Rhinoplasty in London

Dr De Silva has a large number of patients who live overseas. Our specialist team can help you organise a virtual consultation and coordinate your trip to the UK. You would need to stay in the UK after surgery so that Dr De Silva can monitor your healing process to ensure optimal results. Overseas patients can fly back home after 3 weeks for short-haul patients and 6 weeks for long-haul patients.

At our specialist facility on Harley Street, we have a private entrance for VIP patients. Please notify Dr De Silva in advance of your specific requirements.

For patients frequently in the public eye or on camera, maintaining a natural appearance is essential. Dr De Silva customises every rhinoplasty to enhance rather than alter, using precise, minimally traumatic techniques that preserve facial identity. Most patients find their results appear seamless; others simply notice they “look better,” not different.

To support a discreet recovery, Dr De Silva may incorporate advanced methods such as ultrasonic instruments, fine micro-incisions, and regenerative treatments to minimise swelling, bruising, and downtime, allowing patients to return to professional activities sooner and with confidence.

Dr De Silva has an avid perception of detail and utilises additional surgical techniques to enhance natural-looking and longer-lasting results.

Dr De Silva specialises in all facial treatments (surgical and non-surgical) and evaluates your face as a whole. Key considerations include the position of the nose relative to your chin and jawline. Dr De Silva utilises additional techniques and advanced technology, including:

• Nostril reduction
• Chin implant
• Volume replacement
• Fat transfer
• Enhanced healing
• Growth factors
• Wrinkle relaxing treatments

Although there are individual factors that influence duration, most rhinoplasty surgeries will last a lifetime. Dr De Silva often utilises additional techniques, including graft material and filler techniques, to enhance the duration of the result. There is a small subset of patients who are looking for perfection, in which case, every ten years, they have surgery to further refine their nose.

Many of our patients are very nervous and have not undergone previous surgery. Dr De Silva and his team take a great deal of time to ensure we provide both emotional support before and after surgery. Our aim is to provide the best possible experience and to foster a long-term relationship with our patients to provide ongoing care for years to come.

The key to rhinoplasty is minimising scars. Dr De Silva hides scars inside the nose or at the lower aspect of the nose to ensure they are discreet and difficult to see. With modern techniques, scars can largely be camouflaged on the inside of the nose or natural creases. Dr De Silva uses pioneering techniques to hide scars, including micro incisions and tissue glue.

Open and closed rhinoplasty are the two main surgical approaches used to reshape the nose. In open rhinoplasty, a small incision is made across the columella, the strip of skin between the nostrils, providing direct access to the nasal framework for precise correction of complex structures. This method allows greater visibility and control but may result in slightly more swelling and a longer recovery period, with most patients returning to normal activities within two weeks.

In closed rhinoplasty, all incisions are made inside the nostrils, leaving no visible scar. Because the internal tissues experience less disruption, patients typically experience less swelling and a faster recovery, often resuming social or work commitments within 7–10 days.

The short answer is no. While rhinoplasty is commonly completed in a general hospital, Dr De Silva has built a custom state-of-the-art facility, including a private operating theatre. This not only allows for complete specialisation for every patient but also reduces the risks associated with general hospitals, such as MRSA and other hospital-acquired infections.

Yes. A non-surgical rhinoplasty uses dermal fillers to subtly reshape the nose without surgery. It can smooth small humps, correct minor depressions or irregularities, and lift a mildly drooping tip. Results are temporary, usually lasting around 12 months, and are best suited to patients not yet ready for surgical rhinoplasty or for refining minor irregularities after previous surgery.

Dr De Silva understands the complexities presented by nasal anatomy and the delicate blood vessels in this area. Incorrect injection by an unqualified professional can cause skin injury or, in rare cases, vision loss.

Yes. A dorsal hump, the bump on the bridge of the nose, can be precisely reduced with rhinoplasty. The hump usually consists of bone and cartilage, which Dr De Silva reshapes using specialised techniques such as diamond burrs, ultrasonic instruments, and micro-tools for greater accuracy and minimal swelling.

The process involves both technical precision and artistry: once the hump is refined, the nasal bridge is contoured to create a smooth, natural profile that complements the rest of the face.

A natural, beautiful nose complements the face and looks in proportion, not surgically altered. It should blend smoothly with the features, preserve breathing function, and suit the individual’s facial structure, gender, and heritage.

Dr De Silva focuses on precision and balance to refine the nasal bridge and tip while maintaining strength and harmony. For women, this may involve a gentle curve along the bridge; for men, a straighter line to retain a defined profile. In patients of different ethnic backgrounds, adjustments such as subtle narrowing or height restoration are made while preserving natural character.

No. Only some rhinoplasty procedures require the nasal bones to be repositioned, a step known as an osteotomy. This is usually done to narrow the bridge or smooth a hump, helping achieve balanced, symmetrical lines from the brow to the tip.

Around two-thirds of patients need this step; others do not. When possible, avoiding bone adjustment means less bruising, swelling, and faster recovery.

Dr De Silva performs osteotomies internally, leaving no visible scars, and uses precise methods to refine the bridge while maintaining a natural, even contour.

Yes, but extra precautions are needed for a smooth recovery. Avoid direct sunlight, wearing glasses, and swimming for several weeks, as they can impact healing. Use high-SPF sunscreen and wear a hat to protect your nose from sun damage. Dr De Silva provides personalised aftercare guidance to ensure optimal results, regardless of the season.

