Healing after rhinoplasty is quick, but there's more to the story. I like to think of rhinoplasty healing in 5 phases. The FIRST phase is roughly 1 week (5-7 days). It is the amount of time most individuals are off work, homebound, recovering. It ends when your surgeon removes the cast, splints, and/or sutures, and when you no longer need a "drip pad". This is the "quick" part. The SECOND phase is complete at 3 weeks, when enough healing has occurred to allow return of any/all degree of exercise and all nosebleed precautions are fully lifted. The THIRD phase is when the internal swelling and crusting have subsided and the airway has settled to its new (usually improved) level. It stops essentially when your surgeon says you no longer need saline rinses. This phase is usually complete by 6 weeks. The FOURTH phase is complete at 3 months, when enough external swelling has resolved to allow patients to unreservedly attend really important social events (like weddings and reunions) that are often memorialized by lots of photos.And finally the FIFTH phase is complete when we indicate all primary rhinoplasty healing is done and final photos can be taken. This is when your journey is over. This is the "long" part of healing after rhinoplasty. Since you are nearly 2 weeks out from rhinoplasty (congrats!), you are in the beginning of the 2nd phase of rhinoplasty healing, and your nasal airway healing is not yet complete. This will happen slowly over the next several weeks, and will be complete around 6 weeks post op. It is common for individuals to feel somewhat stuffy or congested during this time. So, hang in there. It will improve. Follow your surgeon's instructions. If you still aren't breathing well after 6-8 weeks, let your surgeon know. And good luck with the rest of your healing! -Randolph Capone, MD, FACS