How Dr Stephen Kleid Balances the Art of Rhinoplasty with the Discipline of Sport
An Interview and Story by Blogger – Brooklyn Staughton
Most crisp Melbourne mornings, just before or after dawn, whilst cyclists glide in the mist along the river’s edge, a fit, tall slim figure in his early 70s hits tennis balls with his coach, lifts weights and does Pilates. This isn’t just a casual morning workout, nor is it gentle. For Dr Stephen Kleid, it’s a ritual — one that clears his mind, steadies his hand, and sharpens his focus before a day in the operating theatre.
“Exercise is my meditation,” he says later, seated in his Melbourne clinic. “It resets me — just like sculpting a nose. You need rhythm, balance, and absolute attention. Since I was a kid when my dad set up a Community gym, I have never gone more than a few days without some sort of exercise.”
An ENT surgeon with decades of experience, Dr Kleid is known across Victoria and beyond for his expertise in Rhinoplasty — the intricate surgical reshaping of the nose. His background in both Head and Neck tumour surgery, and cosmetic nasal reconstruction, places him in a rare tier of dual-trained surgeons. But outside the theatre, he’s equally at home on the tennis court, working out, or competing in Masters events — pushing his limits with the same quiet discipline he brings to each Rhinoplasty case.
“I believe you operate the way you live,” he says. “Surgical precision comes from how you move through the world — thoughtfully, consistently, with care.”
From Anatomy to Aesthetics: A Surgeon’s Journey
Dr Kleid’s medical path began in earnest at the University of Melbourne, followed by specialist ENT training through the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. He built his early career performing complex procedures involving the sinuses, septum, and airways — operations where function and structure intersect. But it was the aesthetic nuances of rhinoplasty that captivated him.
“Every nose is unique,” he explains. “It sits at the centre of the face, and a millimetre change can completely alter someone’s appearance — or restore harmony they’ve never had. It’s technically demanding, but incredibly rewarding.”
That complexity is what continues to challenge and inspire him. Over the years, Dr Kleid has performed thousands of nasal surgeries, treating everything from congenital deformities and post-trauma reconstructions to subtle cosmetic refinements. What sets his work apart is a deep understanding of nasal function — ensuring that any change to form enhances, rather than compromises, a patient’s ability to breathe freely.
“You can’t separate beauty and function in nasal surgery,” he says. “A beautiful nose must breathe well. A functional nose should look like it belongs on the face.”
This dual lens — form and function — allows Dr Kleid to customise each procedure with uncommon finesse. Whether it’s correcting a deviated septum, refining a bulbous tip, or restoring symmetry after injury, he applies the same principle: conserve what’s working, enhance what can be improved, and respect the patient’s individuality.
Rhinoplasty: Subtle Changes, Life-Changing Results
In the aesthetic surgery world, rhinoplasty is often called the most technically difficult procedure — a reputation Dr Kleid doesn’t dispute.
“The nose is a three-dimensional structure with complex architecture,” he explains. “Cartilage, bone, skin — they all behave differently. You’re not just reshaping a surface. You’re reshaping what lies beneath, and it has to last a lifetime.”
Modern rhinoplasty has moved far beyond the “one-size-fits-all” approach of previous decades. Today, patients seek natural, individualised results — noses that align with their heritage, suit their facial proportions, and don’t scream “surgery.” Dr Kleid’s approach is to enhance what’s already there, often using open rhinoplasty techniques that give him precise control over the underlying structures.
“There’s an artistry to it,” he says. “But it’s grounded in anatomy, in geometry, in restraint. My goal is to create a nose that draws no attention to itself — just brings the whole face into balance.”
He often blends surgical rhinoplasty with septoplasty or turbinate reduction, improving airflow while refining aesthetics. For younger patients with breathing issues or visible bumps, he offers conservative reshaping. For older patients, sometimes it’s about restoring structural support that’s weakened over time.
In every case, he takes a long-term view: planning not just for how the nose will look in three months, but how it will age over decades.
