Cosmetic operations have recently become a craze all over the world. People prefer to have cosmetic surgeries every day. The reasons are numerous. Some want to recover from health problems. Others want to improve their appearance.
There are even those who want to look like their favorite celebrity.
The more reasons come with more types of surgery. Breast augmentation, breast reduction, face lift, liposuction… It’s endless.
But among all of these different surgeries, rhinoplasty is undoubtedly one of the most popular one. In the United States alone, more than 220,000 patients get nose jobs annualy. But despite all this popularity, some people still fear rhinoplasty surgery. The horrific things they see in the media cause them to hesitate.
But is there any truth to these things?
Are rhinoplasty risks really bad?
Is there really no coming back?
As West Aesthetics, a clinic specialized in rhinoplasty in Turkey, we explain rhinoplasty risks and side effects in full detail.
RHINOPLASTY RISKS
Rhinoplasty is one of the most complex plastic surgeries. The intricate structure of the nose is one of the main reasons for this. Differences in skin thickness, nose size, nasal bone structure and cartilage strength require patient-specific approaches. Dealing with a large number of nasal tissues requires specialists to be competent in their field.
Like many other major operations, rhinoplasty involves various risks and can lead to major complications. However, considering that the average success rate of nasal surgery is 85% and the rate of revision surgery is only 15%, it is not possible to say that the risks of a nose surgery is higher than other surgeries. It is even possible to increase this rate if you work with a specialized plastic surgeon and health clinic.
So what are these risks we are talking about?
Rhinoplasty risks include pre-operational, operational and post-operational ones. And each of them includes different underlying factors such as psychological, physical, surgical and economical.
Before examining each of these in detail, it should be noted that the most important way to minimize the possible risks in any surgical operation is to work with a competent, board-certified specialist, team and clinic. Since life is invaluable for everyone, decisions on issues that directly affect health should not be based solely on price. The experience of the specialist, the technological possibilities of the clinic and the success rate should be taken into consideration.
PRE-OPERATIONAL RHINOPLASTY RISKS
Pre-operational rhinoplasty risks include potential risks that may occur before the operation takes place, during the examination and interview stage. In this phase, psychological reasons and lack of communication with the plastic surgeon mostly play a role.
- Physical Reactions
Open communication with the doctor is necessary during the pre-operative consultation phase. Patients should share their health history and habits in detail with the specialist. Life threatening complications can occur as a result of not telling the doctor about health history such as allergies and medications used.
Any allergy the patient may have can affect the nasal passageway and mucosa, leading to unexpected results. For instance, postoperative nasal packing can be used to support the reshaped nasal structure. If the patient has allergies and sensitivities, a material that minimizes the risk of allergic reactions should be used.
Likewise, if the specialist’s recommendations are not followed, various major complications can occur. Smoking, drug and medication use should be minimized before the operation. Otherwise, delays in the healing process and unforeseen problems may occur.
The main way to avoid these situations and to spend the recovery process after nose job in the best way is not to hide anything from the specialist and not to skip.
- Unwanted Results Due To Miscommunication
Patients should share their expectations with the plastic surgeon specialist in all details during the pre-operative interview phase. In cases where effective communication with the specialist cannot be carried out, an aesthetically undesirable result may be encountered.
There is always unpredictability in nose job operations. But this situation can be minimized to the minimum possible level with open communication.
- Incorrect Examination
Incorrect examination is one of the possible mistakes that the specialist is responsible for in the operation. Each patient’s nasal bone structure, skin thickness and flexibility vary. It is of great importance that these measurements are made accurately during the preliminary examination in order for the surgery to result in line with the patient’s expectations. Misevaluation of the patient’s anatomical structure, skin type or nasal structure can lead to undesirable results.
Nose is one of our most prominent organs because it is located in the center of our face. Incorrect measurements of the nose and face proportions can lead to an asymmetrical and disproportionate appearance. Taking too much or too little tissue from it may cause it to look disproportionate to the face.
In terms of measurement, nose and face measurements are not the only important ones. Failure to accurately determine skin type, elasticity and thickness can lead to differences in skin contour and color, resulting in unsatisfactory results.
Besides aesthetic problems, incorrect measurement can also lead to health problems. It may cause structural disorders in the nasal airway and cause the person to have breathing problems. At the same time, inadequate support to the nasal tip can cause drooping, while excessive removal of the nasal septum can cause disorders in the structural integrity of the nose.
OPERATIONAL RHINOPLASTY RISKS
Operational rhinoplasty risks include unintended consequences that may occur due to mistakes made by the specialist during the surgical procedure and the inherent complications of the operations.
- Infection
Almost every operation carries a risk of infection. There are precautions to be taken to minimize the risk of infection.
During surgery, it is essential for the specialist team to provide sterile conditions to prevent the entry of bacteria or other pathogens into the operating environment.
Especially in cases of cartilage grafting and similar complicated procedures, the specialist team should use antibiotics to reduce the risk of infection.
- Anesthesia Complications
Anesthesia-related complications can occur during any surgical procedure, including rhinoplasty. The type of anesthesia used, patient’s medical history, and individual factors can influence the risk of complications. These complications can range from allergic reactions to death.
