Nasal hump removal

Nasal hump removal in Turkey: what it is and how the hump is reduced

Nasal hump removal is a form of rhinoplasty that lowers a bump on the bridge of the nose, known as a dorsal hump. The hump is made of two parts: bone at the upper end and cartilage lower down. The surgeon exposes the bridge, trims the cartilage with a blade, and shaves or rasps the bone until the profile is straight or gently concave in line with your other features. Removing the hump leaves the sides of the nasal bones open like a roof with the middle taken out, so the bones are then gently broken and moved together (osteotomies) to close the gap. Hospitals in Turkey perform it as part of a full rhinoplasty or as a limited reduction.

This guide covers how hump nose surgery works, what is and is not realistic, what it costs against the UK, US and Germany, what recovery involves and how to judge a clinic. For the wider operation see our guide to rhinoplasty in Turkey.

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Why does a hump form, and does the shape change the technique?

A hump can be inherited, can follow a knock to the nose, or can look larger because the tip sits low and the area above it appears prominent. Surgeons assess the nose from the side and the front before deciding how much to take. A hump that is mostly bone is shaved down with a rasp; one that is mostly cartilage is trimmed with a scalpel. If the hump is small but the tip droops, lowering the bridge alone can make the nose look unbalanced, and the surgeon may suggest refining the tip as well.

The assessment also looks at the thickness of the skin. Thick skin softens the shape underneath, so a modest reduction may show less than you expect; thin skin shows every edge and needs more careful smoothing.

Does nasal hump removal work, and what does the evidence say?

Hump reduction is one of the most common and well-documented rhinoplasty manoeuvres, and for a simple dorsal hump the result is usually predictable: a straighter profile that stays that way once the nose has healed. What is less certain is the exact degree of change. Swelling hides the final shape for months, thick skin can blur the outcome, and a small proportion of people need a revision to correct a bridge that is too low, too high or slightly uneven. Professional bodies such as the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the NHS note that results depend on anatomy, healing and the surgeon’s skill, not on the technique alone. Any clinic that promises a specific nose shape is overselling.

Nasal hump removal cost in Turkey compared with the UK, US and Germany

The figures below are approximate ranges, not hospital quotes. A hump reduction alone costs less than a full rhinoplasty, and revision work costs more than a first operation.

What changes the price: whether only the hump or the tip and nostrils too are treated, open or closed technique, the use of cartilage grafts, the type of anaesthesia, the length of hospital stay and whether it is a first or revision operation. A package normally covers pre-operative tests, surgeon and anaesthetist fees, one night in hospital, the nasal splint, medication, airport transfers and a hotel; ask for the list in writing.

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Open or closed approach for hump nose surgery?

With the closed approach all cuts are inside the nostrils, which leaves no visible scar and often means less swelling. With the open approach a small incision across the strip of skin between the nostrils lets the surgeon lift the skin and see the whole framework. Either can remove a hump; the choice depends on how much else needs doing and on the surgeon’s training.

Piezo or rasp: how is the bone reduced?

The traditional method is a hand rasp. Some surgeons use a piezo (ultrasonic) instrument that cuts bone with high-frequency vibration and spares soft tissue, which may cause less bruising. Evidence that piezo gives a nicer final shape than a skilled hand-rasp reduction is limited, so treat it as one tool a surgeon may prefer, not a reason to choose a clinic.

Who is a good candidate for nasal hump removal, and who should wait?

Good candidates are adults whose nose has finished growing (usually after 17 or 18), who have a visible bridge hump and realistic expectations. Wait or discuss alternatives if you have an untreated breathing problem the surgeon has not looked at, are a heavy smoker who cannot stop, have uncontrolled medical conditions, are looking for a copy of someone else’s nose or have a body-image concern that surgery is unlikely to settle. A deviated septum often goes together with a hump, so ask whether the airway will be examined as well.

The operation step by step

Surgery is usually under general anaesthesia and takes one to three hours. The surgeon exposes the bridge, lowers the hump, narrows the opened bones with osteotomies, checks the new profile, and may place small cartilage grafts to support the bridge. The skin is redraped, the incisions are closed, and a splint is taped to the nose; soft internal packing or silicone splints may be placed in the nostrils. Most patients stay one night in hospital.

How long to stay in Turkey and what recovery looks like week by week

Plan on about six to eight nights so the surgeon can remove the external splint at around day seven and check the nose before you fly. Sleeping with your head raised, avoiding nose-blowing and keeping the splint dry are the main instructions.

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Nasal hump removal before and after: what are realistic results?

Photographs show a smoother, straighter bridge from the side, often with a slightly refined appearance from the front. They do not show swelling, which can last many months, nor the rare cases that needed correction. Ask to see before-and-after pictures of noses with a similar skin thickness and hump size to yours, taken from front, side and three-quarter views, and be cautious about galleries that only show the most dramatic changes.

Risks and complications of hump reduction

As with every operation, there are general risks of bleeding, infection and reaction to anaesthesia. Specific to the nose are persistent swelling, numbness, a bridge that is too low or irregular, a visible edge (a ‘step’) under thin skin, breathing difficulty and the need for revision. The NHS and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons advise choosing a qualified surgeon and discussing these risks before consenting. Ask what happens if a revision is needed and who is responsible for follow-up once you are home.

How to choose a surgeon and clinic, and what to ask

Confirm that the surgeon is a registered specialist who performs rhinoplasty regularly, that the operation takes place in a licensed hospital with an anaesthetist, and that you receive a written plan and price before paying a deposit. Red flags are computer-generated images promised as the result, pressure to book fast, no named surgeon and no aftercare plan. See how our process works and request a plan through our free quote page.

• How many hump reductions does the surgeon perform in a year?
• Will the airway and septum be examined?
• Open or closed, and why for my nose?
• What is the revision policy and who pays?
• How many nights should I stay, and who checks me after the splint is removed?

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Hospitals with Plastic & Aesthetic Surgery in Turkey

Academic Hospital

Üsküdar, Istanbul

MoHHealth Tourism Licence+2

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Lokman Hekim Istanbul Hospital

Pendik, Istanbul

JCIMoH+2

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