Will rhinoplasty affect my singing?

Although it’s unlikely, it’s definitely possible for septoplasty surgery to effect a patients singing voice.  Septoplasty can potentially increase the flow of air through the nose during speech and singing.  This increased air flow can alter the dynamics of singing and articulation.  For the average person this wouldn’t be noticeable.  In a professional singer the difference might be significant.
                In addition, placement of an endotracheal tube during surgery could potentially damage the vocal cords.  For this reason, the approach to anesthesia should be carefully scrutinized in a professional singer.

                If you’re a singer and considering septoplasty surgery it’s important that you discuss this issue with your plastic surgeon.  Your surgeon should be able to discuss your concerns and potential for this type of problem.

Unless you are in the habit of vibrating mostly in your nasal bones when you sing, rhinoplasty should not alter your voice appreciably. If anything, your voice should sound clearer and, as you might imagine, less “nasally” as the passageway that is now being inhibited by the deviation will be clear. This is an issue you should bring up in your consultation with a facial plastic surgeon, as the answer depends partly on your anatomy and what needs to be done. I hope this helps.

Anything is technically “possible” after a rhinoplasty, including a slight variation in your voice. However, the chances of your septoplasty affecting your singing voice are slight and, in my experience as a plastic surgeon, have never been a problem for my past patients. It seems as though this is an important factor in your decision, so I would highly recommend discussing this question with your surgeon. 

Hi Maly,

Just ask Barbara Streisand, Asheley Tisdale, or listen to the late Michael Jackson.  Repair of a deviated septum and/or rhinoplasty should not affect your singing.  At least it hasn't in the professional singers that I have treated.  Do choose your rhinoplasty surgeon most carefully.  Good luck and be well.

Dr. P

The answer to your question depends on you to a certain degree.

While septoplasty or rhinoplasty will typically affect your nasal resonance, the change is often imperceptable to others. If a change were to occur, most singers feel that it is a positive one. Having more air flow through the nose tends to open up the resonance, reduce effort, and can help with upper register as well.

HOWEVER, if you are known for having a voice with a more closed nasal resonance, then the surgery may cause problems. The only way to recreate your previous sound would be to use your palate differently and close up the nasopharynx again. This usually takes some time and lots of work with your coach and may never fully recreate your preoperative sound.

So it depends on you. Hope this helps

Best of Luck

There is always a possibility that your singing voice could change, but it is very unlikely. In my practice I have yet to have a patient with this complaint afterwards.

  Rhinoplasty usually causes no change in one's singing voice. Fixing a deviated septum should not alter it.

I differ in opinion with the popular believe that rhinoplasty will alter the voice of a singer. I used to be in a group practice with an PhD speech-language pathologist who worked with singers from pop and rock to the Metropolitan Opera. A trained singing voice is generated from the chest and larynx. The nose is excluded by the palate. A few rock and roll singers depend on a nasal quality for their sound, but most professionally trained singers will see no difference in their actual singing voice other than maybe getting better air if they have a deviated septum.

I also have operated on the noses of a number of professional singers; rock, Broadway etc. and none have reported any changes in their voice whatsoever. 

The nasal voice will change slightly depending upon how severe the deviation of the nasal septum is.  There will be more resonance to the voice and the voice will actually be quite nicer after the procedure is performed and after the swelling has subsided.  A septoplasty will affect the nasal voice more than a rhinoplasty.  The rhinoplasty will not affect the voice appreciably.

Rhinoplasty should not substantially affect your singing. Any change is not perceivable. Correction of deviated septum should improve your nasal airway and if you have major deviation with nasal obstruction, then it may affect your singing in a positive way by allowing you to move air through your nose better. Again it should not have a detrimental affect on your singing.