Rhinoplasty Complications and Risks

Rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty - commonly referred to as a nose job - is surgery to improve the appearance of the nose or repair its function. As the nose is such a .....

Although rhinoplasty is a relatively safe procedure, any form of plastic surgery carries inherent risks. A successful nose job can greatly improve the quality of a person’s life and boost their self esteem, but the benefits should be weighed up against the potential rhinoplasty risks. Unwanted side effects of surgery can be both physical and mental.

It is normal for rhinoplasty patients to experience some minor side effects and these should, thankfully, be temporary. For instance, patients can experience several months of nose bleeds and problems resulting from excess mucus production. It is also normal for the patient to lose their sense of smell in the weeks following surgery, although this will return as the nose heals. Around 2 percent of patients will develop an infection in their wound, but this is easily treated with the right antibiotics.

One potential rhinoplasty complication is that the nose will heal in an abnormal shape. This can be caused by a variety of factors such as trauma to the nose during the healing period, an incorrectly applied splint or even the patient favouring one side when sleeping. Scar tissue can also heal in an unexpected manor and cause a quiet whistling when the patient exhales through their nose. Both of these complications can be rectified with further surgery. Around 10 percent of patients will go on to have revision rhinoplasty.

A successful rhinoplasty operation can greatly improve a person’s appearance but patients should bear in mind that, close up, the results of the operation may not be ‘perfect’. Some scarring may remain visible, particularly if the nostrils were narrowed during the procedure. There may also be some tiny red spots visible around the operated area. These are caused by burst blood vessels and can be a source of embarrassment or self consciousness for some patients, although other people are unlikely to notice them.

It is equally important to consider the emotional implications for surgery. After any operation it is normal for a patient to feel low due to tiredness and discomfort, but there is a small risk that a person may develop depression. The true results of surgery may not be visible for several months as it takes some time for the swelling and bruising to heal fully, and patients may be unhappy with the appearance of their nose after surgery. In this instance, once the nose is fully healed the depression may lift. A minority of patients are so accustomed to their old nose that they find it extremely difficult to adjust to their new appearance. In severe cases, anti depressants or counselling may become necessary.

The risk of experiencing complications with your nose job can be reduced by finding a good surgeon. Researching the procedure thoroughly and having realistic expectations can also be beneficial for coping with rhinoplasty recovery.