Rhinoplasty in Melbourne
Dr Rodrigo Teixeira (FRACS) is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon in Melbourne who performs primary rhinoplasty for cosmetic and functional concerns. Planning is personalised to your anatomy, diagnosis, and goals, with careful attention to proportion, structural support, and long-term stability as healing progresses.
Why Rhinoplasty May be Considered?
Rhinoplasty is performed to adjust the shape, proportion, or contour of the nose and may be considered for aesthetic refinement, breathing-related concerns, or both. Whatever the primary aim, preserving stable nasal support and function remains a key part of planning.
Breathing concerns are often present and may be associated with structural factors such as a deviated septum and/or weakness or narrowing of the nasal valves. Previous injury or trauma can also influence both appearance and breathing and may affect the surgical plan. When objectives appear to conflict, decisions are guided by safety principles, seeking a thoughtful balance between aesthetic outcome and functional integrity, while preserving long-term structural support.
Dr Rodrigo Teixeira is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon (FRACS) with a practice focus on facial plastic surgery, including rhinoplasty. His fellowship training includes aesthetic plastic surgery and craniofacial/cleft surgery, supporting an anatomy-led approach when planning nasal shape, support, and breathing considerations.
Learn more about Dr Rodrigo Teixeira and his approach to plastic surgery and patient care.
Planning Your Rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty planning is tailored to each patient and guided by their anatomy, goals, and nasal function. Your consultation includes an assessment of structural support, symmetry, skin thickness, and airflow, along with a clear discussion of available options, expected limitations, and the risks that can influence outcomes.
Cosmetic Rhinoplasty
Cosmetic rhinoplasty focuses on refining nasal shape and proportion in a way that suits the rest of the face. Common concerns include a prominent bump, a crooked or deviated nose, tip droop or under-projection, and visible asymmetry. In planning, changes are typically approached as careful, balanced refinements, with decisions guided by the aim of balancing form and function. This considers your starting anatomy and the support required for longer-term stability, aiming for changes that continue to suit the face as it ages.
Functional Rhinoplasty and Septoplasty
Functional considerations are often assessed alongside cosmetic goals, particularly when there are concerns about nasal airflow. Common structural contributors include a deviated septum and narrowing or weakness of the nasal valves. Where appropriate, septal surgery may be performed to improve airflow; in other cases, the septum may be approached primarily to harvest cartilage for structural support, or not approached at all, depending on anatomy and the surgical plan. Learn more about septoplasty during rhinoplasty (rhinoseptoplasty).
Rhinoplasty after Non-Surgical Nose Reshaping
Some people consider surgical rhinoplasty after non-surgical nose reshaping. If dermal fillers have been used, this can affect pre-operative assessment and surgical planning, including how the nasal tissues feel and how underlying structures can be evaluated. Dissolving previous filler is often recommended to allow a clearer assessment before surgery. Timing and safety considerations are discussed during consultation, including whether any additional steps are appropriate for your individual anatomy and goals.
Other related nose procedures:
Revision rhinoplasty – Assessment after previous nose surgery, where complexity and limitations can differ from primary rhinoplasty.
Cleft rhinoplasty – For cleft-related nasal differences and reconstruction planning.
Surgical Approach in Primary Rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty involves precise changes to cartilage and bone while preserving or restoring the support structures that help the nose maintain shape and function over time. Dr Teixeira commonly uses an open approach in primary rhinoplasty, which can allow direct visibility of the nasal framework during surgery and support controlled structural refinement where required. In selected cases, elements of preservation rhinoplasty may be incorporated to maintain key nasal structures and minimise unnecessary disruption. Where appropriate, ultrasonic (piezotome-assisted) techniques may also be used for bony work to support precise shaping in specific anatomical situations.
What to Expect During the Consultation
Your consultation focuses on understanding your concerns and assessing if rhinoplasty is appropriate for your anatomy and goals. It also includes a clear discussion of realistic expectations. Dr Teixeira will review relevant medical and nasal history (including previous injury, surgery, or non-surgical treatments), assess nasal shape and breathing, and discuss what may be achievable and what may be limited.
Where helpful, clinical photography and optional imaging may be used to support communication during planning. These tools help clarify priorities, but they do not predict exact outcomes and results vary between individuals. The consultation also covers the approach that may be considered, recovery, and key risks and limitations. If surgery is not advised, this will be discussed openly and alternatives may be considered where relevant.
For teenagers and young adults, suitability includes consideration of facial growth and emotional readiness. For patients under 18, cosmetic surgery is subject to additional safeguards under Australian guidelines, including a minimum three-month cooling-off period and stronger consent and assessment requirements; psychological assessment may be recommended where appropriate.
Risks and Considerations
Like all surgical procedures, rhinoplasty carries potential risks and possible complications. These vary depending on your anatomy, medical history, skin and cartilage characteristics, healing response, and the extent of surgery performed. Because healing cannot be fully predicted, both aesthetic and functional outcomes may change over time, and specific results cannot be guaranteed.
General Surgical Risks
General surgical risks may include bleeding, infection, scarring, and risks related to anaesthesia. Although uncommon, these risks are recognised in rhinoplasty and are discussed during consultation along with the measures used to reduce risk.
Changes in Shape, Symmetry, and Surface Contour
As healing progresses, contour irregularities, asymmetry, or small differences in surface smoothness may become apparent. These may involve the bridge, tip, sidewalls, or areas where cartilage support has been altered. In some cases, concerns such as residual prominence, palpable irregularity, or recurrence of deviation may persist after healing.