Some patients may experience vomiting and nausea after general anesthesia. General anesthesia can suppress breathing, especially in patients with preexisting respiratory conditions. Also anesthesia can affect blood pressure, heart rate, and other cardiovascular parameters. Patients with cardiovascular issues may be at increased risk of complications.
At the same time in rare cases, patients may have allergic reactions to anesthesia agents, which can be life-threatening if not promptly recognized and treated.
- Under&Over Resection
Under-resection and over-resection refer to the amount of tissue removed during rhinoplasty, specifically concerning the nasal structures such as bone, cartilage, and soft tissue. Both scenarios present unique risks and potential complications.
In cases where not enough nasal tissue is removed or reshaped during rhinoplasty, the patient may experience disappointment because the desired aesthetic and functional results are not achieved. In addition, in case of under resection, the expected improvements in the health problems of the person may not be realized. This leads to an increase in the duration, cost and recovery period of the operation.
Removing too much bone and cartilage from the nasal dorsum can result in a scooped or “ski slope” appearance, which may be aesthetically unpleasing and disproportionate to other facial features. Excessive removal of cartilage from the nasal tip can lead to a pinched or overly narrow appearance, compromising the natural contour and definition of the nose.
At the same time over-resection of structural support may weaken the nasal framework, leading to collapse or deformity of the nasal bridge or tip over time. Excessive removal of nasal structures also can result in nasal valve collapse, obstruction, or airflow disturbances, leading to breathing difficulties or nasal congestion.
Over-resection can thin the skin and soft tissue envelope, increasing the risk of visible irregularities, asymmetries, or implant visibility in the future. Excessive manipulation or removal of tissue may result in increased scarring or fibrosis, which can affect the appearance and texture of the nasal skin.
The removal of the nasal cartilage or bone needs to be done with great expertise and care. Therefore, it is very important to investigate the doctor’s areas of specialization and experience during the research process. Clinics should be contacted one by one and the competencies of the specialists should be questioned.
NOSE JOB COMPLICATIONS
Rhinoplasty surgeries, like many other operations, can have various complications. The important thing here is to follow the healing process of these complications well. In cases where the complications do not resolve within the specified time interval after surgery, it may be necessary to consult your specialist plastic surgeon and even consider the revision rhinoplasty option.
Complications can be classified in terms of their temporal intervals of occurrence after surgery.
Immediate and Early Rhinoplasty Complications
Immediate and early complications include complications that may develop immediately after the operation or a few weeks later.
- Swelling and Bruising
It is common to see bruising and swelling around the nose and eyes after rhinoplasty surgery. But you need to make sure that such complications disappear within the period specified by the specialist. In cases where they do not, you should consult your board-certified specialist.
The severity and duration of swelling and bruising may vary depending on the techniques applied during surgery. At the same time, the recovery time from one patient to another may be different depending on the patient’s skin structure and delicacy. Likewise, in cases where the patient uses alcohol, drugs and certain medications, swelling and bruising may be excessive and the healing time may increase.
Generally, the swelling and bruises that occur after the operation decrease and disappear within the first few weeks. But this period may vary.
- Bleeding
Bleeding is another of the most common complications that can be seen after nose job operation. Its severity may vary depending on the patient’s age, skin type, and whether the patient has a history of diseases such as hypertension and bleeding disorder.
The duration of bleeding may vary depending on the difficulty of the surgery, just like bruising and swelling. In cases where procedures such as graft placement are also performed, bleeding may occur more frequently and last longer.
Although bleeding is not a problem on its own, it can cause different rhinoplasty complications. Accumulation of blood within the nasal tissues, known as a hematoma, can lead to increased swelling, pain, and pressure. If not promptly addressed, a hematoma can compromise tissue viability and result in complications.
In cases of persistent or recurrent bleeding, the risk of infection increases and can lead to an increased healing process and wounds that do not close. At the same time, bleeding that does not go away may cause the person’s aesthetic expectations not to be achieved. It can lead to conditions such as asymmetry in the face.
- Nasal Obstruction
In cases where nose job complications such as swelling, bruising and bleeding do not go away, nasal functions may suffer. The nasal airway may become blocked and the patient may not be able to overcome breathing problems. In such cases, it may be necessary to consult a specialist doctor and consider the revision rhinoplasty option.
Late Rhinoplasty Complications
Late rhinoplasty complications include complications that occur several weeks after the rhinoplasty operation or complications that do not go away after several weeks.
- Altered Sensation
Sensitivity, numbness and lack of sense of smell in the nasal area may be observed after surgery. Most of the time, this condition resolves spontaneously after a certain period of time after the operation, but there may be cases where it does not.
Altered sensation may also cause fear and anxiety in the patient. In these and similar cases, the patient should consult a specialist plastic surgeon.
- Functional Issues
After rhinoplasty surgery, new breathing problems may occur or existing problems may persist. This situation may occur due to a disruption in the surgical process or may be caused by the patient’s anatomy. Conditions such as excessive tissue removal or inadequate support may cause differences in the patient’s nasal capabilities.
- Scarring
Although great care is taken to avoid scar formation during the operation, new wound formations can be encountered especially in open rhinoplasty operations. This may be caused by differences in the skin type and anatomical structure of the person, as well as an operational error.
General Reminder
You should first consult your specialist plastic surgeon about any side effects and complications that have occurred or may occur during and after the rhinoplasty operation.