Safety of Nose Surgery
Anyone who's undergone even the simplest surgical procedure knows that risk is always involved. Although procedures offered under cosmetic surgery are typically less risky than those offered under other fields of medicine, an inherent risk is still present. A procedure which has seen tremendous growth in popularity has been the rhinoplasty procedure, more commonly known as a nose job. This surgery has been a miracle worker for those self-conscious about the look of their nose. A rhinoplasty can also help those with breathing problems acquired as a result of an injury or simply from birth. Although the prospect of finally making the decision to receive this procedure may be exciting, every factor needs to be considered very carefully.
A shocking statistic pertaining to nose jobs is that nearly 20% of people who undergo the procedure return for a second one, known as a revision rhinoplasty. There are numerous reasons why patients return to the operating table. Some received a botched procedure, sustained an accident that damaged their nose shortly after their initial procedure, or grew dissatisfied with the new look of their nose. Regardless of the circumstances, we can see that the majority of patients think things through rather superficially. Few of us can afford to make such a costly mistake.
The symptoms of a rhinoplasty procedure can manifest themselves at both a physical and psychological level. In respect to the former, patients can expect bruising, swelling, and skin discoloration following their procedure. Although many of these side effects wear away after a given time period, the scarring will remain in permanence.
Surgeons have grown more and more skilled in reducing the appearance of post-surgical scarring. Incision sites are now considered very carefully. Many surgeons prefer to make an incision at the intersection of the nose with the face. The crease created at this intersection is very effective at hiding any scarring. Regardless of whatever scarring a patient sustains during the procedure, its intensity should reduce in the months following the rhinoplasty. If not, the patient should contact his/her doctor.
Blood vessel damage can also occur during a nose job. Some patients suffer from one or multiple burst blood vessels in or near the operation site. This is to be expected and hence not abnormal. Aesthetically, burst blood vessels can be a pain to deal with, however, they will eventually disappear.
In certain circumstances, the final shape of the nose may be skewed as a result of the patient's sleeping habits or surgical errors. Simple mistakes such as the incorrect installation of the nose splint can cause unfavorable outcomes. Most of these cases, unfortunately, require a revision rhinoplasty for correction.
Patients may experience several harmless symptoms after their surgery. Among these are loss of sensation in the nose, infection, and finally bloody or runny nose. The first is common and tends to prolong for several months. A runny nose is also to be expected in the months and weeks after the procedure. Bloody noses tend to be more sporadic but are common. Infections can usually be treated with the administration of antibiotics.
Overall, this procedure is not nearly as risky as many make it out to be. This does not mean that all factors should not be considered prior to proceeding. The most pivotal step a patient can take in ensuring success is to select a competent doctor. This will significantly reduce the possibility of complications in both the surgical and recovery phase.
May 15 2009 06:26 am | Rhinoplasty