It’s best to allow at least six months between rhinoplasty and an important event such as a wedding. While most swelling and bruising resolve within two months, subtle tip swelling can last longer, especially after revision or complex surgery. If only a small bump is being corrected, recovery may be quicker. Dr De Silva uses refined techniques and anti-inflammatory treatments to reduce swelling, but timing should always be planned around your individual healing and expectations for your big day.

Rhinoplasty can be performed once facial growth is complete, usually from age 17 onwards. Most patients seek surgery between their twenties and forties, though suitable candidates can be younger or older.

Younger patients often pursue rhinoplasty after years of self-consciousness or breathing issues, while older patients may seek correction for age-related changes such as a drooping tip or structural irregularity.

Dr De Silva assesses each case individually, ensuring patients fully understand the procedure, recovery, and expectations. Surgery is only performed when it is in the patient’s best interest, regardless of age.

Healing after rhinoplasty surgery varies from patient to patient but generally follows a predictable timeline. Most bruising and swelling improve significantly within the first 2 to 3 weeks, allowing you to return to social activities with confidence.

However, subtle swelling, especially around the nasal tip, can persist for 6 to 12 months as tissues continue to settle. This is a normal part of the recovery process and should not cause concern.

Complete healing depends on several factors, including the complexity of your procedure, your individual anatomy, and your ethnicity, as some patients may experience longer swelling phases. For example, patients undergoing revision rhinoplasty or those with thicker skin may notice extended healing times.

After rhinoplasty surgery, it’s important that you feel fully alert and able to react quickly in an emergency before driving. Most patients are safe to drive within 3 to 5 days after surgery. However, on the day of your procedure, you should not drive due to the lingering effects of general or sedative anaesthesia.

Flying should be avoided for at least 1 week after rhinoplasty to reduce the risk of swelling and complications. Most patients wear a protective cast and sometimes stitches on the nasal bridge, which are typically removed 1 week post-op. You can usually fly 3 weeks after surgery or 6 weeks for long-haul.

During the recovery period, the bridge of the nose is more sensitive to the weight of sunglasses and can affect the healing of the nasal bridge. To ensure optimal healing, Dr De Silva advises waiting for 6 weeks before wearing glasses on the bridge of the nose. For the first week, there is a cast that protects the bridge of your nose. After this, Dr De Silva is able to give you support if you need to wear glasses for 2-6 weeks. During this time, it is fine to use contact lenses.

Hay fever is a common condition in which the lining at the back of your nose has a tendency to become inflamed and thickened by an allergy to pollen. Characteristically, this can result in symptoms of stuffiness, sneezing, and nasal discharge.

Rhinoplasty will result in swelling immediately after the surgery, which can result in symptoms of congestion. Rhinoplasty will not change or be affected by hay fever. It will change the shape of your nose; however, it will not affect the lining of the nose, and the tendency for hay fever will remain after surgery and require the same treatment, including antihistamines.

After rhinoplasty surgery, Dr De Silva advises avoiding direct sun exposure for at least 6 months to ensure optimal healing. While it’s generally safe to travel or go on holiday as early as 1 week after surgery, protecting your nose from the sun is crucial.

The healing skin on your nose can darken with sun exposure, and numbness may increase the risk of sunburn. To support recovery, Dr De Silva recommends wearing a wide-brimmed hat and applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher whenever you’re outdoors.

Nicotine causes blood vessels in the skin to narrow, a process called vasoconstriction, which reduces blood flow essential for healing. Good circulation is vital for your nose to recover quickly and naturally after rhinoplasty surgery.

Using nicotine products can delay healing and increase the risk of complications. For the best results, Dr De Silva strongly recommends avoiding all nicotine products for at least 6 weeks before and after surgery.

For most patients, discomfort and pain ease within 24 to 48 hours after rhinoplasty surgery. However, if nasal bones have been narrowed (a procedure called osteotomies), some may experience intermittent sensitivity or mild discomfort over the nasal bridge for several weeks.

Swelling of the nasal lining can also cause congestion and sometimes headaches, especially in individuals prone to hay fever or sinusitis. In these cases, a course of antibiotics or anti-inflammatory medications may be recommended to support healing.

It’s very unlikely. Most patients notice no change in their voice after rhinoplasty. Minor, temporary differences can occur due to post-operative swelling or congestion, which settle within weeks.

In rare cases, subtle changes may be heard in languages with naturally nasal tones, but these are uncommon. Patients with breathing issues often find their voice improves as nasal airflow becomes clearer.

Because Dr De Silva performs rhinoplasty under twilight sedation, the vocal cords are not affected by a breathing tube, further reducing any risk. He has treated many professionals who rely on their voices, ensuring results that preserve both function and tone.

Immediately after surgery, your nose feels blocked, and breathing through your nose can be difficult. Dr De Silva does not use any packs in the patient’s nose after rhinoplasty; however, the nose can feel congested because of swelling of the inner lining of the nose, which will improve at the end of the first week. Swelling can also alter your sense of smell, and this returns over the first 4-6 weeks. A permanent change in the sense of smell is very rare.

Most patients experience mild discomfort and pain that typically settle within 24 to 48 hours after rhinoplasty surgery. For those who undergo nasal bone narrowing (osteotomies), some sensitivity or mild discomfort over the nasal bridge may persist intermittently for several weeks.

Swelling of the nasal lining can cause congestion and, in some cases, headaches, especially in patients with hay fever or sinusitis. These symptoms can often be managed with a course of antibiotics or anti-inflammatory medications during recovery.