Specialties · Facial surgery
Rhinoplasty and facial plastic surgery
Rhinoplasty is surgery that modifies the structure of the nose. It may be functional, to improve breathing, aesthetic, to change its shape, or both at once. The indication comes from an individual assessment that considers anatomy, breathing, and what the person expects from the procedure.
Medically reviewed by Prof. Aline Bittencourt, MD, PhD, CRM-MA 7562 · RQE 1832 Updated on
What rhinoplasty is
It is surgery that modifies the structure of the nose: bone, cartilage and, in some cases, the internal tissues that regulate airflow.
The nose is at once the entry point for air and the central feature of the face. For that reason the surgery is almost never purely one thing or the other: altering the structure that supports external shape usually affects airflow, and the reverse is equally true.
| Procedure | What it addresses | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Septoplasty | The septum, from within | Functional: to improve breathing |
| Rhinoplasty | The structure and shape of the nose | Functional, aesthetic, or both |
| Septorhinoplasty | Septum and external structure, in one operation | Both |
When it is indicated
A functional indication arises where there is persistent nasal obstruction of structural origin — a deviated septum, collapse of the lateral nasal walls, or the aftermath of injury or previous surgery. That context is set out on the page on deviated septum.
An aesthetic indication comes from the patient: it is the patient who brings the concern about the shape of the nose. Here there is no clinical criterion that determines surgery. What there is instead is a conversation about what can be done, what cannot, and what that particular anatomy will allow.
When both indications coexist, the usual approach is to address them in a single procedure.
How assessment works
A rhinoplasty consultation is not a matter of looking at the nose from the outside. It includes:
- Clinical history. How you breathe, whether there has been injury or previous surgery, whether you have rhinitis, whether you snore, what medications you take.
- Examination of the inside of the nose, with nasal endoscopy where indicated, to see the septum, the turbinates and airflow along the full length.
- Facial analysis, assessing the nose in relation to the whole, not in isolation.
- A conversation about expectations. This step is decisive, and it is where it becomes clear whether surgery makes sense for that person at that moment.
What recovery usually involves
What to expect in the first days:
- Swelling of the nose and around the eyes, with possible bruising.
- A blocked sensation in the nose, even without packing.
- An external dressing or splint, for the advised period.
- Relative rest, head elevated, and cold compresses as advised.
After that, recovery is gradual. Return to work is usually early; physical exertion, sun exposure and wearing glasses follow specific, individual guidance. The final result takes months to settle, and the tip of the nose is the slowest region.
These are general lines. Your case will have its own instructions, given at the pre-operative consultation and at follow-up visits.
What this page does not do
Two things, deliberately:
- It does not show before-and-after images. Resolution 2,336/2023 of the Brazilian Federal Council of Medicine prohibits that form of advertising, and we follow that rule.
- It does not promise a result. No surgery has a guaranteed outcome, and rhinoplasty depends on individual factors — skin thickness, cartilage quality, healing — that vary from person to person and cannot be fully controlled.
What can be offered is an honest assessment of what is possible with your anatomy, and the information you need in order to decide.
Who performs it at Clínica Rhinus
Dr Juliana Pessoa and Dr Jaqueline Altoé work in rhinoplasty and facial plastic surgery, both having completed fellowships in the field. Assessment and pre- and post-operative follow-up take place at the clinic, in the Renascença district of São Luís; surgery is carried out in a hospital setting.
Sources: Brazilian Association of Otorhinolaryngology and Cervico-Facial Surgery (ABORL-CCF) · Flint PW, Francis HW, Haughey BH, et al. Cummings Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery. 7th ed. Elsevier; 2020. · Bento RF, Bittencourt AG, Voegels RL. Seminários em Otorrinolaringologia. Fundação Otorrinolaringologia.
Frequently asked questions
Questions about facial surgery
What is the difference between septoplasty and rhinoplasty?
Septoplasty corrects a deviated septum, from inside the nostrils, with a functional purpose: to improve airflow. It does not change external appearance. Rhinoplasty addresses the structure of the nose as a whole, including its external shape. When both are performed in the same procedure, it is called septorhinoplasty.
Will the surgery leave a visible scar?
That depends on the technique. In the closed approach, incisions are inside the nostrils and there is no external scar. In the open approach, there is a small incision on the columella, the strip of skin between the nostrils, which tends to become inconspicuous over time. The surgeon chooses the approach according to what needs to be addressed.
What does recovery usually involve?
The first days involve swelling, bruising around the eyes and a blocked sensation in the nose, with an external dressing or splint for the advised period. Return to light activity is usually quick; physical exertion and wearing glasses follow specific guidance. Timelines vary from person to person.
How long until the final result?
Months. Swelling subsides unevenly: much of it settles within the first weeks, but the tip of the nose takes longest to define and may take one to two years. It is important to know this beforehand, so the result is not judged at an intermediate stage.
Does health insurance cover it?
As a general rule, a functional indication such as correcting a deviated septum that impairs breathing may be covered depending on the plan and contract, whereas an aesthetic indication is not covered. Because this varies considerably, confirm with our team, stating your plan, before booking.
From what age can it be performed?
The usual recommendation is to wait until facial growth is complete, which tends to be around 16 years in girls and 17 to 18 in boys. Operating earlier may interfere with development of the nose. Specific functional situations follow their own criteria and are assessed case by case.
Talk to our team about your assessment
Every rhinoplasty case is assessed individually, considering anatomy, breathing and what you expect from the procedure. Book a consultation and bring any imaging or previous assessments you may have.