You'll notice that the swelling and bruising around your eyes will increase at first, reaching a peak after two or three days. Applying cold compresses will reduce this swelling and make you feel a bit better. In any case, you'll feel a lot better than you look. Most of the swelling and bruising should disappear within two weeks or so. Some subtle swelling may remain for several months.

A little bleeding is common during the first few days following surgery, and you may continue to feel some stuffiness for several weeks. Dr. Barrera will ask you not to blow your nose for a week or so, while the tissues heal. If you have nasal packing, it will be removed after a few days and you'll feel much more comfortable. By the end of one or, occasionally, two weeks, all dressings, splints, and stitches should be removed.

Most rhinoplasty patients are up and about within two days, and able to return to school or sedentary work a week or so following surgery. It will be several weeks, however, before you're entirely up to speed.

In the days following surgery, when your face is bruised and swollen, it's easy to forget that it will be looking better. In fact, many patients feel depressed for a while after plastic surgery -it's quite normal and understandable. Rest assured that this stage will pass. Day by day, your nose will begin to look better and your spirits will improve. Within a week or two, you will no longer look as if you've just had surgery. Still, healing is a slow and gradual process. Some subtle swelling may be present for months, especially in the tip. The final results of rhinoplasty may not be apparent for a year or more.

Dr. Barrera maintains that the degree of improvement depends on the extent of the corrective work undertaken, and the basic structure of your nose and skin. An obviously disfigured nose will show dramatic results. A slight hump or a slightly large tip may be successfully corrected with only subtle results. It is common, after some types of rhinoplasty, for relatives or friends to remark that they do not see a major difference. Such a reaction is not an indication of failure. If it looks natural, it may go unnoticed.

"The main intention, after all, is not to create a new nose that draws attention to itself," he said, "but rather one that subtly blends into the overall features of the face in proper proportions." .

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