Rhinoplasty FAQs — Your Questions Answered by Dr Scott J Turner

Dr Scott J Turner | Specialist Plastic Surgeon (FRACS) | Sydney

Rhinoplasty is one of the most researched cosmetic procedures in Australia — and for good reason. It is complex, highly individual, and the questions patients ask before committing are often the right ones. This article answers the questions Dr Turner hears most often in consultations, covering everything from candidacy and costs through to recovery and Medicare eligibility.

Dr Scott J Turner is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS) with specific training in rhinoplasty. He consults at his Sydney clinics in Bondi Junction and Manly, with surgery performed at Bondi Junction Private Hospital and Delmar Private Hospital, Dee Why.

What Is Rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty is surgery to alter the structure of the nose. It may be performed for cosmetic reasons — addressing the shape, size, or proportions of the nose — or for functional reasons, such as correcting a deviated septum or nasal valve collapse that affects breathing. In many cases, patients have both cosmetic and functional concerns, and both can potentially be addressed in a single operation.

The procedure works on the bone, cartilage, and soft tissue of the nose, depending on what needs to change. There is no single standard rhinoplasty — the surgical plan is built around your anatomy and your specific concerns. See the cosmetic rhinoplasty and functional rhinoplasty pages for full detail on each approach.

Am I a Suitable Candidate for Rhinoplasty?

Suitable candidates for rhinoplasty typically:

• Have specific concerns about the appearance or function of their nose that they want to address
• Have fully developed nasal anatomy — generally from the mid-to-late teens, though this varies
• Are in good general health with no conditions that significantly increase surgical risk
• Do not smoke, or are prepared to stop well before surgery — nicotine significantly impairs healing
• Have realistic expectations about what surgery can and cannot achieve

Candidacy is not determined by a checklist — it is assessed through an in-person consultation. Dr Turner will examine your nasal anatomy and give an honest view of what surgery may achieve in your specific case. If surgery is unlikely to achieve what you are hoping for, he will tell you directly.

For patients under 18, additional requirements apply. See teen rhinoplasty for detail.

What Types of Rhinoplasty Does Dr Turner Perform?

Dr Turner performs the full range of nasal surgical procedures:

• Cosmetic Rhinoplasty — addressing the external shape, size, and structure of the nose
• Functional Rhinoplasty — correcting structural problems affecting nasal breathing
• Septoplasty — correction of a deviated septum
• Revision Rhinoplasty — secondary surgery following a previous rhinoplasty
• Ethnic Rhinoplasty — rhinoplasty with cultural context and specific anatomical considerations
• Alarplasty — nostril reduction and reshaping
• Broken Nose Treatment — closed reduction or rhinoplasty for nasal fractures
• Teen Rhinoplasty — rhinoplasty in adolescent patients

Open vs Closed Rhinoplasty — What’s the Difference?

Closed rhinoplasty uses incisions placed entirely inside the nostrils. There is no external scarring. It is suited to less complex cases where the surgeon does not need direct external access to the nasal framework.

Open rhinoplasty involves a small incision across the columella — the strip of tissue between the nostrils — allowing the nasal skin to be lifted and the underlying structure to be seen and worked on directly. Open rhinoplasty is used for more complex cases: significant tip reshaping, dorsal reduction, cartilage grafting, or revision surgery.

Both approaches produce good outcomes when applied to the right case. Dr Turner will advise which is more appropriate based on your anatomy and what needs to be done.

How Long Does Rhinoplasty Recovery Take?

Recovery follows a broadly predictable pattern, though timelines vary between individuals.

• Week 1 — nasal splint worn, bruising and swelling at their peak
• Weeks 2–3 — splint removed, most visible bruising resolves
• Weeks 4–6 — strenuous activity and contact sport avoided
• Months 3–6 — significant refinement as deeper swelling settles
• 12 months — final result. The nose has fully settled.

Patients with thicker nasal skin may take longer — sometimes up to 18 months — for the final result to become apparent. What you see at six weeks is not your final outcome.

For a full week-by-week breakdown, see the rhinoplasty recovery guide.

How Much Does Rhinoplasty Cost in Sydney?

Pricing at Dr Turner’s practice (all-inclusive: surgeon, hospital, anaesthesia, follow-up):

A formal itemised quote is provided after consultation once the surgical plan is confirmed. For a detailed breakdown of what affects pricing, see the rhinoplasty cost guide.

Does Medicare Cover Rhinoplasty?

Cosmetic rhinoplasty is not covered by Medicare. Where rhinoplasty is performed to address a documented functional problem — such as a deviated septum, nasal valve collapse, or post-traumatic deformity — a partial rebate may apply to certain components where clinical criteria are met.

Relevant Medicare item numbers include 41671 (septoplasty) and 45641 (total functional rhinoplasty). A GP referral is required, and clinical documentation including photographic or NOSE Scale evidence must support the claim.

Medicare covers the surgical component only — anaesthesia and hospital fees remain out-of-pocket, and a gap payment is typically expected even where a rebate applies. Private health insurance may cover the private hospital component where Medicare criteria are met.

