There are two stages to your rhinoplasty recovery, after which your results are definitive. The first stage involves the decrease of visible swelling and bruising. That stage can take about two weeks to complete to the point at which you feel comfortable returning to work and social engagements. Keep in mind that, at the two-week mark, moderate swelling may still remain. This final side effect takes up to one year to resolve. You may notice what we call “semi-final” results as soon as three months after your rhinoplasty procedure. By that time, the majority of your swelling should be gone. From then on to 12 to 14 months post-op, minor changes related to swelling may continue. These, however, are so gradual and subtle that you may not even notice.