Nasal refinement · Surgery
Rhinoplasty in Tijuana
Structural nasal surgery — reshaping the nose by modifying bone, cartilage, and soft tissue. Performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon with an individual assessment that considers both appearance and breathing.
- CMCPER, Board Certification No. 2607
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- Source
- CMCPER Directory (directoriocirugiaplastica.mx)
- Identifier
- CMCPER, Board Certification No. 2607
- Last verified
- Jul 29, 2026
- Verified in Motiva’s official surgeon locator
- Hospital setting · Certified hospital
- Bilingual care · ES / EN
What it is
Reshaping the nose — structure, not surface
Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure that modifies the bone, cartilage, and soft tissue of the nose to change its shape, size, or proportion — and, when necessary, to improve breathing. It is one of the most technically demanding procedures in plastic surgery because the nose sits at the center of the face: even small changes are visible, and the result must look natural from every angle.
The goal is not a “perfect nose” — it’s a nose that fits your face. A rhinoplasty that looks good on one patient can look wrong on another, because the ideal shape depends on the proportions of the rest of the face: the chin projection, the forehead slope, the lip-to-nose angle, and the width of the midface. This is why the procedure starts with a detailed assessment, not a template.
What it can address: a dorsal hump (the bump on the bridge), a wide or bulbous tip, asymmetry, a crooked nose, a nose that’s too projected or too flat, nostrils that are too wide or too flared, and breathing obstruction caused by a deviated septum or enlarged turbinates.
What it cannot do: rhinoplasty does not change the texture of the skin covering the nose. If you have thick skin (common in certain ethnicities), the underlying framework changes may be partially masked. Thin skin shows every detail — including irregularities. Both have implications for the achievable result, and both are discussed in your assessment.
Rhinoplasty is sometimes combined with a blepharoplasty or a facelift when the patient is addressing overall facial harmony. Whether a combination applies to your case is determined in your assessment.
Technique
Open vs. closed — and why it matters
There are two fundamental approaches to rhinoplasty, distinguished by how the surgeon accesses the nasal framework.
Closed rhinoplasty (endonasal) uses incisions entirely inside the nostrils. There is no external scar. The drawback is limited visibility — the surgeon works through narrow openings and must rely more on tactile feedback. It is best suited for simpler modifications: a small hump reduction, minor tip refinement, or straightforward functional work.
Open rhinoplasty adds a small incision across the columella (the strip of tissue between the nostrils). This allows the skin to be lifted and the entire nasal framework to be seen directly. The incision recovers into a barely visible line within a few months. Open rhinoplasty is preferred for complex cases: significant tip reshaping, asymmetry correction, revision surgery, or when precision is critical. Most primary rhinoplasties performed by experienced surgeons today use the open approach.
Published research shows: a systematic review of 11,428 rhinoplasty patients found an overall complication rate of 4.6%, with the most common being asymmetry and residual deformity requiring revision (Saleh et al., Aesthetic Plast Surg 2020). Revision rates in the literature range from 5% to 15% depending on the complexity of the primary surgery and the definition used. Published research shows patient satisfaction with primary rhinoplasty averages 83.6% according to a meta-analysis using the Rhinoplasty Outcomes Evaluation (Picavet et al., JAMA Facial Plast Surg 2013).
Preservation rhinoplasty is a newer philosophy that modifies the nasal dorsum by reshaping it from below (push-down or let-down techniques) rather than removing the hump with a chisel and rebuilding. It preserves the natural ligaments and periosteum, which may reduce post-operative swelling and produce a smoother dorsal line. It is not appropriate for every case — severe humps, significant asymmetry, or noses requiring major structural change may still need traditional techniques. The choice depends on anatomy.
What this means for your case: which approach — open, closed, or preservation — is determined by your anatomy, your goals, and the surgeon’s evaluation. In your assessment Dr. Chama examines the nasal framework, reviews your concerns, and explains which technique he recommends and why.
Ideal candidate
When it applies
- A specific concern about the shape, size, or proportion of the nose — not a vague sense of dissatisfaction. The more clearly you can identify what bothers you, the more precisely the surgical plan can address it.
- Nasal growth is complete. For most patients, this means at least 16–17 years old (females) or 17–18 (males). Operating on a nose that is still growing produces unpredictable results.
- Generally good overall condition, without conditions that elevate surgical risk.
- Non-smoker, or willing to stop before and after surgery — smoking impairs wound recovery and increases complication risk.
- Realistic expectations: rhinoplasty improves, it doesn’t create perfection. There is always some unpredictability in how the nose settles over the following year.
- Breathing concerns (deviated septum, turbinate hypertrophy) can be addressed at the same time if present — this is called septorhinoplasty.
When it’s not appropriate
When it doesn’t apply
- Your nose is still growing — operating too early produces unpredictable results that may require revision later.
