Cristian Brennhovd and his rhinoplasty – what he said himself

What did Cristian Brennhovd say?

In an article by NRK published in March 2025, Cristian Brennhovd, then 25, described travelling abroad three times for cosmetic operations. NRK reports that he came home with a smaller nose, a sharper jaw, a flatter stomach and whiter, straighter teeth, and a photo in the article shows him just after getting a new nose. All his operations were done in Turkey. Explaining that choice, he said: “I went there because Turkey is the best at the operations I have had. And of course it's also about price.”

He also said he had researched carefully before choosing where to go and urged others not to go just anywhere. He has been criticised on social media for being so open, but stands by it: “I feel it's better that 23-year-old Petter goes somewhere others have been and know is good, instead of going to the first and cheapest place and ruining himself.” At the end of the interview he added: “I'm not going to have any more operations. I'm done.”

That is all we rely on here. He did not describe the technique used on his nose, so this article does not guess at it. Where methods and recovery are explained below, they describe rhinoplasty in general, not his treatment.

What his words are really about

The NRK article itself was about a wider topic: the risk of bringing antibiotic-resistant bacteria home after surgery abroad. A clinical microbiologist interviewed by NRK pointed out that all surgery carries a risk of infection. Brennhovd's own message was about choosing carefully rather than cheaply, and he believes the clinics with the strongest professional teams also tend to have the best infection prevention.

Whatever one thinks about cosmetic surgery, that part of his message holds for anyone: rhinoplasty is a real operation. The surgeon, the clinic's standards, the pre-operative tests and the follow-up matter more than the price or someone else's experience.

How rhinoplasty is done today

Rhinoplasty changes the shape of the nose; when the nasal septum is corrected at the same time to improve breathing, it is called rhinoseptoplasty or septorhinoplasty. There are two basic approaches:

• Open rhinoplasty — a small incision on the columella (the skin between the nostrils) gives the surgeon a direct view of the cartilage and bone.
• Closed rhinoplasty — all incisions are made inside the nose, so there is no visible external scar.

At City Medical Centre the expected result is shown with 3D modelling before surgery, and an ultrasonic piezo device is used for work on the bone. Which approach suits a patient is decided at the consultation.

Who it suits and how to prepare

The optimal age for rhinoplasty is 18–45, and older if health allows. Preparation starts about 21 days before surgery with tests: complete blood count, biochemistry, coagulation panel, infection tests, ECG, chest X-ray and an X-ray or CT of the sinuses. A week before, alcohol and smoking should stop, and blood-thinning drugs are stopped only in agreement with the doctor. Nothing to eat or drink for six hours before surgery, and class 2 compression stockings are needed.

Recovery after rhinoplasty

The first 24 hours are spent in the clinic's inpatient unit. For the first few days you breathe through the mouth, with splints in the nostrils; swelling and bruising are possible. The nasal splints come out around day 7, the external splint stays for up to 14 days, and stitches are removed on day 14. For a month: no exercise, sauna, pool, hot baths or sun. Mild congestion can last 1–1.5 months, full healing takes about four months, and the final shape settles in 1–1.5 years. Possible risks include swelling, bruising, infection, bleeding, temporary breathing problems and minor asymmetry; difficulty breathing, severe pain, high fever or a change in shape are reasons to see a doctor immediately.

1. Day of surgeryOperation under general anaesthesia or TIVA; the first 24 hours in the clinic's inpatient unit.
2. Days 1–3Breathing through the mouth, splints in the nostrils; swelling and bruising are possible.
3. Day 7Nasal splints are removed.
4. Day 14The external splint comes off and stitches are removed.
5. First monthNo exercise, sauna, pool, hot baths or sun; mild congestion may last 1–1.5 months.
6. About 4 monthsTissues have largely healed.
7. 1–1.5 yearsThe final shape of the nose can be assessed.

Rhinoplasty at City Medical Centre

City Medical Centre performs primary and revision rhinoplasty and rhinoseptoplasty for international patients. The first consultation is free and can start online; the exact cost is set after an in-person examination and fixed in the contract. Primary rhinoplasty costs $4,200, rhinoseptoplasty $5,000 and revision rhinoplasty $5,400. A personal coordinator guides the patient from the first enquiry through recovery. More details are on the rhinoplasty page.

To be clear: City Medical Centre has no connection with Cristian Brennhovd or his treatment. His words are quoted here because he chose to talk about his experience publicly.

Frequently asked questions

Did Cristian Brennhovd have a nose job?

Yes. NRK reported in March 2025 that he had come home from cosmetic operations abroad with, among other things, a smaller nose, and showed a photo of him just after getting a new nose.

Why did he have his operations abroad?

He told NRK he chose the country because he considered it the best at the operations he had, and that price also played a part. He said he had researched carefully before choosing.

Which rhinoplasty technique did he have?

He did not say publicly, so we do not speculate. In general, rhinoplasty is done by an open or a closed approach, chosen by the surgeon at the consultation.

How much does rhinoplasty cost at City Medical Centre?

Primary rhinoplasty costs $4,200, rhinoseptoplasty $5,000 and revision rhinoplasty $5,400. The exact price is set after an in-person examination and fixed in the contract.

When is the final result of rhinoplasty visible?

The splints come off within two weeks and full healing takes about four months, but the final shape of the nose settles in 1–1.5 years.