For the majority of people, a rhinoplasty is simply a cosmetic operation. However, to Elissa, it was something quite different: a kind of spiritual harmony. Her experience going through her teenage years was that her nose appeared to be somewhat larger than her other facial features. No one made fun of her in that way, but in pictures- especially side profiles- she just always thought her nose was the most prominent part of her face.
She had tried, over the years, every possible method, angles, contouring, filters, but the insecurity was still there. Yet, she was still uncertain: was it really her own decision she was doing this, or was it a societal pressure?
Elissa had felt clearer after she turned 27. There was nothing about her desire to look like someone else. She didn't want a celebrity nose. She basically dreamed of her nose being gentler, more elegant and more balanced, a version that would reflect her inner self through her outer appearance.
The point that changed her whole story was when she found a candid photo of a friend's engagement. Everybody looked perfect, and so did she, but it was only her profile that kept flashing through her mind. It was on that very night she realized her thoughts for the first time:
"I think it's time. Not for others… for me."
Surgery Day: A Mix of Fear and Excitement
The day of the operation is now here, a bit earlier than she had anticipated. After fasting overnight, she was taken to the hospital for her pre-op evaluations: blood tests, nasal scans, and a final consultation with her surgeon.
Her surgeon looked at the pictures once more, made a mark on her nose bridge and talked through the process:
- Slight reduction of dorsal hump
- Narrowing of the nasal tip
- Gently pulling up to create a button-nose effect.
- Ensuring the nose still looked natural and in proportion.
Elissa felt this strange, nervous calmness. She was scared, but she trusted the team.
Inside the operation room, the lights seemed to be brighter than usual. As the anesthesiologist reassured her, the room was slowly fading away.
Recovery: Every Day, a Step Forward
Recovery was not that smooth, but it was under control, especially due to the help that she got.
Days 1 - 3: Swelling, headaches, and patience She got up surrounded by the stuffing inside her and with a cast on her face. Her face seemed to weigh a ton. Breathing through her mouth was not at all comfortable. But she didn't stop reminding herself: “This is temporary.”
Days 4 - 7: First signs of relief The bruising under her eyes changed from purple to yellow. The swelling was reduced slightly. The cast made her look like a warrior in a battle, but she was wearing it with pride.
Day 8: Cast removal day That was the time she had fantasized about: when the nurse softly removed her cast, Elissa was holding her breath. Here it was… Even with the swelling, it was less, softer, and more delicate than her nose. She did not cry but felt emotional. "This is me… but better."
Weeks 3 - 6: Transformation in progress The swelling was gradually going away. Her tip was more elegant and even people seeing the photos from the front would say that the face is more harmonized.
Months 3 - 12: Final refinement The subtle button-nose shape was beautifully defined by month six. The bridge of the nose was straighter, and the side profile was elegant but still natural. Her friends noticed she looked "refreshed," but no one could figure out exactly what changed, which is exactly what she wanted.
How to Find the Right Clinic?
Request a Referral
Most certainly, you can ask for a reference from your family, friends, and other doctors you know. Another way is that you come up with a list of surgeons for rhinoplasty which would be a little bit difficult if you don’t have any referrals.
Research Credentials & Experience
Do not hesitate to gather information regarding the doctor's credentials which should comprise his/her license to practice, education, any malpractice suits, or any community grievances. Make sure that the doctor is certified by a respected board.
Hospital/Clinic Evaluation of the Surgeon
If the surgeon is running his/her own practice or is a clinic/hospital employee, the doctor’s reputation and the quality of the care provided are still some of the other factors that should be considered. Even a top surgeon needs advanced equipment and a competent medical team to be able to provide the best care.
Patient Reviews & Testimonials
Firstly, the patient reviews and testimonials should be taken into consideration while making a shortlist of the rhinoplasty surgeons for the interview and consultation. They can be found on a doctor's profile, the hospital's website, or various other platforms.
Ask Questions to the Rhinoplasty Surgeon
Surely, you will not know if the surgeon is the right one until you meet him/her. Be sure to visit the doctor and ask as many questions as you can about the surgeon and the operation.
Top Clinic in Turkey
Lokman Hekim Health Group
With innovations at its core and a team of surgeons at its peak, this hospital located centrally in Istanbul is the place to be. Patients from the whole of Europe, the Middle East, and the US are coming here for cosmetic as well as functional rhinoplasty.
Dr. Mehmet Ozan Asik is a top-ranked plastic surgeon at Lokman Hekim Health Group, famous for his skill in rhinoplasty. With more than 20 years of experience, Dr. Mehmet Ozan Asik is an artist and at the same time, a technically precise surgeon who makes perfect harmony to achieve outstanding results. It is his hallmark to be attentive to each patient's individuality and thus, making sure that the aesthetic goals of the patients are realized along with the functional ones.
Before and After a Rhinoplasty
Before:
- A moderately pronounced dorsal hump
- A wider nasal tip
- Slight asymmetry at the nostrils
- A heavier side profile that made her feel self-conscious
- A nose that dominated her face in pictures
After:
- A smoother, more feminine nasal bridge
- A refined, gently lifted tip-button nose effect.
- Better facial symmetry
- Softer, more balanced side profile
- A natural look; not overdone changes, and no "plastic" feel.
- Improved self-confidence, especially in close-up photos
Elissa shares that the biggest change was actually not a change of her body, it was a change of her mind, her emotions, and a deep change of her personality.
Looking Back: My Rhinoplasty Experience
When Elissa thinks of her pictures today, she actually feels a kind of silent happiness. Not because she "fixed" something, but because she respected her own need for change.
Her nose is the one that goes perfectly with the other parts of her face now. She doesn't flinch from taking pictures in the profile anymore. Confidence is her trait and it is not because she is different looking but because she resembles the version of herself she had always imagined.
