Depending on the extent of surgery the recovery will vary between one to two weeks. For limited surgery patients can be back at work as soon as a week after. For more complex, complete rhinoplasty surgery it is recommended to take two weeks off work after surgery to recover fully. Swelling will likely reduce to be unnoticeable after around 2 to 3 months. There will however be ongoing changes in the appearance of the nose for a year to 18 months following surgery.

During those recovery months, there are things patients might be best to avoid, such as playing contact sports or sunbathing, as the skin and nose structure are more sensitive.