Is 1 Week Enough Recovery Time for Rhinoplasty?

The most obvious short-term evidence that a patient has had a rhinoplasty is the bruising around the eyelids and the swelling. While everyone heals a little differently, I usually tell my patients that within two weeks most of them can pass what I call "the bus stop test." This means that they could stand next to someone at a bus stop and the person wouldn't look over and think, "Whoa! What happened to that guy?"
One week might be pushing it in terms of time-frame if you really want to be discreet.
All the best,
--DCP

Hi there,
Healing for any facial cosmetic procedure typically takes weeks for the swelling and bruising to substantially subside, and rhinoplasty is not an exception.
Rhinoplasty often involves breaking the nasal bones to reset their location, and this manoever often produces bruising under the eyes that can take up to two weeks to dissipate. The swelling of rhinoplasty also may take about two weeks to subside to the point where the average onlooker would not notice. Also, the nasal splint (cast) is usually left for one week, but after it is removed, the nose may need to be taped in places for another week.
And so if your surgeon is planning osteotomies (breaking the bones of the nose), then you should be prepared for a few weeks of bruising/swelling. However, If you are having a rhinoplasty that does not involve breaking the nasal bones, you may be able to avoid the more substantial bruising/swelling and get away with returning to school in a week. (As long as you don't mind a little bit of swelling and showing up to class with tape on your nose)
Good luck!