Rhinoplasty in Switzerland: shape, breathing and your journey canton by canton

Rhinoplasty is one of the most requested facial procedures in Switzerland, among both women and men, often from their twenties. It changes the shape of the nose — its hump, tip, width or length — and can at the same time improve breathing. It is also one of the most demanding procedures: a few millimetres are enough to change the harmony of the face, and healing continues for more than a year. This page explains how the nose works, which techniques exist, what you can expect, how the consultation, procedure and recovery go, what insurance covers when breathing is involved, and how to organise your project from each of the 26 cantons.

Rhinoplasty changes the shape of the nose; septorhinoplasty also corrects the nasal septum to improve breathing. The procedure generally takes two to four hours, under general anaesthesia. A splint is worn for about a week; social life resumes within ten to fifteen days, but swelling of the tip takes twelve to eighteen months to disappear completely. The functional part, when medically justified, may be covered by basic insurance; the cosmetic part is not. Price differences between cities, in percentage terms, are on our page on rhinoplasty prices in Switzerland.

The nose is not a uniform block. It is a three-level structure, made of bone, cartilage and soft tissue, which must both look good and let air through. Understanding this construction helps you understand what the surgeon can change, and what they must preserve.

The bony vault

The upper third of the nose, between the eyes, is formed by the two nasal bones, resting on the bones of the face. This is where the upper part of the hump is found. To reduce it or narrow a nose that is wide at its root, the surgeon works on these bones, sometimes cutting and bringing them together: these are called osteotomies.

The cartilaginous vault

The middle third is supported by the upper lateral cartilages, which extend the bones and rest on the septum. Their junction with the septum forms the internal nasal valve, the narrowest passage in the nasal cavities. A clumsy change to this area can impair breathing, even if the nose looks good.

The tip

The lower third is formed by the alar cartilages, two small arch-shaped structures that define the tip and nostrils. Their shape, strength and position determine the refinement, projection and rotation of the tip. It is the most delicate part to change.

The nasal septum

In the centre, the septum separates the two nasal cavities. It is made of cartilage at the front and bone at the back. It supports the bridge and the tip, and its deviation can obstruct one side of the nose. Its cartilage is also the main source of grafts used in rhinoplasty.

The skin

The skin of the nose is thin at the top and thicker and oilier towards the tip. Its thickness greatly influences the result: thin skin reveals the slightest details of the cartilage, while thick skin hides refinements and stays swollen longer.

The hump

A humped nasal bridge, of bony and cartilaginous origin, is the main reason for seeking advice. Reducing it gives a straighter profile. The surgeon takes care not to over-reduce, which would give an unnatural "ski-slope" nose, especially in men.

The tip

Wide, round, drooping, over-projected or poorly defined: the tip accounts for many requests. Reshaping it requires great precision, as it continues to change long after the procedure.

Deviation

A deviated nose, often after an injury, frequently combines an aesthetic problem with a breathing problem. Correction generally involves the septum, bones and cartilage.

Width

A nose that is wide at the root, the bridge or the alae can be narrowed, while respecting the proportions of the face.

Length

A long nose or one with a drooping tip can be shortened or lifted, with restraint to avoid an artificially upturned nose.

Breathing

Nasal obstruction due to a deviated septum, enlarged turbinates or a narrow nasal valve can be corrected alone or at the same time as cosmetic rhinoplasty.

There is not just one rhinoplasty, but several approaches that the surgeon combines according to the nose being operated on and their own habits. Knowing about them helps you understand the proposals you will receive.

The closed approach

All the incisions are placed inside the nostrils. There is no visible scar. The surgeon works without fully exposing the cartilage, which requires great experience. This approach is well suited to hump reductions and moderate tip changes, generally with slightly less swelling.

The open approach

A small incision is added on the columella, the column of skin between the nostrils, allowing the skin to be lifted and the cartilage to be seen directly. It makes complex tip changes, reconstructions and secondary rhinoplasties easier. The zigzag scar generally becomes very discreet.

Structural rhinoplasty

It involves strengthening the framework of the nose with cartilage grafts, to support the tip, keep the nasal valve open or rebuild a collapsed bridge. The aim is a result that remains stable over time and does not collapse during healing.

Preservation rhinoplasty

Rather than removing the hump and then rebuilding the bridge, the surgeon lowers the entire nasal bridge by removing a strip of the underlying septum or bone. The original bridge, with its natural line, is thus preserved. This approach, which has made a strong comeback in recent years, suits some noses, but not all.

Osteotomies and ultrasonic instruments

To narrow or straighten the bony part, the surgeon performs osteotomies. These can be done with a chisel or with ultrasonic instruments, which cut the bone precisely while sparing the soft tissues. The latter approach is detailed on our page on ultrasonic rhinoplasty.

Cartilage grafts

When cartilage is needed, the surgeon takes it preferably from the nasal septum. If it has already been operated on or is insufficient, they can use cartilage from the ear, behind the auricle, or more rarely from the rib, particularly for major reconstructions.

What about non-surgical rhinoplasty?

Hyaluronic acid injections can camouflage a small hump, slightly lift a tip or fill a hollow. This is sometimes called medical rhinoplasty. It does not reduce the nose, does not correct breathing and needs to be repeated. Injections in the nose also carry a rare but serious risk of vascular damage, and must be performed by an experienced doctor. See our page on hyaluronic acid injections.

The nose is first and foremost an organ of breathing. A successful rhinoplasty must at least preserve breathing, and it can often improve it. Many patients have both an aesthetic request and a breathing problem: a nose blocked on one side, snoring, difficulty breathing during sport.

Deviated septum

This is the most common cause of obstruction. Septoplasty involves straightening or removing the deviated part of the septum, from inside the nose. It is detailed on our page on septoplasty.

The turbinates

The turbinates are ridges on the side wall of the nasal cavities that warm and humidify the air. When they are too large, they can obstruct the nose; their volume can be reduced during the procedure.

The nasal valve

The internal nasal valve, located under the middle third of the nose, is the narrowest passage. If it is narrow or collapses on breathing in, the surgeon can strengthen it with cartilage grafts.

Septorhinoplasty

When aesthetic and functional correction are carried out at the same time, it is called septorhinoplasty. It is a common procedure that treats shape and breathing in one go.

What insurance covers

In Switzerland, correction of a medically established breathing problem is in principle covered by compulsory health insurance, according to the usual criteria. The purely cosmetic part is not. When the two are combined, billing is generally separate: the insurer may cover the functional part, subject to its approval, and the patient pays for the cosmetic part. A prior cost approval request, accompanied by a medical report, is strongly recommended before the procedure.

Age

Cosmetic rhinoplasty is generally performed once the nose has finished growing, around sixteen to seventeen for girls and seventeen to eighteen for boys. For minors, the consent of their legal representatives is required, and the surgeon makes sure that the request genuinely comes from the adolescent themselves. There is no upper age limit: in older people, thinner skin and more fragile cartilage are taken into account.

Expectations

The best candidates are those who want a nose in harmony with their face, rather than one copied from a model. Rhinoplasty improves the shape of the nose; it does not change the person's identity or life. Expectations must be discussed openly, and the surgeon may recommend time to reflect or a second opinion when the request seems disproportionate.

Men

Men make up a significant proportion of patients. In men, the nasal bridge should remain straight and strong, without a dip, and the tip should not be too upturned. Skin that is often thicker sometimes limits refinement of the tip.

Thick skin and non-Caucasian noses

Noses with thick skin, common in some ethnic backgrounds, often require strengthening of the structure rather than removal of cartilage. Preserving the characteristics of the face is essential; our page on ethnic rhinoplasty addresses these situations.

Secondary rhinoplasty

Secondary, or revision, rhinoplasty corrects the result of a previous procedure. It is more complex, often requires cartilage grafts and is performed at least a year after the first procedure. It is a matter for surgeons who are used to it.

The profile as a whole

A nose looks bigger if the chin is receding. Advancing the chin, through genioplasty, can sometimes change the profile more than reducing the nose. These combinations are presented on our pages rhinoplasty and genioplasty and profileplasty.

Listening to the request

The surgeon asks what bothers you, in your own words, and what you would like to achieve. They try to understand how long the concern has existed, whether it is aesthetic, respiratory or both, and whether you have previously had an injury or surgery to the nose.

External examination

They observe your nose from the front, in profile, at three-quarters and from below, and assess skin thickness, the strength of the tip cartilage by palpation, symmetry, and proportions in relation to the forehead, lips and chin.

Internal examination

They examine the inside of the nasal cavities, often with a speculum or a small endoscope, to assess the septum, turbinates and nasal valve. They ask whether you breathe better on one side than the other, and may test the valve by gently pulling the cheek outwards.

Photos and simulation

Standardised photos are taken. Many surgeons offer a digital simulation, which helps visualise the planned change. It serves to agree on a direction; it is not a promise of results, as healing and skin thickness influence the final result.

The proposal

The surgeon explains the proposed technique, the steps planned for shape and function, the duration, anaesthesia, recovery, risks and budget, distinguishing what might be covered by insurance.

Rhinoplasty is generally performed under general anaesthesia. It takes two to four hours depending on complexity, longer for secondary rhinoplasty or with rib cartilage grafts. It is often performed as day surgery or with a night at the clinic.

The incisions

The surgeon makes the incisions inside the nostrils and, in the open approach, a small incision on the columella.

Work on the septum

If necessary, they straighten the septum and harvest cartilage to be used as a graft.

The bridge of the nose

They reduce the hump or lower the bridge, then narrow or straighten the bony part with osteotomies if necessary.

The tip

They reshape the alar cartilages with sutures, limited resections or grafts, to refine, project or rotate the tip.

Closure

They close the incisions with fine stitches. Internal silicone splints may be placed in the nostrils to support the septum; a rigid external splint is placed on the bridge of the nose. Packing, once systematic, is now often avoided or kept short.

Recovery takes place in two stages: a visible phase of about two weeks, followed by a long discreet phase during which the nose "settles" and the tip refines.

A blocked nose

In the first few days, the nose is blocked by swelling and the splints. You breathe through your mouth, which dries the throat. Saline rinses and a humidifier help. Breathing gradually clears after the splints are removed, then continues to improve over several weeks.

