Rhinoplasty Surgery Risks and Safety

The nose occupies a central and prominent position in the face, which creates a balancing relationship between the nose and other facial features. Rhinoplasty cosmetic surgery should, therefore, be performed only by a highly trained and skilled surgeon to improve the safety profile as well as minimize the possibility of revision procedures.

During the pre-op consultation, a responsible surgeon will inform the patient about the potential risks and side effects involved in rhinoplasty so that the patient can make a well-informed choice. Patients in Chicago, IL and surrounding communities across this region of the Midwest have an opportunity to receive rhinoplasty from remarkable and sagacious board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Jacob Bloom.

 

Potential Complications

A few transient side effects will be associated with nose surgery, which require no special treatment and will resolve on their own. However, in rare circumstances, one or more of the following complications may occur:

  • Infection in the incision sites during or after the surgery
  • Adverse reaction to general anesthesia or lidocaine local anesthetic
  • Obstruction in the nostrils causing difficulty in breathing
  • Perforations in the septum
  • Chronic nosebleeds
  • Collection of fluid below the skin in the incision sites
  • Burst blood vessels
  • Conspicuous scarring after open rhinoplasty
  • Asymmetrical nose shape
  • Possibility of revision surgery

These risks can be minimized when the nose plastic surgery is performed by an experienced and board certified plastic surgeon.

 

Risk Mitigation

A board certified plastic surgeon should ideally be chosen for a procedure such as rhinoplasty. These surgeons have a certain minimum number of years of training exclusively in plastic surgery. During their practice, they will typically invest in cutting edge surgical techniques and technology, adopt high quality standards and best practices, pursue continuing education, and follow the latest safety protocols.

The patients, on their part, should be committed to following the surgeon’s pre- and post-surgical care instructions with due diligence. The patient should trust the surgeon and disclose information about any underlying medical condition, any ongoing medications and supplements, and any specific lifestyle habits such as smoking. This will allow the surgeon to modify the surgical plan and mitigate risk.

Scarring Risks

The risk of scarring is almost eliminated if the surgeon performs rhinoplasty using the closed technique. This procedure will involve small incisions inside the nose, and not externally. However, the surgeon should have the skill and experience to perform a closed rhinoplasty.

In an open rhinoplasty procedure, the incision should be placed carefully in the columella, which is a thin strip dividing the nostrils. With a skillful approach, the incision can be very discreet. Illustrious and committed cosmetic surgeon Dr. Bloom receives patients from Chicago, IL, and nearby areas for rhinoplasty.

 

Risk of Unsatisfactory Results

In a few cases, the final cosmetic outcome of rhinoplasty may not be in sync with what the patient and the surgeon originally agreed upon, or what the patient perceived as the final shape and appearance of the nose. Sometimes the patient may experience functional issues such as obstruction in breathing through the nose. A revision rhinoplasty procedure may have to be performed in such cases to correct the anomalies.