What is the recovery time after a small Nose Job? (only cartilage removing in the bridge and radix graft)

The stock answer is two weeks. This is due to 3 reasons. First, the bruising (regardless of how much or how little) is gone by 2 weeks. Secondly, about 1/3 of the swelling has resolved by then, which is enough that one doesn't look obviously swollen to the causal observer. Finally, the discomfort is minimal at 2 weeks, plus the fatigue most people experience has lessened enough that most can return to their usual life. However healing is a continuum. The common answer is all the healing has finished by a year. It's true the swelling doesn't fully resolve for 6 months to a year. However sometimes longer, if surgery is a revision or the skin is thick. The tissues shift during healing from natural scar contracture. There is progressively subtler shifting and settling over time. But this can extend way past a year, particularly if there has been over-resection, such that there is no longer sufficient strength to the underlying cartilages to support the nose. So with this in mind, the answer is 2 weeks before going back to work and one year for the final result.

Initial bruising and swelling after rhinoplasty will normally subside a sufficient amount after about 1 month. The overall healing time however can last up to 1 year. This may vary a little from one patient to another. Speak to your doctor for more information.Hope this helps!Dr. Ali Sajjadian

This will depend upon how limited the dissection is.  A closed approach usually has less swelling.Kenneth Hughes, MDLos Angeles, CA