Bruising

If osteotomies have been performed, bruising around the eyes is common. It disappears within ten to fifteen days.

Swelling of the tip

This is the particular feature of rhinoplasty. The bridge of the nose goes down within a few weeks, but the tip remains thicker for months, especially with thick skin or after an open approach. The nose often looks bigger than expected at first. The final result is assessed at around twelve to eighteen months.

Glasses

Glasses must not rest on the bridge of the nose for several weeks, especially after osteotomies, so as not to displace the bones while they consolidate. Solutions exist: glasses taped to the forehead, contact lenses, or frames without nose pads. The surgeon will tell you how long.

Instructions

Do not blow your nose hard for two weeks, sneeze with your mouth open, avoid exertion and intense heat, sleep with your head raised, and protect your nose from any impact and from the sun.

An imperfect aesthetic result

This is the main risk of rhinoplasty: a small irregularity of the bridge, asymmetry, a tip that does not quite match expectations. A small touch-up is needed in a not insignificant proportion of patients, more often after secondary rhinoplasty. It is discussed at least a year after the procedure.

Breathing problems

Obstruction may appear if the nasal valve has narrowed or if the septum remains deviated. That is why function must be assessed and preserved from the planning stage.

Bleeding

Moderate nosebleeds are common in the first few days. Heavy bleeding is rare and requires you to contact the team.

Infection

It is rare and is treated with antibiotics; it is slightly more common with large grafts.

Septal perforation

Rare, it can cause crusting, bleeding or whistling. It is treated according to its size and the discomfort it causes.

Changes in sense of smell

A temporary reduction in the sense of smell is common during swelling; lasting impairment is exceptional.

Graft-related complications

A graft may shift, be reabsorbed or become visible under thin skin. Harvesting rib cartilage leaves a small scar on the chest.

Warning signs

Heavy bleeding that does not stop, fever, sharply increasing pain, rapid swelling of the septum with complete blockage, reduced vision. Contact the team immediately; in an emergency, call 144.

In Switzerland, rhinoplasty is performed by two families of specialists: plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgeons, and ENT doctors, specialists in the nose, throat and ears, some of whom have trained in facial plastic surgery. Both can perform excellent rhinoplasties. What counts is the practitioner's specific experience with this procedure.

The plastic surgeon

They are trained in the whole of plastic and aesthetic surgery and often perform rhinoplasty alongside other facial procedures. They are a natural contact for a mainly cosmetic request or one combined with other procedures, such as genioplasty or blepharoplasty.

The ENT specialist trained in facial surgery

They have particular expertise in respiratory function, the septum, turbinates and nasal valve. They are a natural contact when the breathing problem is significant, or for a septorhinoplasty combining form and function.

Hospital departments

University and cantonal hospitals have ENT departments that treat nasal obstruction, injuries and certain reconstructions. Purely cosmetic rhinoplasties are more often performed in the private sector.

Whatever the specialist, check their title in the federal MedReg register and ask how many rhinoplasties they perform each year, whether they use both the open and closed approaches, and whether they take on revisions.

Lake Geneva region

Geneva and Lausanne offer a wide choice of plastic surgeons and ENT specialists who perform rhinoplasty. Demand, which is high among young adults, means waiting times are sometimes long with the most reputed practitioners. Patients from French-speaking Valais and French-speaking Fribourg readily travel there.

The Plateau and Mittelland

Bern, Biel/Bienne, Fribourg, Neuchâtel and Solothurn have real provision, often bilingual. For septorhinoplasty, the ENT departments of the region's hospitals are useful contacts for the functional part.

North-West

Basel concentrates dense provision, in private practice and in hospitals. Patients from Jura, Basel-Landschaft and the Fricktal can reach it in less than an hour.

Zurich and the eastern Plateau

Zurich offers the widest choice in the country, with many practitioners specialising in rhinoplasty, including preservation and ultrasonic techniques. Winterthur, Baden and Zug complete the provision.

Central and Eastern Switzerland

Lucerne and St. Gallen are the reference centres for their regions, with practitioners in private practice and hospital ENT departments. Patients from the smaller cantons can reach them in less than an hour.

Ticino and Graubünden

Lugano groups most of the provision in Ticino, in Italian. Chur offers basic provision; for complex rhinoplasty, many Graubünden residents consult in Zurich.

This table positions 56 Swiss cities: the centre where people usually consult for rhinoplasty, the indicative travel time by public transport, how easy the splint removal check-up around the seventh day is, and the usual price difference compared with Geneva. These are indicative trends, to be checked with the practitioners.

Splint removal, around the seventh day, is an important appointment: it takes place at the surgeon's practice. If you live far away, plan this journey from the outset, especially as the nose is still swollen and glasses must not rest on the bridge of the nose.

The price of rhinoplasty depends on its extent: a limited tip correction is quite different from a full septorhinoplasty or a revision with a rib cartilage graft. It also depends on the approach, anaesthesia, duration and city. The following table positions the main procedures relative to one another, taking as a base of 100 a full primary cosmetic rhinoplasty.

Between cities, Geneva and Zurich are at the top of the scale, the other major cities often 5 to 15% below and medium-sized towns 10 to 20% below. When the breathing correction is covered by insurance, the amount the patient pays decreases accordingly. Details are on our page on rhinoplasty prices in Switzerland.

There is no such thing as a beautiful nose in absolute terms: there is a nose in harmony with a given face. That is why the surgeon does not analyse the nose in isolation, but in relation to the forehead, eyes, lips and chin.

The angle between the forehead and the nose

The dip at the root of the nose, between the eyes, marks the transition to the forehead. Too deep, it makes the hump look more pronounced; too flat, it gives a profile with no relief. The surgeon can deepen it slightly or fill it depending on the face.

The angle between the nose and the lip

Seen in profile, the angle formed by the columella and the upper lip shows whether the tip is drooping or upturned. In women, a slightly open angle is often sought; in men, a more closed angle preserves a masculine appearance. A tip that is too upturned gives an unnatural turned-up nose.

Tip projection

This is the distance between the tip and the face. An over-projected tip lengthens the profile; an under-projected tip gives a flat nose. The surgeon adjusts it with sutures or grafts.

Width

From the front, the width of the base of the nose is compared with the distance between the eyes. The lines running from the eyebrows to the tip, on either side of the bridge, should be smooth and symmetrical.

The chin

The chin balances the nose. A receding chin makes the nose look bigger; a well-projected chin makes it look smaller. That is why genioplasty is sometimes combined with rhinoplasty.

These reference points are guides, not norms. The most harmonious faces do not all follow the same measurements, and a slightly imperfect nose can be part of a face's character. A good surgeon respects your identity.

The humped nose

A bony and cartilaginous hump on the bridge. It is corrected by reducing the hump, with closure of the roof by osteotomies, or by lowering the bridge in preservation rhinoplasty.

The long, drooping nose

The tip drops, especially when smiling. The surgeon shortens and lifts the tip, sometimes by weakening the muscle that pulls it down.

The nose with a wide or round tip

The alar cartilages are wide or poorly defined. The surgeon reshapes them with sutures or measured resections to refine the tip, while preserving their support.

The wide nose

The nose is wide at the root, bridge or alae. Osteotomies narrow the bony part; alar reduction narrows the base.

The deviated nose

The nose is crooked, often after an injury. Correction involves the septum, bones and cartilage.

The saddle nose

The bridge is dipped, often after an injury or previous surgery. The surgeon rebuilds the bridge with cartilage grafts.

The nose that is too small or under-projected

The nose lacks relief. The surgeon augments it with cartilage grafts rather than synthetic implants, which are more prone to complications.

These profiles are fictitious, inspired by requests received from all over Switzerland. They show how a rhinoplasty is built case by case.

Léa, 24, Lausanne: a hump and a drooping tip

Léa wanted to reduce a hump that bothered her in profile. The examination also showed a tip that dropped when she smiled. The surgeon proposed a closed-approach rhinoplasty, with hump reduction and a slight lift of the tip, showing her a simulation. He warned her that the tip would remain thick for several months.

Marco, 31, Zurich: a deviated, blocked nose

Marco had broken his nose playing ice hockey. His nose was deviated and he breathed badly on the right. An ENT specialist in facial surgery proposed a septorhinoplasty. A prior cost approval request was sent to his insurer for the functional part and accepted; the cosmetic part remained at his expense.

Claire, 45, Geneva: a revision

Claire had had surgery at twenty. Her bridge was dipped and her tip pinched, with difficult breathing. The surgeon proposed a secondary open-approach rhinoplasty with ear cartilage grafts. He warned her that a revision requires more healing time.

Thomas, 38, Bern: keeping a masculine profile

Thomas wanted to reduce his hump without having "a woman's nose". The surgeon proposed a measured reduction, keeping a straight bridge and a slightly upturned tip, and declined to lower the bridge further as Thomas had first envisaged, explaining why.

Sofia, 19, Lugano: a receding chin

Sofia found her nose too big. Analysis of her profile showed a receding chin. The surgeon proposed a moderate reduction of the nose combined with a chin implant, showing her that this combination gave a more harmonious profile than a large reduction of the nose alone.

Peter, 63, St. Gallen: a tip that droops with age

Peter was breathing worse and worse, and his tip had drooped over the years. The surgeon proposed a septorhinoplasty with tip support and strengthening of the nasal valve. Both his breathing and the appearance of his nose improved.

The tip of the nose accounts for a large share of requests, and also a large share of frustration during recovery. Understanding why it changes so slowly helps you get through this period calmly.

A poorly drained area

The skin of the tip is thick and rich in sebaceous glands, and lymphatic drainage there is slow, especially after an open approach that has interrupted some of the lymphatic vessels of the columella. Swelling therefore persists there for a long time.

Change in stages

The bridge of the nose becomes defined within a few weeks; the tip loses most of its swelling between the third and sixth month, then continues to refine for up to twelve or eighteen months. In the morning, after a night lying down, it often looks more swollen.

Stiff and numb

For several months, the tip may feel hard and immobile, and its sensation is reduced. This is internal healing; it gradually softens.

