Khloe Kardashian spent years as the target of "face transplant" jokes. It’s brutal, honestly. Imagine millions of people dissecting your jawline, your skin texture, and especially your nose while you’re just trying to live your life. People were obsessed. They claimed she had three different faces. They swore she’d spent hundreds of thousands on secret surgeries.
Then, she finally just said it.
During the Keeping Up With The Kardashians reunion in June 2021, Andy Cohen did what nobody else had the guts to do: he asked her directly. Khloe’s answer was surprisingly simple. She had one nose job. Not three. Not a whole new head. Just one. And she didn’t even hide who did it. She name-dropped Dr. Raj Kanodia, the Beverly Hills legend, and basically told the world she loved the results.
When did Khloe Kardashian actually get her nose job?
Timing is everything in the Kardashian world. For a long time, fans were convinced she went under the knife multiple times because her look seemed to shift constantly. But Khloe cleared that up on Twitter (now X) and during her 2022 ABC News special with Robin Roberts.
She got the procedure done in March or early April 2019.
How do we know? She specifically mentioned it happened "a couple of weeks before True’s first birthday." True was born on April 12, 2018, so that puts the surgery right at the start of spring 2019. If you look at photos from 2018 versus late 2019, the difference is there, but it’s subtle enough that people spent two years arguing about whether it was just clever contouring or actual surgery.
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The Dr. Raj Kanodia Connection
If you’re going to get your nose done in Hollywood, you go to Kanodia. He’s the "King of the Closed Rhinoplasty." This is a big deal because a closed rhinoplasty means all the incisions are made inside the nostrils. No visible scars. No "tell-tale" line at the base of the nose.
Khloe has been very vocal about her gratitude toward him. In 2022, she even posted on her Instagram stories thanking him for her "perfect nose." Kanodia’s philosophy is all about "finesse"—he doesn’t want you to look like a different person; he wants you to look like a "refined" version of yourself.
Why she waited so long
Khloe admitted she wanted a nose job her entire life. Literally since she was a kid. But she was terrified. It’s the middle of your face! If it goes wrong, there’s no hiding it.
"It's in the middle of your face and it's scary to think about," she told Robin Roberts. "But I finally got the courage, and I did it, and I love it."
She’s even gone on record saying her only regret is that she didn't do it sooner. That's a pretty bold statement for someone who grew up under the most intense public scrutiny on the planet.
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Beyond the nose: The 2025 "Transparency" Era
As of 2025 and 2026, Khloe has doubled down on her openness. Recently, she responded to a viral video by an aesthetics doctor, Dr. Jonny Betteridge, who was speculating about her "transformation." Instead of getting her legal team involved, she hopped into the comments and listed exactly what she's done.
It’s not just the Khloe Kardashian nose job anymore. She’s confirmed:
- Injections (fillers), though she stopped for a while.
- Laser treatments for skin tightening (specifically Softwave Therapy).
- Salmon PDRN treatments (yes, the famous "salmon sperm" facials).
- Botox, but mostly for medical/reconstructive reasons lately.
She had a scare in 2022 where she had to have a tumor removed from her cheek. That left a significant indentation. She’s been very open about using fillers and biostimulants like Sculptra to even out that scar tissue. It’s a far cry from the "secretive" Kardashian era of 2015.
Addressing the "Face Transplant" Rumors
Why do people still think she’s had way more work? Honestly, it’s probably a mix of things.
- The Lighting: Professional sets versus iPhone selfies.
- The Filters: We all know the family loves a good filter.
- Weight Loss: Khloe has lost around 80 pounds since her early days on TV. When you lose that much weight, your facial structure—especially your jaw and cheekbones—changes drastically.
- The Makeup: Contour can literally reshape a nose in minutes.
But the reality is, she’s only ever copped to the one major surgery. She told the Not Skinny But Not Fat podcast that the "face transplant" comments actually offended her. Not because she thinks surgery is bad, but because it felt like people were just making things up to be mean.
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The Recovery: Was it as bad as people think?
Usually, rhinoplasty involves "breaking the nose," which leads to black eyes and weeks of hiding. Khloe says her experience was different. She described her recovery as a "breeze."
Since Kanodia specializes in that closed, scarless technique, there’s often less trauma to the tissue. She was back in the public eye (or at least on social media) pretty quickly. She didn't have the typical "horror story" recovery, which is probably why she felt so confident recommending the procedure to her followers.
Insights for anyone considering the "Khloe" approach
If you're looking at Khloe's journey as a blueprint, there are a few real-world takeaways. First, she didn't rush it. She waited until her mid-30s when she was 100% sure. Second, she chose a specialist. Dr. Kanodia only does noses. That matters.
Also, it’s important to realize that a nose job won't fix everything. Khloe still talks about her insecurities. Even with the "perfect nose," she admits her confidence goes "up and down."
If you're thinking about a similar path:
- Consult with a specialist who does "closed" rhinoplasty if you're worried about scarring.
- Manage expectations. A nose job changes your profile, but it doesn't change your life or your self-esteem overnight.
- Be prepared for the "Why now?" questions. People will notice, and like Khloe, you'll have to decide whether you want to own it or keep it private.
Khloe chose to own it. In 2026, she’s still one of the most visible women in the world, and she seems more comfortable in her skin than ever. Whether you're a fan or a critic, you've got to admit—she's finally stopped letting the "ugly sister" narrative run her life.
If you are researching surgeons, check for Board Certification and look for doctors who specialize in "finesse" or "preservation" rhinoplasty. These techniques focus on small, impactful changes rather than a total overhaul. Start with a consultation that uses 3D imaging so you can actually see what the "new" nose would look like on your specific face before you ever commit to the operating table.