Nowadays, reality TV shows like Dr. 90210 give the illusion that rhinoplasty is an easy and relatively risk-free procedure. In reality, rhinoplasty is the most complicated cosmetic procedure there is. On the outside, the nose may look rather simple, but inside it’s a totally different story; there are dozens of different parts! To further complicate matters, the cartilage found within the nose can be very unpredictable once it has been altered.

If you’re considering a nose job, you need to be aware of these possible rhinoplasty complications:

Extensive Swelling

Most patients don’t understand just how long the swelling will last. With closed rhinoplasty, residual swelling can easily last up to 9 months, possibly longer. When it comes to the more invasive open rhinoplasty technique, it has been known to last up to 36 months! Here are some rhinoplasty swelling pictures so you can see this for yourself.

Nasal Tip Deformities

Visit any of the online rhinoplasty forums, and you will discover the most common post-op complication is a deformed nasal tip. There are several things which can trigger this problem. First of all, the altered cartilage inside may bend, warp, or shift after the surgery. Due to the residual swelling, this may not become visible for up to one or two years post-op. Secondly, with open rhinoplasty, the nasal skin sometimes will become thinner following rhinoplasty – this can cause the underlying cartilage grafts to become visible. Another frequent complaint is the nasal tip ending up too high or low. For all of these problems, unfortunately a revision rhinoplasty will be needed in order to correct them.

Turbinate Reduction Problems

For allergy sufferers, a common “upsell” rhinoplasty surgeons like to push is turbinate reduction surgery. The turbinates are scrolled, spongy bone tissue found within the nasal cavity. When they are irritated, sometimes they will become swollen. Initially, plastic surgeons thought it would be a good idea to simply remove them via turbinate reduction surgery (which is done in conjunction with rhinoplasty). In theory this sounds like a great idea, but the turbinates are an important part of the respiratory system; they help filter, heat, and humidify the air you breathe in. Now, many are starting to learn about the unfortunate serious side effects which can accompany turbinate reduction surgery.

These are just a few of the possible complications which can occur after rhinoplasty surgery. This is why it’s so important only to consult board certified plastic surgeons that have years of experience with this procedure. Rhinoplasty forums can be a good place to learn about these topics, but keep in mind that any information found on a message board should not be misconstrued as medical advice.

Losing weight is hard enough as it is. But for the morbidly obese, it can be even harder due to the presence of excess skin after weight loss. This problem is especially discouraging for a person after he or she has worked so hard to reach that point. In addition, the plastic surgery needed to correct the condition isn’t cheap, to say the least. Fortunately, there are few ways to make it a little easier:

Buy in Bulk

It may sound funny to suggest buying plastic surgery “in bulk,” but the truth is that most plastic surgeons will heavily discount the price if you’re getting more than one procedure. For example, a good friend of mine had gastric bypass when she was younger and lost over one hundred pounds! Afterward, she ended up needing a tummy tuck, an arm lift, and a thigh lift. She was able to negotiate a “package deal” for these procedures with a great doctor from the University of Michigan Plastic Surgery Department. Because these surgeries are so intense, she didn’t get them all done on the same day, but she was able to get a better price nonetheless.

Peer Support

Drastic weight loss is an impressive feat you should be proud of! But unless you know someone that has been in your shoes, sometimes it can feel like no one truly understands your struggles. This is why it’s so important to talk with others that have gone through the same thing. Fortunately, there are several plastic surgery message boards available to help you do this. There are even forums dedicated to specific procedures (i.e. a tummy tuck forum), so you can always find someone going through the exact same thing you are.

Remember Why

When we are going through the most difficult times, it may seem like it’s just not worth the fight. In fact, it’s normal to have these feelings when recovering from plastic surgery. This is why it’s so important not to lose sight of your goal and have a little faith. Remember what it felt like being overweight; both physically and emotionally. Then think of how much better you will feel once the temporary pain and discomfort is over. It won’t be easy, but it will help you feel better in more ways than one.

A hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus, usually done by a gynecologist. The two common surgical approaches to performing a hysterectomy are either via a laparotomy or trans-vaginally. Reasons for a hysterectomy include cancer of the cervix or uterus and excessive vaginal bleeding, especially in a woman who has either already had all the children she wants or is post-menopausal. Hysterectomies have had a controversial past; during the 19th century, women were given hysterectomies as a treatment for psychological problems since hysteria was thought to originate in the uterus.

Lasik is a laser eye surgery that is used to correct vision problems such as near- or farsightedness. In lasik surgery, a laser is used to reshape the cornea of the patient. The lasik surgery can be performed as an outpatient procedure by a doctor in scrubs, though patients are advised to avoid rigorous physical activity while the eye heals. Lasik surgery can corrent many minor vision problems, though if those problems are severe enough, a patient may still require corrective lenses after the surgery .

The longest survival record of 17 months with an artificial heart was by Tom Christerson. On July 2, 2001. AbioCor is the company that produced this artificial heart. The Jarvic-7 heart made by Robert Jarvic in the early attempts in 1980 had the host die within hours or days and there were massive foreign-body rejection problems. There are more than 4,000 American on waiting lists for transplants and there are less than 2,500 donor hearts available yearly. This is the dilemma that fuels companies to attempt to make an artificial heart.

For artificial hearts to be beneficial there needs to be improvements in electronics, battery technology, fuel cells, prosthetics, as well as engineering changes. Having a practical artificial heart may not be a reality until perhaps the 21ST century.

Meanwhile other methods hold more hope in the short term. There are heart helpers being developed which are made to assist the left ventricular of the heart. This is the chamber that pumps oxygenated blood to the body.

Stem Cell research also holds promise since the heart has been proven to be able to repair itself using stem cells.

Artificial hearts, heart helpers and stem cells all are working to solve one of medicine’s elusive goals which is to help these patients who have seriously diseased hearts.  In addition, portable oxygen machines, like the Resperonics Ever Go, have also extended the life of cardiac patients.