Possible aids

Some surgeons offer adhesive taping at night for a few weeks, gentle massage after a certain time, or, on very thick skin, complementary treatments. Do not start anything without their agreement.

What not to do

Judge the result of the tip before a year, compare your nose with another patient's at the same stage, or ask for an early touch-up. Operating too early on a tip that is still swollen risks overcorrection.

Secondary, or revision, rhinoplasty corrects the result of a previous procedure: residual hump, over-lowered bridge, pinched or asymmetrical tip, retracted nostrils, breathing problems that appeared after surgery. It is one of the most difficult procedures in cosmetic surgery.

Why is it more complex?

The tissues have already been operated on: internal scarring alters the planes, the skin may be less supple, and septal cartilage has often already been harvested. The surgeon frequently has to rebuild rather than remove.

Timing

You generally need to wait at least a year after the first procedure, for the swelling to disappear and the tissues to stabilise. Correction too early risks making the problem worse.

Grafts

Reconstruction often uses cartilage from the ear or rib. Rib harvest leaves a small scar on the chest, but provides a large amount of strong cartilage.

Choosing the surgeon

Look for a practitioner who regularly performs revisions. Bring the report from the first procedure and, if possible, before and after photos.

Expectations

A revision often clearly improves shape and breathing, but it can rarely restore a nose "as if it had never been operated on". A frank discussion of the objectives is essential.

"You can choose a celebrity's nose"

A nose is built from your anatomy, your skin and your face. A photo can indicate a direction, not a model to copy.

"The result is visible when the splint comes off"

When the splint is removed, the nose is swollen. The result emerges over months, and the tip refines for a year or more.

"Packing is unbearable"

Compressive packing is now often replaced by more comfortable internal splints, removed after a few days.

"The open approach leaves an ugly scar"

The scar on the columella generally becomes very discreet.

"Rhinoplasty is always cosmetic"

Many rhinoplasties also correct breathing, and the functional part may be covered by insurance.

"The more you remove, the better"

Excessive resection weakens the nose and can impair breathing in the long term. The current trend is towards preservation and strengthening.

"Medical rhinoplasty replaces surgery"

Injections camouflage small irregularities, but do not reduce the nose or correct breathing.

"After rhinoplasty, you can no longer play sport"

All sports resume, with a longer wait for those that expose you to facial impacts.

Men often seek advice for a hump, a deviation following a sports injury or a breathing problem. Their expectations generally focus on a discreet result that does not feminise the face.

A straight bridge

In men, the bridge of the nose should remain straight, or even very slightly convex. A dipped bridge quickly gives a feminine or artificial look.

A slightly upturned tip

The angle between the nose and lip remains more closed than in women, and the tip should not be too fine.

Skin that is often thick

Male skin, thicker and oilier, stays swollen longer and limits refinement of the tip. The surgeon favours structure.

Sport and injuries

Many men have a history of nasal fracture. Correction often involves both the septum and the bones. For contact sports players, the time before returning and possible protection are discussed.

Many practitioners offer a simulation based on your photos. It allows you to visualise a change to the hump, tip or width, and to check that you and the surgeon are talking about the same thing.

Simulation does, however, have its limits. It alters a two-dimensional image, without taking into account the thickness of your skin, the strength of your cartilage or healing. It shows an intention, not a guarantee. An honest practitioner will present a realistic simulation rather than an ideal nose that is impossible to achieve. Keep it as a reference for the agreed direction, and compare the result at one year, not when the splint comes off.

Geneva

Provision in Geneva is wide, with plastic surgeons and ENT specialists trained in facial surgery. Demand is high among young adults: book early if you are aiming for a specific period, such as university holidays.

Vaud

Lausanne concentrates provision, supplemented by a few practitioners on the Riviera. Students at Lausanne's university and higher education institutions often schedule the procedure during academic breaks.

Neuchâtel

Neuchâtel has a few practitioners; for a revision or complex septorhinoplasty, many patients also consult in Lausanne or Bern.

Jura

Jura residents consult in Basel or Biel/Bienne. The splint removal check-up, around the seventh day, requires a journey to be planned.

Fribourg

Fribourg has bilingual local provision; Lausanne and Bern, half an hour away, widen the choice.

Valais

Sion has a few practitioners; Lausanne and Bern are the reference centres. For skiers, avoid scheduling the procedure just before winter: ski goggles press on the nose.

Bern

Bern offers a wide choice, with practitioners in private practice and a university ENT department for complex functional cases. Biel/Bienne offers a bilingual alternative.

Zurich

Zurich has the largest number of practitioners specialising in rhinoplasty, including preservation and ultrasonic techniques.

Lucerne

Lucerne is the centre of Central Switzerland, with practitioners in private practice and a hospital ENT department.

Uri

Uri residents consult in Lucerne; plan the journey for the one-week check-up.

Schwyz

The north of the canton looks to Zurich, the south to Lucerne.

Obwalden

Lucerne is about twenty minutes from Sarnen.

Nidwalden

Lucerne, a quarter of an hour away, makes check-ups very simple.

Glarus

Zurich or St. Gallen, about an hour away.

Zug

Zug has a few practitioners; Zurich and Lucerne are close by.

Solothurn

The Olten hub makes consultations in Bern, Basel, Lucerne or Zurich easy.

Basel-Stadt

Basel offers a wide choice in private practice and in hospitals.

Basel-Landschaft

Patients consult in Basel, less than half an hour away.

Schaffhausen

Winterthur and Zurich are the usual centres.

Appenzell Ausserrhoden

St. Gallen, close by, is the reference centre.

Appenzell Innerrhoden

St. Gallen, about three-quarters of an hour away.

St. Gallen

St. Gallen has several practitioners and a hospital ENT department; its fees are often moderate.

Graubünden

Chur offers basic provision; for complex rhinoplasty or a revision, many patients consult in Zurich.

Aargau

Aarau and Baden have local provision; Zurich is twenty minutes from Baden.

Thurgau

Winterthur, St. Gallen or Zurich; Winterthur is a quarter of an hour from Frauenfeld.

Ticino

Lugano groups most of the provision, in Italian; Bellinzona, Locarno and Mendrisio are less than forty minutes away.

The pollen season

If you suffer from hay fever, avoid scheduling the procedure in spring or early summer, at the height of the grass or birch pollen season. Repeated sneezing and nasal congestion complicate recovery and increase the risk of bleeding. Autumn and winter are often more comfortable.

Skiing and goggles

Ski goggles rest on the bridge of the nose. After osteotomies, you must wait until the bones have consolidated, generally two to three months. Schedule the procedure in spring if you do not want to miss the following season.

Ice hockey, football and combat sports

Sports that expose you to a blow to the face generally have to wait three months. For regular players, facial protection can be discussed on returning.

Hiking and altitude

Hiking resumes after a few weeks. At altitude, carefully protect your nose from the sun, which prolongs swelling and can pigment the skin.

Studies and work

Students readily schedule the procedure during university holidays. For working people, two weeks off are generally enough, more for physical jobs or those exposed to dust.

Rhinoplasty is a procedure in which the practitioner's experience weighs particularly heavily. A surgeon who performs it regularly has a better grasp of the subtleties of the tip, preservation of function and predicting how healing will go.

• What is your specialty, and how many rhinoplasties do you perform each year?
• Do you use the open approach, the closed approach, preservation? Why are you proposing this one for me?
• Have you examined the inside of my nose? Will my breathing be preserved, or even improved?
• Could part of the procedure be covered by my insurance?
• Will you need cartilage grafts, and where would they come from?
• Can you show me a simulation, and results at one year in patients with a comparable nose?
• How long will my tip stay swollen, given my skin?
• Do you perform secondary rhinoplasties? What are your touch-up conditions?

Check the specialist title in the federal MedReg register. Be wary of a promise of a guaranteed result, an unrealistic simulation or a consultation that does not examine the inside of the nose.

Documenting the problem

Your doctor or the practitioner describes the obstruction: which side is blocked, snoring, difficulty on exertion, repeated infections. Tests may complete the file, such as nasal endoscopy or airflow measurement.

The cost approval request

The practitioner sends your insurer a prior cost approval request for the functional part, specifying the planned procedures: septoplasty, turbinate reduction, valve strengthening.

Separate invoices

When cosmetic procedures are combined, they are billed separately, at your expense. The quote must clearly distinguish the two parts.

Incapacity for work

For the functional part, a certificate of incapacity for work can be issued under the usual rules; for the cosmetic part, time off is generally taken as holiday.

After an accident

If the deformity results from an accident, accident insurance may be responsible. Keep all documents relating to the accident.

Two months before

Stop smoking and vaping. If you suffer from allergic rhinitis, have it treated effectively: a calm nose heals better. If you wear glasses, plan a solution for the weeks when they cannot rest on your nose, such as contact lenses.

One month before

Carry out the requested pre-operative check-up, check with your doctor which medicines to suspend, and organise two weeks off. For septorhinoplasty, check that your insurer's reply to the cost approval request has arrived.

Two weeks before

On medical advice, suspend aspirin, anti-inflammatories and supplements that encourage bleeding. Avoid alcohol and the sun. Prepare saline solution, cold compresses, a humidifier, soft tissues and easy-to-eat food.

The day before

Shower and wash your hair, as you will not be able to get the dressing wet for the first few days. Remove make-up, nose piercings and jewellery. Follow the fasting instructions.

Arrival

You arrive having fasted, accompanied, without make-up. The anaesthetist sees you again, the surgeon answers your final questions and you sign the informed consent form. The reference photos have already been taken.

The procedure

Under general anaesthesia, the surgeon makes the incisions, works on the septum if necessary, then on the bridge and tip. They close, then place the internal splints and the external splint. The procedure takes two to four hours.

Waking up

You wake up with a blocked nose and a feeling of pressure on your face. You breathe through your mouth, which dries the throat: small sips of water help. A slight blood-tinged discharge is normal; a small gauze pad under the nose collects it.

Discharge

Depending on the anaesthesia and complexity, you go home the same evening or the next day, accompanied, with your instructions, prescriptions and the date for splint removal.

Day 1

Blocked nose, dry mouth, slight pressure on the face. Rest sitting up or with your head raised, with cold compresses around the eyes, without pressing on the nose.

