With any form of surgery, some risks and limitations are associated. That’s why you should ask your surgeon about the possible complications prior to surgery. This will help you make an informed decision on whether to opt for the surgery.
The same goes for the rhinoplasty procedure. If you are contemplating surgery on your nose, you should consult a reputable nose job surgeon registered on the General Medical Council online register to know the limitations and complications of the procedure.
To know whether the surgeon is qualified and certified, you can check their name on various credible sites.
Some cosmetic surgeons are members of professional associations, like ENT UK, the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS) and the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS), while some surgeons have a cosmetic surgery certificate from the RCS (Royal College of Surgeons).
The common risks of rhinoplasty are bleeding, infection, need for revision surgery, difficulty breathing through the nose, swelling, and permanent numbness in and around the nose.
Your surgeon will talk with you about the complexity of the procedure and what kind of results are possible.
In order to determine whether you are the right candidate for the rhinoplasty procedure, your surgeon will ask about your medical history, conduct a physical exam, including any laboratory test, and discuss your expectations and motivations.
Moreover, your surgeon or someone from his or her staff will take photographs of your nose from different angles and manipulate them using computer software to show you what kind of results you can expect.
While discussing with your surgeon, you should also ask about the rhinoplasty price to prepare your budget accordingly.
Things You Should Know About Rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty is a great way to refine the shape and aesthetics of your nose. The procedure can also treat various medical conditions such as a blocked nose, birth defects, and deformities from an injury. Indeed, it is possible to improve the shape and the way your nose works together during the same procedure.
Although rhinoplasty is considered a low-risk procedure, sometimes complications may occur despite following all the rigorous surgical standards.
What Are the Risks of a Rhinoplasty Procedure?
Bleeding
It is normal to have bleeding for the first few days. You can expect to have a pinkish-reddish discharge from the nose for a few days of the procedure.
You can manage it by changing the gauze a dozen or so times over this period and dabbing the nose gently with hygienic tissue.
To further lower the chances of bleeding, lie down with your head raised higher than your chest. However, significant bleeding rarely happens.
You can also use a nasal rinse or decongestant after consulting with your surgeon to keep the nose clean and get relief from bleeding.
Infection
Infections are a common complication after any surgical procedure, but not in the case of rhinoplasty. This is because the nose has a good blood supply.
If you experience fevers or worsening discharge after the procedure, you should immediately contact your surgeon.
Asymmetry
Creating the perfect symmetrical nose following surgery is likely to be impossible and how you care for your nose after the rhinoplasty and other medical problems also influence the result.
However, the satisfaction rates with nose jobs are usually very high. An OXFORD ACADEMIC survey of 2326 distinct reviews on rhinoplasty shows that 83.6% of patients are satisfied with their results.
Although your surgeon will strive to provide you with the best possible results, achieving the perfect nose may not be possible. You should always have realistic expectations.
Furthermore, you should maintain a balanced diet, refrain from smoking, and avoid doing anything that can pressure the surgery site, like wearing eyeglasses, blowing your nose, etc., to minimise the risks.
Septal Perforation
The nasal septum is the cartilage and bone in your nose that divides the two nostrils. During the procedure, your surgeon may need to harvest the nasal septum cartilage for grafting, which rarely leads to a hole called septal perforation.
Skin Numbness and Stiffness
Particularly, with an open rhinoplasty (performed for extensive work to resize and reshape the nose), skin numbness occurs. This may last up to one year of the procedure. Along with the numbness, the nose tissues often feel swollen and stiff.
When you smile, you may feel your upper lip is tighter than normal. This usually resolves with time.
Scarring and Sun Sensitivity
There is a risk of scarring with any surgery, but troublesome scarring rarely happens after rhinoplasty. That’s because, in rhinoplasty, the incisions are usually very small and heal very well. There is even a specialised technique called ‘Scarless and Minimally Invasive Rhinoplasty’, which provides excellent results with a shorter recovery time.
In addition, you should wear SPF 30 when you’re outside as sun exposure can lead to permanent irregular discolouration in your nose’s skin. However, sunscreen should only be applied once the nasal dressing has been removed.
Difficult Breathing Through Nose
It is common to have a sense of nasal blockage or smell problems. However, this usually resolves in a week or two after the procedure.
Other Risks of Rhinoplasty
Occasionally, a tiny bump underneath the nose skin can develop, which is not visible on the skin after a nose job. This condition rarely causes any problems and can be treated (if required).
This is why an initial discussion and assessment with the surgeon are recommended. The surgeon will conduct a physical examination and ask you several questions to determine whether you are a good candidate for the procedure.
What Are the Limitations of Rhinoplasty Procedure?
- Refining the nasal tip of a patient with thick skin is a more complex procedure. However, computer imaging allows the surgeon to help you set proper expectations.
- There is a possibility of visible (usually very minor and difficult to see) irregularities being seen through the skin in patients with thin skin.
- The complete correction of the twisted tip is difficult.
- Augmentation in patients with thick skin and soft nasal cartilages is difficult.
Takeaway!
Rhinoplasty is a low-risk procedure that helps you achieve an aesthetically appealing nose. An OXFORD ACADEMIC survey of 129,007 patients, of which 4978 (3.9%) underwent a rhinoplasty procedure, shows that the overall complication rate was 0.7%.
By choosing an experienced and reputed surgeon, you can mitigate the chances of risks and complications. At Rhinoplasty LDN, Mr Lakhani will have an open and honest conversation with you about the whole procedure, rhinoplasty price, and the possible risks to ensure you are informed prior to the surgery. Book your appointment now with Rhinoplasty LDN experts and know how they can help you.
