In spite of the significant advancements in facial plastic surgery, some complications of rhinoplasty procedure still exist. Rhinoplasty risks may be temporary or permanent, and include nose bleeding, infections, bone deformity, septum injury and prominent scarring.
Rhinoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure performed for changing the shape and size of the nose. For every individual, the appearance of nose is an inherited trait. Rhinoplasty, also known as nose surgery, nose job and nose reshaping is basically a type of facial plastic surgery. Very rarely, this cosmetic treatment is combined with reconstructive surgery to address nose problems. Before participating this procedure, one should take a note of the possible rhinoplasty risks and complications to make a correct decision.
Understanding Rhinoplasty
Procedure for rhinoplasty is conducted under the influence of general anesthesia, and is performed as an outpatient procedure. It usually lasts for 2 hours, but surgery time may extend for additional corrective work. Reshaping of nose requires sculpturing the cartilage to give the desired look. And depending upon the actual approach, it can be a reduction rhinoplasty or augmentation rhinoplasty. The former surgery involves making the nose smaller, while the latter is conducted to enlarge nose. If the procedure is conducted for cosmetic reasons, the candidate will be discharged on the same day.
What are the Risks of Rhinoplasty?
Every candidate should consult an experienced surgeon about the procedure for nose surgery, associated risks factors and after results. The surgeon will explain the benefits as well as the complications, and how the nose will appear after surgery. Compare the plus points of nose surgery with the minus points, and make a firm decision whether this facial plastic surgery is worth participating or not. But, who should not get rhinoplasty? Well, children and teenagers who are below 16 years should not participate this surgery, unless there is an emergency case.
Similar to other surgical procedures, rhinoplasty risks that last for short-term are quite obvious. Say for instance, unusual reactions to anesthesia treatment are exhibited following rhinoplasty. It negatively affects reasoning ability and body coordination. Thus, the candidate is expected to refrain from driving and alike activities for 2 days after nose surgery. Other temporary adverse effects are pain, swelling, redness, bruising and numbness feeling in and around the operated area. The risks of rhinoplasty procedure are discussed below.
- Nose bleeding is a common risk associated with nose reshaping. It is experienced shortly after the surgery, or within 7-10 days following the procedure. Thus, recurring episodes of nosebleeds within the nose surgery recovery period should not be taken lightly. The surgeon will monitor the condition for any severe complication.
- As rhinoplasty involves excision of the skin and adjusting the cartilage, infections in the incision site, nose and other parts of the upper respiratory tract may occur after surgery. For such cases, postoperative care requires taking a complete course of antibiotics.
- Slight bone deformity is a common complaint raised by candidates who have participated in nose shaping surgery. The point is, not all people who have done the nose job are satisfied with the after results. At other times, this bone deformity may cause difficulty in breathing through nose and stuffiness.
- In approximately 10 percent of nose reshaping surgeries, candidates require revision rhinoplasty. This refers to minor surgical procedure, which aim at adjusting the nose cartilage for correcting nose deformity. Hence, going for follow-up visits as instructed by the surgeon is very important for all candidates.
- Tissue scarring is another complication of nose reshaping. While the scars clear completely in most instances, they may remain permanently for some people. The nose shape may change as the scarring heals, and if required, additional surgery is performed to alter nose appearance.
- Irrespective of whether nose surgery is closed or open type, it may cause damage to the nose septum (partition that separates the nostrils). For severe injuries, the surgeon may consider conducting a minor surgery to restore normal function of the nose.
Well, this was a brief explanation about rhinoplasty risks and complications. To conclude with, this nose shaping surgery is a relatively safe procedure for healthy adults. The possible complications are mostly individualistic, and differ from one candidate to another. In order to achieve satisfactory outcomes and minimize the risks factors, get the nose job done by a plastic surgeon who has previous experiences in the same field.
