Why do patients choose private nasal surgery instead of the NHS?

Many patients choose private care due to long NHS waits or because functional nasal surgery is not routinely commissioned in many regions. Private care can provide faster access to specialist assessment, clearer diagnosis, a defined treatment pathway, and surgery when it is genuinely likely to improve symptoms.

Does private nasal surgery include consultant-led care?

It should. High-quality private nasal surgery is consultant-led from the initial consultation through surgery and follow-up. This includes specialist expertise in diagnosing causes of obstruction and selecting the correct operation the first time to reduce the risk of failed or repeat surgery.

Why is correct diagnosis such a big part of what you pay for?

Nasal obstruction is not always caused by a deviated septum. Symptoms may relate to nasal valve collapse, structural weakness, post-traumatic deformity, turbinate hypertrophy, or a combination. Private assessment allows time for detailed internal and external examination and dynamic assessment during breathing, rather than relying on scans alone.

What procedures might be offered under private nasal surgery?

Private nasal care may include septoplasty with or without powered turbinoplasty, functional septorhinoplasty (septum plus valve and structural support), cosmetic rhinoplasty, revision rhinoplasty, and non-surgical options such as ClariFix cryotherapy for chronic rhinitis, depending on the diagnosis and goals.

Why do private nasal surgery costs vary between clinics?

Prices vary due to differences in surgeon experience and subspecialisation, complexity of surgery offered, technology used, and what is included in the fee (anaesthetic costs, hospital fees, follow-up appointments, and revision policies). A lower headline price may reflect more limited assessment or a narrower surgical offering.

What modern techniques or technology might private nasal surgery include?

Depending on the case, private surgery may include advanced techniques and equipment such as Piezo ultrasonic bone surgery, dorsal preservation rhinoplasty, structural cartilage grafting, and powered endoscopic turbinoplasty. These can improve precision and reduce soft tissue trauma but require specialist training and appropriate theatre infrastructure.

Does the fee usually include theatre, anaesthesia and hospital care?

In most private packages, yes. Costs typically include a consultant anaesthetist, a fully equipped operating theatre, specialist nursing staff, and day-case or overnight hospital care with safe monitoring and recovery facilities. Patients should confirm what is included in any quoted price.

What aftercare and follow-up should I expect with private nasal surgery?

Private nasal surgery should include structured follow-up appointments, post-operative care and advice, and ongoing access to your surgeon during recovery. Accountability for outcomes is a key part of private care, rather than being discharged back to the GP without a defined pathway.

Private Nasal Surgery in the UK: What Are You Actually Paying For?

Q: What am I actually paying for with private nasal surgery in the UK?

You are paying for far more than the operation. Private nasal surgery typically covers consultant-led assessment and diagnosis, selection of the correct procedure, operating theatre and anaesthetic care, specialist nursing and hospital facilities, modern surgical techniques and technology where appropriate, and structured follow-up with accountability for outcomes.

Q: Is private nasal surgery worth it?

Many patients feel it is worth it when symptoms significantly affect sleep, exercise or daily life, when medical therapy has failed, or when NHS assessment or surgery is unavailable. The value often lies in achieving a correct diagnosis and the right operation first time, reducing the risk of persistent symptoms and repeat procedures.

mrtimbiggs4
Jan 10
3 min read

If you’ve been told that nasal surgery is not routinely funded on the NHS, or you’re facing long waits for assessment, you may be considering private treatment. One of the first questions patients ask is:

“What am I actually paying for with private nasal surgery?”

This is a fair question — and the answer is far more than just the operation itself.

Private Nasal Surgery in the UK

Why Patients Turn to Private Nasal Surgery in the UK

Across much of the UK, including Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, functional nasal surgery is no longer routinely commissioned. Even when breathing problems significantly affect quality of life.

Private nasal surgery offers:

Faster access to specialist assessment
Clear diagnosis (not assumption)
A defined treatment pathway
Surgery when it is genuinely likely to help

What the Cost of Private Nasal Surgery Actually Covers

1. Specialist Consultant Expertise

Private nasal surgery should be consultant-led from start to finish.

With Mr Tim Biggs, you are paying for:

Over 20 years of ENT and rhinology experience
Specialist training in functional, cosmetic, and revision nasal surgery
Accurate diagnosis (septum vs valve vs framework)
Choosing the right operation first time

This expertise is critical — repeat or failed surgery is far more costly in every sense.

2. Correct Diagnosis (Not Just a Scan Result)

Many patients are told:

“Your septum is deviated — you need septoplasty.”

In reality, nasal obstruction may be caused by:

Nasal valve collapse
Structural weakness
Post-traumatic deformity
Turbinate hypertrophy
Or a combination of these

Private assessment allows time for dynamic examination. This is often the difference between surgery that works and surgery that fails.

3. The Right Procedure for Your Problem

Private nasal surgery is not one-size-fits-all. Costs vary because the surgery varies.

Examples include:

Septoplasty ± powered turbinoplasty
Functional septorhinoplasty (septum + valve + structure)
Cosmetic rhinoplasty
Revision rhinoplasty
ClariFix cryotherapy for chronic rhinitis
Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery

You are paying for the appropriate procedure, not the cheapest one.

4. Modern Surgical Techniques & Technology

Private surgery enables access to techniques not routinely available in NHS settings, including:

Piezo ultrasonic bone surgery
Dorsal preservation rhinoplasty
Structural cartilage grafting
Powered endoscopic turbinoplasty

These techniques reduce trauma, improve precision, and lead to more predictable outcomes — but they require specialist training and equipment.

5. Theatre, Anaesthesia & Hospital Care

Your fee typically includes:

Consultant anaesthetist
Fully equipped operating theatre
Specialist nursing staff
Day-case or overnight hospital care
Safe monitoring and recovery facilities

At Adnova Clinic, this is delivered in a calm, modern environment designed specifically for nasal and facial surgery.

6. Aftercare, Follow-Up & Accountability

Private nasal surgery includes:

Structured follow-up appointments
Post-operative care and advice
Ongoing access to your surgeon
Responsibility for outcomes

You are not discharged back to your GP with unresolved issues — the care pathway remains consultant-led.

Why Prices Vary Between Clinics

Differences in pricing usually reflect:

Surgeon experience and subspecialisation
Complexity of surgery offered
Technology used
What is included (anaesthetics, follow-up, revisions)

Cheaper prices often mean:

Limited assessment
Less complex surgery offered by default
Higher risk of persistent symptoms

Is Private Nasal Surgery “Worth It”?

Patients often decide it is worth it when:

Symptoms affect sleep, exercise, or daily life
Sprays have failed
NHS surgery is unavailable
They want a durable, correct solution, not repeated procedures

The real value is not just symptom improvement — it’s getting the diagnosis and surgery right the first time.

Summary

When you pay for private nasal surgery in the UK, you are paying for:

Specialist ENT expertise
Accurate diagnosis
The correct operation
Modern surgical techniques
Safe hospital care
Proper follow-up and accountability

It is not about paying for “private surgery” — it is about paying for clarity, expertise, and outcomes.

To enquire or book an assessment:

📍 Adnova Clinic

More information:

www.timbiggs.co.uk

www.adnovaclinic.com

Consultant Cosmetic Rhinoplasty & Sinus Surgeon In Fareham & Winchester, Hamps