FAQ

General questions

When do you suggest non-surgical Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers and when a surgical procedure of the nose?

In principle, hyaluronic acid fillers are not approved for the nasal region because of complications reported, including tissue necrosis and blindness. One might consider fillers for minor corrections, such as the filling of indentations in suitable positions. One has to be very familiar with the underlying anatomical structures, in particular the arteries. As the hyaluronic acid dissolves with time, the procedure has to be repeated regularly. In principle, I recommend nose surgery if a client requests changes in his nasal shape.

"What do I have to consider when applying makeup after having had nose surgery?"

After your nose operation, you wear a nasal splint for approximately 6 days. This means that your nose is covered, and you cannot wear make-up. However you may wear make-up around your eyes and other areas not covered by the splint.

Lower eyelids and cheeks are swollen after surgery and may show bruising for approximately 2 weeks. This may be covered with make-up.

As soon as you feel up to it, you may take a shower and wash your hair. The nasal splint will dry without needing to be taken off. Thus, it doesn’t matter if the nasal splint gets wet. Most of our patients take a shower and wash their hair on the first day after surgery.

"I am 14 years old and I really dislike the shape of my nose. How long do I need to wait until I can have an operation on my nose?"

An aesthetic nose operation can only be performed after the face has stopped growing, i.e. between the ages of 17 and 18 years old. If a person's nasal breathing is severely obstructed after an accident or due to a growth disorder, a nose operation may be performed at any age to improve nasal breathing.

Pros and Cons

To make a decision for nose surgery can be difficult. There are also reasons not to do the operation. Hear from Dr. Bessler about the pros and cons (video interview).

(Please choose English subtitles in the "settings" icon of YouTube, if not displayed correctly)

"How do you help patients with anxieties and ambivalences regarding rhinoplasty?"

Rhinoplasty does not only represent a surgical and aesthetic change in the shape of the nose and facial appearance, but also results in a lasting impact on the emotional well-being of every patient undergoing the operation. Therefore, careful and empathetic support before and after the surgery is crucial.

Before the operation, I need to assess if the desired aesthetic change in the nose is technically feasible and if the alteration truly brings the desired emotional relief and increased self-esteem for the patient. Honest, clear, and open communication throughout the entire patient journey is highly important. If there is a possibility that patient satisfaction cannot be achieved, I must decline performing the rhinoplasty.

If a patient is ambivalent about undergoing a rhinoplasty, I usually advise against the procedure. So, when asked, "What do you think, would you recommend rhinoplasty for me?", I typically respond, "No, I advise against the operation."

However, if a patient asks me if I would perform the desired rhinoplasty, I would say yes, provided that the desired change is technically feasible. Ultimately, both the patient and I must feel comfortable embarking on this journey together. Mutual trust is essential. If this trust is lacking, the rhinoplasty should not be conducted, even if technically feasible. This process requires the appropriate time.

In cases where postoperative irregularities in the nasal shape occur despite perfect surgical technique, careful and empathetic patient support and planning for a potential revision surgery are crucial. A patient who has undergone surgery can contact me at any time.

Operation

"How long will I be off work after a nose operation?"

After a nose operation, you should take at least 10 to 14 days off work. If you work in a dusty environment or one with irritating vapours, you may need to stay off work for a longer time period.

"How long does the swelling last after a nose operation?"

Fluid-related swelling in the nose and the eyes after the operation lasts approximately 10 days. After the operation, there is healing tissue in the area of the nasal tip in particular after surgical changes, which will break down over months. The nose will therefore become more slender and softer over a period of 6 to 12 months after the operation.

"How long will I wear a nasal dressing after the operation?"

After the operation, a dressing will be inserted into the interior of the nose, i.e. a nasal tamponade. The nasal tamponade will remain in the nose for 48 hours after the operation. A dressing over the exterior part of the nose with a small aluminium cast will remain on for 4 days.

Explanation Tamponade, Breathing and Nasal Dressing

(Please press on the button "settings" below left if the subtitles in English don't appear automatically)

Operation - Technique

"Break the nose or cut the bone?"

Dr. Bessler explains in this video, why it is not anymore necessary to break the nose in nose surgery, but use specific cuts and instruments for the desired result. The full text you can also find in the new "News & Blog" about rhinoplasty.

Costs and health insurance

"How much do you charge for a nose operation?"

Please have a look in my Website under: "Good to know" - "costs"

"I can't breathe properly through my nose and I'm not happy with the shape of my nose. Will my health insurance company pay part of the operation if I also want to have aesthetic reparative surgery on my nose after the surgery to improve my nasal breathing?"

In Switzerland, health insurance companies usually pay the part of the nose operation which is necessary to improve your nasal breathing. If a nose operation has an aesthetic and functional part, I will document the situation and lodge an application with the insurance company requesting that they assume the costs of the functional part of the operation. The independent medical examiner of the insurance company will then decide whether the insurance company will assume the costs in such a case.

"I would like some advice on a nose operation. How much does this cost?"

A detailed description of the procedures before a nose operation with the price list can be found under the chapter "Good to know" - "Costs and Investigations/Procedures".