RHINOPLASTY RISKS AND COMPLICATIONS
A Complete Guide
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What to Expect After Surgery: Side Effects
Most patients experience certain side effects after rhinoplasty that are considered a normal part of the healing process.
These include:
- Increased sensitivity and discomfort
- Skin redness and bruising
- Swelling and minor bleeding
Risks During the First Days After Surgery
During the immediate postoperative period, possible complications include adverse reactions to anesthesia or medications used, as well as a slower recovery process. In rare cases, blood vessels in the nose may rupture, causing thin red lines to appear on the skin. Although these usually disappear over time, there is also a possibility that they may persist.
As with any surgical procedure involving an incision, rhinoplasty also carries a small risk of infection—less than 1%. Signs of infection include significant swelling, fever, severe pain, and redness. Such problems are very rare in non-smokers and are more common among patients who smoke.
Prolonged Bruising and Swelling
Potential complications of rhinoplasty include prolonged bruising, which may persist for several months. This is particularly relevant to smokers, as nicotine slows the healing process.
Swelling is considered the longest-lasting side effect. For approximately 6 weeks, the final surgical result cannot be determined with certainty because residual swelling prevents the true shape of the nose from being seen. In addition, because the procedure requires an incision in the skin, external scarring may occur. However, the best plastic surgeons make incisions inside the nostrils or in the delicate area separating them, reducing the risk of visible scarring.
Risks During Recovery
During the healing period, the nose is extremely vulnerable. If it is struck, it can lose its symmetry and become crooked or deformed, which may require secondary rhinoplasty for correction.
In addition to aesthetic concerns, structural and functional complications may also occur:
- Difficulty breathing through the nose
- Nosebleeds
- Structural deviation or a perforated septum
- Temporary or permanent numbness
How Can Risks Be Reduced at Arzni Aesthetica?
When rhinoplasty is performed by a highly qualified and experienced specialist, complications are very rare. At Arzni Aesthetica Plastic Surgery Center, every procedure is planned meticulously. You can significantly reduce risks by following your surgeon’s preoperative and postoperative instructions.
Features of the Late Postoperative Period
A crooked nose often indicates a congenital or traumatic problem involving the nasal septum. After secondary rhinoplasty, curvature may reappear in fewer than 20% of cases, depending on the stiffness of the cartilage, which can sometimes be impossible to predict.
Asymmetry of the nostrils may also concern patients, but it is often caused by the natural asymmetry of the face and is not always amenable to surgical correction.
Do You Have Questions About Rhinoplasty?
Call our office to schedule a consultation with Dr. Danielyan. On ArzniAesthetica.com, you will find numerous resources, including pre- and postoperative photographs, that will help you better understand the expected result.
