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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    What are possible complications of rhinoplasty?

    Related Topic
    Plastic Surgery
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  • 1

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    Dr Andrew Kim

    Cosmetic Physician

    Dr. Ahnsup Kim of Advance Beauty Cosmetic Surgery practice asian cosmetic surgery procedures including rhinoplasty, eyelid surgery and hair transplant in Canberra, Melbourne, and Sydney … View Profile

    Here are a list of the possible complications which can happen in the instance that something along the process goes off track.

    • One complication that has a possibility of happening not only with a rhinoplasty but for every surgical procedure is infection. However this only happens rarely for a nose surgery but it will definitely happen at the slight chance that bacteria or other pathogens are introduced intraoperatively or during the healing process.

    In a new study that was released just recently, a common type of nose implant was found to cause infections. 

    • Some people may also have some visible scarring after the procedure. And this can be caused by a lack of skill on the part of the surgeon, the condition of the patient’s skin and delayed healing.

    • Difficulty breathing is another complication due to skin flaps which may be occluding the air passage.

    • Another serious complication is excessive bleeding. Nasal draining may be necessary for this case as an emergency treatment.

    • Loss of sense of smell is definitely one complication that will lead you to enjoy your food less.  More often it can be temporary and soon comes back after a couple of days.

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    Dr Sim Choroomi

    Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) Surgeon

    Although tolerated well by the vast majority of patients, rhinoplasty like all surgical procedures carries some risks. 

    I divide them into short term, medium term and long term risks.

    - short term- bleeding,  infection, bruising, swelling. Rarely are these major issues but your surgeon should give adequate pre op instructions to help minimize swelling and bruising and cover you with antibiotics and recommend nasal rinsing post op.

    Take it easy and sleep with your head up for 2 weeks. Icing your cheeks for a couple days post op is also helpful and soothing. Some surgeons place you on suppliments like arnica and bromeline to boost anti bruising and swelling abilities. I also recommend vit c suppliments throughout.

    - medium term - nasal congestion and swelling particularly of the nasal tip. Rhinoplasty swelling takes up to a year to completely go down. This does not mean you cannot face the public or social events during this time but your end result of all swelling to resolve takes time and your surgeon should help through this process with frequent follow ups. Sometimes injections are placed to help with facilitating swelling or also taping at night may be recommended. 

    You may have some numbness of your tip or occasional discomfort in the first few months.

    - long term - after a year most of the healing is done and this may reveal a minor irregularity you may notice at certain angles or in certain light. Again this may be something minor your surgeon may address with an injection but the rate for needing a minor tweak or revision  - even in the most experienced hands - is 5 -10%. Other issues may be unsatisfactory scarring, chronic nasal congestion and reduced sense of smell.

    I hope this was helpful.

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