Nose Reshaping - Risks

In a professionally executed rhinoplasty, the health risks are low. Serious complications such as wound infections with ulcerous consequences, injuries to the tear ducts, thrombosis (clotting), or embolism (closure of blood vessels) occur very rarely. Bleeding or secondary bleeding can endanger one's health during or after the operation.⁸

In the first two weeks after the procedure, nasal bleeding can occur; this should be handled as promptly as possible. Dry nasal mucosa or increased frequency of nasal secretions are possible. The initially normal impairment of nasal air flow can become a long-term condition if the swelling of the mucosa does not go down in the manner desired.^5,11

Also possible are an impairment in one's ability to smell or changes in sensitivity, i.e. tactile sensitivity of the nose, neighboring skin area, or the upper lip. This should, however, disappear once again after a few weeks. More complex procedures can lead to scars and circulatory disturbances in the inner nasal mucosa. In unfortunate cases, the consequence is cartilage damage which impairs the shape and function of the nose. Changes in shape can also originate through indentations in the cartilage or bone as well as inconsistent scar progression in parts of the bone or cartilage.

Should these fail to regress or make minimal regressive progress after several weeks, a second operation is necessary. A secondary operation, e.g. for the correction of extensive asymmetries, is generally first possible after 12 months; smaller secondary corrections can usually be made earlier as an outpatient procedure using local anaesthesia.^4,11

The doctor who is treating you will gladly clarify these and further possible risks in detail.

Sources:
¹ University of Regensburg Clinical Centre
² Austrian Society for Plastic, Aesthetic, and Reconstructive Surgery
^3,6,7 German Society for Aesthetic-Plastic Surgery
⁴ Society for Aesthetic Surgery, Germany e.V.
⁵ British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons
^8,10,11 German Society for Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgeons
⁹ British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons