How much does rhinoplasty cost?

At NOSE London, primary rhinoplasty starts from £10,000 all-inclusive. Septorhinoplasty from £10,500. Revision rhinoplasty from £12,000. The consultation fee of £250 is credited to your surgery if you proceed.

How long is recovery?

Most patients return to desk work within two weeks. A splint is worn for the first week. Bruising typically resolves by week two. Exercise can resume gradually from week four to six. Final results are visible at 12 months.

Will I have visible scars?

Mr Whitehead primarily uses the open rhinoplasty approach, which places a small incision on the columella (the tissue between the nostrils). This heals to become virtually invisible within a few months.

Can rhinoplasty improve my breathing?

Yes. Mr Whitehead's dual training in ENT surgery and facial plastic surgery means he assesses both cosmetic and functional concerns. If you have breathing issues, a septorhinoplasty can address both in a single operation.

What happens during a consultation?

Your 60-90 minute consultation includes a clinical examination, 3D VECTRA imaging to simulate potential results, a detailed discussion of your goals, and a clear explanation of the procedure, recovery, and costs. The £250 fee is credited if you proceed to surgery.

Rhinoplasty London — Expert Nose Surgery at Harley Street

Name: Rhinoplasty London | Mr David Whitehead FRCS(ORL-HNS) | 9 Harley Street
Creator: Mr David Whitehead
Published: 2026-03-12

Mr David Whitehead · Consultant ENT & Facial Plastic Surgeon

Dual fellowship-trained rhinoplasty specialist combining rare ENT and facial plastic surgery expertise. Functional and cosmetic nose surgery from £10,000, all-inclusive at 9 Harley Street.

Book Your Consultation Call 020 7183 0220

GMC Registered

RCS Board Certified

Dual Fellowship

4.96/5 on Doctify

Your nose defines your face. Whether you're considering rhinoplasty for the first time, need revision surgery after a previous procedure, or want to improve your breathing alongside the appearance of your nose, the expertise of your surgeon matters more than anything else.

I'm Mr David Whitehead, a Consultant ENT and Facial Plastic Surgeon practising at 9 Harley Street, London. I hold the FRCS(ORL-HNS) — the highest surgical qualification in ear, nose and throat surgery in the UK — and I am one of only a small number of surgeons in the country to hold Board Certification in Cosmetic Surgery of the Face and Nose from the Royal College of Surgeons, awarded by the Intercollegiate Cosmetic Surgery Oversight Committee.

This combination is rare. Most cosmetic surgeons are not ENT-trained, so they reshape noses without fully understanding the airway. Most ENT surgeons are not board-certified in cosmetic surgery of the face. I hold both qualifications, which means every rhinoplasty I perform is planned with equal attention to how your nose looks and how it breathes.

Why an ENT surgeon for rhinoplasty?

Most rhinoplasty in London is performed by plastic surgeons. They are skilled at reshaping the external appearance of the nose — but the nose is not just a shape. It's a complex airway with valves, turbinates, a septum, and delicate mucosal lining that all work together to let you breathe.

As an ENT-trained surgeon, I understand the nose from the inside out. Before any aesthetic plan, I assess your nasal airway — your septum, your nasal valves, your turbinates — because changing the shape of a nose without understanding its function is how patients end up with a nose that looks good but doesn't work properly.

This is particularly important for septorhinoplasty (combined functional and cosmetic surgery), revision rhinoplasty (where previous surgery has compromised the airway), and ethnic rhinoplasty (where preserving structural integrity and identity requires deep understanding of cartilage and bone variation).

Rhinoplasty procedures at NOSE London

Every nose is different, and so is every surgical plan. I offer a full range of rhinoplasty procedures, each tailored to your specific anatomy, goals, and functional needs:

Aesthetic rhinoplasty

Reshaping the nose to improve proportion, symmetry, and harmony with your facial features. This includes dorsal hump reduction, bulbous tip refinement,narrowing of the bridge, nostril reduction, and correction of asymmetry. I also offer specialist male rhinoplasty, where preserving masculine character while achieving refinement requires a distinct surgical approach.

Septorhinoplasty

The combination of septoplasty (straightening the internal septum) with rhinoplasty. This is my most common procedure — addressing both breathing and appearance in a single operation. If you have a deviated septum, nasal valve collapse, or chronic obstruction alongside cosmetic concerns, this is likely what you need.

Ethnic rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty that respects and preserves your ethnic identity while addressing specific concerns. Whether you have Middle Eastern, South Asian, East Asian, or Afro-Caribbean heritage, the goal is refinement — not erasure.

Revision rhinoplasty

Secondary surgery to correct problems from a previous rhinoplasty. This is among the most complex nasal surgery, often requiring cartilage grafting and meticulous reconstruction.

Ultrasonic (piezo) rhinoplasty

A precision technique using ultrasonic energy to reshape nasal bone without the trauma of traditional chisels. This means less bruising, more controlled results, and faster recovery. I use piezoelectric instruments for the bone work in the majority of my rhinoplasties. Learn more about ultrasonic rhinoplasty.

Preservation rhinoplasty

A modern approach that works with your existing nasal framework rather than breaking it down and rebuilding. By preserving the natural dorsal anatomy, results tend to look more natural and recover faster.

What to expect from your consultation

Your consultation at 9 Harley Street is thorough, unhurried, and focused entirely on you. I typically spend 30–45 minutes with each new patient.

We begin with a detailed discussion of what you'd like to change — and equally importantly, what you'd like to keep. I then examine your nose externally and internally, assessing your skin type, cartilage strength, septal position, and nasal airway. If breathing is a concern, I'll conduct a peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) assessment to objectively measure your airflow.

I use digital imaging to help visualise potential outcomes, but I'm always honest about what's achievable. The goal is a natural result that suits your face — not a template nose from a catalogue.

Consultations are charged at a fee that is fully deductible from the cost of surgery if you proceed. This ensures that every patient I see receives my full attention and a genuine clinical assessment, regardless of whether they ultimately decide to go ahead.

Credentials and training

My qualifications reflect a career dedicated to understanding the nose — structurally, functionally, and aesthetically:

Board Certified in Cosmetic Surgery — Face & Nose (Royal College of Surgeons, 2022)

Certified under the Cosmetic Surgery Certification Scheme by the Intercollegiate Cosmetic Surgery Oversight Committee, covering cosmetic surgery of the face, nose, periorbital region, and ears. This certification is awarded jointly by all four Royal Colleges of Surgery and requires demonstration of training, clinical skills, and knowledge at the highest standard. Only a small number of surgeons in the UK hold this certification.

FRCS(ORL-HNS)

Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons in Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery. This is the UK's highest qualification in ENT surgery, requiring years of specialist training and rigorous examination.

Dual Fellowship Training

Rhinology fellowship in Manchester (UK) and Facial Plastic Surgery fellowship in Istanbul (Turkey), providing comprehensive training in both the functional and aesthetic aspects of nasal surgery.

NHS England National Selection Verifier

Self-Assessment Verifier for NHS England's national ENT ST3 selection process, contributing to the assessment of candidates entering specialist surgical training in otolaryngology.

BSc Psychology, King's College London

Understanding patient psychology and expectations is as important as surgical technique.

MBBS, King's College London

Medical degree from one of the UK's leading medical schools.

MSc Surgical Technology, Imperial College London

Advanced training in surgical innovation and technology.

I hold a 4.96 out of 5 rating on Doctify from 35 verified patient reviews, with a 100% recommendation rate on my Edgecumbe Doctor 360 assessment.