What Are the Chances of Rhinoplasty Going Wrong?

The complications you mentioned are very uncommon. Collapse and baad scarring can be related to an inexperienced surgeon, so selecting an experienced rhinoplasty surgeon is encouraged.

Infection is quite uncommon, though often preventative antibiotics are given after surgery.

The good news is that the risks of any of the potential complications that concern you the most, and are listed in your question, are extremely small if not negligible.

Most rhinoplasty surgery can be performed through incisions on the inside of the nose so that there are no visible scars. While infection may occur, it is very uncommon, and I recommend a course of preventative antibiotics in order to minimize this risk. Nasal implants may occasionally be used in rhinoplasty surgery, increasing the risk of infection slightly.

Collapse of the nose can only occur if too much of the nasal septum is removed during rhinoplasty surgery. Unless the nose is extremely crooked on the inside, with obstruction of the nasal airway throughout its length, this risk is low when the surgery is performed carefully.

In my practice, rhinoplasty is performed most commonly using intravenous sedation, otherwise known as “twilight sleep”. This eliminates the risk of a general anesthetic, and also happens to be less expensive and with a quicker recovery time immediately following the surgery. Nasal deformity can occasionally occur after rhinoplasty surgery; however, with careful surgical technique and post-operative care and close post-operative follow-up, this can be avoided.

Many of the issues you describe (bleeding, infection, death) are risks of any surgery. This risk depends on patient health, type and length of procedure and the setting of the operation. Rhinoplasty is usually performed on healthy individuals under general anesthesia in an outpatient surgery center. In these cases, risk is exceptionally rare. You have to discuss your personal risk with your surgeon who knows your health status, etc. Risk of an undesired cosmetic outcome also depends on surgeon skill, specialization, and the complexity of the nose. Of course, patient expectations are also important since some patients may be unrealistic. In revisions, traumatic and congenitally disfigured noses, the risks are higher. Again, this is something to discuss with your surgeon who should be able to give you a clear assessment of your risk. Meet with at least two or three surgeons and determine who best communicates with you about your questions. Always go with a facial plastic surgeon or plastic surgeon who specializes at least 25% of their practice to rhinoplasty. Talk to others in your community who have had nasal surgery with the surgeon (although one may be a great breast or eyelid surgeon, noses are completely different). In general, the greatest risk a patient takes on the day of their surgery is in the car riding to and from the surgery center.