Although serious complications are rare, but this is major surgery and you should not enter into it lightly.
Bleeding: all surgery carries a risk of bleeding. This may be a persistent oozing that requires surgical correction or the blood may collect beneath the surface as a hematoma. If severe a blood transfusion may be needed and there are risks associated with transfusion. Sometimes bleeding occurs after removing nasal packs.
Hematoma: when blood collects beneath the skin it is called a hematoma. A small hematoma may absorb on its own but a large one is cosmetically unacceptable and requires surgery. A hematoma may also cause increased scarring within the breast. A hematoma is also an excellent medium for the growth of bacteria and increases the risk of infection.
Seroma: sometimes serum can collect. This may need removal with a needle or even surgical drainage. Sometimes small mucous cysts can develop in the nose as a result of trauma and surgery.
Infection: all surgery carries and risk of infection and if this happens further surgery may be needed. Antibiotics are often given to reduce the risk of infection. A serious but rare complication is infection in the cavernous sinus causing thrombosis.
Swelling: the nose will be swollen for several weeks after surgery and the final result cannot be seen for at least a month or two.
Bruising: some bruising is normal but if there is increased bleeding the bruises can be significant and extend on to the abdomen.
Asymmetry: it is unusual for both sides to be the exactly the same. This is usually minor but occasionally additional surgery is needed revise asymmetry.
Nerve Damage: numbness and discomfort can occur due to damage to the nerves in the area. Be careful if you ski or do outside activities in the winter after surgery.
Scar: all incisions produce a scar, most of the time this is inside the nose but occasionally is on the outside.
Unsatisfactory Result and dissatisfaction with appearance: things do not always work out the way the doctor and the patient would like. You may be disappointed with the size and appearance of your nose.
Tear Ducts: damage to the tear ducts can lead to damage to the ducts during a deliberate medical fracture in surgery.
Poor Healing: healing may be delayed for several reasons. It is especially common in smokers, cocaine users or in secondary surgery. It is possible to lose skin. This may require further surgery.
Pain: this is a major operation and some pain is to be expected.
Septal Perforation: a hole can develop on the inside between the right and left ides of the nose. This may require more surgery and there is sometimes no good treatment.
Difficulty with smelling or breathing: scar tisuse or damage to nerves of olfaction can interfere with the fucnion of the nose
Anesthesia: the operation is under a general anesthetic and this involves risk. Your anesthesiologist can answer your specific questions but there is the possibility of blood clots and serious lung problems.
Allergic Reactions: many different medicines and materials are used during surgery and you could have allergies to tape, sutures and drugs used during surgery
Additional Treatment: secondary surgery may be needed for many reasons.
This is an incomplete list, so check with your doctor and read all permit forms carefully.