Beauty Link wrote this nose surgery guide in October 2026, and the sources sit under each section. A doctor has not reviewed it.
What rhinoplasty is and what it can change
Rhinoplasty is surgery to reshape or repair the nose. Many people call it a nose job. It can change how the nose looks, and it can also fix breathing problems caused by the shape inside the nose.
Nose surgery can change:
- its size in balance with the face
- the width of the bridge, or the size of the nostrils
- a bump or a dip along the bridge
- a nasal tip that is large, drooping or upturned
A surgeon can make a nose smaller by taking away bone or cartilage. To build a nose up, they may add cartilage grafts. The cartilage most often comes from the septum, the wall inside the middle of the nose. Ear cartilage is a second option, and rib cartilage is rarely used. A bent septum can also be straightened to help you breathe. healthdirect Australia calls this septoplasty.
There are two main ways in. In closed surgery, the cuts are hidden inside the nose. In open surgery, a cut is made across the strip of skin between the nostrils.
healthdirect Australia notes that a surgeon may only be able to use the bone and cartilage already in your nose, which can limit how much the shape can change. That is why it helps to talk through your goals early.
Sources: American Society of Plastic Surgeons, healthdirect Australia
Who suits nose surgery
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons looks for four things: a face that has stopped growing, good health, no smoking, and realistic goals. Its other advice is to change your nose for yourself, never to please someone else.
healthdirect Australia adds that you should never feel pushed into surgery by anyone.
Sources: American Society of Plastic Surgeons, healthdirect Australia
Vetting a rhinoplasty hospital and surgeon
Our partner hospitals for nose surgery all hold a Ministry of Health license and registration. A license is only the first box to tick; the Vietnam plastic surgery hospital checks page lists the rest. From Smartraveller, add these:
- local authority accreditation for the hospital, and no unofficial clinics
- a surgeon qualified for nose surgery in particular
- indemnity and malpractice insurance held by the surgeon and the hospital
- extra care if the risks quoted are far below what you heard at home
The NHS wants you to meet your operating surgeon, not just a salesperson, ideally in two consultations before the day.
Sources: Smartraveller, NHS
Questions to ask before you book
Send these to the hospital in your WhatsApp group, so you can read the answers again later.
- What plastic surgery training does my surgeon have, and how many noses do they operate on?
- Open or closed technique for me, and will I need cartilage grafts?
- Given my age and health, which risks matter most?
- How many nights in Vietnam do you want me to stay after the operation?
- If my breathing or shape worries me at home, who do I message?
- If a revision is needed, what happens and who pays?
- May I see before and after photos of noses you have done?
healthdirect Australia also says the full cost should be given to you in writing, including any deposit, follow up care and revision costs. Our guide to rhinoplasty costs in Vietnam explains what to look for in a quote.
Sources: American Society of Plastic Surgeons, healthdirect Australia
Surgery day and the weeks after a nose job
Lab tests may come first. You may also be asked to stop smoking and to stop aspirin, anti inflammatory drugs and some herbal supplements, because they can raise bleeding. Nose surgery is usually done under a general anaesthetic.
Once the operation is over, a splint keeps the new shape steady. healthdirect Australia expects the splint and bandages to come off at around one week. Expect some mucus or bleeding for the first few days. You will be asked to rest with your head raised, and not to blow your nose for at least 7 days or rub it for at least 8 weeks.
Swelling goes down over weeks to months. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons says the first swelling settles within a few weeks, but the final shape can take up to a year to show.
Every nose heals at its own pace, so ask your surgeon what to expect for yours.
Sources: healthdirect Australia, American Society of Plastic Surgeons
Planning your time in Vietnam and flying home
Rhinoplasty is facial cosmetic surgery, so the NHS advice is 7 to 10 days before you fly. The NHS adds that air travel and major surgery each make a blood clot more likely, and a clot can be life threatening. Fit your return flight to your surgeon's advice, not the other way round.
Rest is the plan for those days. The NHS says no alcohol, sun, sightseeing or swimming.
Smartraveller suggests you see your own doctor before you go, take someone with you, and check your travel insurance. Basic policies rarely cover medical travel, so you may need a policy made for your procedure.
Sources: NHS, Smartraveller
Risks to talk through with your surgeon
Like any operation, a nose job can go wrong. Between them, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and healthdirect Australia list:
- bleeding, infection, and risks from the anaesthetic
- numbness around the nose or front teeth
- trouble breathing or a reduced sense of smell
- thick scars, or a rare hole in the septum
- a shape you are not happy with, which may mean a revision
Ask your surgeon about each of these, and how complications are handled.
Sources: American Society of Plastic Surgeons, healthdirect Australia
What we do for nose job patients
We are a concierge, so questions about your nose and health go to your surgeon. We find licensed hospitals for you, free to you, since the hospital pays us.
The steps:
- A quiz asks about your goals for your nose.
- We pick licensed hospitals that operate on noses.
- On WhatsApp, each hospital answers your questions and sends a written nose plan and quote; your advisor helps with language.
- Our driver meets your flight. Your advisor checks in as you heal in Vietnam, then again once you are back home.
Andrew Lam, our Co-founder, leads the team. Worth reading first: is plastic surgery in Vietnam safe, plus comparisons with a nose job in Thailand and surgery in Korea.
Questions
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons lists finished facial growth, good health, not smoking and realistic goals. Your surgeon is the one to assess you.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons says the change from nose surgery is long lasting. As you age, your face changes slowly, and so does your nose. It says most of the change should stay, and that a healthy lifestyle and sun protection help.
Plan around two dates: splint off at about a week (healthdirect Australia), and the NHS face surgery flight wait of 7 to 10 days. Your surgeon will confirm both.
Not straight after, says the NHS: a holiday on the heels of surgery can make problems more likely. A holiday before surgery is possible. So if you want to see Vietnam, plan it before your operation.
Filler in the nose is called liquid rhinoplasty. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons says filler can smooth a bump or lift the tip, but it cannot make a nose smaller. It also says the nose is a higher risk area for filler because of its blood supply.
Ask the hospital in your WhatsApp group if you can speak with the surgeon who will operate before you book. The NHS suggests two consultations with your surgeon before surgery. Your advisor can help you set this up.
Smartraveller says basic travel insurance rarely covers medical travel. Look for cover that names your nose surgery and its complications, and tell the insurer everything you plan. If you leave anything out, you may void the policy.
Sources: American Society of Plastic Surgeons, healthdirect Australia, NHS, Smartraveller