For a full explanation, see Will Medicare Cover My Nose Surgery?

What Are the AHPRA Requirements Before Rhinoplasty?

Under AHPRA guidelines for cosmetic surgery (effective 1 July 2023), the following are required before any cosmetic rhinoplasty can proceed:

• A referral from your GP or specialist physician
• A minimum of two consultations with Dr Turner before surgery is booked
• A psychological evaluation to confirm suitability
• A mandatory cooling-off period before formal consent is given

These requirements apply to all cosmetic surgical procedures in Australia. Dr Turner’s team will guide you through each step. Standalone functional procedures such as septoplasty follow a different regulatory pathway.

What Are the Risks of Rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty carries specific risks that every patient should understand before proceeding. These include:

• Bleeding during or after surgery
• Infection
• Adverse reaction to anaesthesia
• Asymmetry or surface irregularity
• Scarring — particularly with open rhinoplasty, though the columellar scar typically fades well
• Changes to skin sensation, including numbness
• Altered nasal airflow
• Unsatisfactory cosmetic result
• Septal perforation — rare
• Need for revision surgery

Dr Turner will discuss the risks relevant to your anatomy and surgical plan at the consultation. For a full overview, see Understanding Rhinoplasty Risks and Complications.

How Do I Choose a Rhinoplasty Surgeon?

Rhinoplasty is among the most technically demanding procedures in plastic surgery. The surgeon you choose matters significantly. Key considerations:

Qualification. In Australia, the highest standard for surgical training is the Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in Plastic Surgery (FRACS). Dr Turner holds this qualification. The title “cosmetic surgeon” is not a protected qualification in Australia — training and experience behind that title varies considerably.

Subspecialty experience. Look for a surgeon who operates in rhinoplasty regularly, not occasionally. Ask about their primary and revision rhinoplasty volume.

Honesty at consultation. A surgeon who tells you what is achievable in your specific anatomy — including what is not — is more valuable than one who agrees with everything you want.

Accredited facilities. Surgery should be performed in a fully accredited private hospital, not a day procedure centre not equipped for complications.

Dr Turner consults personally — there are no patient coordinators standing in. All consultations are one-on-one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will rhinoplasty results look natural?

Results depend on surgical planning, technique, and the surgeon’s aesthetic judgment — not on whether the approach is called “natural.” A rhinoplasty planned in proportion with your existing facial features, and executed with appropriate technique for your anatomy, should produce a result that fits your face. Over-resection, dramatic reduction, or a result that ignores cultural or structural context tends to look operated. Dr Turner discusses what changes are appropriate for your specific anatomy at consultation.

Can rhinoplasty improve breathing as well as appearance?

Yes — and combining cosmetic and functional goals in a single operation is often the most efficient approach. Septorhinoplasty addresses both the external shape and internal structural problems such as a deviated septum or nasal valve collapse. Combining them means one anaesthetic, one recovery period, and preserved septal cartilage as grafting material for the cosmetic component. Where functional criteria are met, a Medicare rebate may apply to the functional component.

How do I know if I need open or closed rhinoplasty?

This is determined by the complexity of what needs to be done, not personal preference. Closed rhinoplasty suits less complex cases — minor tip work, modest dorsal adjustment. Open rhinoplasty provides direct access to the nasal framework and is used for more complex reshaping, significant tip work, cartilage grafting, or revision cases. Dr Turner will advise which approach is more appropriate for your anatomy during consultation planning.

What happens if I am not happy with my rhinoplasty result?

The first step is time. Many concerns at three to six months look substantially different at 12 months as swelling continues to resolve. If concerns remain after full healing — typically at least 12 months — revision rhinoplasty may be considered. Revision surgery is more complex than primary rhinoplasty due to altered anatomy and scar tissue, and it requires careful assessment of what can realistically be improved. Dr Turner accepts patients for revision rhinoplasty assessment, including those who had their primary procedure elsewhere.

What is the difference between rhinoplasty and septoplasty?

Rhinoplasty addresses the external appearance of the nose — shape, size, bridge, and tip. Septoplasty corrects a deviated septum to improve nasal airflow and is performed entirely inside the nose with no external scarring and no change to external appearance. The two are frequently combined (septorhinoplasty) where both cosmetic and functional concerns are present. Septoplasty may attract a Medicare rebate where clinical criteria are met; cosmetic rhinoplasty does not.

Consult with Dr Scott J Turner

Dr Turner consults for rhinoplasty in Sydney at Bondi Junction and Manly. He also sees patients in Brisbane, Canberra, Newcastle, and the Gold Coast. Surgery is performed in Sydney at Bondi Junction Private Hospital and Delmar Private Hospital, Dee Why.

Contact the practice to arrange a consultation, or read more about Dr Turner’s background and training.

Dr Scott J Turner | Specialist Plastic Surgeon (FRACS) | Sydney Clinic | DrTurner.com.au