Days 2 and 3

Swelling and, if osteotomies were performed, bruising around the eyes reach their peak. Gentle saline rinses begin according to the instructions. Sleep is sometimes broken by mouth breathing.

Days 4 and 5

You feel better and the bruises start to turn yellow. Short, quiet walks are possible. Avoid bending forward and carrying loads.

Days 6 and 7

Removal of the external and internal splints at the practice. The nose looks swollen and sometimes slightly deviated by the swelling: this is normal. Breathing clears markedly as soon as the internal splints are removed.

At the end of a rhinoplasty, a rigid or thermoformed splint is placed on the bridge of the nose to protect the bones and cartilage while they consolidate. It stays in place for about a week. Inside, soft silicone splints or small dressings may be placed on either side of the septum, especially when it has been straightened. The bulky packing of the past is now rarely used.

Removal of the external splint, at the first check-up, is an eagerly awaited moment: the nose then looks swollen, sometimes slightly upturned, and the bruises begin to turn yellow. Removing the internal splints greatly eases breathing. These steps are quick and cause little pain. It is important not to try to remove them yourself.

Nasal rinses with saline solution or seawater, prescribed by the surgeon, are a key part of recovery. They remove crusts and dried blood, improve breathing and help the mucous membrane heal. They are done gently, without excessive pressure, several times a day for a few weeks. Do not blow your nose hard or push cotton buds deep inside; simply wipe the entrance of the nostrils.

A greasy ointment can be applied to the entrance of the nostrils to limit crusting. If bleeding starts again or an unpleasant smell appears, contact the team.

Regular check-ups allow the surgeon to follow this progress and reassure you. If asymmetry or an irregularity persists beyond a year, a small touch-up may be considered.

The tip of the nose is the area that goes down most slowly. The skin there is thicker and rich in sebaceous glands, and lymphatic circulation has been disrupted by the procedure. In people with thick skin, the tip may remain slightly swollen and firm for twelve to eighteen months. In the morning, on waking, the swelling is often more marked.

This slowness is normal and does not mean the result has failed. A few measures help: sleeping with your head raised in the first few weeks, limiting salt and protecting the nose from the sun. In some cases, the surgeon offers small cortisone injections into the tip to speed up resolution. Judging the final refinement of the tip before a year often leads to unnecessary worry.

Before the consultation, a few simple observations help you describe your breathing problem. They do not replace the examination, but they guide the discussion.

The single-nostril test

Block one nostril with a finger and breathe through the other, with your mouth closed, then swap. A clear difference between the two sides often suggests a deviated septum or an enlarged turbinate.

The cheek test

Place a finger on your cheek, next to the side of your nose, and gently pull the skin outwards as you breathe. If breathing improves markedly, the nasal valve may be involved.

Exertion

Note whether you have to breathe through your mouth during sport, at night or when walking uphill. This is a sign of obstruction.

The seasons

A problem that varies with the seasons suggests an allergic component, to be treated in addition to any surgery.

Many patients hope that septorhinoplasty will stop their snoring. The reality is more nuanced. Snoring usually comes from the throat, the soft palate or the base of the tongue, not the nose. Nasal obstruction can, however, encourage mouth breathing at night and make snoring worse. Correcting a deviated septum or enlarged turbinates often improves breathing comfort at night and sometimes snoring, but not always. In cases of heavy snoring, pauses in breathing noticed by a partner or daytime fatigue, a sleep study may be useful to look for sleep apnoea, which requires specific treatment.

A large share of rhinoplasty requests come from young people aged sixteen to twenty-five. Surgery can bring them a great deal, provided it is properly supervised.

The end of growth

The nose grows until the end of adolescence. Cosmetic rhinoplasty is generally performed after sixteen or seventeen for girls and seventeen or eighteen for boys, once growth is complete. The surgeon may rely on the stability of measurements in photos from recent years.

A personal request

The surgeon makes sure that the request genuinely comes from the young person themselves, and not from pressure from those around them or from social media. They take time to discuss it, sometimes over several consultations.

The role of parents

For a minor, the consent of their legal representatives is required. Their presence at the consultation helps discuss expectations, recovery and budget, but the young person's voice must remain central.

The school calendar

The summer or autumn holidays allow time to recover before school starts again. School sport and contact activities must be suspended for several weeks.

Online images

Filters and retouching on social media sometimes create unrealistic expectations. A good surgeon explains what is achievable on a real nose, with real skin.

The nose changes with age: the tip lengthens and droops, the cartilage weakens and the skin changes. These changes can affect both appearance and breathing, particularly through collapse of the nasal valve. Rhinoplasty after fifty often aims to lift and support the tip and reopen the valve, rather than to reduce. More fragile and sometimes calcified cartilage, thinner skin and slightly slower healing are taken into account. Combined with a facelift or blepharoplasty, it can contribute to overall facial rejuvenation, with a discreet result.

The nasal septum

This is the preferred source: the cartilage is straight and strong and harvested through the same approach, with no additional scar. The surgeon always leaves a sufficient framework to support the nose.

The ear

Cartilage from the concha, behind the auricle, is supple and curved, suitable for the tip and alae. The scar, hidden behind the ear, is discreet, and the shape of the ear is not changed.

The rib

Rib cartilage provides a large amount of strong material, useful for rebuilding the bridge or for revisions. Harvesting leaves a scar a few centimetres long on the chest and can be painful for a few days.

Alternatives

Synthetic implants are rarely used for the nose in Switzerland, because of a higher risk of infection and exposure than with the patient's own cartilage.

Genioplasty

Advancing the chin balances the profile and makes the nose look smaller. See our page on rhinoplasty and genioplasty and our page on genioplasty.

Buccal fat removal

Removing the buccal fat pads slims the cheeks in some round faces. See our page on rhinoplasty and buccal fat removal.

Double chin treatment

As part of profileplasty, it completes the harmonisation of the profile. See our page on double chin, FaceTite and J-Plasma.

Otoplasty

Correcting prominent ears at the same time as rhinoplasty is possible. See our page on otoplasty.

Blepharoplasty

In older patients, it rejuvenates the eye area at the same time as rhinoplasty.

Neglecting breathing

A cosmetic rhinoplasty that ignores function can create a breathing problem. Always ask for an examination of the inside of the nose.

Wanting a nose that is too small

An over-reduced nose looks artificial and may breathe less well. Harmony matters more than size.

Judging the tip too early

The tip refines for a year or more; an early touch-up is not advisable.

Wearing glasses or ski goggles again too soon

Pressure on bones that are consolidating can alter the result.

Blowing your nose hard

During the first two weeks, this can cause bleeding.

Choosing solely on online photos

The photos published are selected; ask for results at one year for noses comparable to yours.

The nose sits at the centre of the face, and its shape strongly influences self-perception. The most satisfied patients are those who want to correct a feature that has bothered them for a long time, for themselves, with realistic expectations. When the concern is about a barely visible flaw and it takes over daily life, it may be excessive concern about appearance; a procedure then rarely brings the hoped-for relief, and support is often more helpful. A reputable practitioner takes time to explore these questions and does not hesitate to recommend waiting or seeking another opinion.

The septum is the central framework of the nose. At the front, it is made of a plate of cartilage; at the back, of thin plates of bone. It supports the bridge and tip, separates the two nasal cavities and directs the airflow.

A deviation may be congenital, appear during growth or result from an injury, sometimes forgotten. It is not always visible from the outside, but it can obstruct one side of the nose. During septoplasty, the surgeon lifts the mucous membrane, straightens or removes the deviated part, then puts the mucous membrane back in place. They always keep an L-shaped strip of cartilage, along the bridge and at the front, at least one centimetre wide, to prevent the nose from collapsing. The cartilage removed can be used as a graft. Our page on septoplasty details this procedure.

The turbinates

These are bony ridges covered with mucous membrane, located on the side wall of each nasal cavity. They warm, humidify and filter the air. When they are permanently swollen, through allergy or chronic irritation, they obstruct the nose. Their volume can be reduced by radiofrequency, partial bone resection or other techniques, while preserving the mucous membrane essential to their function.

The internal nasal valve

Located under the middle third of the nose, between the septum and the upper lateral cartilage, it is the narrowest passage in the airways. An angle that is too closed or walls that are too soft and collapse on breathing in impair breathing. The surgeon can widen it with cartilage grafts placed along the septum.

The external nasal valve

This corresponds to the entrance of the nostril, bounded by the ala. Alae that are too soft can collapse on breathing in, especially on exertion. Supporting grafts can strengthen them.

A balance to be preserved

A rhinoplasty that over-reduces the bridge or over-refines the tip can narrow the valves. That is why preserving and strengthening the structure are at the heart of modern techniques.

Medical rhinoplasty, using hyaluronic acid injections, is appealing for its speed and the absence of downtime. It has its indications, but also its limitations and risks.

What it can do

Camouflage a small hump by filling the hollow above it, slightly lift a drooping tip, correct a small asymmetry or an irregularity after surgical rhinoplasty.

What it cannot do

Reduce the size of the nose, refine a wide tip, narrow the nostrils or correct a breathing problem. It adds volume; it does not remove any.

Duration

The effect generally lasts twelve to eighteen months, sometimes longer in the nose, and requires top-ups.

Risks

Injections in the nose carry a rare but serious risk of injection into a blood vessel, with possible skin compromise and, exceptionally, damage to vision. They must be performed by an experienced doctor with thorough knowledge of the vascular anatomy of the nose, using an absorbable product.

Before surgery

If you are considering surgical rhinoplasty, mention any previous injections: the surgeon may request an interval or dissolution of the product.

Noses vary according to ethnic background: skin thickness, cartilage strength, width of the base, height of the bridge, shape of the nostrils. A successful rhinoplasty respects these characteristics and the identity of the face, rather than imposing a single model. In patients with thick skin or soft cartilage, the surgeon often strengthens the structure, for example by projecting the tip with grafts, rather than removing cartilage. In patients with a low bridge, they can raise the bridge with cartilage grafts. These situations are detailed on our page on ethnic rhinoplasty.

