Gina Dirawi's nose operation: done for breathing, in her own words

What did Gina Dirawi say about her nose operation?

After followers had speculated in the comments on her Instagram, she wrote about it herself. Expressen quoted her post on 14 October 2015: “I've had questions about my nose, whether I've had surgery on it. Yep, I had serious problems with my breathing, sinuses and infections over the years, so I had to have a fairly major operation a while ago to correct what was wrong.”

She also explained why the shape of her nose had changed: “It is common for the shape to be affected, depending on how extreme the problems are.” And she made clear that she would rather not have had to discuss it at all, writing that her medical record was really nobody else's business.

That is all we rely on here. Dirawi did not name a diagnosis, the exact operation or a date, so this article does not guess at them. The sections below explain functional nose surgery in general, not her treatment, and we respect that it was a medical matter.

Nose surgery is often about breathing

Public discussion of celebrity nose surgery usually focuses on appearance. Dirawi's answer is a reminder that many nose operations are done because a person has trouble breathing through the nose, repeated sinus problems or infections. When the internal structures of the nose need to be corrected, the outer shape can change as a consequence, exactly as she described.

Her irritation at the speculation is also understandable. Health information is private, and nobody owes the public an explanation. What matters for anyone with similar symptoms is a proper examination: problems inside the nose are often invisible from the outside.

How functional nose surgery is done today

When breathing is the main problem, surgeons work on the internal structures of the nose, most often the nasal septum; when the shape is also affected, the operations are combined. The main variants offered at City Medical Centre are:

• Rhinoseptoplasty — straightening the nasal septum to improve breathing, combined with correction of the shape.
• Reconstructive rhinoseptoplasty — restoring the structure of the nose, including with a rib cartilage graft when extra support is needed.
• Primary rhinoplasty — a first operation on the shape, by open or closed technique.

The operation is planned with 3D modelling, bone work is done with an ultrasonic piezo device, and anaesthesia is general or TIVA. Which variant is needed is decided only after an in-person examination.

Who is it for, and how to prepare

Surgery is considered for persistent difficulty breathing through the nose, a curved septum, the consequences of an injury, or when breathing and shape need to be corrected at the same time. The optimal age is 18–45, and older patients can be operated on if their health allows. Before surgery patients have a complete blood count, biochemistry, a coagulation panel, infection tests, an ECG, a chest X-ray and an X-ray or CT of the sinuses. Preparation starts about 21 days before; blood-thinning drugs (only with the doctor's approval), alcohol and smoking are stopped a week before, and the last food and drink are six hours before the operation.

Recovery after nose surgery

The first 24 hours are spent in the clinic's inpatient unit. For the first one to three days patients breathe through the mouth because of splints in the nostrils, and swelling and bruising are possible. The nasal splints come out on day 7, and the external splint and stitches on day 14. For a month, sport, sauna, pool, hot baths and sun are avoided. Mild congestion can last one to one and a half months, the first improvements show after two to three weeks, healing is largely complete after about four months, and the final shape settles over one to one and a half years. Seek a doctor immediately for difficulty breathing, severe pain, high fever or a change in shape.

1. First 24 hoursObservation in the clinic's inpatient unit after surgery.
2. Days 1–3Mouth breathing because of splints in the nostrils; swelling and bruising are possible.
3. Day 7Nasal splints are removed.
4. Day 14The external splint and stitches are removed.
5. Weeks 4–6Mild congestion gradually eases; sport, sauna and pool return after a month.
6. About 4 monthsHealing is largely complete.
7. 1–1.5 yearsThe final shape of the nose settles.

Nose surgery at City Medical Centre

City Medical Centre performs primary and revision rhinoplasty, rhinoseptoplasty and reconstructive operations. The first consultation is free; the exact cost is set after an in-person examination and fixed in the contract. Patients spend one day and night in the inpatient unit, and a free check-up after surgery is included. More details are on the rhinoplasty page.

To be clear: City Medical Centre has no connection with Gina Dirawi or her treatment. Her words are quoted only because she chose to explain her operation publicly.

Frequently asked questions

Why did Gina Dirawi have nose surgery?

She wrote on Instagram in 2015 that she had serious problems with her breathing, sinuses and infections over the years and needed a fairly major operation to correct them.

Did the operation change the shape of her nose?

She said it is common for the shape to be affected, depending on how extreme the problems are. She did not give further details, and we do not speculate.

What is rhinoseptoplasty?

It is an operation that straightens the nasal septum to improve breathing and corrects the shape of the nose at the same time. It is chosen when both function and shape need attention.

How much does rhinoseptoplasty cost at City Medical Centre?

Rhinoseptoplasty costs $5,000, reconstructive rhinoseptoplasty $4,700 and primary rhinoplasty $4,200. The exact price is set after an in-person examination.

How long does recovery take?

Splints come out on days 7 and 14, sport and sauna return after a month, healing is largely complete after about four months, and the final shape settles within one to one and a half years.