When Rhinoplasty Goes Wrong: Avoiding Complications

In this article, you’ll learn and discover how to avoid complications when you are planning to go for rhinoplasty.

Rhinoplasty sometimes referred to as a “nose job,” is a common but potentially delicate plastic surgery procedure.

What is rhinoplasty?

This type of plastic surgery aims to alter the size, shape, and contour of the nose. The nose is comprised of three major systemic components. The upper region is made of bone, the lower portion contains cartilage and the entire structure is covered by skin. Any or all of these components can be changed during rhinoplasty.

What are the reasons rhinoplasty is performed?

According to rhinoplasty expert Dr. Daniel Becker, the surgical undertaking is opted for by individuals who do not like the aesthetic appearance of their noses and aim to render the facial structure more to their liking. However, in other cases, the procedure is done to correct or prevent potentially serious health issues such as breathing difficulties. Certain people are born with structural deformities within the nose that obstructs nasal airways. Occasionally, injuries or nose-impacting illnesses result in structural issues.

What is the procedure?

All nose jobs are different. Moreover, the nose small size and often odd shape sometimes render rhinoplasty complex. Ergo, the procedure necessitates prospective recipients to partake in several important steps including:

Surgical Consultation

The intended recipient and the surgeon designated to perform the said procedure will consult regarding specific surgical objectives. Said objectives include specific aesthetics or improved well-being. Once the surgeon in question formulates an idea of what the prospective patient hopes to gain, said medical professional can determine the best course of surgery.

A Thorough, Physical Examination

Well in advance of any operation, the plastic surgeon will perform a thorough medical evaluation on the intended recipient. In the hands of an experienced rhinoplasty expert, surgery should be relatively well-tolerated and the risk of experiencing any nose job complication is greatly reduced. That said, individuals diagnosed with certain medical conditions might not be suitable candidates for rhinoplasty including those with bleeding ailments or breathing problems.

Full Medical Disclosure

The surgeon in question will also ask the patient to disclose the medications they take and any allergies they might possess. In terms of medications, patients are advised to provide information regarding every over-the-counter or prescription preparation taken, even drugs they do not use frequently. Moreover, a reputable rhinoplasty expert will also wish to know what supplements and vitamins said patient ingests. Certain substances increase the potential for complications and might cause an adverse reaction to the administered anesthetic.

Surgery

Surgical recipients will necessitate some form of anesthesia. Simpler procedures are usually performed under sedation and the patient might be able to leave the hospital or clinic later that day. However, more complex undertakings often require general anesthesia and the patient may need to remain in hospital overnight.

What potential complications could occur?

In the hands of more experienced surgeons, complications are rare but can happen. Such pitfalls include infection, scarring, adverse reactions to anesthesia, loss of sensation in the skin surrounding the injection sites and breathing issues. Another possible nose job complication is an increased risk for bleeding.

How To Avoid Potential Complications?

Fortunately, there are several actions prospective recipients can execute that might reduce their risk of complications such as:

Disclose Any Existing Health Issues

A patient should not assume a doctor will reconfirm any existing health issues during a physical examination. It is the patient’s responsibility to inform the surgeon of their current health state. If such individuals possess conditions like bleeding disorders or some type of breathing problem, said ailments must be brought to the attention of the surgeon in question. Said medical professionals might opt against performing the surgery. However, it is better to be safe than sorry and not receive an unnecessary or excessively risky procedure.

Follow The Surgeon’s Directions Implicitly

The intended recipient must follow each of their surgeon’s instructions before and following the procedure. Specific directives might be about issues including but not necessarily limited to the proper foods and beverages to consume, specific vices to refrain from partaking in, the specific level of physical activity to engage in and how to avoid infections through proper cleansing techniques.

Choose The Right Plastic Surgeon

Arguably, the most direct method of avoiding complications is to designate the most experienced plastic surgeon. A prospective rhinoplasty surgeon should possess the following attributes:

• A Specialization In Rhinoplasty – An intended recipient should designate a surgeon that is a documented rhinoplasty expert. Said medical professionals should possess many years of experience and a list of satisfied former patients.
• Their Style – In many instances, plastic surgery is like art. A good plastic surgeon will possess their flare and style.
• The Ability To Provide A Closer Look – Reputable rhinoplasty surgeons should possess the capacity to show the patient before and after photos of past clients and offer some idea of what their appearance will be following the procedure in question.
• Superior Credentials – Respected plastic surgeons will possess a medical degree from a reputable and accredited medical school and at least several board certifications.
• Affiliation With A Modern Medical Facility – Medical professionals should only perform rhinoplasty procedures inside state-of-the-art facilities rife with modern equipment.
• Work With Board Certified Anesthesiologists – Reputable plastic surgeons will only work in tandem with experienced and board-certified anesthesiologists.