• Check that the lighting, angle and expression are identical in both photos.
• Look at the profile, but also the front view and the view from below, which reveals the tip and nostrils.
• Favour results at one year or more: at three months, the tip is still swollen.
• Look for noses comparable to yours: same skin thickness, same type of hump or tip.
• Observe whether the operated nose looks natural in the face, without an over-lowered bridge or an over-upturned tip.

If you live far from the practice, rhinoplasty requires a little organisation. The most important appointment is splint removal, around the seventh day: it takes place at the surgeon's practice. Plan this journey, with a companion, as the nose is still swollen and you will not be able to wear glasses resting on your nose. Later check-ups, at one, three and six months, can sometimes be supplemented by photos sent to the surgeon. Your family doctor or an ENT specialist near you can provide local follow-up of breathing and rinsing. In the event of heavy bleeding or fever, seek medical attention quickly near home and inform the surgeon.

• A front view, face relaxed, looking straight ahead, hair tied back.
• Two strict profiles, left and right.
• Two three-quarter views.
• A view from below, head tilted back, to show the tip and nostrils.
• A profile view while smiling, which reveals a drooping tip.

Take the photos in natural light, with the camera at nose height, without filters or retouching. Say whether you breathe badly on one side, whether you have had an injury or surgery to the nose, and whether you have had injections. A practitioner gives you a first opinion and an estimate of the budget.

Alar cartilages. Arch-shaped cartilages that define the tip and nostrils.

Upper lateral cartilages. Cartilages of the middle third, which extend the nasal bones.

Septum. The central wall that separates the two nasal cavities.

Columella. The column of skin between the nostrils.

Turbinates. Ridges on the side wall of the nasal cavities that warm and humidify the air.

Osteotomy. Controlled cutting of the nasal bones to bring them together or straighten them.

Preservation. An approach that keeps the original bridge by lowering it.

Secondary rhinoplasty. Revision rhinoplasty after a first procedure.

Septorhinoplasty. Rhinoplasty combined with correction of the septum.

Septoplasty. Correction of a deviated septum.

Nasal valve. The narrowest passage of the nasal airways, under the middle third of the nose.

Closed approach. Rhinoplasty with incisions only inside the nostrils.

Open approach. Rhinoplasty with a small additional incision on the columella.

Rhinoplasty is usually performed under general anaesthesia, with protection of the airway: a tube or laryngeal mask maintains breathing, and a small gauze placed at the back of the throat prevents blood from flowing into the airways and stomach. That is why you sometimes wake up with a slightly irritated throat. The anaesthetist keeps blood pressure rather low during the procedure to limit bleeding, and prevents nausea, as vomiting could make the nose bleed. They see you in consultation before the procedure to assess your medical history, particularly sleep apnoea or known difficulty with intubation.

Small touch-ups to the tip or bridge can sometimes be performed under local anaesthesia with sedation, as day surgery. A full rhinoplasty, with work on the bones and septum, is however almost always performed under general anaesthesia, for the patient's comfort, airway safety and the precision of the procedure. The choice is discussed with the surgeon and anaesthetist according to the extent of the procedure.

Eating

In the first few days, choose soft, lukewarm foods that are easy to chew, as moving the upper lip pulls slightly on the tip. Avoid very hot or spicy dishes, which encourage swelling and bleeding. Drink plenty, as mouth breathing is drying.

Sleeping

Sleep on your back, with your head raised on two pillows, for one to two weeks. A humidifier in the bedroom and a lip balm make nights more comfortable.

Washing

Clean your face with lukewarm water, avoiding the nose and splint. Showers are possible if you protect the splint from water, or you can take a bath and have someone wash your hair. After the splint has been removed, wash the nose gently.

Talking and smiling

It is best to limit broad smiles and exaggerated expressions for a few days, so as not to pull on the healing tip.

Screens

Reading or looking at a screen is possible from the next day, avoiding tilting your head forward for long periods.

Small nosebleeds are common in the first few days, especially after exertion, blowing your nose or bending over. A gauze pad under the nostrils and keeping your head slightly raised are generally enough. Heavy bleeding that does not stop after fifteen minutes of gentle pressure, pinching the lower part of the nose with the head tilted forward, means you must contact the team or the emergency department.

Nose piercings

A nostril or septum piercing must be removed before the procedure and can only be put back once healing is complete, on the surgeon's advice. An old hole may sometimes close up in the meantime.

Make-up

After the splint has been removed, a concealer hides the last of the bruising under the eyes. Avoid rubbing the nose and applying products to the still-fresh incisions on the columella.

The skin of the nose

The skin of the nose may be oilier or develop small spots for a few weeks, due to the splint and swelling. Gentle cleansing is generally enough; avoid scrubs and harsh treatments for several months.

Beauty treatments

Facial treatments, such as peels or lasers, have to wait for the surgeon's approval, generally several months.

The sense of smell depends on a small area of mucous membrane at the very top of the nasal cavities. After rhinoplasty, it is often reduced for a few weeks, because swelling of the mucous membrane prevents odour molecules from reaching this area. It generally returns gradually as breathing clears. In some patients whose nose was very obstructed, the sense of smell even improves compared with before the procedure. Lasting loss is exceptional; report it if it persists beyond a few months, as an ENT assessment may then be useful.

During the first few weeks, a nose blocked by swelling reduces the sense of smell and therefore the perception of flavours. Food tastes blander, which is temporary. The tip of the nose and sometimes the upper lip may also be numb, as small sensory nerves have been stretched. This sensation gradually returns over a few weeks to a few months.

The nose plays a role in vocal resonance and in the breathing of wind musicians. During the weeks of swelling, the voice may sound nasal and breathing may be less comfortable. For singers, actors and instrumentalists, it is wise to plan several weeks without important performances, and to discuss it with the surgeon from the consultation onwards. A well-conducted functional correction often improves breathing comfort in the long term. A lasting change in vocal timbre is rare, but the question is worth asking.

"Will you look like someone else?"

A well-performed rhinoplasty harmonises the face without changing its identity. Those close to you often notice a more balanced face.

"Will it hurt?"

Pain is generally moderate. What bothers people most is the blocked nose in the first few days.

"How can I help you?"

By accompanying you on the day of the procedure and for splint removal, preparing easy meals and reminding you not to blow your nose hard.

"What if you don't like it?"

The result is judged at one year. Before then, swelling is deceptive. A touch-up remains possible if necessary.

Clarify your request

Write down what bothers you: profile, tip, width, deviation, breathing. Distinguish between aesthetic and functional concerns.

Get a first opinion

A pre-assessment based on photos tells you what seems achievable, before the consultation.

Consult and compare

Two consultations allow you to compare the analysis, the proposed technique, the simulation and the quote.

Clarify insurance

If there is a breathing problem, request prior cost approval for the functional part.

Organise and be patient

Plan two weeks of recovery, adapt your glasses and sport, and give the tip time to refine.

The operative report for a rhinoplasty describes precisely what was done: the approach, work on the septum and the amount of cartilage harvested, hump reduction, osteotomies, techniques applied to the tip, and grafts and their origin. This document is invaluable: in the event of a touch-up or secondary rhinoplasty years later, it lets the surgeon know what remains available, particularly septal cartilage. Keep it with the pre-operative photos and the invoice, and give a copy to your family doctor.

At 20

The nose has reached its adult shape. Requests mainly concern a hump, a wide tip or a nose considered too big. The skin is supple and healing is quick.

At 35

Requests often concern an old deviation, a breathing problem that has developed over time, or a first procedure whose result is no longer satisfactory.

At 50

The tip begins to lengthen and droop, the cartilage weakens and the nasal valve may collapse. Rhinoplasty aims rather to support and lift.

After 65

The nose continues to lengthen, and breathing may deteriorate. A functional septorhinoplasty with tip support often clearly improves comfort, with possible coverage of the functional part.

For glasses wearers, the most common practical question is how to see during the weeks when glasses must not rest on the nose.

Contact lenses

This is the simplest solution for those who tolerate them. They can generally be worn as soon as swelling of the eyelids allows.

Suspended glasses

The bridge of the glasses is attached to the forehead with gentle adhesive tape, so that they do not touch the nose. Some surgeons provide suitable supports.

Special frames

Frames without nose pads, or very light ones, exist. Ask your optician before the procedure.

Duration

After osteotomies, generally allow four to six weeks without pressure on the bridge of the nose. Without osteotomy, the interval may be shorter. The surgeon will give you the exact duration.

The nose is particularly sensitive to tobacco. Smoke irritates the mucous membrane, slows its healing and prolongs swelling. Nicotine reduces the blood supply to the skin of the tip, which increases the risk of skin compromise after an open approach. Vaping, while it avoids some substances in smoke, also delivers nicotine. Most surgeons ask you to stop for several weeks before and after the procedure. It is also a good opportunity to stop for good, to the benefit of your newly restored breathing.

Rhinoplasty changes the centre of the face, and it is normal to feel apprehensive. A few pointers help. Knowing in advance that the nose will look swollen and sometimes imperfect when the splint is removed avoids unnecessary worry. Do not try to judge the result in the mirror every morning during the first few months. Keep the simulation and pre-operative photos to hand to compare objectively. Surround yourself with people who know what recovery involves. And know that the surgeon is available to answer your questions throughout the healing period.

Children frequently break their nose in falls or while playing. After a blow, an examination by a doctor or ENT specialist is useful, particularly to look for a septal haematoma, which must be drained quickly. A displaced fracture can be reduced in the following days. A more complete corrective rhinoplasty is generally postponed until growth is complete, except in cases of significant breathing problems, so as not to disrupt the development of the nose.

Many young patients seek advice because their nose looks too big in selfies. It is worth knowing that close-up photos taken with a phone's wide-angle lens distort the face: the features closest to the lens, such as the nose, look much bigger than they really are. A photo taken from more than a metre away, with a slight zoom, gives a more faithful image. Before considering rhinoplasty, it is useful to judge your nose from photos taken in good conditions, such as those taken at the consultation. This does not take anything away from a genuine concern, but it sometimes avoids a procedure motivated by photographic distortion.

