Getting a nose job is something many patients dream of for years. So, it’s natural to be excited in the days leading up to the rhinoplasty surgery. Most patients are delighted with their nose job results, and the procedure can make you feel better about your appearance.
However, you should also consider the possible side effects and complications listed below, including whether a nose job can change your voice.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), rhinoplasty is one of the most popular cosmetic surgical procedures performed in the United States. The ASPS has acknowledged voice alteration as a recognized consideration that patients and surgeons should discuss preoperatively, particularly for those who rely on their voice professionally.
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Common nose job risks and side effects
Most risks and side effects associated with nose jobs are minor and temporary. But you should know in advance what you can expect during and after the procedure:
Discomfort
Rhinoplasty can cause discomfort, but most of it passes after a few days, and your doctor will provide pain medication. You should be able to switch to over-the-counter pain medication after four or five days.
Possibly the most uncomfortable aspect of the initial recovery is clogged sinuses. Your nose will be swollen and packed with gauze temporarily. However, most of the swelling will dissipate in a few weeks, and the surgeon will remove the gauze after the first week.
Swelling
Your nose will swell considerably for a few weeks after a nose job. The surgeon altered cartilage, bone, and delicate nasal tissues, which causes swelling as the body heals.
Most swelling will disappear after two weeks, but you can use ice packs to help. Also, rest and sleep with your head elevated for the first month to reduce swelling.
The Mayo Clinic advises that subtle residual swelling can persist for up to a year before the final shape of the nose is fully visible.
Bruising
You should expect bruising in the nose and area areas for seven to 10 days. But in older patients, the bruising can last longer. Remember, having black eyes after rhinoplasty is typical, but they will disappear after a few weeks.
Numbness
As with breast augmentation, liposuction, and a facelift, you may have temporary numbness and tingling. This is because of the trauma that surgery caused, and the nerves need time to relocate and heal.
Most nose job patients notice temporary numbness in the upper lip. This can last weeks or months, but you should regain full sensation eventually.
Infection
Infection is a risk after any plastic surgery. So it’s important to follow your surgeon’s instructions about keeping the surgical site and incisions clean. Also, take the surgeon’s antibiotics, and most infection risks can be minimized.
Bleeding
The blood vessels in the nose will be healing after surgery, so you could have nasal bleeding. It should resolve after two or three days, but talk to your surgeon if it persists.
Nose jobs and voice changes
Patients who have had rhinoplasty might notice subtle changes to their voice. A study published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery via PubMed analyzed voice changes in 27 patients who underwent rhinoplasty at two hospitals in Iran, using the Voice Handicap Index questionnaires and perceptual and acoustic analyses before and 5 months after surgery.
Results showed that Voice Handicap Index scores and their physical and emotional subscales increased significantly after surgery, indicating some worsening of perceived voice quality.
Blind perceptual analysis by six trained listeners revealed a statistically significant increase in hyponasality. It’s a change in resonance that occurs when insufficient air flows through the nasal cavity, similar to speaking with congestion. Acoustic analysis confirmed changes in the frequency of nasal murmurs for the phonemes “m” and “n.”
The researchers concluded that rhinoplasty can change vocal characteristics by narrowing the nasal cavity. However, crucially, there was no change on the functional subscale, meaning daily speech function was not impaired. Most patients adapted to any subtle differences without any impact on their quality of life.
Voice change after rhinoplasty is a topic we discuss in consultation when it’s relevant. For the overwhelming majority of patients, any changes are subtle and something they adapt to quickly. For professional singers, voice actors, or public speakers, we take additional care in surgical planning to minimize changes to the nasal airway wherever possible.
– Dr. Lahar
Patients who are professional singers or performers should talk to their surgeon about how rhinoplasty could affect their voices.
If you rely on your voice for performances, you should check that your plastic surgeon is well-qualified and trained for rhinoplasty. It also is helpful to check reviews online from past patients and look at before-and-after photos of your surgeon’s nose jobs.
Good candidates for nose jobs
Most people are good candidates for nose jobs if there is something about their nose they want to correct. But these are criteria for ideal rhinoplasty patients:
- In good overall health with no conditions that could complicate anesthesia or healing
- Non-smoker – smoking interferes with the healing process
- Realistic expectations – the surgeon will want to be sure you are realistic about what a nose job can do for you
- Over the age of 18,the nose is still developing before 18, so most surgeons won’t perform the operation
Rhinoplasty goes well for most patients, but there are risks, including subtle changes to your voice. Your plastic surgeon can provide more information about this issue to help you make the most informed decision.
Request a Rhinoplasty consultation
Thinking about rhinoplasty in Beverly Hills? Dr. Nicholas Lahar is pleased to provide plastic surgery procedures to his Beverly Hills patients. He will discuss your aesthetic goals during your consultation and help you decide if rhinoplasty is right for you.