Rhinoplasty in Buenos Aires —
Natural and Precise Nose Surgery

What is rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty — also known as nose surgery — is the surgical procedure that modifies the shape, size and structure of the nose. It can be aesthetic (improving appearance), functional (correcting breathing problems due to a deviated septum or valve collapse) or combined (aesthetic and functional in the same surgical act, known as septorhinoplasty). It is one of the most requested plastic surgeries in the world and, at the same time, one of the most complex: the nose is the geometric center of the face and every extra or missing millimeter has a significant visual impact.

Unlike other surgeries where the goal is to restore a younger appearance, rhinoplasty seeks to create harmony: a nose that relates well to the eyes, cheekbones, chin and lips of the specific patient. There is no "perfect nose" in the abstract — there is the right nose for each face. This principle guides every surgical plan.

Aesthetic rhinoplasty

Corrects the morphological characteristics that generate dissatisfaction in the patient: the hump or dorsal bump (the "bridge" of the nose), the wide, drooping or over-projected tip, the wide nasal base, asymmetries between the two sides, or a nose disproportionate to the rest of the features. The surgical approach adapts completely to the anatomy of each nose: no two rhinoplasties are the same.

Septorhinoplasty (functional rhinoplasty)

A deviated septum (nasal septum not on the midline) is the most frequent cause of chronic nasal obstruction. It can be congenital or the result of trauma. Septoplasty corrects the position of the septum, restoring normal airflow. When combined with aesthetic rhinoplasty — known as septorhinoplasty — the same surgical act improves both respiratory function and outer appearance, without additional anesthesia or operating room costs.

Preservation rhinoplasty

Preservation rhinoplasty is a modern technique that preserves the dorsal ligament and the support structures of the nasal dorsum, instead of resecting and reconstructing them. Its main advantage is faster recovery, less postoperative swelling and a more stable long-term result. It is especially indicated for hump corrections and dorsal refinements in patients with adequate skin thickness. Dra. Jenny evaluates in each case whether the preservation technique is the most appropriate or whether the case requires a more classical approach.

Who are candidates for rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty is indicated for both patients with aesthetic and functional motivations. The fundamental criteria are complete nasal development (from age 18), good general health and realistic expectations about the result. There is no upper age limit: what matters is the patient's motivation, cardiovascular health and quality of nasal skin.

• Dorsal hump or bump: the nasal profile shows a convexity that the patient wishes to correct to obtain a straighter or slightly concave dorsum
• Wide, bulbous or drooping tip: the nasal tip is disproportionate relative to the rest of the nose or the face, and does not harmonize with the facial features
• Deviated septum with breathing difficulty: chronic nasal obstruction, snoring, mouth breathing, recurrent sinusitis related to septal deviation
• Wide nasal base: the nasal wings are wide relative to the distance between the inner eye corners (the so-called intercanthal width)
• Over-projected or under-projected nose: the nose projects too much or too little in relation to the facial profile
• Nasal asymmetries: visible differences between the two sides of the nose, whether in the dorsum, the sidewalls or the tip
• Patients in a full facial rejuvenation program: the nose can be combined with Deep Plane Facelift, blepharoplasty and Lip Lift for comprehensive facial rejuvenation
• 18 years or older with completed nasal growth; no upper age limit

In the preoperative consultation I perform a detailed photographic analysis from the front, profile and three-quarters view, evaluating nasal proportions in relation to the rest of the face. This allows me to plan precisely which structures to modify and what final result to expect, before entering the operating room.

Surgical techniques: open, closed and preservation

The choice of technique is a medical decision that depends exclusively on the patient's anatomy and surgical goals. All three techniques are valid — there is no universally superior one — and each has its precise indications.

Recovery: week by week with nasal cast

Rhinoplasty recovery is longer than that of other facial surgeries, mainly because the nose maintains residual swelling for several months. However, the cast period is short and most patients are presentable within 10 to 14 days. Here is what to expect at each stage:

