Rhinoplasty Surgery Safety and Risks

Rhinoplasty is a simple plastic surgery done to either give your nose a more aesthetic look, or to get rid of any nasal problems from defects or accidents. Though the plastic surgery of the nose is not a major surgical procedure, safety factors and risks involving it have to be understood. Such surgeries need a deal of care and precaution when going about them. If you are having a rhinoplasty done, the plastic surgeon or cosmetic surgeon will communicate to you the risks involved in the procedure and the safety precautions to be taken before and after the surgery.

Risks involved in rhinoplasty

Dr. Wright Jones (not board certified) lists some of the risks as;

• Infection after the operation

• Persistent pain even after 2 weeks of surgery

• Bleeding or hematoma

• Risk related to anesthesia

• Skin problems like discoloration, breakdown of skin tissue, numbness on the operated skin area, swelling, scarring and so on.

• Possibility of asymmetry arising when healing after the operation.

• Excessive swelling in the nasal passages may cause obstruction of air

• In rare cases, nasal septal perforation may occur, requiring additional surgery

• Clotting in the venous system may lead to cardiac or pulmonary complications

• Sutures breaking, becoming visible through the skin, or even causing irritation

• Additional surgery may be required to correct some irregularities of the original surgery

• Infection in the operated area, which can be corrected by antibiotics

Temporary swelling around the eye and nose immediately after the surgery can be expected and is mostly common after a rhinoplasty surgery. Other risks have a very low likelihood of happening, and most surgeons take utmost care not to cause any discomfort to their patients.

Safety measures to be taken before and after the procedure

To be on the safer side, always follow what the doctor recommends. If in doubt ask him/her whether it is safe to be doing whatever you want to do, pre-op or post-op. The safety measures to be taken before the cosmetic surgery will be to inform your doctor about your past medical history, any special medications you are on, and the allergies that affect you. The surgeons also tell you not to eat anything 18 hours before the surgery, so follow that. They will also give you special instructions regarding face washing, usage of water or diet.

Post-op safety precautions are necessary for speedy recovery. Heart palpitations, breath shortness, or excessive pain in the operated area and chest usually mean complications, so get medical help immediately. Remember to keep the operated area clean. Do not subject it to excessive force, try to touch it and move the skin or cause abrasions. This can lead to tearing of sutures and bleeding, leading to complications. Post-op take rest for a few days and check regularly with your plastic surgeon. In Atlanta, Buckhead, Stockbridge, Marietta, GA you will find plastic surgeons or cosmetic surgeons specializing in rhinoplasty, one of them being Dr. Wright Jones (not board certified).

 See all plastic surgery procedures that Cosmetic Surgeon Dr. Wright Jones performs of the face, nose, body, and breast in and around Atlanta and Buckhead.