Nostril Reduction Surgery

Before you undergo any plastic surgery procedure at Karidis Clinic, you will have a consultation and a pre-operative assessment with your plastic surgeon. They will listen carefully to your concerns and what you expect to achieve and discuss which procedure, or combination of procedures, is appropriate.

At this stage, they will also ensure you are fully aware of the potential risks and complications inherent in that specific procedure and explain to you what you can expect immediately after surgery, throughout the recovery process, and when you will likely see the final results.

During the pre-operative assessment, the surgeon may take measurements of the area to be operated on and assess your skin tissue quality and the degree of skin laxity. The position of the incisions will also be decided upon.

A full medical history will be taken to ensure you are fit and well and can undergo surgery at this time.

After the initial consultation, there will be a two-week ‘cooling-off’ period before you can decide to proceed with surgery. You are welcome to return for further consultations with your Karidis Clinic surgeon, free of charge, if you have more questions.

If you make the decision to proceed with surgery, you’ll be given advice on how best to prepare for your operation, and you will have a dedicated Patient Coordinator who can answer any queries you may have.

Any pre-surgery tests can occur at the Hospital of St John & St Elizabeth, a leading London private hospital where Karidis Clinic is based. The hospital has recently built a new wing including a diagnostic department with the latest X-ray, MRI, CT and ultrasound technology.

We advise patients to stop smoking as soon as possible as nicotine acts as a vasoconstrictor, which impedes the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the surgical site. This can slow down healing, increase the chance of infection and even cause tissue to die. Smoking also increases the risks of a general anaesthetic, and smokers are more likely to suffer ill effects from an anaesthetic.

You will also be advised when to discontinue taking aspirin or other blood-thinning medication in advance of your operation. You will be asked to fast six hours before surgery.

All Karidis Clinic procedures are performed at the Hospital of St John & St Elizabeth. When you arrive, you’ll be greeted and taken to your stylish and luxurious private room with its spacious ensuite bathroom.

The nursing team will take your blood pressure and relevant vitals, and you will see your Karidis Clinic surgeon, who will make the final mark-ups. Our anaesthetist will also visit you.

Clinical photography will be taken to assist in your care and to enable clinical assessments to be made. These become part of your confidential medical record. These include photographs of the operation site and any distinguishing features and will be taken pre-op and post-op. 

Your procedure will be performed under a general anaesthetic, and once the surgeon has sutured the incision site, you will be taken to a specialist recovery room.

Once the hospital nursing team has ensured your recovery is complete, you will be taken to your hospital room for your overnight stay. The hospital nursing team will be on hand throughout the night, and you will be fitted with compression stockings and a compression device if required.

The following day, you will be visited by your Karidis Clinic surgeon or nurse and then discharged into the care of a friend or family member by the hospital nursing staff.

The pain and discomfort experienced after surgery are unique to the individual patient and the extent of their procedure. However, it should start to subside in the first week and should be easily managed with over-the-counter painkillers.

If necessary, you’ll be advised to wear a specially designed surgical support garment for approximately six weeks after surgery to support you during the healing process.

Depending on the nature of your job, you can usually expect to be able to return to work and normal activities between one to two weeks.

You’ll be given a comprehensive plan for the recovery process, including dates for your cast or suture removal and your check-ups with your Karidis Clinic surgeon. However, we are always on hand throughout this period, and you have access to our dedicated surgical nurse 24/7 if you have any concerns.

The results of nostril reduction surgery are generally considered to be permanent. However, individual factors such as ageing, skin elasticity, and natural anatomical changes over time can affect the appearance of the nose. Consulting with our plastic surgeons will provide you with more information on the expected permanence of the results based on your individual circumstances.

The final results of nostril reduction surgery will become more apparent as the initial swelling subsides. While there is immediate improvement, it can take several weeks to a few months for the swelling to fully resolve and the tissues to settle. Patients should follow post-operative care instructions provided by our surgeons to optimise healing and minimise swelling. That said, the majority of the swelling typically diminishes within the first few weeks, allowing you to enjoy the final, refined appearance of your nostrils. 

Alar base reduction surgery focuses on reshaping the width and contour of the nostrils at their base. Your surgeon will begin by making precise incisions within the natural creases of the nostrils. Through these incisions, excess tissue is either removed or adjusted, reducing the width of the nostrils. The type of nostril-trimming technique will be based on the shape of your nostrils and your treatment objectives. Following this, the incisions are then meticulously sutured. 

The procedure aims to enhance overall facial symmetry and proportion, with initial swelling reducing within weeks and the final results becoming more pronounced as the tissues settle in the following months.

Nostril reduction surgery usually takes about 1 hour to complete. However, the duration may vary based on the complexity of the procedure and whether it is performed as a standalone surgery or in conjunction with other nasal or facial enhancements. That said, an alarplasty is a relatively quick outpatient procedure, and patients often return home the same day.