Do Rhinoplasty Results Really Take a Year to Show?

Bruising and swelling are a normal part of rhinoplasty recovery. They are dependent on several factors related to both the surgical technique and the patient. Techniques that increase bruising and swelling include whether or not the nasal bones were broken (osteotomies), the extent of soft tissue dissection/elevation from the bony-cartilaginous framework, and whether the surgery was performed open or closed.
Swelling following rhinoplasty resolves at variable rates. For the initial two weeks, the nose is markedly swollen and noticable to anyone. After the second week, the swelling usually subsides such that it is not obvious to the casual observer that anything has been done to the nose; however, the nose will look "puffy" to the patient for several months. Usually by 4 months, the vast majority of the swelling will dissipate, but it may take a full year (or longer in some cases) for all of the swelling to resolve and for the final result to be achieved.

Good question. This is one of the most important points to discuss with our patients before surgery, because it really can take up to a year for the final result. As the weeks and months go by, you should see the swelling gradually improve and the outcome start to show itself. After 3 months, if you want to pick your nose that is ok... at that point it won't hurt your outcome!
-Dr. David Mattos, New York Plastic Surgical Group

Rhinoplasty final results technically can take up to a year BUT you should see improvement immediately. Most of my patients start really liking their nose by 2-3 weeks and loving it by 2-3 months. Massage and an occaisional steroid injection can sometimes speed things up too. Swelling continues to resolve but again, tis doesn't mean that there should be so much swelling that you can't see something you like early on.