What can go wrong after rhinoplasty?
Rhinoplasty is technically one of the most demanding procedures in cosmetic surgery. It has among the highest revision rates of any cosmetic procedure, not because surgeons do it poorly, but because the anatomy is unforgiving.
The most common complications
- Breathing difficulties. Nasal airway obstruction from over-resection, scarring, or valve collapse. Significant obstruction often requires revision.
- Asymmetry. Even small irregularities are visible on a midline structure.
- Revision rates. Published rates: 5–15% (Neaman et al., Annals of Plastic Surgery, 2013). Revision rhinoplasty is more complex and more expensive than the primary procedure.
- Infection. Relatively uncommon (1–2%) but serious when cartilage grafts are involved.
- Septal perforation. A hole in the nasal septum. Large perforations may require surgical repair.
- Hematoma. Septal hematoma is an emergency: undrained hematoma leads to necrosis and permanent deformity.
The financial reality
A revision rhinoplasty: $8,000–$15,000+. Infected cartilage graft repair, septal perforation repair, and nasal valve correction: all high costs. Health insurance exclusions apply to all of it.
Sources: Rohrich & Ahmad, “A Practical Approach to Rhinoplasty,” PRS, 2022; Neaman et al., “Analysis of Risk Factors for Revision Rhinoplasty,” Annals of Plastic Surgery, 2013.