Every type of surgery carries its risks, so it’s essential to know what your risks are before undergoing any procedure, even one as straightforward as rhinoplasty. During your rhinoplasty consultation, potential complications and your specific risk factors should be a topic of conversation. Just by learning about what risks you may face, you can reduce your chances of experiencing any unpleasant side effects.
Risks Associated With General Anesthesia
In recent decades, general anesthesia earned itself a bad reputation for causing harmful side effects in patients. Although today’s anesthetics are much safer than those one used, many prospective rhinoplasty patients are nervous about potential complications. Not all rhinoplasty procedures are performed under general anesthetics, so this may not even be a concern that you need to worry about.
If you do have concerns about the type of anesthesia used to perform your rhinoplasty procedure, talk to your plastic surgeon. You should always be honest about your medical history, any lifestyle habits that may increase your risks, and all medications that you are currently taking. By answering questions about your health for your plastic surgeon, you can give him the information he needs to keep you safe and healthy during your procedure.
Keep in mind that it is normal to have mild reactions to even local anesthetics. Typical reactions may include some nausea or vomiting, confusion and dizziness, and fatigue. These symptoms will resolve themselves as your body rids itself of the anesthetic.
Risks for Post-Surgical Infection
Any surgical procedure opens you up to the possibility of an infection, but not everyone is at the same level of risk. Steps taken prior to surgery can reduce your chances of bacteria passing from the skin’s surface to inside the body through an incision. Rhinoplasty does involve the use of incisions, either inside the nostrils or externally on the underside of the nose. Either way, your facial plastic surgeon can work proactively to prevent infection from happening, provided you have chosen to work with a board certified surgeon with proven skills, knowledge and experience. You’ll need to be able to rely on your surgeon to keep you safe from infection, especially since you won’t be able to do anything about it while you’re sedated for the procedure.
Some of the standard practices used to prevent infection during a rhinoplasty include:
- Administering a dose of antibiotics prior to surgery (and sometimes afterwards as well).
- Cleaning the surgical area (i.e. the nose) thoroughly with an antibacterial agent.
- Sterilizing all surgical instruments used for the procedure.
- Wearing of protective surgical clothing and gloves by all surgical personnel while inside the operating room.
By limiting your potential exposure to bacteria, your facial plastic surgeon will effectively minimize your infection risk to keep you safe. Once surgery is over, it’s time for you to get to work keeping post-surgical infection risks at bay. Follow your surgeon’s instructions to change bandages and keep the incision areas clean. By doing so, you’ll allow the nose to heal quickly and smoothly, without a single hint of an infection.
Risks to Your Breathing
Many prospective rhinoplasty patients worry about the risks that surgery may pose to their breathing. After all, the surgery concentrates on the nose, so it’s easy to assume that changes to the nose will automatically affect the way you are able to breathe. Some patients experience problems with their natural breathing ability, typically the result of a deviated septum, blocked airway, or constricted nasal passages. If you’re not seeking rhinoplasty to correct problems like this, however, you’re probably not looking to make any changes to the way you breathe at all.
Rhinoplasty is designed to change the size and shape of your nose, while preserving or improving your nasal function. If your rhinoplasty doesn’t meet this standard, then it’s not a success. Patients looking for a purely cosmetic rhinoplasty are sometimes surprised by changes in their breathing, but not often in a positive way. Though rare, these effects are the results of errors made on the part of an inexperienced surgeon who is not as well versed in the fine-tuned approaches now available for rhinoplasty procedures. Because it is an intricate and complicated surgery, rhinoplasty can be very challenging to perform and mistakes can result. To minimize your own risk of unwanted changes, choose a board certified facial plastic surgeon with a high patient satisfaction rating and plenty of experience.
Risk for Disappointment
Every surgery needs to be planned meticulously, especially one as high-profile and intricate as rhinoplasty. From the moment you meet your facial plastic surgeon for a consultation, your rhinoplasty surgery will be in its planning stages, straight through to your operation day. During this first meeting, you will be given a chance to voice your own concerns about your nose and the changes you’d like to have made. Your surgeon will talk with you about his recommendations and the surgical plan he has to deliver the results you want in a natural-looking way. Communication is a key element in this first meeting, since any misunderstood goals can lead to very disappointing results.
Avoid a second rhinoplasty to correct these mistakes by getting the nose you want the first time around. Communicate clearly and use visuals as much as you can to be sure that your facial plastic surgeon is on the same page. Listen closely to what your surgeon has to say and make sure it seems in line with your vision. Photos of previous patients can be helpful. Even better, you can take a photo of yourself to illustrate the changes you want to see made.
Minimize All of Your Risks With One Decision
Plan for a risk-free surgery with the right facial plastic surgeon. He will become the foundation of your success, so consult with a recognized expert in facial plastic surgeryto achieve your best results.Dr. Andrew Frankel is board certified in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, as well as Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (Ear Nose and Throat). He is exceptionally well trained in the field of nasal surgery and has been recognized for his original research regarding vasculature to the nose and rhinoplasty’s effect on it. Schedule your appointment today with a world-renowned facial plastic surgeon to guarantee your best rhinoplasty results. Contact Dr. Frankel’s office, located at 201 Lasky Drive in Beverly Hills, CA, by calling (310) 552-2173.