- Your expectations are based on someone else’s nose. Rhinoplasty works within your anatomy — it can’t give you a different person’s face.
- You have body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) — patients with BDD are consistently dissatisfied with surgical results, regardless of outcome quality. A responsible surgeon screens for this.
- You smoke actively and can’t commit to stopping before and after surgery.
- You’re looking for a non-surgical fix — injectable rhinoplasty (fillers) is a separate, temporary treatment. It can add volume but cannot reduce, narrow, or straighten.
- You have uncontrolled medical conditions that elevate surgical risk.
How it’s performed
The surgery, step by step
Rhinoplasty is typically performed under general anesthesia in a hospital setting. The procedure takes 1.5–3 hours depending on complexity.
Access: In an open approach, a small incision is made across the columella plus incisions inside the nostrils. In a closed approach, all incisions are inside the nostrils. The skin is then carefully elevated to expose the nasal framework.
Dorsal work: If there is a hump, it can be reduced by rasping (filing) the bone, by controlled fractures (osteotomies) to narrow the bridge, or by push-down techniques in preservation rhinoplasty. The goal is a smooth, natural dorsal line — not a scooped profile.
Tip refinement: The lower lateral cartilages are reshaped using suture techniques, cartilage trimming, or grafting. Tip work is the most nuanced part of rhinoplasty — the tip determines the nose’s character and must balance definition with naturalness.
Functional correction: If a deviated septum or enlarged turbinates are causing breathing obstruction, they’re corrected during the same operation (septorhinoplasty). This adds no significant recovery time and is covered by the same anesthesia.
Osteotomies: When the nasal bones need narrowing (common after hump removal, or in noses that are wide at the bridge), controlled fractures are made at the base of the nasal bones. This is what causes the bruising around the eyes that’s characteristic of rhinoplasty.
Closure and splint: The skin is redraped, incisions are closed with fine sutures, and an external splint (cast) is placed to hold the new shape during the first week of recovery.
The specific plan — which structures to modify, which approach to use, whether grafts are needed — is defined in your in-person assessment.
Recovery
Consultation
Virtual or in-person assessment of your case
Preparation
Personalized plan, labs, and pre-op instructions
Procedure
Hospital setting, board-certified team
Recovery
Follow-up in person or remotely from the U.S.
Week by week, with patience
Rhinoplasty recovery is unlike most other cosmetic procedures because the final result takes up to 12 months to fully appear. The nose continues to refine as swelling resolves — especially at the tip, which is the last area to settle.
Days 1–3: The splint is in place. Nasal packing (if used) is removed within 24–48 hours. Bruising around the eyes is at its peak — this is normal and expected, particularly if osteotomies were performed. Breathing through the nose is blocked by internal swelling and splints. Sleep with your head elevated.
Days 5–7: The external splint is removed. This is the first time you see the new shape — but it’s still very swollen. Bruising begins to fade and can be concealed with makeup within about 10 days.
Weeks 2–3: Most patients feel comfortable returning to work and social activities by the end of week two. Internal swelling continues to recede. The nose looks noticeably different from before surgery, but still swollen compared to the final result.
Month 1–2: About 70% of the swelling has resolved. The bridge line is becoming visible. The tip is still rounded and somewhat stiff.
Months 3–6: Progressive refinement. The tip begins to soften and narrow. Most people who don’t know you had surgery won’t notice anything at this point — the nose looks natural, just better.
Months 6–12: The final 10–15% of swelling resolves, primarily at the tip. Patients with thicker skin may take longer. The definitive result is visible by the one-year mark. A study of long-term outcomes found that patient satisfaction increased over time as swelling resolved, with the highest satisfaction at 12 months or later (Picavet et al., JAMA Facial Plast Surg 2013).
Exact timing varies by patient. In your assessment you receive concrete instructions for your case, with follow-up in person or remote if you’re coming from the U.S.
Dr. Chama discusses every risk, complication rate, and realistic expectation in your assessment — before you decide. A medical site that only shows results and skips the risks is not giving you complete information.
Risks and considerations
Honesty first
Rhinoplasty carries surgical risks that you should understand before making a decision. The revision rate is one of the highest among cosmetic procedures — not because the surgery is dangerous, but because the nose is complex, visible, and subject to unpredictable changes during recovery.
Revision surgery is the most discussed risk. Published revision rates range from 5% to 15%, depending on the complexity of the primary surgery, the surgeon’s experience, and the definition of “revision” used. A systematic review of 11,428 patients found an overall complication rate of 4.6%, with asymmetry and residual deformity the most common findings (Saleh et al., Aesthetic Plast Surg 2020). Some revisions are minor refinements under local anesthesia; others are full secondary rhinoplasties.
