Nose surgery is one of the most popular surgical treatments in Singapore. One major reason behind its popularity in Singapore is that Asians tend to have flatter and wider noses. As the nose is the most prominent feature of the face and significantly impacts the overall facial look, people spend a lot of money to get their nose in a better shape and undergo such procedures. Besides, nose surgery also treats several medical conditions.
If you are planning to have nose surgery but don’t know much about its price, procedure, and types, this blog will help you in this regard. In this article, first, we shall talk about the price determinants of nose surgery in Singapore, in detail. Then we shall look into the various types, indications, benefits, and medical and cosmetic uses of nose surgery.
What Is Rhinoplasty?
Rhinoplasty, or in simple words, a nose job is a plastic surgery treatment done to improve the shape or function of the nose. Based on the purpose of the surgery, rhinoplasty can be classified into two broad categories; [1]
Medical Or Reconstructive Rhinoplasty
As the name indicates, it is a reconstructive procedure in which the form and function of the nose are restored which have been distorted due to a medical condition, like traumatic injury, sinus problems, congenital birth defects, etc.
Cosmetic Rhinoplasty
It is more concerned with the aesthetic appearance of your nose. In this type of nose surgery, the surgeon artistically sculpts or augments your nose to get it in a perfect shape and proportion with your face.
Sometimes, rhinoplasty fulfills both therapeutic and cosmetic purposes. For instance, if a person has a crooked nose, he may also be suffering from difficulty in breathing because crooked noses are usually accompanied by a deviated nasal septum which hinders the flow of air through the nose. In such a case, nose surgery treats the medical condition along with improving the shape of the nose.
What Is The Cost Of Nose Surgery In Singapore?
When we talk about the price of a procedure like a rhinoplasty which has multiple applications, techniques, and is extremely delicate to perform, requiring high levels of skills and proficiency of the surgeon, several factors contribute to the final cost.
Usually, the nose surgery cost in Singapore ranges between $6000 to $20,000. The factors which determine the final cost include;
Skills And Expertise Of The Surgeon
Nose surgery is an extremely delicate procedure to perform requiring high levels of skills and proficiency. So, it is important to choose a skilled surgeon who knows the anatomy and has good experience of performing rhinoplasty. Moreover, such a surgeon shares in detail with you about what needs to be done, which type of surgery is best suitable for you, what to expect after the procedure, the risks of potential complications, and the downtime and recovery period.
Type Of Surgery Done
There are different types of rhinoplasty. Implant rhinoplasty without nasal tip surgery is the simplest of all, and therefore, has a lesser price as compared to the complex procedures which also include modification of nose tip, ala, or nasal bones, etc. In other words, the more areas of the nose that requires augmentation, the more complex it is. These types of nose surgeries require more time and expertise; hence, cost you more.
Revision Surgery
Scars are formed during the healing process of surgery. So, when revision rhinoplasty surgery is being done, the surgeon has to open up the scars of the previous surgery, first, and then proceed to the rhinoplasty corrections. It is not as straight forward as compared to working on an untouched nose. Hence, revision surgeries are more complex and expensive than regular ones.
Fee Charging Criterion
Usually, the fee is charged in time blocks. The more time is required for surgery, the greater will be the cost. Sometimes, it takes more time to refine the results, so you will find a range of packages. Some surgeons, on the other hand, have a fixed price, however, it limits the time for them to complete the job.
Treatment Centre
The treatment center from where you choose to undergo the surgery also affects the total cost. The more facilities offered by the treatment center, the higher will be the prices.
Consumables Used During Surgery
Sutures, nasal splints, silicone implants, etc, are required to perform nose surgery. The price of these consumables will also be included in the final cost of treatment.
Hospital Stay
Usually, rhinoplasty is performed as an outpatient procedure and does not require an overnight hospital stay. However, certain patients need monitoring; therefore, have to spend a night at the hospital. In such cases, the ward fees will be added to the final cost.
Anesthesia
Another factor for determining the cost is that whether you have been given general anesthesia during the surgery, or is it performed under sedation. Most rhinoplasty surgery is done under general anesthesia and charges for that is higher than regular sedation.
Post-Operative Medications
You will be required to take pain killers, antibiotics, nasal decongestants, etc, after having the nose surgery. This will make a short part of your bill.
Follow-Ups
The number of follow-ups you need after the treatment is another determinant of nose surgery cost in Singapore.
What Benefits Do You Get From Rhinoplasty?
You can get the following benefits from nose surgery;
- From medical rhinoplasty:
- Cure of an underlying medical condition
- Significant improvement in the function of the nose and better breathing
- Correction of a birth defect
- From cosmetic rhinoplasty:
- Sharper nose tip
- Higher nasal bridge
- Slimmer nose with a more defined shape
How Is Nose Surgery Done?
