Rhinoplasty Risks and Side Effects

Rhinoplasty surgery is one of the top procedures performed by plastic surgeons today, with more than 150,000 nose jobs completed in 2008 alone. Rhinoplasty serves a number of purposes, from helping the patient breathe easier to reshaping the nose to a more aesthetically pleasing contour. Like any type of surgical procedure, there is a degree of risk associated with rhinoplasty. Plastic Surgery Portal has the information you need on rhinoplasty risks to help you make an educated decision about your own nose job.

Risks Associated with Anesthesia
The type of anesthesia used for rhinoplasty will vary based on the type of procedure performed. Candidates for primary or filler rhinoplasty can often have the procedure under local anesthesia with sedation, greatly reducing anesthesia-related risks. However, those seeking secondary rhinoplasty will probably need to go under general anesthesia, which carries a larger amount of risk, including:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Allergic reaction to the anesthesia
• Increased blood pressure and heart rate
• Aspiration (fluid inhaled into the respiratory tract)

Anesthesia risks are much greater for those with preexisting medical conditions, which is why it is important for your doctor to conduct a thorough medical history prior to your procedure. Risks can also be minimized when an experienced anesthesiologist is present throughout the procedure to respond to any possible issues as soon as they arise.

General Plastic Surgery Risks
Any type of cosmetic surgery may have some risk attached to it, no matter what type of procedure is performed. Some of the general risks associated with plastic surgery include:

• Infection after the procedure
• Excessive bleeding, swelling or bruising
• Blood clots, hematoma or seroma
• Scarring after the procedure

Plastic surgeons take many steps to minimize these risks prior to and after surgery. For example, patients will probably be instructed to quit smoking and limit alcohol intake before surgery. Some medications will also be prohibited within days of the procedure. After surgery, patients are often required to wear surgical garments that reduce the risk of blood clots forming. Some might also be placed on an antibiotic as a precautionary measure, if they have a higher than average risk of infection after surgery.

Specific Rhinoplasty Risks and Side Effects
In addition to general surgical risks, rhinoplasty patients have additional potential for complications, though most are very rare. These potential rhinoplasty risks and side effects might include:

• Difficulty breathing through the nose
• Septal perforation (hole in the septum that may whistle when person talks)
• Numbness of area around nose
• Frequent nosebleeds
• Possible uneven contour of the nose
• Dissatisfaction with results of surgery

Some patients report feelings of depression after nose surgery, because it takes some time for the results of the procedure to be seen. To alleviate this problem, make sure you go into the surgery with realistic expectations of what will happen afterward. Understand that rhinoplasty takes time and patience before the benefits of your procedure can be seen.

Other potential complications from rhinoplasty can be greatly reduced by choosing a plastic surgeon who is highly trained and experienced in nose surgery procedures. Don't be afraid to ask the doctor about his level of experience and qualifications prior to setting up your surgery. You can also ask to see rhinoplasty before and after photos of previous patients to determine the quality of the doctor's work.

Rhinoplasty is done for a variety of reasons, which is why it has become one of the most popular cosmetic procedures today. By choosing your plastic surgeon carefully and following all of your pre- and post-surgical instructions, you can go far in minimizing risk and increasing your odds of a safe, successful procedure. Contact us today to set up a private consultation with a leading rhinoplasty specialist in your area.

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