Stuttgart – November 04, 2026 -- A cosmetic nose correction can also make breathing easier: Dr. Gregor Fuchshuber of Stuttgart's Sophienklinik says about 90 percent of his corrections improve airflow as well as appearance.
Fuchshuber has spent 16 years as a senior physician for plastic and aesthetic surgery at the clinic and operates on up to 200 noses a year. He always looks at the whole face first, because the nose has to work as well as look good.
A straight nasal bridge improves airflow
According to Fuchshuber, a straight bridge creates more favorable flow conditions than a hump or a curve. Air cannot flow around a bend, so it swirls and creates resistance. Once a hump is removed or a drooping tip is lifted, the air moves in a straight, laminar stream. Patients often tell him they had no idea how well one could breathe.
The nose warms, filters and humidifies every breath
The nasal turbinates work like a radiator. They are richly supplied with blood and moisture, so they warm incoming air within seconds and add humidity. The nose also filters dust, and nasal breathing protects against frequent colds.
For this reason, Fuchshuber turns down some requests. One woman from the Persian region wanted an already small nose made smaller and accepted losing its function, since she could breathe through her mouth. He says a reputable specialist must refuse such a request. He also says the extremely small, upturned noses popular in the Oriental region often no longer perform their natural function.
Patients preview their new nose on a computer
Patients range from 20 to 60 years old, and 60 to 70 percent are women. Many bring photos. Each starts with a full consultation, followed by a joint computer simulation in which the desired nose is shifted and adjusted until the patient is satisfied. The nose is only built if the result also preserves function.
The aim is a symmetrical, classically proportioned nose that fits the face and does not stand out. Fuchshuber says it should look as if nature had planned it that way.
Recovery takes ten days to look presentable and a year to finish
The procedure is a standard outpatient operation. Patients describe the feeling as similar to a cold, and wound infections are nearly ruled out. When a hump is removed or the nose is reduced, the cartilage taken out ranges from one millimeter to half a centimeter, and most of it is reused. If the nose is enlarged or its structure is missing, cartilage is taken from an inconspicuous spot on the ear.
Patients who avoid physical exertion, sleep a bit more and skip glasses for a while are socially presentable after ten days, according to Fuchshuber. Swelling fades gradually, quarter by quarter, and the final result usually appears after about one year. After four to eight weeks, some patients can barely recall their old nose, and friends often ask whether they have lost weight.
At their one-year check-up, Fuchshuber says, patients arrive noticeably more dynamic and confident, because they no longer hide their noses behind long hair and large glasses.