The nose surgery is being done in 3 major steps;
Step 1 – Incision
The incision will be given by one of the following methods:
- Closed Method – also known as endonasal rhinoplasty is a technique in which the incisions are made inside the nose. So, there are no external visible scar marks in the end. Such a technique is used when minimal changes are required.
- Open Method – In this method, the incision is made across the columella of the nose. It is done when significant alterations are needed.
Step 2 – Reshaping And Resizing Of Nose
Depending upon the correction required, one of the following maneuvers is carried out for reshaping and resizing the nose:
- Augmentation – It increases the height of the nasal bridge. It is done by placing an autologous graft, or an artificial implant made of silicone, etc, under the dorsum of the nose.
- Nose Tip Plasty – It is performed on people with a broad, fleshy, bulbous tip, or those whose nose is too short and upturned. In this technique, excess fat is removed from the nose tip making it slimmer and more defined. Grafts from the ear cartilage can also be used to increase the projection of the nose tip.
- Alar Base Reduction – It is used to reduce the width of the ala or nose. It is done either by removing tissue from the edge of the nostrils and reattaching the nostrils after pulling them down (Weir Incision), or by the Joseph Incision method in which the tissue is removed from the base of the nose.
- Hump Resection – It makes the nose bridge flat and smooth, and is, therefore, done to rectify hooked or humped nose.
- Columella Correction – It is carried out to correct either a retracted or a hanging columella. It is done by removing tissue or placing a cartilaginous graft, respectively.
Step 3 – Closure
After the reshaping and resizing have been done, the incisions are closed with the help of sutures.
Is The Nose Surgery Painful?
Before the surgery begins, you will be adequately anesthetized. Therefore, you will not feel pain at all. The general anesthesia medication dosage will be customized according to your body requirements, comfort level, and type of rhinoplasty.
How Much Time Is Required For Nose Surgery Singapore?
Depending on the type and complexity of the procedure, it takes 1 to 6 hours for the nose surgery to complete.
What Is The Downtime And Recovery Period?
You can go home on the same day of the surgery, and usually, an overnight hospital stay is not required. You may experience pain during the first 2 to 3 days but it can be easily managed with the help of oral painkillers and nasal decongestants. Stitch removal is usually done 1 week after the procedure. Majority of the swelling usually subsides within 2 weeks, however, it may take up to 6 months for the remaining swelling to dissipate completely.
Are There Any Side Effects?
Although the risks are minimal when done by a board-certified plastic surgeon but side effects, like bleeding, infection and swelling, etc, are associated with nose surgery. Other side effects may be related to general anesthesia like nausea, vomiting, sore throat, etc.
What Is The Best Age To Undergo Nose Surgery?
The right age to undergo nose surgery is around 18 to 20 years old when the body’s development reaches maturity and changes to the physical form is minimal. So, the changes done by the surgery will persist and do not get altered due to the natural growth of the nose.
Does The Medisave Or Insurance Cover Nose Surgery For You?
Insurance companies cover the health expenditures of those procedures which are meant for rectifying a medical condition. So, as long as you are undergoing nose surgery to treat issues, like, difficulty in breathing, snoring, obstructive sleep apnea, injuries, fractures, or congenital abnormalities like cleft lip or palate, etc, they will be covered under Medisave or insurance plans.
However, you cannot redeem the benefits of health insurance plans if your nose surgery is solely meant for improving the appearance of your nose, for instance, to narrow your nostrils, to lift the nasal bridge, or to get the nose tip in a better shape, etc.
Bottom Line
Nose surgery cost in Singapore depends upon several factors. It is a surgical treatment that can be done for therapeutic as well as cosmetic purposes. The procedure is completely painless and has a short downtime and recovery period. The risks of side effects are also minimal.
About Dream Aesthetics and Plastic Surgery
Bespoke surgical for cosmetic or medical reasons is what Dream covers to bring out the beauty in every individual. Going beyond the aesthetics and working on physical anomalies are what we value the most in leading our patients to cherish self-improvement and confident lifestyles.
Derived from Associate Professor Vincent Yeow’s long-standing experience performing plastic surgery in Singapore, our treatment plans deliver physical remodelling in our patients’ favour. One of the notable remodellings is droopy eyelid correction. The ptosis surgery used for treatment eventually fixes drooping eyelids, improves vision and enhances appearance.
Most importantly, as a trustworthy plastic surgery and aesthetic clinic, we treasure positive and natural outcomes for each individual. We will ensure to deliver the beauty refinement of your dream without compromising your safety and privacy.