The sinuses are cavities in the bones of the face that communicate with the nasal cavities. Chronic sinusitis, with congestion, discharge and facial pain, requires an ENT assessment. A significant septal deviation can impair sinus drainage and encourage infections. In some cases, the ENT specialist proposes combining sinus surgery with septoplasty, or even rhinoplasty. Conversely, cosmetic rhinoplasty does not treat sinusitis. If you suffer from repeated sinusitis, mention it: an assessment, sometimes with a CT scan, may be needed before planning the procedure.

People with respiratory allergies or chronic rhinitis often have a blocked nose regardless of its shape, because of swelling of the mucous membrane and turbinates. Rhinoplasty can improve breathing if the septum or nasal valve is involved, but it does not treat the allergy itself.

Before the procedure, it is useful to have a check-up with an ENT specialist or allergist and to stabilise the rhinitis with appropriate treatment. After the operation, nasal sprays prescribed for allergies can generally be resumed after a few weeks, according to the surgeon's instructions. Scheduling the procedure outside the pollen season makes recovery more comfortable.

Cosmetic rhinoplasty is not performed during pregnancy and, generally, not during breastfeeding. During pregnancy, the nasal mucous membrane often swells under the effect of hormones, causing congestion that disappears after childbirth: this temporary problem should not be confused with an obstruction justifying surgery. If you are planning a pregnancy soon, it is better to schedule the rhinoplasty beforehand or wait until breastfeeding has ended, so that you can follow your recovery calmly and take any necessary treatment.

• Can correction of my deviated septum be covered, and which documents are required?
• Are turbinate reduction or nasal valve strengthening covered in my case?
• How will the functional and cosmetic parts of a septorhinoplasty be billed?
• Are preliminary tests, such as nasal endoscopy or a CT scan, covered?
• How would care related to a complication be covered?
• If my problem results from an accident, will accident insurance pay?

Always ask for a written answer before the procedure.

Some people wear a ventilation mask at night for sleep apnoea, or a respiratory protective mask at work. These masks often press on the bridge of the nose. Tell the surgeon: they will tell you when you can use them again, and models that do not press on the nose, such as nasal pillow masks or those covering the mouth and nose from below, can be used temporarily in liaison with your sleep doctor.

Summer is not forbidden, but it has a few drawbacks: the heat prolongs swelling, the sun must be carefully avoided on a healing nose, swimming is not advised for several weeks, and the splint is less comfortable in hot weather. If summer is the only possible period, for example for a student, simply plan a cool environment, a hat and strict sun protection, and give up swimming for a few weeks.

The skin of the nose, still swollen and sometimes numb after the procedure, is particularly sensitive to the sun. Unprotected exposure can accentuate swelling and leave lasting pigmentation on areas still marked by bruising or by the scars on the columella. High-factor sunscreen and a hat are recommended for several months, particularly in the mountains and on snow. Heavy sunglasses, however, have to wait for the surgeon's approval.

Lightweight models resting on the nose without pressing, or held by a support, allow you to protect your eyes during this period without any risk to the result.

For a long time, rhinoplasty mainly consisted of removing: reducing the hump, resecting cartilage from the tip, narrowing the bones. These techniques gave attractive immediate results, but some noses collapsed, became pinched or lost their breathing function over the years, because the framework had been weakened too much.

For several decades, the trend has reversed. Surgeons seek to preserve and strengthen the structure: they reshape cartilage with sutures rather than removing it, place grafts to support the tip and valve and, with preservation rhinoplasty, even keep the original bridge. The aim is a nose that remains stable and functional over time. During the consultation, it is worth asking the practitioner where they stand between these approaches and how they ensure your nose remains strong in the long term.

• What exactly bothers me: the profile, the tip, the width, the deviation, breathing?
• How long has this concern existed, and has it changed?
• Have I had an injury to the nose, even a long time ago?
• Do I breathe badly on one side, at night or during exertion?
• Do I have nasal allergies or repeated sinusitis?
• Is it my own wish, regardless of what others think?
• Am I prepared to wait a year to judge the final result?
• Which period would allow me two weeks of recovery and several weeks without contact sports or ski goggles?

These answers, written down, will make your consultation more effective and help the practitioner propose the most appropriate solution.

After a year, the nose has practically reached its final shape, except sometimes the tip with thick skin. The photographic review allows an objective comparison with the initial state and the simulation. Most patients no longer need any particular follow-up. The nose will then age like the rest of the face. Protect it from the sun, avoid impacts during high-risk sports and, if a breathing problem reappears years later, seek advice: a simple ENT assessment can often find the cause.

A blow to the nose, from a fall, an accident or sport, is common in Switzerland, particularly on the ski slopes, ice rinks and football pitches. The right reflexes in the first few days influence what follows.

In the first few hours

Apply cold without pressing, keep your head raised and pinch the nostrils if bleeding, leaning forward. Seek emergency care if bleeding does not stop, if you have difficulty breathing, after a violent blow to the head or if you have visual disturbances.

In the following days

An examination by a doctor or ENT specialist checks for a septal haematoma, which must be drained quickly, and assesses any fracture. Once the swelling has gone down a little, generally between the third and tenth day, a displaced fracture can often be reduced simply, without an incision.

Later

If the nose remains deviated or breathing is impaired after healing, septorhinoplasty may be considered a few months later. Keep the documents relating to the accident: accident insurance may be involved.

This page presents rhinoplasty as a whole. Several pages go into specific situations in more depth, each with its own guidelines by canton and city.

Ultrasonic rhinoplasty

The work on the bone is carried out with an ultrasonic instrument, which sculpts the bony part with precision. See our page on ultrasonic rhinoplasty in Switzerland.

Septoplasty

Correction of the nasal septum to breathe better, often covered by insurance when medically justified. See our page on septoplasty in Switzerland.

Ethnic rhinoplasty

An approach that respects the identity of the face and the characteristics of noses with thick skin or a low bridge. See our page on ethnic rhinoplasty in Switzerland.

Combinations

Rhinoplasty can be combined with genioplasty, buccal fat removal or double chin treatment as part of profileplasty. See our pages on rhinoplasty and genioplasty, rhinoplasty and buccal fat removal and profileplasty.

Other facial procedures

If your project also involves other areas of the face, see our pages on blepharoplasty, otoplasty, genioplasty and facial fat transfer.

Budget

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

All the pages in this section

• Ultrasonic rhinoplasty in Switzerland
• Septoplasty in Switzerland
• Ethnic rhinoplasty in Switzerland

Related procedures

• Endotine endoscopic lift in Switzerland
• Brow and temporal-midface lift in Switzerland
• Double chin: FaceTite and J-Plasma 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

• Cosmetic surgery in Switzerland

Answers to the questions most often asked by patients living in Switzerland about rhinoplasty and septorhinoplasty. Budget questions are detailed on our page on rhinoplasty prices in Switzerland.

Understanding rhinoplasty

What is rhinoplasty? It is a surgical procedure that changes the shape of the nose: reducing a hump, refining or reshaping the tip, narrowing, shortening, correcting a deviation. It acts on the bones, cartilage and sometimes the septum. When it also corrects breathing, it is called septorhinoplasty. The aim is a nose in harmony with the rest of the face that breathes at least as well as before. It can be limited to one area, such as the tip or the hump, or involve the whole nose, and is adapted to each face rather than to a single model.

What is the difference between rhinoplasty and septorhinoplasty? Rhinoplasty changes the appearance of the nose. Septorhinoplasty adds correction of the nasal septum to improve airflow. The two procedures are often combined, as a deviated septum affects both the shape of the nose and breathing. This distinction also matters in practice in Switzerland, as the functional part may be covered by basic insurance.

What is the open approach? It is a technique in which a small incision is made on the columella, the column of skin between the nostrils, in addition to the internal incisions. It allows the skin to be lifted and the cartilage to be seen directly, which makes complex tip changes and grafts easier. The scar, placed under the nose, generally becomes very discreet. It is particularly useful when cartilage grafts need to be fixed precisely on the tip.

What is the closed approach? All the incisions are made inside the nostrils, with no visible scar. The surgeon works without fully exposing the cartilage. It is well suited to hump reductions and moderate corrections, and is often accompanied by tip swelling that lasts slightly less long. It requires the surgeon to work "blind" on certain structures, hence the importance of their experience.

Which approach is best? Neither is superior in absolute terms. The choice depends on the nose to be operated on and the surgeon's experience. A complex tip, a revision or a need for grafts point towards the open approach; an isolated hump or moderate changes can be done through the closed approach. An experienced surgeon often masters both and chooses according to your nose rather than out of habit.

What is preservation rhinoplasty? It is an approach that keeps the original bridge of the nose rather than removing the hump and rebuilding the bridge. The surgeon lowers the whole bridge by removing a strip of septum or bone underneath. The profile remains natural, with a smooth line. This approach suits some noses, particularly regular humps on a straight nose, but not all. It requires careful examination, as a very irregular bridge or a very high hump may be better treated with a conventional approach.

What is ultrasonic rhinoplasty? It is a rhinoplasty in which the work on the bone is carried out with an ultrasonic instrument that cuts and sculpts bone precisely while sparing the soft tissues. It can reduce bruising in some patients. Our page on ultrasonic rhinoplasty details it.

What is an osteotomy? It is the controlled cutting of the nasal bones, to bring them together, straighten them or close the roof of the nose after a hump reduction. It is often the cause of bruising around the eyes after the procedure. It can be performed with a chisel, a fine saw or ultrasonic instruments, depending on the surgeon's habits.

Why are cartilage grafts used? To support the tip, keep the nasal valve open, rebuild a collapsed bridge or camouflage an irregularity. Cartilage is taken preferably from the septum, otherwise from the ear or rib. Grafts make the result more stable and preserve breathing. The patient's own cartilage is preferred to synthetic implants, as it integrates better and carries fewer complications.

Can only the tip be changed? Yes. A rhinoplasty limited to the tip, sometimes called a "tip plasty", is possible when the bridge of the nose is fine. It is shorter, without osteotomy, with less bruising, but tip swelling still takes a long time to disappear. The surgeon nevertheless checks that the change to the tip remains in harmony with an unchanged bridge.

Can just the hump be reduced? Yes, if the tip and width are fine. The surgeon nevertheless ensures balance between the bridge and the tip: reducing the hump can make the tip look more projected, which sometimes requires a small adjustment to it.

