Frequently Asked Questions

No. I’m not a medical adviser, patient coordinator or travel agent. I’m a woman who travelled to Vietnam for surgery and shares what I learnt firsthand. I can also connect you with the hospital liaison and clinic I used. Medical advice, treatment recommendations and arrangements for your care come from the hospital and its clinical team — not from me.

The Beauty Guides is a place to read about my experience, find practical information and ask the questions that come with considering surgery in Vietnam. Think of it as speaking to someone who has already been through it, rather than someone making the decision for you.

When I came home, the questions started: Where did I go? What did it cost? How did I manage on my own? What was recovery really like? So I wrote it all down — including the things I wish I’d known and what I’d do differently. I wanted other women to have somewhere to start.

For now, yes. The information and guides focus on my experience in Vietnam, particularly Ho Chi Minh City. I’m sharing what I know firsthand, rather than presenting myself as an expert on every country or hospital.

Not at all. You’re welcome to read the free stories and information, message me, or ask for an introduction to the hospital liaison without purchasing anything. The guide is there for women who would like everything in one place. There’s no obligation to buy it.

My full Vietnam experience — including how one planned facelift became five surgeries in nine days — plus 130+ pages of practical content across 10 chapters. It covers research, questions to ask, costs, planning, travel, accommodation, the hospital stay, recovery and returning home, with checklists, templates and downloads. It’s the resource I wish I’d had before I went.

It’s a digital guide, accessed through your own customer portal after purchase. You can work through the chapters on your phone, tablet or computer and use the downloadable resources as you plan. It isn’t a printed book, and you don’t need to complete it all in one sitting.

The free My Story page gives you an introduction to my journey and why I made the decisions I did. The Complete Beauty Guide brings the fuller personal experience together with the detailed planning information and practical resources. You can start with the free content and decide whether the extra detail would be useful to you.

Of course. I went to Gangwhoo Cosmetic Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City. Message me on Messenger and I’ll connect you with the hospital liaison I dealt with, so you can ask questions and explore your options directly. An introduction doesn’t commit you to anything or mean that the hospital is the right fit for everyone.

The liaison is your contact at the hospital for enquiries, quotes, appointments and practical arrangements. They can put your medical questions to the appropriate clinician and explain what the hospital requires before your trip. I make the introduction; the hospital team handles the arrangements for your care.

After the introduction, the hospital may ask about the procedure you’re considering, your medical history and photographs. Share clinical information directly through the hospital’s agreed channel. Ask for an itemised written quote, and remember that a preliminary discussion or photo assessment isn’t a final treatment plan. Suitability and recommendations need a consultation with the clinician treating you.

In my experience, bookings can often be arranged around two to four weeks ahead, depending on availability. That isn’t a guaranteed waiting time or a reason to rush. The liaison will confirm current dates and what needs to happen beforehand. Leave enough time for research, medical advice and preparation, and confirm the hospital arrangements before committing to flights.

That happened during my trip. You don’t have to agree to anything just because it’s suggested or because you’re already there. Ask why it’s being recommended, what the alternatives are, and how it would affect the risks, cost and recovery. Take time to think. You can say no, postpone a decision or seek another opinion.

The hospital’s clinical team needs to confirm which tests and assessments you require, and when. I chose to have blood work done in Australia beforehand, just in case something needed attention; it didn’t replace the hospital’s own pre-operative checks. Speak with your GP about your plans too. Smartraveller recommends a health check at least six weeks before travelling for a medical procedure.

Yes. You can book your own flights or use a travel agent to help with flights and visa arrangements. I don’t make travel bookings. Check the current entry requirements for your passport and confirm your proposed arrival and departure dates with the hospital before booking.

I have a list of places other women have stayed, which I can share as a starting point. Message me for the list, then check the location, room facilities, availability and suitability for your own needs. Think about follow-up appointments, lift access, food delivery and whether you’ll need someone staying with you — not just how lovely the pool looks.

I travelled alone, and I can share how I organised that. It doesn’t mean travelling alone will suit everyone. Discuss the support you’ll need with the hospital before booking, including an escort after discharge and help at your accommodation. A friend or family member can come with you; confirm visitor and overnight-stay arrangements directly with the hospital.

I had interpreter support during my hospital experience, and I used WhatsApp to communicate with the liaison. Ask the hospital what English-language support will be available for consultations, consent, your stay and follow-up care. Translation apps helped with everyday situations, but medical conversations need to be properly understood.

Ask the hospital liaison whether airport transfers are available, what they cost and exactly where to meet your driver. Don’t assume they’re included. I used Grab for transport and deliveries during my trip, but transport after surgery should fit the discharge arrangements agreed with your care team.

That depends on your treatment, length of stay and travel choices. Start with an itemised hospital quote, then add flights, accommodation, transport, food, insurance, recovery supplies and time away from work. Allow for changes or extra care rather than budgeting only for the procedure. My guide explains how I approached the costs; your quote needs to come from your provider.

Message me and I’ll help you find out who to speak to about possible finance options. Any application, approval, fees and repayments need to be discussed directly with the finance provider. I don’t provide or approve loans, and there’s no obligation to apply.

Don’t assume it will. Tell the insurer that you’re travelling for planned treatment and ask specifically about the procedure, complications, aftercare, changes to travel and medical evacuation. Check the exclusions and get the cover confirmed in writing before you rely on it.

That needs to be based on your procedures, recovery and the treating team’s advice. The “five surgeries in nine days” in my story describes my experience — it isn’t a recommended stay or a recovery timetable for someone else. Ask about hospital nights, local follow-up appointments and when you can fly before setting your return date.

Your treating team should give you an aftercare plan, follow-up arrangements and clear contact details before discharge. Ask in advance who will assess you after you return to Australia and what happens if additional treatment is needed, including the costs. Contact a clinician about symptoms or concerns; for anything urgent, seek local medical care rather than waiting for a Messenger reply from me.

No one can promise that. My story is one person’s experience, not a prediction of yours. Different bodies, procedures and circumstances mean different outcomes and recoveries. Use the stories to help you think of questions, then discuss your own expectations and suitability with the clinician treating you.

No. Asking questions, reading the guide or having an introductory conversation doesn’t mean you’ve decided to go ahead. You’re allowed to research, take your time, change your mind or decide surgery isn’t for you. Before paying a provider, read its deposit, cancellation and refund terms.

Yes — use the Messenger button on the website. Whether you have questions about my experience, the trip or where to start, I’ll reply personally. I also run my other businesses, so replies may not be immediate and weekends can take longer. For treatment, booking or aftercare matters, speak directly with the hospital team.