Septorhinoplasty combines reshaping the nose with straightening the septum — the wall of cartilage and bone between the nostrils — in a single operation. It treats appearance and breathing together, which is why it is often the right choice for patients whose nose both looks and works the way they would like to change. The surgery we arrange in Istanbul is planned honestly: the cosmetic and functional goals are assessed separately and addressed together.
At the accredited partner hospitals we work with, septorhinoplasty is performed by board-certified surgeons who examine the airway as carefully as the external shape.
What septorhinoplasty treats
- Cosmetic: a hump, a drooping or wide tip, a crooked bridge — everything standard rhinoplasty addresses.
- Functional: a deviated septum that obstructs airflow, often the cause of chronic blockage, mouth-breathing or poor sleep.
Doing both in one operation means one anaesthetic, one recovery and one cost instead of two — and a straightened septum often provides cartilage that supports the cosmetic reshaping.
Septoplasty vs rhinoplasty vs septorhinoplasty
| Operation | Treats | Goal |
|---|---|---|
| Septoplasty | The septum only | Better breathing (functional) |
| Rhinoplasty | The external nose | Appearance (cosmetic) |
| Septorhinoplasty | Both together | Looks and breathing in one op |
If only your breathing needs work, an honest surgeon will recommend a septoplasty alone — we will not add cosmetic work you did not ask for.
Who is a good candidate
Septorhinoplasty suits you if you have both a cosmetic concern and a breathing problem from a deviated septum, are in good general health and have realistic expectations. A proper airway examination at consultation confirms the cause of any blockage — sometimes turbinates or allergies contribute and are managed too.
The procedure and recovery
The operation is performed under general anaesthesia in an accredited hospital, taking 2–3 hours. The septum is straightened and the external nose reshaped through the same approach (often open). The cast is removed around day 7, bruising fades over two weeks, and most patients return to work after 10–14 days. The cosmetic result keeps refining for up to 12–18 months — and many patients report breathing better than they have in years.
Risks and side effects
The risks mirror standard rhinoplasty — asymmetry, residual breathing change or a need for minor revision — with the airway work assessed carefully to protect the structural support of the nose. As always, a board-certified surgeon in an accredited hospital is the biggest factor in a good outcome. The ISAPS and BAAPS publish independent guidance worth reading first.
Cost of septorhinoplasty in Turkey
Septorhinoplasty in Istanbul starts at an indicative €3,000 — more cost-effective than two separate operations, and well below UK or US pricing for comparable surgery and accreditation. The figure is a starting range rather than a fixed quote; your firm price follows a surgeon’s review of your case. Compare indicative all-inclusive prices across every procedure in the plastic surgery cost guide.
Why Alpha Clinic
Alpha Clinic Turkey has coordinated aesthetic care in Istanbul since 2012, matching patients to board-certified partner surgeons in accredited hospitals, with a written plan you approve and structured aftercare. Send photos and describe your breathing through the free consultation for an honest assessment, compare standard rhinoplasty or revision rhinoplasty, or see the full range on the plastic surgery hub.