Can the nostrils be narrowed? Yes. Alar base reduction, through small excisions in the crease between the side of the nose and the cheek, reduces the width of the nostrils. The scars, placed in this crease, become discreet. This procedure is often combined with rhinoplasty when the tip is refined, to avoid nostrils that would look too wide.

Can rhinoplasty correct a deviated nose? Yes, it is in fact a common indication. Correction generally involves the septum, bones and cartilage, as a deviated nose is often deviated in all its structures. A perfectly straight result is not always possible, but the improvement is generally clear. Noses that have been very deviated since childhood may retain a slight tendency to deviate, which the surgeon limits with supporting grafts.

Does rhinoplasty improve breathing? It can improve it if a cause of obstruction is treated at the same time: deviated septum, enlarged turbinates, narrow valve. A purely cosmetic rhinoplasty must at least preserve breathing, which requires an assessment of function before the procedure. If you have a problem, describe it precisely in the consultation: side, time of day, exertion, season.

How long does the procedure take? Generally two to four hours, depending on whether it is a limited correction or a full septorhinoplasty. A secondary rhinoplasty or one with a rib cartilage graft may take longer.

What anaesthesia is used for rhinoplasty? Usually general anaesthesia. Some limited touch-ups or tip rhinoplasty can be done under local anaesthesia with sedation.

Do I need to stay at the clinic? Rhinoplasty is often performed as day surgery or with a night at the clinic, depending on the anaesthesia, complexity and your preferences. You must be accompanied home.

Is packing placed in the nose? Compressive packing, once systematic and dreaded, is now often avoided. Many surgeons place internal silicone splints, hollow or flexible, which support the septum while letting some air through, and which are removed after a few days. If packing is necessary, it is generally removed after one or two days.

What is the columella? It is the small column of skin and cartilage that separates the two nostrils under the nose. This is where the incision for the open approach is placed. It also contributes to the shape of the tip and the profile.

Can rhinoplasty change my voice? The nose contributes to the resonance of the voice. During the swelling phase, the voice may sound nasal. After healing, a noticeable change is rare, but singers and voice professionals should discuss it with the surgeon. Most patients notice no difference once the swelling has gone.

Am I a candidate?

From what age can rhinoplasty be performed? Generally once the nose has finished growing, around sixteen to seventeen for girls and seventeen to eighteen for boys. For minors, the consent of their legal representatives is required, and the surgeon checks that the request comes from the adolescent themselves. Urgent functional correction may sometimes be considered earlier. The surgeon may use photos from recent years to check that the nose is no longer changing.

Is there an upper age limit? No. Patients aged fifty, sixty or older can benefit from rhinoplasty, particularly for a tip that droops with age or a breathing problem. Thinner skin and more fragile cartilage are taken into account in the technique. In older patients, the aim is often to support a drooping tip and reopen the nasal valve.

Is rhinoplasty suitable for men? Yes. In men, the bridge should remain straight and strong, and the tip neither too upturned nor too fine. Skin that is often thicker sometimes limits refinement of the tip. The surgeon adapts their choices to preserve a masculine profile.

My nose has thick skin: will the result be limited? Thick skin hides some of the refinements of the tip and stays swollen longer. The surgeon then favours strengthening the structure to project and define the tip, rather than removing cartilage. Expectations must be adjusted accordingly. Tip swelling can last more than a year; patience is particularly important.

My nose has thin skin: is that a problem? Thin skin shows detail better, which is an advantage for definition, but it also reveals the slightest irregularity of the cartilage or grafts. The surgeon takes particular care over the finishing touches, sometimes placing a thin layer of camouflage tissue.

I have broken my nose: can it be corrected? Yes. After a fracture, if the nose remains deviated or breathing is impaired, septorhinoplasty can correct the after-effects, generally a few months after the injury. If the accident is recent, early reduction of the fracture can sometimes be performed in the first few days. Keep the medical documents from the accident, which are useful for insurance if coverage is possible.

I have already had nose surgery: can rhinoplasty be repeated? Yes. Secondary rhinoplasty corrects the result of a previous procedure. It is more complex, often requires cartilage grafts and is generally performed at least a year after the first procedure. It is a matter for surgeons used to it. Bring the report from the first procedure and, if possible, before and after photos.

Can I have rhinoplasty if I have nasal allergies? Yes, but allergic rhinitis must be well treated before and after the procedure. It can prolong nasal congestion during recovery. The surgeon or an ENT specialist can also assess whether turbinate reduction would be useful. Scheduling the procedure outside the pollen season that affects you makes recovery easier.

Is smoking an obstacle? Smoking slows the healing of the tissues and mucous membranes of the nose and increases the risk of complications, particularly for the skin of the tip after an open approach. Stopping before and after the procedure is strongly recommended.

Can I have rhinoplasty if I wear glasses? Yes, but you will need to adapt how you wear your glasses for several weeks, as they must not rest on the bridge of the nose after osteotomies. Contact lenses, glasses fixed to the forehead or adapted frames are possible solutions.

Can rhinoplasty be performed during adolescence? Cosmetic rhinoplasty is generally performed once the nose has finished growing. Before that, the procedure is reserved for particular functional or traumatic situations. An in-depth discussion with the adolescent and their parents is essential.

Do I need to be in perfect health? You need to be in good general health. Coagulation disorders, certain autoimmune diseases, nasal drug use and anticoagulant treatment must be reported, as they affect safety and healing.

Is nasal drug use a contraindication? Use of cocaine or other inhaled substances damages the mucous membrane and septum and seriously compromises healing, with a risk of perforation. It must be reported honestly and stopped for good before any rhinoplasty.

Are my expectations realistic? A good indicator is wanting a nose that harmonises with your face rather than one copied from a celebrity. Rhinoplasty improves the shape of the nose; it does not transform your identity. The surgeon can help you formulate realistic expectations using photos and a simulation. A digital simulation, presented honestly, helps check that your expectations and the surgeon's proposal match.

What if the request is linked to excessive concern about appearance? Some people perceive a minor flaw as very significant and suffer greatly from it. In these situations, a procedure rarely brings the hoped-for relief. A good surgeon takes the time to explore the request and may recommend support before any decision.

Does the chin influence rhinoplasty? Yes, a great deal. A receding chin makes the nose look bigger. In some patients, advancing the chin changes the profile more than reducing the nose. The surgeon examines the profile as a whole.

Can rhinoplasty be combined with other procedures? Yes: genioplasty, buccal fat removal, blepharoplasty, fat transfer or otoplasty, as needed. The combination lengthens the procedure but means a single recovery period. Our pages on rhinoplasty and genioplasty and on rhinoplasty and buccal fat removal present these combinations.

Can I get an opinion without travelling? Yes. A pre-assessment based on photos — front, both profiles, three-quarter views and from below — allows a surgeon to give a first opinion on what is achievable. Examination of the inside of the nose remains essential at the consultation.

I practise combat or contact sports: is it reasonable? Rhinoplasty is possible, but a new blow could alter the result. It is often advisable to wait until the end of your sporting career, or at least to discuss with the surgeon when you can return and whether to wear protection.

Can rhinoplasty be performed at the same time as sinus surgery? Yes, sinus surgery performed by an ENT specialist is sometimes combined with septorhinoplasty. This combination is discussed case by case, depending on the nature of the sinus problem.

Recovery and results

How long is the recovery? The visible phase lasts about two weeks: blocked nose, splint for a week, possible bruising around the eyes. Social life generally resumes after ten to fifteen days. The nose then continues to go down slowly, especially the tip, for twelve to eighteen months. Working from home often allows a return to work from the second week.

Why does my nose look bigger after the operation? Because the tissues are swollen. When the splint is removed, the nose often looks thick, especially at the tip. The bridge and root become defined within a few weeks, but the tip takes much longer to refine, particularly with thick skin. This is normal and says nothing about the final result. Compare your nose with photos taken under the same conditions rather than with your daily reflection.

When is the splint removed? Generally between the fifth and eighth day, at the surgeon's practice, together with the internal splints and sometimes the stitches on the columella.

Will I have bruising around the eyes? It is common if osteotomies have been performed. Bruising appears in the first few days, under the eyes and sometimes on the cheeks, then disappears within ten to fifteen days. It is rarer after a rhinoplasty limited to the tip. Cold compresses and keeping the head raised in the first few days limit it.

Does the nose stay blocked for long? It is very blocked in the first few days, because of the swelling and splints. Breathing improves markedly after they are removed, then continues to improve over several weeks as the mucous membrane goes down. A humidifier in the bedroom and regular rinsing greatly improve comfort.

How should I care for the inside of the nose? Saline rinses several times a day remove crusts and make breathing easier. An ointment may be prescribed for the entrance of the nostrils. Do not pick at crusts and do not blow your nose hard. The surgeon will show you how to rinse without forcing.

When can I blow my nose? Not for about two weeks, and only gently after that. Blowing hard could cause bleeding or displace structures that are consolidating. When you sneeze, keep your mouth open.

When can I go back to work? For office work, often after ten to fifteen days, once the splint has been removed and the bruising has faded. A physical job or one exposed to dust needs a little more time. Jobs exposed to dust or irritating fumes require a little more time.

When can I resume sport? Walking resumes from the first few days. Gentle exercise resumes around the third or fourth week, intense sport after about six weeks. Contact, ball or combat sports, which expose you to a blow to the nose, generally have to wait three months.

When can I wear glasses? After osteotomies, glasses must not rest on the bridge of the nose for about four to six weeks. Contact lenses, glasses taped to the forehead or frames without nose pads allow you to wait. Light glasses are sometimes allowed sooner, depending on the surgeon. Very light glasses are sometimes tolerated earlier if no osteotomy was performed.

What about ski goggles or swimming goggles? Ski goggles and swimming goggles press on the nose. It is wise to wait until the bones have consolidated, generally two to three months, and to discuss it with the surgeon before the ski season.

When is the result final? The profile can be assessed well at around three to six months, but the final result, particularly the refinement of the tip, is assessed at around twelve to eighteen months, sometimes later with thick skin. The one-year review, with photos, allows the result to be judged objectively.

