Recovery Time for Deviated Septum Surgery

Recovery after surgery for deviated septum (septoplasty) is generally fairly quick. Performing septoplasty alone does not require any work to be performed on the external portion of the nose, and therefore any visible bruising or swelling is quite rare. You will have some nasal congestion from swelling inside the nose, and you may have some blood-tinged drainage from the nose for the first 2-3 days after surgery, but this would be the only issue that might make you feel like you weren't yet presentable in public. Many patients have some discomfort that is best controlled by narcotic pain medication for the first couple of days, but once you are no longer taking narcotic medication you should be able to drive and go about your other daily activities. I tell my patients to wait at least a week before getting back to strenuous activity such as running or lifting weights.
Sometimes, if there are other nasal deformities in addition to the deviated septum that need to be addressed at the same time, you may require septoplasty and rhinoplasty (or septorhinoplasty), which involves changing the shape of the nose and is typically associated with more external bruising and swelling, including possible bruising below the eyes. It is best to consult with a board-certified surgeon who has specialized expertise in nasal surgery in order to determine which procedure is best for you.
Best wishes,

If the surgery was only for the septum, there is usually no bruising exteriorly. You may have some bleeding from the nose for a few days as well as congestion, but the appearance of the face is usually normal.

Hello and thanks for the question.  I generally advise patients to take 1 week off after septoplasty.  During this week you will feel mostly normal; you will be able to walk, talk, eat and drink normally.  You will be able to drive if not taking pain medications. Generally pain is not a major issue.  Some patients are back to work within 3-5 days.
The nose is very stuff for about 1-3 weeks and airflow improves slowly.  Using saline nasal sprays and irrigations helps.  There is usually no facial or eye swelling or bruising after septoplasty alone.  If septoplasty is being combined with rhinoplasty then recovery is a bit longer and there is usually swelling and bruising.  
Hope that helps and good luck.