Internal Scarring and Structural Healing
Healing inside the nose can also affect outcome. Internal scar formation or adhesions may influence airflow or, less commonly, contribute to changes in internal contour. Where grafts are used, there is also a small risk of warping, resorption, or shift during healing, which may affect support or shape over time.
Changes in Sensation and Visible Scarring
Temporary numbness or altered skin sensation can occur after rhinoplasty, and in some cases may persist for longer than expected. In open rhinoplasty, there is also a small external scar across the columella, which usually matures over time, although scar quality varies between individuals.
Breathing and Functional Complications
Because rhinoplasty changes nasal structure, breathing function must always be considered alongside appearance. Persistent obstruction, reduced airflow, or other functional concerns may arise due to swelling, septal position, internal valve compromise, scar formation, or changes in structural support. These concerns require careful reassessment.
When Further Treatment May Be Considered
In some cases, further treatment may be discussed if concerns persist after healing. This may involve observation, non-surgical management, a minor corrective procedure, or revision rhinoplasty, depending on the nature of the concern and reassessment of both nasal form and function.
Recovery & Aftercare
Recovery after rhinoplasty varies between individuals and depends on anatomy, the surgical plan, and how the tissues heal. Early changes are usually visible within the first few weeks, but refinement continues gradually as the nose settles.
For a deeper explanation of swelling and when results become more defined, you can link to your recovery blog here.
Early Recovery
For most patients, the most noticeable swelling and bruising occur in the first one to two weeks after surgery. This is often the period when time away from work or social commitments may be considered, depending on the type of work involved and individual comfort.
Returning to Activity
Return to activity is usually gradual. Light daily activity is often resumed first, while heavier exercise, lifting, and any activity that carries a risk of nasal impact may need to wait longer. Exact timing depends on the procedure performed and individual healing progress.
Swelling and Ongoing Refinement
Early swelling usually improves first, while more subtle swelling, particularly through the tip, may take much longer to resolve. This can affect how definition appears during different stages of recovery.
When Results Begin to Look More Settled
Many patients notice that the nose appears more settled after the early recovery period, but final refinement often continues over 12 to 18 months, and sometimes longer. This is influenced by factors such as skin thickness, scar response, and the extent of structural change performed during surgery.
Follow-Up and Aftercare
Specific aftercare instructions are provided after surgery, and follow-up appointments are used to monitor healing and address concerns at an appropriate stage of recovery.
Our Clinic in Ivanhoe East, Melbourne
Unveil Aesthetics and Plastic Surgery is located in Ivanhoe East, around 10 kilometres from Melbourne’s CBD. Our clinic on Lower Heidelberg Road is easily accessed, with convenient parking nearby, and provides a calm, welcoming environment designed for comfort and discretion.
When you arrive, our reception team will assist with check-in and help coordinate your appointment. We focus on clear communication, clinical professionalism, and coordinated follow-up throughout your care.
Choosing rhinoplasty is a personal decision. Our team is here to provide clear information and supportive guidance from your first enquiry through to post-operative follow-up.
FAQs about Rhinoplasty
Most patients are advised to avoid resting glasses on the bridge of the nose for around 6 weeks, or until cleared at follow-up and it’s not painful. If needed, contact lenses or taping glasses to the forehead can reduce pressure on the nose during early healing.
Swelling settles gradually. Many patients feel the nose looks mostly settled by ~6 weeks, but fine swelling can continue to improve for 12-18 months, depending on anatomy and healing.
Most patients plan for around 10–14 days away from work and social commitments, as this is when swelling and bruising are often most noticeable. The timing can vary depending on your role, how you heal, and how comfortable you feel being seen during early recovery. Your surgeon will guide you based on your progress at follow-up appointments.
Exercise is usually resumed gradually. As a general guide, light cardio may be possible from around 2 weeks if healing is progressing as expected. Heavier lifting is typically reintroduced gradually from around 4 weeks, and contact sports are commonly avoided until around 8 weeks due to the risk of nasal impact. Exact timing can vary, so follow your surgeon’s instructions and your individual recovery plan.
Rhinoplasty may improve breathing when symptoms are related to structural factors such as a deviated septum or narrowing/weakness of the nasal valves. Not all breathing concerns are caused by nasal structure, so assessment is important to clarify what is contributing and whether surgical treatment is likely to help. If septal surgery is being considered as part of rhinoplasty planning, this will be discussed during consultation.
Open rhinoplasty uses a small incision at the base of the nose (on the columella) in addition to internal incisions, which can allow direct visibility of the nasal framework during surgery. Closed rhinoplasty is performed through incisions inside the nostrils only. Each approach has advantages and limitations, and the most appropriate option depends on the changes being considered, the support required, and individual anatomy. Your surgeon will explain which approach may be recommended in your case and why.
All surgery heals with some degree of scarring, but how noticeable scars become varies between individuals. Scar quality is influenced by factors such as skin type, healing response, and aftercare. Incision lines usually soften and fade over time, but scar appearance cannot be fully predicted. Your surgeon will discuss incision placement, scar care, and follow-up to support optimal healing.
The cost of rhinoplasty varies because it depends on the complexity of surgery, whether functional work (such as addressing breathing-related structural issues) is being considered, and the costs associated with the operating theatre, anaesthesia, and postoperative care. Fees can also differ based on surgical time, individual anatomy, and the level of aftercare required. For these reasons, an accurate estimate is usually provided after consultation, once a surgical plan is confirmed and you’re given a clear breakdown of what is included.
Hilotherm is a temperature-controlled cooling system that uses a soft, water-circulating mask to deliver consistent cooling (rather than ice packs that warm quickly). After rhinoplasty, it may be used in the early recovery period to support comfort and help manage swelling and bruising, following your surgeon’s instructions.
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