Is It Safe to Have Rhinoplasty when You Have the Beginning Signs of a Cold?

That's a great question! Since patients' safety always comes first, I would have to say that with all the symptoms you've stated, I would avoid undergoing surgery. 
And while rhinoplasty surgery CAN be performed  in some cases where the patient manifests some lighter symptoms, in cases like the one you described, that include fever, severely runny nose and throat ache, the organisam is alreday exhausted by fighting the cold so it would be harder for you to recover. 
Another thing that's very important to keep in mind is that you should avoid taking medication that contain acetylsalicylic acid for at least a week prior to surgery since it could to some extent increase the risk of bleeding during the surgery and recovery process and a lot of cold medicine contain that active ingrediant. 
I would definitely advise you to first fully recover and that have the surgery, to avoid all possible complications!
If the stated symptoms don't pass in a week, I would also advise consulting with your general practitioner! 
Good luck!

The answer is: maybe. If a patient is running a fever (>101°F), has chest congestion, or has sinusitis, it's probably best to delay surgery. Sinusitis--at least in theory--could infect the nasal soft tissues (though I've never seen or heard of this). Congestion or fever post-op could be mistakenly attributed to congestion and fever pre-op, and thus a more serious complication could be missed.

It's best that the surgeon and the anesthesiologist evaluate the patient under such circumstances to see whether it's reasonable to proceed.

All the best,

--DCP

I ask my patients to let me know if they get a cold before proceeding with Rhinoplasty Surgery. I feel it's best to operate on your nose when there is no infection or congestion. This may just be nasal allergy which can often be treated before your surgery. You should visit your surgeon for an examination and specific advice.

I hope this is helpful for you.

The temperature of 99 to 100° is a normal and safe variation of body temperature. Mild cold symptoms are not a contraindication for having rhinoplasty. As long as you do not have bronchitis, pneumonia or feeling horrible, it is acceptable to proceed with rhinoplasty.

If it is truly a very mild viral cold, you might be the lucky and have a successful rhinoplasty without problems. On the other hand, if this “beginning” of a cold develops into a more serious upper and lower respiratory infection with sinusitis, bronchitis and even pneumonia, surgery and anesthesia will compound your problems both systemically and locally regarding the surgery of the nose. When there is doubt, it is wise to postpone the surgery until you are well. An ethical surgeon will understand and you should not lose your deposit.

The vast majority of "colds" are viral and not bacterial in nature. Nonetheless, operating on a patient with a cold increases the likelihood of infections and bad outcomes.

Explain your situation to the surgeon. An ethical surgeon, while disappointed would be reasonable in how they deal with you at this time. If they do not - well you were just given a glimpse into what your post-surgical experience may really be like and you better decide if to entrust yourself to that surgeon.

Rhinoplasty when you are having a cold can increase your risk of complications.  There are always variables though that can increase or decrease this relative risk.  But with a cold, you can be more likely to have a cough after the procedure that could increase your risk of causing bleeding after your procedure.  Also if you are getting general anesthesia, the cold can increase your risk of having airway issues such as laryngospasm.  Most anesthesiologists will cancel a case if the person has a significant cold and with fever.

If you are developing a cold, I would recommend putting off your surgery until you are better.  This should be discussed with yoru doctor.

If you are beginning a illness and running a temperature it only make sense to delay your rhinoplasty until you are feeling well. Explain your situation to your surgeon and decide on an alternate date. Best practice would dictate that elective surgery be performed on only healthy patients, and it would be hard to imagine that your deposit would be in jeopardy.

When in doubt, it is best  not to do surgery when somebody has a "cold". I don't know any surgeons who would ask a patient to forfeit their deposit when surgery is cancelled because of illness.