Breathing changes: rhinoplasty can improve breathing (when combined with septoplasty) — but it can also, rarely, worsen it if internal valve support is compromised. Functional assessment is part of the pre-operative evaluation.
Asymmetry: the nose is not perfectly symmetric before surgery, and minor asymmetry after surgery is common. The goal is improvement, not mathematical perfection. Significant asymmetry that warrants correction is uncommon but possible.
Skin-related issues: thick skin may mask the underlying structural changes and limit definition. Thin skin shows everything — including minor irregularities. Pollybeak deformity (excess fullness above the tip) can occur if scar tissue accumulates in the supratip area.
Other risks: bleeding, infection (rare), numbness of the tip (usually temporary, resolving over weeks to months), visible scarring (rare with proper technique), septal perforation (a hole in the septum — uncommon but possible), and dissatisfaction despite a technically good result.
If in your assessment Dr. Chama determines the procedure isn’t right for your case — because of anatomy, expectations, or risk factors — that’s valuable information. We prefer to say so before surgery rather than operate without the correct medical judgment.
Results
What to expect — realistically
Rhinoplasty results are permanent. Unlike fillers or non-surgical treatments, the changes to bone and cartilage are structural. The nose will continue to age naturally (cartilage can weaken over decades, and the tip may drop slightly), but the fundamental shape change persists.
Published research shows patient satisfaction with primary rhinoplasty averages 83.6% according to a meta-analysis of outcome studies (Picavet et al., JAMA Facial Plast Surg 2013). Satisfaction is closely tied to realistic expectations, clear communication between patient and surgeon, and patience during the prolonged recovery period.
We don’t publish photographs of rhinoplasty results yet. We’ll publish only results documented well after the surgical event, with patient consent and proper documentation. In your assessment you can review cases directly with Dr. Chama.
Frequently asked questions
What patients ask us most
How much does a rhinoplasty cost?
The price depends on the complexity of your case — whether it’s primarily cosmetic or also functional, whether osteotomies are needed, and whether it’s a primary or revision. We provide a personalized quote after your assessment. Message us on WhatsApp to start the conversation.
How long is the recovery?
Days 1–3: splint in place, nasal packing removed. Days 5–7: splint removed, first look at the new shape. Weeks 2–3: back to work and social activities. Months 1–2: 70% of swelling resolved. Months 3–6: tip begins to refine. Months 6–12: final result visible.
Open vs. closed rhinoplasty?
Closed: all incisions inside the nostrils — no external scar, but limited visibility. Open: adds a small incision across the columella for full access to the nasal framework; the scar becomes nearly invisible. Most complex cases use the open approach. The choice depends on your anatomy.
Will it look natural?
With the right surgical plan, yes. A natural result comes from respecting your facial proportions, skin thickness, and ethnic features. The “done” look comes from over-reduction — removing too much, over-rotating the tip, or ignoring how the nose relates to the rest of the face. The goal is a nose that looks like it could have been yours naturally.
Can it fix my breathing?
If the obstruction is structural (deviated septum, enlarged turbinates, valve collapse), yes. The functional correction is done during the same operation — septorhinoplasty — and adds no significant recovery time. Whether your issue is surgical is assessed in your consultation.
What is the revision rate?
Published revision rates range from 5% to 15% depending on the study and case complexity. A systematic review of 11,428 patients found an overall complication rate of 4.6%. Some revisions are minor touch-ups; others are full secondary rhinoplasties. Rates are lower with experienced surgeons.
What is preservation rhinoplasty?
A technique that reshapes the dorsum from below (push-down or let-down) instead of removing the hump with a chisel. It preserves natural ligaments and may produce less swelling. Not appropriate for every case — severe humps or major structural changes may still need traditional techniques.
What age can I get rhinoplasty?
Nasal growth must be complete: at least 16–17 for females and 17–18 for males. There is no upper age limit — candidacy depends on overall condition, not a number.
How long do results last?
Rhinoplasty results are permanent. The changes to bone and cartilage are structural and persist for life. The nose ages naturally — tip may drop slightly over decades — but the fundamental shape change is lasting.
Can it be combined with other procedures?
Common combinations: rhinoplasty + septoplasty (breathing), blepharoplasty (eyelids), chin augmentation for facial balance, or facelift for comprehensive rejuvenation. Combinations are based on safety and anatomy.
I have thick skin — will it work?
Thick skin (common in certain ethnicities) can mask tip definition and take longer to show results. It’s a factor in planning, not a contraindication. Your assessment includes an honest discussion of what’s achievable with your skin type.
I’m coming from the U.S. — how does it work?
We can answer initial questions through a bilingual virtual consultation. The assessment is in person in Tijuana. Post-op follow-up can be monitored remotely once you’re back home.
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Last updated: September 8, 2026