Is the result permanent? Yes, the changes to the bones and cartilage are permanent. The nose nevertheless continues to age like the rest of the face, with a slight drooping of the tip over the decades. Structural techniques aim to limit these changes. Sun protection and not smoking help preserve the quality of the skin of the nose.

Can I sleep on my side? It is advisable to sleep on your back, with your head raised, for one to two weeks, to limit swelling and avoid pressing on the nose.

When can I go out in the sun? Protect your nose from the sun for several months. The skin may become pigmented and the sun prolongs swelling. In the mountains, high-factor sunscreen and a hat are essential.

Does sensation in the tip return? The tip of the nose may be numb or stiff for several weeks to several months, especially after an open approach. Sensation and suppleness gradually return.

Can swelling be reduced? Resting with the head raised, cold in the first few days, limiting salt and sun protection all help. With thick skin, some surgeons offer complementary treatments for the tip. Patience remains the main factor.

Can the nose look asymmetrical at first? Yes, uneven swelling is common in the first few months. Asymmetry persisting beyond a year can be discussed for a touch-up.

When can I wear make-up again? Facial make-up can resume after the splint has been removed, avoiding rubbing the nose. A concealer hides the last of the bruising.

Will those close to me notice the operation? During the first two weeks, yes. After that, a well-operated nose blends naturally into the face: those around you often find the face more harmonious without always identifying what has changed.

Risks and safety

What are the main risks of rhinoplasty? An imperfect aesthetic result, with a small irregularity or asymmetry, persistent or new breathing problems, bleeding, infection, perforation of the septum, temporary changes in sense of smell and graft-related complications. The surgeon will explain the risks relevant to your situation. Most complications are rare and treatable, but aesthetic dissatisfaction remains the most common risk.

How often are touch-ups needed? A small touch-up is needed in a not insignificant proportion of patients, more often after secondary rhinoplasty. It is discussed at least a year after the procedure, once the swelling has gone. Ask the surgeon about their touch-up conditions. A touch-up is generally simpler and shorter than the initial procedure.

Can rhinoplasty make breathing worse? Yes, if the nasal valve is narrowed or if a deviated septum is not corrected. That is why assessing function and preserving structure are essential from the planning stage. An examination of the inside of the nose before the procedure is therefore essential.

Is bleeding normal? A slight blood-tinged discharge is common in the first few days. Heavy bleeding that does not stop within a few minutes when sitting with the head tilted forward requires you to contact the team.

What is a septal perforation? It is a hole in the nasal septum, which can occur after septal surgery. Rare, it can cause crusting, bleeding or whistling when breathing. It is treated according to its size and the discomfort it causes.

Can I lose my sense of smell? A reduced sense of smell is common during the swelling period. Lasting loss is exceptional. Report it if it persists beyond a few months.

Can the nose collapse over time? Excessive removal of cartilage can, in the long term, cause the bridge or tip to collapse. Modern techniques favour preserving and strengthening the structure to prevent this. This is one of the reasons for the current preference for preservation and strengthening techniques.

Can cartilage grafts cause problems? They are generally well tolerated, as they are your own cartilage. A graft may, however, shift slightly, be partly reabsorbed or become visible under thin skin, which may require a touch-up.

Does harvesting rib cartilage leave a scar? Yes, a scar a few centimetres long under the breast or on the chest, generally discreet. The harvest site can be painful for a few days. It is reserved for major reconstructions or revisions when the septum is not enough.

Is infection common? No, it is rare. It shows as redness, increasing pain, fever or a purulent discharge, and is treated with antibiotics. The risk is slightly higher with large grafts.

Is the scar on the columella visible? It is generally very discreet after a few months, thanks to its zigzag shape and its position under the nose. On some skin types, it may remain slightly visible; scar care helps. Sun protection for several months helps keep it discreet.

Which signs should alert me? Heavy, persistent bleeding, fever, sharply increasing pain, complete and painful blockage on one side suggesting a septal haematoma, or reduced vision. Contact the team immediately; in an emergency, call 144.

What is a septal haematoma? It is a collection of blood between the mucous membrane and the cartilage of the septum, causing a painful blockage. Rare, it must be drained quickly to prevent damage to the cartilage.

Could I dislike the result? It is possible, even when the procedure is technically successful. That is why the consultation, simulation and discussion of expectations are so important. The result is judged at one year; before then, swelling is deceptive. Discussing it frankly with the surgeon after a year makes it possible to consider a touch-up if necessary.

Do I need to stop certain medicines? Aspirin, anti-inflammatories and certain supplements, such as high-dose vitamin E, ginkgo or omega-3, are generally suspended one to two weeks beforehand, on medical advice. Anticoagulants are managed with the prescribing doctor.

Are complications covered by insurance? It depends on the nature of the procedure and the complication. For the cosmetic part, the after-effects may not be covered. For a covered functional part, related care is in principle covered under the usual rules. Check in writing.

Who should perform rhinoplasty? A plastic surgeon or an ENT doctor trained in facial plastic surgery who regularly performs this procedure. Check the title in the MedReg register and ask how many rhinoplasties the practitioner performs each year.

Is rhinoplasty riskier in smokers? Yes. Healing is slower, the risk of compromise to the skin of the tip is higher after an open approach, and the mucous membrane heals less well. Stopping before and after the procedure is strongly advised.

Can I react to the anaesthesia? As with any general anaesthesia, rare reactions are possible. The anaesthetist sees you in consultation to assess your risks and adapt their approach.

How can I reduce my risks? Choose an experienced practitioner, stop smoking, report your medical history and treatments, follow the post-operative instructions, protect your nose from any impact and attend your check-ups.

Organising your rhinoplasty in Switzerland

Where can I have rhinoplasty in Switzerland? The major cities offer the widest choice: Zurich, Geneva, Lausanne, Basel, Bern, Lucerne, St. Gallen and Lugano, with plastic surgeons and ENT specialists trained in facial surgery. Several medium-sized towns also have experienced practitioners. The practitioner's experience matters more than the city.

How much does rhinoplasty cost in Switzerland? There is no official fee. The price depends on the complexity, the approach, any grafts and the city. A tip rhinoplasty costs considerably less than a full septorhinoplasty, and a revision costs more. Differences between cities reach 10 to 20%. Our price page details these differences. Compare complete quotes that clearly distinguish between the functional and cosmetic parts.

Does LAMal reimburse rhinoplasty? The cosmetic part is not reimbursed. Correction of a medically established breathing problem, such as a deviated septum, is in principle covered by basic insurance, subject to approval. When the two are combined, billing is separate. A prior cost approval request, accompanied by a medical report, is strongly recommended.

How can I obtain coverage for the functional part? The practitioner sends your insurer a prior cost approval request, with a medical report describing the obstruction and possibly additional tests. The decision lies with the insurer. Ask for a written answer before the procedure.

Does my accident insurance pay after an injury? If the deformity of the nose or the breathing problem results from an accident, accident insurance may be involved. Keep the documents relating to the accident and inform the practitioner and your insurer.

Should I consult a plastic surgeon or an ENT specialist? Both can perform excellent rhinoplasties. An ENT specialist trained in facial surgery is particularly appropriate if the breathing problem is significant; a plastic surgeon if the request is mainly cosmetic or combined with other procedures. The practitioner's experience comes first. In all cases, check the practitioner's title in the MedReg register.

How many days off should I plan for? Generally ten to fifteen days. For the cosmetic part, time off is generally taken as holiday; for a covered functional procedure, a certificate of incapacity for work can be issued under the usual rules.

What is the best time of year? Autumn and spring are often chosen. For skiers, it is better not to schedule the procedure just before the season, as ski goggles press on the nose. In summer, the sun and heat prolong swelling. For people allergic to pollen, autumn is often the best period.

Are waiting times long? With the most sought-after practitioners, you sometimes have to wait several weeks for a consultation and several months for a surgery date. Plan at least two to three months ahead. School and university holiday periods are particularly popular.

Should I consult several practitioners? It is advisable for such a personal procedure. Compare the analysis of your nose, the technique proposed, the importance given to breathing, the simulation and the quote. If two practitioners propose different approaches, ask each to explain their choice.

What should the quote contain? The practitioner's name and title, the technique (open, closed, preservation, ultrasonic), functional and cosmetic procedures distinguished, any grafts, anaesthesia, clinic costs, the splint, check-ups, VAT and touch-up conditions. A vague quote should prompt you to ask for written details.

Can my family doctor help me? Yes. They can assess a breathing problem, refer you to an ENT specialist, prescribe a pre-operative check-up and provide local follow-up.

Can I be followed up in my own language? In the major centres, consultations take place in the language of the region, and many practitioners also see patients in English or another national language. Bilingual regions often offer a double choice.

How many check-ups should I plan for? Generally a check-up when the splint is removed around the seventh day, then at one month, three months, six months and one year, to follow the progress of swelling and breathing. The one-year check-up is particularly important for judging the tip.

What should I prepare at home? Pillows to sleep with your head raised, cold compresses, saline solution, soft tissues, a humidifier, easy-to-eat food and, if you wear glasses, a temporary solution.

Do I need someone with me? Yes, at least for the journey home and the first night, especially after general anaesthesia.

Can I combine rhinoplasty and genioplasty? Yes, it is a common combination when the chin is set back. It harmonises the profile in a single procedure. Our page on rhinoplasty and genioplasty details it.

Can I have a simulation before deciding? Many practitioners offer a digital simulation during the consultation. It helps agree on a direction, without constituting a promise of results. Keep it so that you can compare the result obtained at one year with the agreed direction.

Which documents should I keep? The operative report, which details the work carried out on the bones, cartilage and septum, prescriptions, instructions and the invoice. They will be invaluable in the event of a touch-up or secondary rhinoplasty. Give a copy to your family doctor.

How can I get a personalised opinion? Fill in the form on this page with photos — front, both profiles, three-quarter views and from below — in natural light, and state whether you have a breathing problem or a history of injury. A practitioner gives you a first opinion and an estimate of the budget. Free and without obligation.

Send us photographs — front, both profiles, three-quarter views and from below, in natural light — stating whether you breathe badly on one side or have had an injury to the nose. A practitioner reviews your file and gives you a first opinion on what is achievable and the budget to plan for. Free, no obligation, no administration fees.