1. 1
   Days 1 to 7 — Nasal cast phase Immediately after surgery a nasal cast or splint is placed to protect and stabilize the operated structures. The patient has swelling in the nose and periorbital bruising (around the eyes), which are completely normal. There may be some mild bleeding in the first 24 hours. Rest with the head elevated is recommended, cold over the eyes (never directly on the cast nose) and avoiding any physical exertion. There is no significant pain with proper medication.
2. 2
   Days 7 to 10 — Cast removal At the postoperative check-up the cast or splint is removed. This is the most anticipated moment: the nose already has its new shape, though still with swelling. Most of the periorbital bruising has resolved. Patients traveling from abroad can have this check-up at the office at Av. Santa Fe 3192 before planning their return.
3. 3
   Days 10 to 14 — Presentable for social activities With the cast removed and the initial swelling resolved, most patients feel comfortable going out. The change is already visible and noticeable. Sedentary activities, office work and meetings can be resumed. With makeup, small residual bruises are easily concealed. This is the usual return time for patients traveling from abroad.
4. 4
   Weeks 3 to 6 — Return to full routine Moderate physical activities can be resumed. Contact sports and sunny environments are avoided until week 6. Swelling continues to gradually decrease. The nose already looks very good at this stage, though refinement continues.
5. 5
   3 to 6 months — 70–80% of the final result The heavy swelling has resolved. The nose clearly shows its new shape. The tip, being the area of greatest skin thickness, may still show some fine swelling that continues to be absorbed. Most patients are very satisfied with their result at this stage.
6. 6
   6 to 12 months — Definitive result All residual swelling resolves and the nose reaches its final shape. This is the moment when the final result can be precisely assessed. The tip finishes defining its contour and the fine details of the dorsum stabilize. This result is stable over the long term.

Results: long-lasting, natural, 6–12 months for the definitive

The results of rhinoplasty are long-lasting. The changes made to the nasal bones and cartilages do not revert with time: the nose maintains its new shape over the long term. Natural aging of the face continues, but the structural modifications made in the operating room are stable long-term.

The initial visible result appears immediately after the cast is removed (days 7–10), but the definitive result requires 6 to 12 months to fully manifest. This is due to the fine swelling that persists in the subcutaneous tissue of the nose, especially in the tip. This resolution process is gradual and imperceptible day by day — the patient gets used to the progressive change and often the people around them notice the improvement before the patient themselves.

In aesthetic terms, the goal is always a result that looks natural and integrated into the face. A well-operated nose does not reveal the surgery: it simply looks good in all expressions, in all photos and from all angles. This coherence between the surgical result and the patient's facial identity is a central principle in rhinoplasty, and it guides every procedure.

Cost of rhinoplasty in Buenos Aires

The fee for rhinoplasty in my practice in Buenos Aires is defined during the in-person valuation consultation. The exact scope depends on the complexity of the case, the surgical technique used (open, closed or preservation), whether functional septoplasty is included and whether the rhinoplasty is performed in isolation or combined with other surgeries. As a personalized medical service, we do not publish prices. When combined with Deep Plane Facelift or blepharoplasty, performing procedures together is more efficient than doing each one separately.

Buenos Aires has a strong school of rhinoplasty and high-level care provided by a board-certified surgeon, making it an option for international patients seeking facial plastic surgery.

Why Buenos Aires for your rhinoplasty?

Argentina has an internationally recognized tradition in plastic surgery, and rhinoplasty in particular is one of the specialties where the Argentine school has developed a notable expertise. Argentine surgeons are trained with references from European and North American schools, adapting techniques to the morphological diversity of a multicultural population. The result is a sophisticated, technically rigorous surgical practice with an aesthetic sensibility recognized at international congresses.

Buenos Aires is also a well-organized medical tourism destination for international patients. The private health system offers good-level clinics with standards comparable to European or North American centers. For those traveling from the United States, Canada, Spain, Mexico or Brazil, the surgical quality and the organization of the stay make Buenos Aires a convenient option.

The neighborhood: Palermo and Recoleta

Dra. Jenny's office is located at Av. Santa Fe 3192, on the border between Palermo and Recoleta — one of Buenos Aires' most vibrant, safe and cosmopolitan neighborhoods. It is an eminently walkable area with excellent Airbnb options at very accessible prices a few blocks from the office, perfect for the recovery stay. Patients can walk to Parque Las Heras, have lunch at neighborhood restaurants, or simply rest in a quiet and easily accessible setting.

• Public transport access: Line D subway, Scalabrini Ortiz station a 5-minute walk
• Nearby Airbnbs: wide range of well-equipped apartments in Palermo and Recoleta, ideal for recovery, at significantly lower prices than hotels
• Safety and walkability: high-traffic central residential area with shops, pharmacies and services within meters
• Gastronomy and cultural life: one of the city's neighborhoods with the best dining options, with choices for all tastes and budgets
• Stay coordination: we coordinate the preoperative consultation by video call before the trip, so the patient arrives with all prior evaluation done and only the surgery remains

The combination of a plastic surgeon trained in the Argentine school of rhinoplasty and a comfortable location in Buenos Aires makes a consultation from abroad worthwhile. Many patients take advantage of the stay to combine rhinoplasty with other surgeries — blepharoplasty, Lip Lift, Deep Plane Facelift — concentrating several facial procedures into a single visit.

Frequently Asked Questions about Rhinoplasty