When the base of the nose is a little less wide, your face can look more balanced and your features more in harmony, in a way that still looks like you.
The bone at the root of the nose sits between your two eye sockets and gives the upper bridge its width. When this area is wide, many people feel the nose looks broad or less refined compared with the rest of the face. This procedure reshapes those bones to narrow the base of the nose. Whether it is right for you depends on your bone structure, the thickness of your skin, and what you hope to change. That only becomes clear after your surgeon examines you in person.
Everything begins with a consultation. Your surgeon listens to what is bothering you, examines the nose both outside and inside, and assesses your bone structure, the thickness of your skin, and how you breathe. Together you discuss whether the width comes from bone, cartilage, or both, and what a sensible change would look like on your face.
The procedure is usually done under general anesthesia, or local anesthesia combined with sedation, depending on the case and your surgeon's assessment. The anesthesia team will talk with you about the safest option for you before the day of surgery.
To narrow the base of the nose, your surgeon performs an osteotomy, making small, deliberate cuts in the nasal bones, then moves the bones closer together to bring in the root. The approach is usually inside the nose, or through a very small, discreet incision, depending on the technique chosen.
Once the bones are repositioned, your surgeon checks the balance, closes the incisions, and usually places a small external splint to support the nose through the early part of recovery. There may also be packing inside the nose for a short time to keep things stable.
The aim is a slimmer nasal base that suits your face, not a nose that looks unfamiliar. Swelling means the shape in the first few weeks does not reflect the final result; the nose needs time to settle.
Recovery happens in stages. You will see bruising and swelling around your nose and eyes in the first days, then it eases. The milestones below are rough estimates, since everyone heals at a different pace.
This is real surgery, and every surgery carries risk. Your surgeon will talk through the points that apply specifically to your case. The risks below are ones to know about beforehand.
At The Gioi Dep, our surgeons start from your own facial structure rather than from a template. Before discussing technique, your surgeon takes the time to examine the bone, the cartilage, and the skin, to understand where the width of your nose comes from and how far a harmonious change should go.
Cutting the nasal bones calls for precision and experience. The surgical and anesthesia teams work together to monitor you throughout the operation, and you are seen for follow-up visits so your surgeon can stay alongside you through each stage of recovery and answer questions as they come up.
During surgery you are under anesthesia, so you feel no pain. Afterward, the feeling is usually one of tightness, heaviness, and a dull ache around the nose rather than sharp pain; prescribed pain relief helps keep you comfortable in the first days.
The approach is usually inside the nose, so it leaves no visible scar. If the technique calls for a small external incision, your surgeon places it in a discreet spot; that mark usually fades over time.
Many people with office jobs return after about one to two weeks, once the splint is off and the bruising has faded. Heavier work needs a longer break. These are rough estimates and vary from person to person.
The aim is a slimmer nasal base that still suits your face. Your surgeon works toward balance, not an overdone change that would make the nose look unreal.
There is no hard age limit. What matters more is your general health and the quality of your tissue. Your surgeon will assess these factors at the consultation to see whether the procedure suits you.
Because the procedure reshapes the bone itself, the change in structure usually stays stable for a long time. Even so, your face still changes naturally over the years, as every part of the body does.
The obvious swelling goes down in the first few weeks, but subtle swelling can linger. The final shape is usually clear after about several months to a year, once the nose has fully settled.
The main purpose is to reshape the root of the nose. If you already have a breathing problem, say so clearly so your surgeon can consider addressing it at the same time. In some cases, working on the internal structure can also affect how you breathe.
Depending on the case, the procedure can be done under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation. The anesthesia team will talk with you and choose the safest option for you before the day of surgery.
Wait until the nose has fully settled before you judge it, since swelling can hide the true shape for many months. If you still have concerns after that, talk with your surgeon about revision options.
The next step is a conversation - book a consultation.
The content on this page is for reference only and does not replace a direct examination and consultation with a specialist physician. Surgical outcomes vary from person to person.