I'm an opera singer wants to remove a bump on my nose, and possibly reshape the bottom of my nose. Could this effect my voice?

Question

Edwin F. Williams, III, MD · Answer

It should not affect your voice providing you have surgery done by a well-trained and experienced rhinoplasty surgeon. Many years ago it was thought that Barbra Streisand avoided rhinoplasty for the reason you had suggested but as it turns out that was just a tale. At any rate, I would seek an opinion from someone who can provide computerized imaging and has a practice focused primarily on rhinoplasty. For further questions, I have written the book, Rhinoplasty: Everything You Need to Know About Fixing and Reshaping Your Nose, which is available on Amazon. Good luck with your research.

Steven M. Denenberg, MD · Answer

A rhinoplasty is unlikely to cause a noticeable airway obstruction, which of course would be very bad. When you are phonating, very little air comes out your nose, so that's not a problem, but of course you want to use your nose to inhale after surgery as you do before.Certain noses are more likely to result in a change of airway openness than other noses. You need to see a surgeon who can appreciate what might happen and CARES about what might happen to you. Go slowly, tread carefully. Make the surgeon prove that he knows and cares. It would be a disaster to be in the office of a surgeon who sees you as another item on an assembly line, or in the office of a surgeon who is not truly expert at rhinoplasty. You don't want to be looking for a revision.Also, changing the nasal cavity can make a subtle change in the resonance cavities of your head, changing in a very subtle way what your voice sounds like, which change you might notice. That's another thing to think about, too.And finally, if your opera singing is mostly avocational, and you hate your nose, that would lean you toward proceeding. But if you know you'll be deeply involved for the next 40 years in opera, and you're just noticing the bump, that should move you away from having surgery.Hope these thoughts help.

Tanveer Janjua, MD · Answer

Any change in the breathing aspect of the nose can effect the voice. Typically a rhinoplasty does not effect the voice but if it leads to any narrowing of the nasal passages then voice can change. RegardsDr. Janjua

A. Joshua Zimm, MD · Answer

This is a very popular question from singers and people that use their voice professionally.  If the rhinoplasty is well performed and your nasal airway is improved or maintained, it will not change your voice.  In fact, your resonance may improve due to the improved airflow through your nasal passages.  Many well known international singers/performers have had rhinoplasty surgery.  Best wishes.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

Rhinoplasty should not impact voice to any significant degree. Best of luck with your decision to move forward.

I'm an opera singer wants to remove a bump on my nose, and possibly reshape the bottom of my nose. Could this effect my voice?

Answers (8)

Answer: I'm an opera singer wants to remove a bump on my nose, and possibly reshape the bottom of my nose. Could this effect my voice?

Answer: I'm an opera singer wants to remove a bump on my nose, and possibly reshape the bottom of my nose. Could this effect my voice?

Answer: Singing and rhinoplasty

Answer: Singing and rhinoplasty

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Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

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I'm an opera singer wants to remove a bump on my nose, and possibly reshape the bottom of my nose. Could this effect my voice?

Answers (8)

Answer: I'm an opera singer wants to remove a bump on my nose, and possibly reshape the bottom of my nose. Could this effect my voice?

Answer: I'm an opera singer wants to remove a bump on my nose, and possibly reshape the bottom of my nose. Could this effect my voice?

Answer: Singing and rhinoplasty

Answer: Singing and rhinoplasty

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.