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Rhinoplasty, or nose reshaping surgery, is one of the most commonly performed cosmetic procedures worldwide. When carried out by a qualified and experienced surgeon, it delivers predictable and lasting results. However, like any surgical procedure, rhinoplasty carries some risks.
While most side effects such as swelling or mild bleeding are temporary, patients should understand what can go wrong, how to recognise complications early, and what steps can be taken to ensure a safe recovery. Knowing what to expect can make the healing process smoother and give patients greater peace of mind throughout their journey.
At Berkeley Square Medical, every rhinoplasty is performed by highly experienced surgeons using advanced techniques and strict safety standards — all designed to minimise complications and deliver refined, natural results.
Minor side effects such as swelling, bruising, and light bleeding are normal and resolve naturally.
More serious complications like infection, excessive bleeding, or breathing issues are rare but possible.
Following pre- and post-surgery instructions is essential to reduce risks.
Smoking, alcohol, and poor aftercare can delay healing and increase the chance of complications.
Choosing an experienced rhinoplasty specialist is the best way to ensure a safe, successful outcome.
Excessive bleeding can occur during the procedure due to a number of reasons, including a lack of blood clotting. If this happens, you may be given medication to prevent excessive bleeding or stop it completely.
Some of the things that can predispose you to heavy bleeding are taking aspirin and other blood thinners, having a history of heavy menstrual periods or taking birth control pills.
It is also important to tell your doctor if you have had nose bleeds before in order to be prepared for possible complications due to excessively sensitive nasal tissue.
Swelling of the nose and surrounding areas is a very common occurrence after rhinoplasty surgery. This is a natural response to the surgical manipulation of tissues, as the body directs increased blood flow and fluids to the area to facilitate healing. Initially, the swelling can be quite pronounced, often peaking within the first few days post-surgery. During this period, patients might notice significant changes in the shape and size of their nose, which can be unsettling but is entirely normal.
As the healing process progresses, the swelling will gradually diminish. Most of the noticeable swelling should subside within the first two weeks, allowing the new contours of the nose to begin to emerge. However, it’s important to understand that residual swelling, especially at the tip of the nose, can persist for several months. In some cases, it may take up to a year for all the swelling to fully resolve and for the final results of the surgery to become apparent.
Infection around the area of the operation is rare and usually only occurs when there is a break in the skin.
If you develop redness, swelling, or discomfort around the area of your surgery it’s important to contact your doctor immediately who might prescribe an antibiotic to help prevent infection.
If you think that something has gone wrong with your rhinoplasty operation seek medical attention quickly because without treatment recovery can be difficult if not impossible.
Breathing difficulties after a nose operation can be caused by swelling or scar tissue and can be relieved with a nasal decongestant.
If you notice that your nose is congested after surgery, use a saline spray to clear the water from your sinuses and avoid blowing your nose for 24 hours.
You might find it difficult to breathe through one side of your nose following rhinoplasty because cartilage has been removed during the operation; this will improve automatically over time as tissues heal but in the meantime, you may need to breathe out of both nostrils until one becomes less swollen than it’s counterpart.
The nasal bones may not match perfectly due to scar tissue or swelling post-surgery affecting one side more than the other, which can lead to a crooked nose appearance that does not align with your natural features and makes it difficult for you to breathe comfortably through one nostril in particular.
Anticipate this complication if your surgeon plans on making significant changes involving bone structure (excessively narrowing the bony pyramid). It’s possible that there will be some asymmetry even after rhinoplasty surgery is successful.
Another type of temporary asymmetry could be that your nostrils will look uneven for a while. This condition is often due to swelling and will correct itself once it’s gone.
Rhinoplasty involves cutting into the nose and scarring is natural. Scars are generally not noticeable after healing, but they can cause complications in the short-term and long-term if left unaddressed.
Some of these complications include:
Numbness in and around the nose area after a nose job is normal. It may last for a few days or up to one month and should go away on its own.
Following rhinoplasty surgery, it is common for patients to experience bruising around the nose and under the eyes. This discoloration occurs as a result of blood vessels being disturbed during the surgical process, leading to blood pooling under the skin. While bruising can be a normal part of the healing process, it can vary in severity and duration among individuals.
The nasal dorsum, often referred to as the “bridge” of the nose, extends from the area between the eyes down to the tip. Ideally, this structure should be smooth and symmetrical on both sides, contributing to the overall aesthetic balance of the nose and face. However, asymmetries and irregularities in the nasal dorsum can sometimes happen as a result of rhinoplasty complications.
If a deformity does occur, it can often be corrected through revision rhinoplasty. This secondary procedure is more complex and requires an even higher level of surgical skill to achieve the desired corrections and restore nasal harmony.
Some bleeding after rhinoplasty is completely normal, especially within the first few days following surgery. During this time, a small amount of blood-tinged fluid may drain from your nostrils or appear on your dressing — this is part of the natural healing process as the tissues adjust and blood vessels repair themselves.
Mild bleeding typically occurs for 24–48 hours after surgery and should gradually decrease. You may also notice light spotting when sneezing or cleaning your nose, which is considered normal during early recovery.
However, heavy or prolonged bleeding is not typical and should be reported to your surgeon right away.
Seek medical advice if you notice:
Continuous bleeding that soaks through the dressing
Large blood clots coming from the nose
Dizziness, weakness, or shortness of breath accompanying the bleeding
To help minimise bleeding after rhinoplasty:
Keep your head elevated at all times, even when sleeping.
