Immediately after surgery, a patient’s nose and eye area are bruised and swollen. They should keep the splints and nasal packing in the nose for a few days. During this time, the patient may experience some nasal pain or a dull headache, as well as some bleeding and drainage from the nose. Most patients feel like themselves within a few days and are able to return to regular activities in about a week.Â Although the patient usually looks “normal” a week or two after surgery, minimal swelling may be present for as much as a year.