Rhinoplasty in the UK costs £4,000 to £7,000 according to the NHS, before consultations and follow-up. Surgery abroad can cost less, but a fair comparison adds flights, a 7 to 10 day stay before flying home, revision risk and aftercare once you’re back. The surgeon’s training and your follow-up plan matter more than the country.
This guide is part of our rhinoplasty overview. We are a clinic in Vietnam that treats international patients, so we have an interest here. We’ve kept to official sources and say plainly where data don’t exist.
Cost by country
Only the US and UK publish official rhinoplasty price data; for other countries, published figures are clinic or agency prices, not independent averages.
| Country | Official price data | What to check before booking |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $7,500 to $12,500 surgeon fee (ASPS 2024) | Board certification; anesthesia and facility fees on top |
| United Kingdom | £4,000 to £7,000 (NHS) | GMC specialist register; CQC-registered clinic in England |
| Japan, Korea | No independent published average found | Specialist registration; implant vs cartilage plan |
| Thailand, Vietnam | No independent published average found | Facility accreditation; surgeon’s revision policy |
| India, Germany, China | No independent published average found | Registration with the national medical authority; aftercare at home |
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, US) warns that cosmetic surgery abroad is often marketed as a low-cost package and that complications and revisions can add to the original cost. The British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS, UK) says the same: surgery abroad may not be better value once return trips, time off work and complications are counted.
Rhinoplasty UK
Rhinoplasty UK prices run from £4,000 to £7,000 (NHS); the NHS funds it only for breathing problems, not for cosmetic reasons.
According to the National Health Service (NHS, UK), a nose job in the UK is usually done under general anaesthetic, takes 1.5 to 3 hours and involves 1 or 2 nights in hospital. A splint stays on for 7 days, and up to two weeks off work is typical. Bruising often fades by three weeks, strenuous exercise can resume at four to six weeks, and swelling can take up to six months to settle fully.
Before booking, NHS guidance is to check that the clinic is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in England, that the surgeon is on the General Medical Council (GMC) specialist register, and whether they belong to BAPRAS or the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS). The big advantage of UK surgery for a UK resident is follow-up: the surgeon who operated sees you afterwards.
Japan and Korea
In Japan and Korea, rhinoplasty often focuses on raising a low bridge and refining the tip, sometimes with implants; ask exactly which material will be used.
East Asian rhinoplasty frequently involves augmentation rather than reduction. A 2019 review in Plastic and Aesthetic Research reports that silicone remains the most common synthetic implant in Asia. In the authors’ series of 52 revision operations in Asian patients, 63% were related to implants, with deviation, extrusion, infection and foreign body reaction among the causes. Rib cartilage is an alternative that keeps its volume, at the cost of a chest scar. Our ethnic rhinoplasty guide covers this in more depth.
Thailand and Vietnam
Thailand and Vietnam attract medical travellers on price; check accreditation, the surgeon’s training and how follow-up works once you fly home.
Rhinoplasty is among the cosmetic operations most often sought abroad by US residents, according to the CDC Yellow Book. The same chapter recommends internationally accredited facilities and surgeons certified through processes equivalent to US board certification, and it notes that accreditation alone doesn’t ensure a good outcome. Ask for your medical records in English before you leave.
Speaking as a surgeon in Vietnam, what I tell international patients is that we plan the trip around healing, not the other way round. That means arriving early enough for a proper consultation and staying long enough for the splint check before flying.
India, Germany and China
Prices and regulation in India, Germany and China range widely in price and regulation; the same checks on training, facility and aftercare apply everywhere.
We found no independent, published average prices for these countries. Whatever the destination, NHS inform (Scotland) warns that many overseas clinics offer a consultation only on the day of surgery, that advisers selling packages may not be medically qualified, and that UK regulators require a face-to-face consultation before cosmetic surgery is planned. A video call can’t replace an examination of your nose and breathing.
Risks of surgery abroad
The main extra risks abroad are infection, blood clots from flying, limited follow-up and difficulty getting complications treated at home.
- Infection: the CDC calls it the most common complication in medical tourists and reports drug-resistant organisms in some destinations.
- Blood clots: surgery and flying both raise the risk. The CDC cites ASPS advice to wait 7 to 10 days after nose surgery before flying, and BAPRAS gives the same window for facial procedures.
- Holiday habits: alcohol, sunbathing, swimming and long tours can delay healing (CDC).
- Aftercare at home: BAPRAS notes NHS trusts usually treat only life-threatening emergencies after cosmetic surgery and may bill you privately for the rest.
- Insurance: holiday insurance usually doesn’t cover planned surgery (BAPRAS).
If something does go wrong, revision is harder far from your original surgeon. Read our guide on rhinoplasty revision, and plan the trip using our recovery timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ
Answers on UK nose job prices, flying after surgery, how long to stay abroad and getting help if problems start at home.
How much is a nose job in the UK?
According to the NHS, rhinoplasty in the UK costs £4,000 to £7,000, with consultations, further surgery and follow-up care extra. It’s usually not available on the NHS for cosmetic reasons, though it may be offered to help breathing.
How long should I stay abroad after rhinoplasty?
Plan to stay at least 7 to 10 days. The CDC cites ASPS advice to wait that long after nose surgery before flying, and BAPRAS gives the same window for facial procedures. That also covers splint removal and a check with your surgeon.
Is rhinoplasty abroad cheaper overall?
The operation may cost less, but BAPRAS warns it may not be better value once flights, accommodation, time off work, return visits and complications are included. Ask for a written quote that lists what’s covered, including revision policy and aftercare.
Will the NHS treat complications after surgery abroad?
The NHS treats life-threatening emergencies. BAPRAS says NHS trusts usually refuse less serious cosmetic complications and may bill you as a private patient, so you may need to return to the overseas clinic or pay privately in the UK.
How do I check a surgeon abroad?
Ask about specialist training, national registration and society memberships, and check the facility’s accreditation. Meet the operating surgeon before the day of surgery, get records in English and agree a complication plan with a doctor at home.
If you’re considering surgery in Vietnam, we’re happy to talk through planning, safety and follow-up honestly. You can contact Metropole Clinic by ABmedi. For techniques and recovery, see our rhinoplasty guide.
This article is for general education and does not replace a personal medical consultation.
References
Show sources
- Nose reshaping (rhinoplasty). National Health Service (NHS, UK). Reviewed 2023. nhs.uk
- 2024 Cosmetic Procedures: Average Cost. American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS, US). 2025. plasticsurgery.org
- Medical Tourism. CDC Yellow Book, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, US). 2025. cdc.gov
- Cosmetic surgery abroad. British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS, UK). Accessed 2026. bapras.org.uk
- Surgery abroad without NHS referral. NHS inform (Scotland, UK). Accessed 2026. nhsinform.scot
- Won TB, Jin HR. Revision rhinoplasty using autologous rib cartilage in Asians. Plast Aesthet Res. 2019;6:6. oaepublish.com
