I had one at 22! Whatcha wanna know?
I had my nose broken on 4 separate occasions due to soccer-inflicted injuries. I also had a genetically-given deviated septum. I couldn't even remember being able to breathe out of both sides of my nose. I could only breathe out the right side, and that was quesitionable. lol
I had an ENT, who specializes in cranial-facial surgeries, do my rhinoplasty. People thought I was nuts, but I went with him because he was the only doctor who told me he could get a "B to B+ nose" (my nose was given a solid "F" on their grading scale). The other 3 docs, 2 ENTs and 1 highly-recommended plastic surgeon, all bragged about how I was going to have an A+ nose after the surgery. So I picked the realistic one that lives in reality.
The surgery went well. My nose was straight, the trademarked family hump at the top was gone, the tip was straight again (that was the hardpart...I had so much damaged cartilage from all the breaks, he could only do so much and shave down so much without actually doing damage), and I personally think I have a cute nose. I have before and after pics around here somewhere. I may have to go pick up some copies because I'd like to see the changes again.
I had the infamous packing for I don't remember how long. Maybe 2 days? I did have a teeny bit of bleeding, but hardly anything. I just HATED the packing. I had a panic attack at one point because I felt like I was suffocating. Btw, your throat gets sore as a mofo.
The absolute worst part of the whole process is having 800 yards of cotton packing pulled out your sinuses via your nostrils. Ok, so maybe not 800, but it sure as heck felt like it! It burned and hurt so bad that I saw white spots. It's the first time I ever passed out (it was brief...I was only out for a few seconds), I have a very high pain tolerance.
The splint/bandages stayed on for another 10 days or so. My nose was sore, but I don't even remember taking pain pills other than the first 2 days (I don't think I did take any more after that). I had some pretty bad bruising under my eyes, and especially on my left side of my face, but I had a plate put in my cheekbone in the same surgery, so that's probably why (yet another soccer injury).
I was in a wedding 2 1/2 weeks after my surgery, and although I still had swelling, everyone just loved it. In fact, I had more people tell me, "You look great! Is something different? Ummm, did you get a new haircut or something?".
Of course, that's what my doctor said you wanted after a surgery like this. You want people to notice something is different, but you don't necessarily want them to know exactly what the difference is.
I had minor swelling for at least 4 months, but that was mainly swelling I noticed but no one else did.
Sadly, I've broken my nose since then, and although no one can tell, I can. It's ever-so-slightly crooked again. Unfortunately, my doc said the best thing would be to leave it. If he went in again, chances are my fragile cartilage (from the major first surgery) would warrant some reconstruction, and I sure as heck didn't want to go down Michael Jackson's path.
But I can breathe out of both sides of my nose. And at the same time! It's still awesome!
Oh, and my insurance footed the $9,700 bill for mine.