You’re thinking about getting a rhinoplasty, but you’re worried about the potential side effects. It’s time to learn more – the more you know about the side effects, the easier it’ll be to make an informed decision about the procedure. 
The potential side effects of rhinoplasty range from minor to severe. Swelling in the nose and eye areas is a common side effect. Carefully resting ice packs against the affected areas will help the swelling go down, but it won’t fully subside for a fair amount of time. Be patient, wait for your tissues to heal, and you’ll be rewarded with your new, perfect nose.
Because your nostrils will be packed with gauze and you’ll be experiencing nasal swelling, you may have some difficulty breathing through your nose at the beginning of your recovery period. There may be some numbness around the nose and eye areas. There is also the possibility of blood vessels on the face bursting. If this occurs, consult your physician for treatment options.
Any plastic surgery involving small, delicate tissues will carry a bleeding risk, and rhinoplasty is no exception. Blood discharge from the nose is normal for the first few days, as are nosebleeds. Nosebleeds that occur frequently or do not stop, however, are abnormal; if you experience these, call your physician immediately.
Small amounts of pain are another normal side effect of rhinoplasty. Taking a painkiller is a good way to soothe the pain, but avoid aspirin, because it can cause more bleeding. Another potential blood-related issue is deep vein thrombosis, or DVT, where a dangerous blood clot forms. To avoid these, make sure to stay active during recovery in small ways. However, do not take part in strenuous activities of any kind.
If part of your rhinoplasty involved nasal implants, implant drift is a possible side effect. With this, the implant shifts its position in the nose. Subdermal sutures can also sometimes poke through the surface of the nose; these may need to be removed as a result.
Other severe but rare side effects of rhinoplasty include septal perforation and nasal collapse. A septal perforation is a tiny hole in the septum that causes a whistling noise and can sometimes be fixed with surgery. Nasal collapse, the structural failing of the newly weakened tissues, can lead to obstructed breathing and nasal deformation.
To learn more about the statistical likelihood of the side effects associated with rhinoplasty surgery, contact our office in New Jersey today. Dr. Farhad Rafizadeh is a board-certified plastic surgeon with the experience necessary to answer all of your questions.