Nose · Sinsa, Gangnam · Seoul

Wide Nose Surgery in Seoul

A nose can look wide at the bones, at the tip or at the nostrils — and each needs a different fix. Dr. Lee Yoo-jung finds where the width actually comes from before narrowing only those parts.

Free consultation on WhatsApp → See before & after
Slimmer, balanced nose on front view after wide nose surgery in Gangnam, Seoul
1.5–2.5 hrs general anaesthesia or deep sedation
7 days until the splint is removed
10 days recommended stay in Seoul
3 zones assessed: bones, tip, base

The short answer

Wide nose surgery narrows a nose that looks broad from the front. Width can come from the nasal bones (treated with osteotomy, controlled bone cuts that move them inward), a wide tip (treated by reshaping the tip cartilages) or a wide base (treated with alar reduction). Most patients need one or two of these, not all three, and breathing must be protected throughout.

Dr. Lee Yoo-jung, board-certified plastic surgeon
Medically reviewed by Dr. Lee Yoo-jung , board-certified plastic surgeon · M.D., Ajou University · former director, Banobagi
Last reviewed
i.

What causes a wide nose, and how is it narrowed?

From the front, a nose looks wide for one of three reasons: the bony vault at the top is broad, the tip is round and full, or the nostrils flare beyond the inner corners of the eyes. Narrowing the wrong zone gives little visible change, so the first step is to identify which part is responsible.

Broad bones are moved inward with osteotomy as part of a rhinoplasty. A full tip is addressed with bulbous nose correction, and a wide base with alar reduction. Many patients combine two.

ii.

Who is a good candidate?

  • A broad upper bridge that looks flat and wide in photos.
  • A full, rounded tip that adds width to the lower nose.
  • Nostrils wider than the eyes' inner corners.
  • A wide nose after injury where the bones healed spread apart.
  • Good general health and realistic expectations about skin thickness.

If the nose is wide and also large overall, read large nose surgery first.

iii.

Which technique narrows which part?

Osteotomy Tip refinement Alar reduction
Zone Upper bridge (bone) Tip (cartilage) Nostrils / base
Bruising Likely, 1–2 weeks Minimal Minimal
Splint Yes Taping No
Downtime 7–14 days 5–7 days 5–7 days
Main caution Airway narrowing Thick skin limits change Pinched nostrils
iv.

How wide nose surgery is performed

01 Width mapping Dr. Lee measures bridge, tip and base width against your eyes and lips and checks the airway.
02 Anaesthesia General anaesthesia or deep IV sedation.
03 Targeted narrowing Bones are moved in with fine osteotomies, the tip is sutured slimmer and the base reduced — only where needed.
04 Splint & taping A splint holds the bones; taping helps the tip skin settle.
v.

Before & after

Illustration of a wide nose front view before and after narrowing (before)Illustration of a wide nose front view before and after narrowing (after) Before After
Illustration of the planned change — not a patient photograph. Individual results vary.

Other categories are in our before & after gallery.

vi.

Recovery timeline

Day 1–3 Swelling and bruising, mostly if the bones were moved; head elevated.
Day 7 Splint off and stitches removed.
Week 2 Bruising mostly gone; back to work.
Month 3–12 Bridge narrowing visible early; tip continues to slim over months.

“Narrow is not the goal. A nose that matches the width of your eyes and smile is.”

Dr. Lee Yoo-jung · Chief Director
vii.

Risks, honestly

Moving the nasal bones too far can narrow the internal airway, and over-reducing the nostrils can look pinched — both are reasons we narrow conservatively. Other risks include bruising, asymmetry, prolonged tip swelling in thick skin, palpable bone edges and the general risks of nose surgery.

viii.

Frequently asked questions

Do the bones have to be broken?

Only if the width comes from the bones. Fine, controlled osteotomies move them inward; if the width is in the tip or base, the bones are left alone.

Will I bruise a lot?

Bruising is likely when the bones are moved and usually fades in 1–2 weeks. Tip and base work alone cause little bruising.

Can a wide nose be narrowed without surgery?

Not really. Filler can raise the bridge, which can make the nose look slimmer, but it cannot reduce actual width.

Will it affect breathing?

It shouldn't if done conservatively; Dr. Lee checks the airway before and during surgery.

Is the result permanent?

Yes, although soft tissue keeps ageing and thick-skinned tips take a long time to show their final shape.

How long should I stay in Seoul?

Around 10 days, so the splint can come off and Dr. Lee can check you before travel.

Continue reading

Related procedures.

i. Alar Reduction Narrowing the nostrils. ii. Bulbous Nose Correction Slimming a round tip. iii. Large Nose Surgery Reducing overall size. iv. Rhinoplasty The main nose guide. v. African Rhinoplasty Wider bases, thicker skin. vi. Deviated Nose Surgery Straightening a crooked nose.

Free consultation · English-speaking

Let’s talk.

Send a straight-on front photo in daylight on WhatsApp and Dr. Lee will tell you where your nose's width really comes from.

WhatsApp us → +82 2 516 6160
Address
16F, 616 Gangnam-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul · Sinsa Station Exit 6
Hours
Mon–Fri 10:00–19:00 · Sat 09:30–15:30
Surgeon
Dr. Lee Yoo-jung, board-certified plastic surgeon

This page is for general information and does not replace an in-person medical consultation. Results and recovery differ between individuals.