Overview
Rhinoplasty is surgery that changes the shape of the nose, its function, or both. It can modify the bone, the cartilage and the skin: narrowing a wide bridge, reducing a hump, refining or supporting the tip, or correcting a nose that is crooked after an injury. When the septum—the wall that divides the nostrils—is straightened in the same operation to improve airflow, it is often called septorhinoplasty.
Patients who search for rhinoplasty in Cartagena or a nose job in Colombia usually want two answers early: whether their goals are realistic for their anatomy, and how long they need to stay before flying home. The nose is a small structure, so millimeters matter, and the final shape keeps refining for up to a year while swelling resolves.
Dr. Fulvio Correa, a member (Miembro de Número) of the Colombian Society of Plastic Surgery, sees rhinoplasty candidates in person in Cartagena and offers a virtual first consultation to those who live abroad, so the plan can be discussed before the trip. and share front and profile photos to start the conversation.
Candidates
Rhinoplasty is considered for adults and teenagers whose nose has finished growing. When the goal is cosmetic, Mayo Clinic notes that surgeons may recommend waiting until the nasal bone is fully grown—as early as 15 in girls, while boys may keep growing into their later teens.
You may be a candidate if you:
- Want to change the size, bridge, tip or nostrils of your nose so it fits your face better.
- Have a nose that is asymmetric or crooked, including after trauma.
- Have breathing difficulty related to the septum or nasal structure; function is assessed together with appearance.
- Are in good general health, do not smoke or can stop, and have realistic expectations.
A rhinoplasty will not change how you breathe if the obstruction comes from allergies or chronic sinus disease alone; those are evaluated separately. If you have had nasal surgery before, mention it: Mayo Clinic recommends waiting at least a year before a revision because the nose keeps changing during that time.
Many people explore a nose job at the same time as other facial work. If sagging of the lower face or neck is your main concern, see facelift instead.
Technique
Anesthesia
Rhinoplasty may be done with local anesthesia plus sedation or with general anesthesia, depending on how complex the operation is. It is commonly performed as an outpatient procedure.
Open or closed approach
- Closed approach: all incisions are placed inside the nostrils, leaving no visible external scar.
- Open approach: adds a small incision across the columella, the strip of skin between the nostrils, giving direct visibility of the tip cartilages. The scar is usually discreet once healed.
Reshaping the framework
The surgeon can reduce or add structure. To add support or volume, Mayo Clinic explains that cartilage may be taken from deeper in the nose (the septum), from the ear or, in some cases, from a rib. If the septum is deviated, it can be straightened to improve breathing. Once the framework is reshaped, the skin and tissue are redraped and the incisions closed.
After surgery
Internal splints or packing may stay in the nose for one to seven days, and an external splint or bandage for about a week. Keeping your head elevated above your chest helps reduce swelling and bleeding in the first days.
Stay in Cartagena
When can I fly after a nose job?
The ASPS briefing on cosmetic surgery tourism advises waiting 7 to 10 days before flying after facial procedures, rhinoplasty included. That window also lines up with removal of the external splint at about one week, which is usually a key in-person check.
Planning the week in Cartagena
- Choose lodging where you can rest with your head elevated and keep the room cool.
- Avoid sun on the healing nose and bring a wide-brimmed hat; Mayo Clinic advises avoiding strenuous activity, heavy chewing, and excessive facial expressions early on.
- Pack button-up or front-closing shirts so you do not pull clothing over your face.
- Skip swimming and snorkeling until cleared; the beaches can wait.
Back home
You should not rest glasses on your nose for about four weeks. Plan remote follow-up with photos, and keep your local physician informed. Your specific stay is confirmed after the consultation.
Specific risks
Rhinoplasty carries the general risks of any surgery, including bleeding, infection and reaction to anesthesia. Specific risks described by Mayo Clinic include:
- Difficulty breathing through the nose.
- Permanent numbness in and around the nose.
- An uneven-looking nose.
- Pain, discoloration or swelling that may persist.
- Scarring.
- A hole in the septum (septal perforation).
- Change in the sense of smell.
- Needing additional surgery.
A small change can look different once swelling subsides, which is why patience matters before judging the result. The ASPS also lists poor wound healing and skin discoloration among possible issues. Smoking slows healing.
General information; your individual risks are reviewed during consultation.
Recovery timeline
Days 1–7
Internal splints or packing for one to seven days and an external splint for about a week. Some bleeding and mucus drainage for a few days; sleep with your head elevated and avoid blowing your nose.
Weeks 1–3
Bruising and swelling of the eyelids can last two to three weeks. Many people return to desk work or school after about a week. Flying is usually considered after 7 to 10 days, per ASPS guidance on facial procedures.
Weeks 2–4
Most normal activities resume, while strenuous exercise, contact sports and glasses resting on the nose wait until you are cleared (glasses: about four weeks).
Up to 1 year
Residual swelling, especially at the tip, resolves slowly. Mayo Clinic notes swelling may come and go and can take up to a year to disappear, so the final contour is judged at that point.
For concerns about facial aging rather than nasal shape, read about Facelift
Questions about rhinoplasty
How long do I need to stay in Colombia after rhinoplasty?
ASPS guidance on cosmetic surgery tourism recommends waiting 7 to 10 days before flying after rhinoplasty. The external splint usually comes off at about one week, so many trips are planned around that visit; your exact stay is confirmed in consultation.
How long does rhinoplasty swelling last?
Bruising around the eyes usually fades in two to three weeks. Nasal swelling improves over months and can take up to a year to disappear completely, especially at the tip.
Can rhinoplasty improve breathing?
It can when the obstruction comes from the septum or nasal structure. Straightening a deviated septum is often combined with cosmetic changes. Breathing problems from allergies need separate treatment.
What is the difference between open and closed rhinoplasty?
In closed rhinoplasty all incisions are inside the nostrils. Open rhinoplasty adds a small incision across the columella to give the surgeon more direct access to the tip. The choice depends on the changes planned.
When can I wear glasses after a nose job?
Mayo Clinic recommends not resting eyeglasses or sunglasses on the nose for at least four weeks. They can be taped to the forehead or supported on the cheeks in the meantime.
How soon can I have a revision rhinoplasty?
Mayo Clinic advises waiting at least one year, because the nose keeps changing as swelling resolves. A revision is planned only once the shape has stabilized.