For patients in South Africa

Septorhinoplasty in Turkey from South Africa

Septorhinoplasty combines two jobs in one operation: reshaping the outside of the nose, and correcting the structures inside it, such as a deviated septum, that make breathing difficult. This page is for South African patients who have both an aesthetic concern and a breathing problem. For the general picture, including the splint and flying with a swollen nose, start with the main rhinoplasty guide.

How it differs from cosmetic rhinoplasty

A cosmetic rhinoplasty changes how the nose looks. A septorhinoplasty also works on the septum, the wall of cartilage and bone dividing the nostrils, and on other internal structures when they block airflow. The bridge, tip and proportions can be refined at the same time.

• Functional aim — straightening a deviated septum or correcting other internal causes of blocked breathing
• Aesthetic aim — refining the bridge, tip or overall balance of the nose
• Separate assessment — the surgeon looks at each aim on its own, and better breathing is not guaranteed

Read the main rhinoplasty guide for South African patients for the splint, the swelling and the flight. If you have had nose surgery before, see revision rhinoplasty instead. The technique is described on the septorhinoplasty treatment page.

Who it suits

• People who want to change the shape, balance or proportions of their nose
• People with blocked breathing caused by a deviated septum or other internal nasal problems
• People in good general health with realistic expectations
• Non-smokers, or people able to stop before surgery

Before you travel, describe your breathing symptoms precisely: which side is blocked and when it is worse. Suitability is confirmed after a full assessment of your health, nasal anatomy, breathing and goals, and if septorhinoplasty is not right for you, you will be told honestly.

How long to stay, and the flight home

On arrival you have health checks, blood tests and a face-to-face meeting with your surgeon. After the operation you recover at Mandarin Grove near İzmir, with nursing support, dressing changes and check-ups. In the first days you rest with your head raised, and you must not blow your nose. Congestion is normal at first, because the inside of the nose is swollen too.

• Most patients are cleared to fly after five to seven days, subject to the surgeon’s approval
• Ask the surgeon how to manage congestion and pressure on a ten-hour flight
• Protect your nose from knocks in queues and crowded aisles
• Tell us at the start about any history of nosebleeds, bleeding problems or clots

Recovery at home

Most patients return to work and normal daily activities within one to two weeks; strenuous exercise waits until the surgeon clears you. Breathing often keeps improving over the following weeks as swelling inside the nose settles. Swelling at the tip can take three to twelve months to resolve, so the final shape takes time to show.

Risks include swelling, bruising, temporary numbness, asymmetry, slow wound healing and changes in breathing, and, more rarely, bleeding, infection, scarring, problems with the septum or with grafts, and revision surgery. Follow-up continues by photograph, message and video call with the same team; Turkey is only one hour ahead of South Africa. Complications and clinically necessary revisions within a year are covered by our treatment guarantee; flights and accommodation for any further treatment remain your own responsibility.

What decides the cost

Cost depends on how much structural work is needed inside the nose, the extent of the reshaping and the length of your stay. You receive an individual written plan before you commit.

What we will not do

We will not confirm a plan before a surgeon has reviewed you, and we will not promise a particular nose or better breathing. We will not operate if your health makes it unsafe. You can read the clinic facts and our complaints process before you decide.

For other procedures on the face, see the face surgery guide for South African patients.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between septorhinoplasty and rhinoplasty?

A rhinoplasty changes the appearance of the nose. A septorhinoplasty also corrects the septum and other internal structures that affect breathing, so it has both an aesthetic and a functional aim.

Will septorhinoplasty fix my breathing?

It is designed to treat breathing problems caused by structures inside the nose, such as a deviated septum, and breathing often improves as internal swelling settles. Better airflow cannot be guaranteed, and the surgeon assesses it separately.

How long does septorhinoplasty take?

The operation usually takes two to four hours, depending on how much work is needed inside and outside the nose.

How long after septorhinoplasty can I fly home to South Africa?

Most patients are cleared to fly after five to seven days, but the surgeon decides. Because the flight home takes around ten hours, book a return ticket you can change.

Will my medical aid cover septorhinoplasty?

South African medical schemes generally do not cover elective treatment abroad, and standard travel insurance usually excludes planned surgery. Because septorhinoplasty has a breathing component, ask your scheme specifically what, if anything, it would consider.

Start with a free online consultation. Planning the trip? Read the guide for South African patients and the e-Visa guide.