Free and without obligation. You generally receive a reply within twenty-four hours of receipt of a complete file.

Send us photographs — front, profile, three-quarter views and from below, in natural light — specifying what you want to change, what you want to keep and any tendency to scarring. A surgeon gives you a first opinion and an estimate. Free, no obligation, no administration fees.