Surgical vs Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty reshapes the nose for cosmetic or functional reasons (e.g. correcting a deviated septum that affects breathing). In Singapore, two broad approaches exist:
Permanent reshaping of bone and cartilage by a plastic surgeon or ENT surgeon. Open or closed technique. Required for significant structural change or functional correction.
Hyaluronic acid filler to camouflage minor irregularities or add height. Temporary (9–18 months), no downtime, but cannot reduce nose size. Carries rare but serious vascular risks.
Types of Surgical Rhinoplasty
- Reduction rhinoplasty: Removes a dorsal hump or reduces nose size.
- Augmentation rhinoplasty: Adds height/projection using cartilage graft (often septal or ear) or, less commonly, a silicone/Gore-Tex implant.
- Tip plasty: Refines a bulbous or drooping tip without altering the bridge.
- Septorhinoplasty: Combines cosmetic reshaping with septal correction for breathing — may be partially Medisave-claimable if functionally indicated.
- Revision rhinoplasty: Corrects a previous result; more complex and higher cost.
Recovery Timeline
- Week 1: Splint/cast on, swelling and bruising around eyes; most take 7–10 days off.
- Weeks 2–4: Splint removed, visible swelling subsides, back to most activities.
- Months 3–12: Residual tip swelling gradually resolves; final result at 12 months.
Avoid contact sports and glasses resting on the bridge for 4–6 weeks as advised by your surgeon.
Choosing a Surgeon
In Singapore, rhinoplasty is performed by MOH-accredited plastic surgeons and some ENT (facial plastic) surgeons. Verify the surgeon's specialist accreditation on the SMC register, ask to see before/after cases of noses similar to yours, and ensure the procedure is done in a licensed operating facility. Non-surgical filler rhinoplasty should only be done by an experienced doctor familiar with nasal vascular anatomy.
Frequently Asked Questions
See who practises in this field: subspecialty focus, credentials and clinic websites, checked against public records.
Browse plastic surgeons →Surgical rhinoplasty at private hospitals typically ranges from S$10,000 to S$25,000+ depending on complexity, surgeon and whether grafts or revision are involved. Non-surgical filler rhinoplasty costs roughly S$600–S$1,500 per session and lasts 9–18 months. Functional septorhinoplasty may be partially Medisave-claimable.
Purely cosmetic rhinoplasty is not claimable. If surgery corrects a functional problem (e.g. a deviated septum causing breathing difficulty), the functional portion may be partially Medisave-claimable and covered by some insurance. Confirm with the surgeon and your insurer.
Filler rhinoplasty is generally safe in experienced hands but carries a rare risk of vascular occlusion (filler blocking a blood vessel), which can cause skin or, very rarely, vision problems. It should only be performed by a doctor trained in managing this complication.
Surgical rhinoplasty is permanent, though the nose continues subtle ageing changes over decades. Non-surgical filler results are temporary, lasting 9–18 months before the filler is absorbed.
General information only — not medical advice. Always verify a doctor’s SMC registration and discuss your individual circumstances with a qualified specialist.