RhinoplastyCroatia4 min read
Did Alen Bičević have a nose job? Yes, and he explained why
The Croatian singer Alen Bičević, frontman of the band Joy, told Happy FM radio that after losing weight he decided to have his nose reshaped, because it had started standing out on his face. Below is what he said, where it was reported, and what the operation he talked about involves for anyone considering it today.
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The main points in 30 seconds
- Alen Bičević, frontman of Joy, told Happy FM that losing weight made his nose stand out, so he fixed it.
- Losing weight changed his face shape, he said; he doesn't regret it, naming no surgeon or clinic.
- Methods: open or closed rhinoplasty, and septorhinoplasty, which also fixes breathing via the septum.
- Recovery: one night in hospital, splints out by day 7, splint to 14 days, final shape by 1.5 years.
- At City Medical Centre, rhinoplasty $4,200, revision $5,400, rhinoseptoplasty $5,000, guarantee.
Key facts about the procedure
- Operation time1.5–3 hours
- Stay in clinic1 day
- AnaesthesiaGeneral
- Price
$6,000from $4,200
When I lost weight, my face took on its real shape. Then I decided I might touch something up, because my nose really stood out. So I made the decision, and I don't regret it.
What did Alen Bičević say about his nose job?
As reported by 24sata, which cited his earlier words to Happy FM radio, Bičević explained: “When I lost weight, my face took on its real shape. Then I decided I might touch something up, because my nose really stood out. So I made the decision, and I don't regret it.”
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WhatsAppThat is the whole of what this article relies on. He did not describe the technique, the surgeon or the clinic, and we do not guess at any of those details. Where the text below explains methods and recovery, it describes rhinoplasty in general, not his treatment.
Why his explanation is useful
Bičević's account follows a pattern surgeons see often: significant weight loss changes the proportions of the face, and a nose that looked balanced before can suddenly draw more attention. He framed the decision as practical rather than dramatic, and said plainly that he has no regrets. Nothing in this article judges anyone's appearance; the point is how he made the decision.
More on this topic: Rhinoplasty in one day, Revision Rhinoplasty, Open Rhinoplasty, Rhinoplasty for Patients from Singapore, Rhinoplasty in Melbourne.
A nose job reshapes the nose and, when needed, can also improve breathing if the septum is addressed at the same time.
Rhinoplasty abroad: choose a city and clinic
Prices, the clinic and a free online consultation for each city:
How rhinoplasty is done today
Two main approaches are used:
- Open rhinoplasty — a small incision on the columella (the skin between the nostrils) gives the surgeon full view of the structures, useful for more complex changes.
- Closed rhinoplasty — all incisions are inside the nose, with no visible scar.
- Septorhinoplasty — shape correction combined with straightening the nasal septum to improve breathing.
- Planning
- 3D modelling of the expected result
- Work on bone
- Ultrasonic piezo device for precise, lower-trauma reshaping
- Anaesthesia
- General anaesthesia or TIVA
- Hospital stay
- One night in the inpatient unit
Who is a candidate and how to prepare
Rhinoplasty is usually considered for a hump, a wide or drooping tip, asymmetry, breathing problems linked to the septum, or the proportion changes that can follow major weight loss, as Bičević described.
- Pre-op tests include blood work, a coagulation panel, infection screening, an ECG and sinus imaging.
- Preparation starts about 21 days before: blood-thinning medication is reviewed with the doctor, and alcohol and smoking are stopped a week beforehand.
- The optimal age is 18–45 once facial growth is complete, though older patients can be suitable if their health allows.
What recovery looks like
The first 24 hours are spent in the inpatient unit. For the first 1–3 days patients breathe through the mouth, with nasal splints and some swelling and bruising. Splints usually come out around day 7, the external splint stays up to 14 days, and stitches are removed on day 14. Exercise, sauna, swimming and sun exposure are avoided for about a month.
The first clear improvement is visible after 2–3 weeks, healing is largely complete at about 4 months, and the final shape settles over 1–1.5 years.
How recovery after rhinoplasty usually goes
- First 24 hoursInpatient unit under monitoring; mouth breathing while nasal splints are in place.
- Days 1–7Swelling and bruising are expected; splints come out around day 7.
- Up to day 14External splint and stitches removed.
- Weeks 2–3First clear improvement in appearance and breathing.
- About 4 monthsHealing is largely complete.
- 1–1.5 yearsThe final shape settles.
Rhinoplasty at City Medical Centre
City Medical Centre performs open, closed and functional rhinoplasty (septorhinoplasty) for patients from other countries, starting with a free consultation that can be held online. Primary rhinoplasty costs $4,200, revision rhinoplasty $5,400 and rhinoseptoplasty $5,000; the exact price is confirmed after an in-person examination and fixed in the contract. The clinic states a lifetime guarantee on the result and a free check-up after surgery. More details are on the rhinoplasty page.
To be clear: City Medical Centre has no connection with Alen Bičević or his treatment. His story is simply a well-known example of a man who explained his own decision.
Frequently asked questions
Why did Alen Bičević decide to have a nose job?
He said that after losing weight, his nose started standing out on his face, so he decided to have it corrected, and that he does not regret it.
Did he say which technique was used?
No. This article explains the open, closed and septorhinoplasty approaches used today in general, without assuming which one he chose.
How long does swelling last after rhinoplasty?
Visible swelling and bruising mostly settle within the first 2–4 weeks, with the first clear improvement after 2–3 weeks. The final shape takes 1–1.5 years to fully settle.
Can rhinoplasty also fix breathing problems?
Yes, when the procedure includes septorhinoplasty, which straightens the nasal septum together with reshaping the nose.
How much does rhinoplasty cost at City Medical Centre?
Primary rhinoplasty costs $4,200, revision rhinoplasty $5,400 and rhinoseptoplasty $5,000. The exact price is confirmed after an in-person examination.
Sources
What the article says about the celebrity is based only on these public statements.
- 24sata / Happy FM, 7 April 2025
Medical background and further reading
General information about the procedure from health authorities and medical societies. It is not advice for any individual patient.
- PubMed / NCBI — Reporting Outcomes and Outcome Measures in Open Rhinoplasty: A Systematic Review (Aesthet Surg J, 2020)
- PubMed / NCBI — Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Functional Rhinoplasty Outcomes with the NOSE Score (2017)
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons — Rhinoplasty
- World Health Organization — Safe surgery
How we prepare and review medical content · Medical disclaimer
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