“A good rhinoplasty shouldn’t need a revision. It should age with you — strong, stable, subtle.”
Tennis, Timing and the Pursuit of Mastery
Outside surgery, Dr Kleid’s devotion to precision shows up in another arena: the tennis court.
He’s been a passionate competitor since his university days, now a regular on the Masters tennis circuit, travelling for tournaments across Australia and occasionally overseas. He still trains several times a week, relishing the rhythm of a baseline rally, the calculation behind each point. On regular weeks he competes with all ages, from 15 to 50, singles and doubles.
“Tennis, like surgery, is about angles and timing,” he says. “You need footwork, awareness, and control. If you lose focus for a second, the game slips away — just like in theatre.”
The same traits that make him a skilled surgeon — discipline, calm under pressure, a love of complex problem-solving — serve him equally well on court. He speaks fondly of the community of older athletes who continue to compete well into their 60s and 70s, driven not by ego but by craft.
“Masters tennis is full of people who’ve spent decades refining their technique. It’s not about brute strength anymore. It’s about smart play — and that resonates deeply with me.”
His training routine reflects the same consistency he asks of himself in surgery. Running, strength training, mobility work — they’re all part of a regimen designed not just to maintain health, but to support endurance in the operating room.
“I operate standing, usually for hours. Physical fitness keeps my posture steady, my hands relaxed. I recover better between long days. And mentally, it helps me stay sharp.”
A Teacher and a Technician
Throughout his career, Dr Kleid has also mentored junior surgeons and ENT registrars, offering guidance not just on techniques, but on judgement — when to operate, when to wait, when to say no.
“Rhinoplasty requires honesty — with yourself and with the patient,” he says. “Sometimes the best decision is to do nothing, or to suggest a simpler solution. Patients appreciate that.”
He keeps a detailed photographic archive of past procedures, not for marketing, but for clinical education — a personal logbook of techniques, refinements, and outcomes. It’s part of his belief that good surgery comes from constant feedback and lifelong learning.
“There’s always something to improve. That’s what keeps it interesting.”
Even now, well into a distinguished career, Dr Kleid regularly attends surgical workshops, cadaver labs, and conferences, keeping pace with the evolving field.
“Techniques evolve, materials change, but the principles stay the same: know your anatomy, think three steps ahead, and listen closely to what patients want.”
Rhythm, Recovery, and the Long Game
In a society increasingly drawn to quick fixes and instant results, Dr Kleid’s approach feels refreshingly steady. His consultations are thorough, his advice pragmatic, his outcomes designed to endure.
Patients are given detailed guidance on recovery, expectations, and timing, with an emphasis on planning for the right moment — not rushing to meet a milestone or trend.
“I often tell patients: don’t have surgery for a big event next month. Have it when life is quiet, when you can heal properly and give yourself space.”
It’s advice he follows himself — pacing his own training and career with care. “I’m not interested in burnout or bravado,” he says. “Surgery, like sport, is a long game. You need to manage your energy wisely.”
The Quiet Confidence of a Master Surgeon
These days, Dr Kleid performs a limited number of rhinoplasty surgeries each week — by choice. It allows him to give every case his full attention, to stay hands-on from consult to follow-up, and to preserve the joy of the craft that first drew him in.
“I still get that spark before a rhinoplasty,” he admits. “It’s a privilege to shape something so central to a person’s face — and to do it with precision, not haste.”
He remains a fixture in the operating rooms of Melbourne, respected by peers, quietly sought-after by patients, and still — in his running shoes or with racquet in hand — moving with the grace of someone who knows that mastery, in any field, is built on patience, discipline, and thoughtful momentum.
Back at the Gym, as the city stirs awake. Another day begins — the theatre awaits — and once again, Dr Stephen Kleid will bring a sculptor’s eye and an athlete’s rhythm to the operating table. Because for him, whether it’s a nose, a forehand, or staying in shape, the principle is the same: get the foundations right, respect the form, and always play the long game.
For more information about Dr Stephen Kleid visit www.melbourne-ent.com.au