Rhinoplasty in Bordeaux
Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure that aims to make morphological changes to the nose in order to beautify it (cosmetic surgery), to repair it (reconstructive surgery following a trauma or a mutilating disease) or to restore its function (functional purpose).
Written by Dr Maxence Thomas, plastic surgeon
Content reviewed on 13 October 2026 · RPPS 10101703519
- Type of anesthesia
- General anesthesia.
- Duration of the procedure
- 1 to 3 hours maximum, depending on the complexity of the procedure.
- Post-operative course
- Swelling, slight bruising and sometimes mild pain.
What is rhinoplasty?
Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure that aims to change the shape of the nose in order to improve its appearance (cosmetic surgery), repair it (reconstructive surgery after trauma or a mutilating disease) or restore its function (ENT functional purpose).
Cosmetic rhinoplasty can:
→ Narrow a nose that the patient finds too wide
→ Reshape an unattractive nasal tip
→ Correct a deviated septum
→ Remove a bump on the nose
→ Change the shape of the nostrils
How does the procedure work?
Each rhinoplasty is unique, as each patient has different wishes. So first of all, the surgeon talks with the patient to understand their preferences precisely.
The expected result can be simulated by photo retouching or computer simulation. The virtual image obtained is only a project that helps to understand the patient's expectations.
However, there can be no commitment that the actual result will match it exactly.
To give the patient the nose they want, the surgeon may perform one or more of the following steps:
→ Sculpting certain cartilage areas to reshape the nose
→ Cartilage grafts to fill hollows
→ Reshaping the bony structure of the nose
What is the recovery like?
Hospitalization
Performed on an outpatient basis. Sometimes the patient stays in hospital for 1 day for clinical monitoring.
Scars
Most of the time the incisions are made inside the nose and leave no visible scar. However, external incisions may be required: they are across the columella (pillar separating the two nostrils) in order to perform an “open” rhinoplasty or hidden at the base of the wings of the nose if the size of the nostrils must be reduced.
What results can you expect?
The procedure usually brings a clearly noticeable morphological and aesthetic improvement, as well as a significant psychological benefit thanks to a harmonious nose.
How much does it cost?
€3,250 to €6,450
A detailed quote is given after the consultation. For a cosmetic procedure, French law requires a cooling-off period of at least 15 days between the quote and the surgery.
FAQ
It depends on the technique used, but scars are usually not visible. During a closed rhinoplasty, the incision is made inside the nostrils so that the scar will not be visible. During an open rhinoplasty, an incision is also made in the columella, but this is not very visible.
Rhinoplasty is performed under general anesthesia.
A rhinoplasty takes 1 to 3 hours at most, depending on its complexity.
The procedure is most often performed on an outpatient basis. Sometimes a one-day hospital stay is needed for clinical monitoring.
You need to wait 3 to 6 months to see the results of a rhinoplasty, mainly because of swelling. The result depends on the plan made with the surgeon during the preoperative consultation and on each case (bump removal, tip refinement, etc.).
It is a surgery with little pain, generally well controlled with ordinary painkillers.
As with any procedure, there are risks, and complications may occur (bleeding, infection, wound dehiscence, scarring problems, neurological disorders, etc.). They are uncommon and can be managed promptly by the surgeon during post-operative check-ups. An information sheet from the French Society of Plastic Surgery will be given to you before the procedure.
Any other questions? Dr Thomas will answer them during the consultation.
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