8 Important Things To Know Before Getting A Rhinoplasty Procedure In Singapore

Most Asians generally have a lower nose bridge and flatter, rounder nose tips. This is why rhinoplasty also known as a nose job is one of the leading effective options for nose enhancement in Singapore. While there are still many patients who shy away from going under the knife, more and more Singaporeans turn to rhinoplasty due to its effectiveness and longevity in enhancing the nasal features. In fact, rhinoplasty can give you the attractive, functional nose you desire and can ultimately improve your confidence and the way you see yourself.

Considering rhinoplasty? Dr Seah TE from TES Clinic shared with us a rundown of eight important things from you need to know to have a better understanding of the rhinoplasty procedure in Singapore.

1. Patients have different reasons for getting a rhinoplasty procedure.

Health issues

Sinus problems and severe nasal allergies are results of the displacement of the thin wall between the nasal passages (deviated septum) and can be a serious health issue as they can cause breathing problems. Individuals who suffer from this condition can benefit from rhinoplasty by surgically fixing the nasal passages for a more comfortable breathing pattern.

Nose restoration after an accident

Accidents can cause disfiguring injuries to the nasal bones making them look broken and deformed. As part of the recovery process, reconstructive rhinoplasty is needed to restore the nose to its normal shape.

Cosmetic concerns

Achieving the nose that you desire can really make a significant on your confidence. As a cosmetic procedure, rhinoplasty can improve the height and shape of the nasal structure and can also help improve the appearance of prominent humps on the nose bridge, upturned nose and cleft nasal deformities.

2. The cost of rhinoplasty procedures in Singapore may vary.

The cost of rhinoplasty in Singapore may fall between $5,500 – $20,000 and can be influenced by a lot of factors including:

• the doctor’s fee
• anaesthesia cost
• type of graft material used
• added medical procedures (in case of grafting)
• clinic facility cost
• post-operative care and medication
• the complexity of the procedure and the patient’s preferred result

In addition, Medisave cannot be used for cosmetic rhinoplasty but can possibly be claimed for serious cases that involve medical issues and nose reconstruction after an accident, given that you undergo proper assessment.

3. There are 2 general approaches to rhinoplasty procedure in Singapore.

Open Rhinoplasty

This procedure involves making incisions on the narrow portions of the columella or the tissue that connects the nose tip to the nose base that separates the nostrils resulting in the opening of the nasal flaps. Open rhinoplasty offers better precision in enhancing the nose as the nasal cartilage can be clearly viewed and accessed and making this type of procedure more efficient in correcting multiple nose issues. There is, however, a chance of visible scarring as the incisions are made outside the nostrils.

Closed Rhinoplasty

Also called endonasal procedure, from this name itself, this procedure entails all incisions made within or inside the nostrils. Through these incisions, nasal cartilage and bones can be accessed. The main advantage of this procedure is the prevention of visible scars. As a disadvantage, during a closed rhinoplasty procedure, the nasal skin can get extremely stretched and can cause deformation of nasal cartilage. In addition,  this type of rhinoplasty procedure can only be employed to limited types of nasal cosmetic concerns.

4. Different types of graft materials can be used to augment the nose.

During a rhinoplasty procedure, graft materials are added or inserted into the original nasal structure to successfully augment the nose. Graft implants are safe and create satisfactory results when done by a trained cosmetic surgeon.

Generally, there are two types of graft materials used for nose augmentation:

Autologous Tissue

For a more natural look, grafts can be in the form of autologous tissues or the patient’s own cartilage from another site on the body. These cartilage grafts are then used to build up or define sections of the nose that needs to be enhanced. The donor site for rhinoplasty is usually from the ear. Autologous grafts are the most ideal augmentation material for a rhinoplasty procedure.

Pros

Because the grafts are from the patient’s own body, there is a very small chance of infection, complications and immune responses. This material is most suitable for the correction of breathing patterns that can cause a health risk to the patient.

Cons

• limited availability
• unpredictable resorption rates
• difficulty of handling
• donor site morbidity

Alloplastic Materials

Alloplastic materials are biological materials that can either be produced synthetically or derived from tissues or structures belonging to individuals of different species. The alloplastic materials commonly used in Singapore are silicone and high-density breathable polyethene. A meta-analysis of alloplastic materials shows that they have acceptable risk levels when used in rhinoplasty procedures and autogenous materials are unavailable.

Pros

• highly biocompatible
• non-toxic
• chemically stable
• can be formed easily
• inexpensive
• have already been widely used for cosmetic surgeries for a very long time.

Silicone and porous high-density polyethene are great alternatives to autologous tissue rhinoplasty and these materials are usually used for cosmetic enhancement of the nose by elevating the nose bridge and making it appear higher and sharper.

Cons

Various studies and reports have shown that over time, alloplastic materials can cause complications like:

• Infection
• Protrusion
• capsular contracture
• implant shift
• calcification
• perforation
• other skin problems

In cases with complications, revisional operations are needed to remove and replace the degraded alloplastic materials. This is why, when you are considering this route, proper understanding and assessment of nasal structure and the properties of alloplastic implants by your doctor is vital to the success of your rhinoplasty procedure.

5. Rhinoplasty procedure is painless.

For a rhinoplasty procedure, patients are put under local anaesthesia or sedation to ensure a painless procedure. The next thing you’ll remember will be waking up after the surgery and not feeling any discomfort. When done by a well-trained cosmetic surgeon, there will be no chance of vomiting, light-headedness and pain during the procedure.

6. Take a week off right after surgery.

After a rhinoplasty surgery, side effects like swelling and discomfort on the nose area and extending to other facial areas are common and may continue to persist for the next few days. So, as a pro tip, file for week off from work or take a break from normal daily activities after a rhinoplasty procedure to give enough time for the wound to heal and prevent complications. Your doctor will prescribe aftercare medications and advise that you stay at home and rest for a week after rhinoplasty surgery.

7. Expected results can be noticeable over time.

In the course of  2-4 months after the rhinoplasty procedure, visible improvements can already be seen. During this time, the nasal cartilage and bone structure becomes much stronger and healed resulting in more defined nose shape and eventually, desired results are achieved.

8. The doctor always has the final say.

With the different approaches and materials used for rhinoplasty, it can be difficult to know which one is the best for you. This is why only your doctor can have the final say on what is the right procedure for you depending on the complexity of your condition and preferred outcomes. Therefore, it is important that you subject yourself to a thorough consultation with your doctor so he/she can carefully assess your nose and properly determine what changes and improvements have to be made.