The Risks of Revision Rhinoplasty

Reviewed by Andrew Jacono, MD

Revision rhinoplasty carries its own inherent risks. Most are not serious, but it's best to be aware of them before going into surgery. They include:

• Anesthesia complications
• Adverse reaction to prescribed medications
• Temporary loss of smell
• Bruising
• Prolonged swelling
• Excessive scarring
• Airway obstruction
• Skin discoloration, loss or necrosis
• Infection (indicators are pain, warmth, redness, swelling, fever)
• Bleeding
• Poor healing/new complications that require additional surgery
• Dissatisfaction with the final appearance or function of the nose

If you are a smoker, your risks escalate considerably. Smoking causes your blood vessels to constrict, restricting the delivery of oxygen to your healing tissues. The result is a slower revision rhinoplasty recovery and possibly serious complications. For these reasons, some surgeons will not operate on smokers. For your own good, stop smoking, preferably permanently but at a minimum for four weeks before and after surgery. Ask your surgeon about his or her policy regarding smokers, and for advice about smoking cessation programs.

Report the complications listed above, and anything else that doesn't feel "right" following your revision rhinoplasty, to your surgeon or their support staff. When it comes to postsurgical complications, it's better to be safe than sorry. Ensure an optimal outcome by strictly following your surgeon's pre- and postsurgical instructions.

 

About the Reviewer of this Article

Andrew Jacono, MD, FACS, specializes in revision rhinoplasty at his New York-based practice. He is dual board certified in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery and otolaryngology (head and neck surgery.) Dr. Jacono is section head of facial plastic and reconstructive surgery at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, New York, and an assistant clinical professor of facial and plastic and reconstructive surgery at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary. Dr. Jacono is also an assistant professor of head and neck surgery at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, NY. He is director of the New York Center for Facial Plastic & Laser Surgery and J SPA Medical Day Spa in Great Neck, NY. He has published several articles in peer-reviewed journals and is the author of the book FACE THE FACTS: The Truth About Plastic Surgery Procedures That Do and Don't Work. For more information on Dr. Jacono, visit www.newyorkfacialplasticsurgery.com.

 

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