Rhinoplasty (Nose Surgery) Risks and Safety

Serious complications in case of rhinoplasty cosmetic surgery are quite rare, but the patient should still have clear information about the potential risks in order to make a well-considered choice. For a patient, the first goal should be to choose the best possible nose surgeon in order to minimize risks and achieve results in line with their aesthetic expectations.

At the time of initial consultation, a dedicated surgeon will apprise the patient of the potential risks and complications.

Patients should feel free to ask questions and clear any doubts and concerns about the procedure and their health and well-being. Sagacious, impeccable, and plastic surgeon Dr. David Kim provides rhinoplasty to patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, and surrounding communities across the landscape.

Common Risks

Some of the risks that are commonly associated with a plastic surgery procedure such as rhinoplasty may include:

• Adverse reaction to anesthesia
• Seroma
• Hematoma
• Bleeding and infection
• Numbness or change in sensation in the incision site
• Conspicuous scarring
• Allergic reactions
• Damage to the underlying nasal structures
• Poor aesthetic outcome, which may necessitate revision surgery

Risks Specific to Nose Surgery

Some of the risks which are specific to rhinoplasty may include:

• Issues relating to the nasal skin or breakdown of skin from bandaging or from grafting material getting exposed through thin skin, particularly when synthetic implants are used
• Swelling within the nostrils resulting in nasal blockage
• Damage to the septum, which is the structure separating the nostrils
• A raised scar at the base of the nose when open rhinoplasty technique is performed
• Breathing obstructions after the nose surgery

Scarring Risks

When closed rhinoplasty technique is used, the surgeon will create very small incisions within the nostrils. This will cause no external scarring. But where significant medications to the nose are necessary, an open rhinoplasty procedure may be performed, which will create an additional scar across the columella. The surgeon’s goal will be to keep this scar small and inconspicuous at the base of the nose.

Selecting a Plastic Surgeon

Although advancements in surgical techniques have made rhinoplasty a very safe surgery, the single most crucial factor that continues to impact its final outcome is the skill and experience of the operating surgeon. When patients select a plastic surgeon, they have an automatic assurance that the surgeon would have undergone a certain minimum number of years of specialized training in the field of plastic surgery.

Salient plastic surgeons would typically invest in high quality standards and best practices, adopt cutting edge technology and techniques, pursue continuing education, and follow the latest safety protocols. Their goal is to produce the safest and best possible outcomes for every patient.

Patient cooperation is equally necessary to ensure safe and predictable results in a procedure such as rhinoplasty. The patient should be committed to following the surgeon’s pre- and post-op care instructions and advice to minimize risks. Profound and capable cosmetic surgeon Dr. Kim receives patients from Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, and other communities and cities in this part of the state for rhinoplasty.