Avoid blowing your nose or sneezing through it for at least two weeks.
Do not bend forward, lift heavy objects, or engage in strenuous exercise.
Stay away from hot showers and alcohol, which can increase blood flow and swelling.
In most cases, light bleeding will settle on its own as the healing continues. If you experience heavier or persistent bleeding, it’s important to contact your surgeon — early intervention can prevent more serious complications and ensure a safer recovery.
Most rhinoplasty complications are preventable with careful planning, expert surgical technique, and disciplined aftercare. Your surgeon plays a crucial role in ensuring your operation is performed safely, but your actions before and after surgery are equally important in achieving the best outcome.
Choose a qualified, experienced surgeon. Verify credentials, experience, and before-and-after photos to ensure your surgeon specialises in rhinoplasty.
Avoid smoking and alcohol. Both reduce blood circulation and slow tissue healing, increasing the risk of infection and scarring.
Disclose all medications. Blood-thinning drugs, herbal supplements, and even certain vitamins (like E and fish oil) can increase bleeding risk.
Follow pre-surgery instructions. Eat healthily, stay hydrated, and arrange recovery time — your body needs optimal conditions for healing.
Keep your head elevated. This reduces swelling and helps prevent pressure-related bleeding.
Avoid touching or bumping your nose. Even small impacts can disturb healing tissue and shift internal structures.
Clean gently and follow your surgeon’s care plan. Proper hygiene around the incision area reduces infection risk.
Use cold compresses sparingly. Overuse can constrict blood flow and slow recovery — short, gentle applications are best.
Be patient. Swelling, mild bleeding, and temporary numbness are part of healing. Avoid comparing your results too soon — final outcomes often take up to a year to fully refine.
Sleep on your back with your head propped up.
Avoid hot showers, saunas, and spicy foods during the first two weeks.
Do not wear glasses that rest on the bridge of your nose until cleared by your surgeon.
Stay out of direct sunlight to prevent discolouration or scar darkening.
Following these simple steps can drastically lower the chance of complications and promote a faster, more comfortable recovery.
Some post-surgery symptoms are expected, such as mild swelling, tenderness, or light bleeding. However, certain signs can indicate complications that require medical attention. Knowing when to reach out to your surgeon can prevent more serious issues.
Heavy or persistent bleeding that doesn’t stop with gentle pressure.
Severe or worsening pain not relieved by prescribed medication.
Fever or chills, which may signal infection.
Sudden increase in swelling or redness around the nose or eyes.
Pus or foul-smelling discharge from the incision area.
Difficulty breathing through one or both nostrils that worsens instead of improving.
Noticeable deformity or collapse of the nasal bridge during recovery.
Early communication with your surgical team ensures that even minor concerns are addressed quickly. At Berkeley Square Medical, patients are encouraged to attend all scheduled follow-up appointments — these are essential for monitoring healing progress, adjusting care as needed, and ensuring that results develop as expected.
Prompt action and open communication are key to avoiding preventable complications and maintaining your long-term rhinoplasty results.
Rhinoplasty complications are relatively rare when performed by a skilled and experienced surgeon. Most patients experience only mild, temporary side effects such as swelling, bruising, or minor bleeding. Severe complications like infection, structural collapse, or breathing difficulties occur in less than 5% of cases and can often be corrected with proper care or revision surgery.
Light bleeding is expected for the first 24–48 hours. Small spots on your dressing or when cleaning the nostrils are normal. If bleeding is heavy, lasts several days, or comes with dizziness or large clots, contact your surgeon immediately. Keep your head elevated and avoid strenuous activity to minimise bleeding.
While uncommon, rhinoplasty can go wrong if complications occur during healing or if results don’t meet expectations. Possible issues include breathing difficulty, infection, asymmetry, or aesthetic dissatisfaction. Choosing a specialist surgeon, aligning expectations, and following aftercare carefully reduces these risks. Revision rhinoplasty can address persistent concerns.
Avoid strenuous exercise, contact sports, bending forward, and heavy lifting for several weeks. Do not blow your nose or wear glasses that rest on the bridge until cleared by your surgeon. Avoid smoking and alcohol, and protect your nose from direct sunlight.
Contact your surgeon if you notice heavy or persistent bleeding, increasing redness or swelling, pus or foul-smelling drainage, fever or chills, difficulty breathing through one or both nostrils, or visible deformity/collapse of the nasal bridge.
The risk of blindness after rhinoplasty is extremely rare. Modern techniques and experienced surgeons make this complication highly unlikely. The most common issues remain temporary swelling, bruising, or mild bleeding.
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Patient Aftercare All cosmetic surgery procedures at Berkeley Square Medical come with a comprehensive aftercare package and a 24-hour service so you can be assured you are always under the care and guidance of our surgical team. All your immediate aftercare is included in the cost of your surgery so there are no hidden extras in our […]
If you are considering Cosmetic Surgery, we understand that it's probably one of the most important decisions you're likely to make, therefore, you need to be sure it's right for you and you receive professional and independent advice about your procedure.
Our Philosophy We began our journey setting foot in the highly fashionable area of Berkeley Square, Mayfair where luxury fashion, galleries and five-star hotels all conveniently meet to set the example for world-leading client services and experience. Our goal was to create a cosmetic surgery practice that would not only exceed patients’ expectations but provide […]
