Getting Plastic Surgery in Korea as a Foreigner — Step by Step, from First Message to Follow-Up at Home

Step 1 — Remote consultation: photos before plane tickets

The first thing to do is not book a flight — it's to send photos. Message us on WhatsApp or KakaoTalk with a few photos of your face (front and side), the areas that concern you, your past surgeries and procedures, and any medication you take. Dr. You reviews them personally and replies with a possible surgical direction and an individual quote. Medications — especially blood thinners — can affect the surgical plan, so it's best to tell us before your booking is confirmed.

The more honest you are at this stage, the more accurate the plan. Past thread lifts, liposuction, and filler all affect tissue condition, so please don't leave them out — we explained why in our article on cost.

Once the direction is set remotely, your in-person consultation and surgery can often happen on the same day — the part short-schedule travelers appreciate most.

Step 2 — Confirming your surgery date: the deposit

Your surgery date is confirmed with a deposit via PayPal. The remaining balance is paid on the day of surgery by credit card or cash. You'll know the exact total before you decide — and it will not change on the day.

Step 3 — Flights and stay: plan around your suture-removal date

Before booking flights, check two things.

First, the length of stay. We recommend having your sutures removed before you fly home, so the recommended stay differs by procedure:

• Most eye procedures — about 8 days (sutures removed on day 7)
• Facelift — about 13 days (sutures on day 12; if combined with a neck lift, the under-chin sutures come out on day 7)
• Rhinoplasty — about 8 days (sutures on day 7; may differ if rib cartilage is used)

Second, clinic closed days. If your suture-removal date lands on a closed day, your whole schedule slips. Check the closed-days calendar before booking, and choose a flexible return ticket where possible. Full trip details are in our international patients guide.

Step 4 — Surgery day

• Fasting — nothing to eat or drink (including water) for at least 6 hours before surgery, for the sedation.
• Anesthesia — we operate under local anesthesia and sedation (MAC). We do not use general anesthesia.
• Companion — recommended but not required. Many of our international patients come alone, and that's perfectly fine. Just don't drive yourself on the day of surgery.
• Communication — Dr. You consults and explains directly in English. With the rest of the team, a translation app fills the gaps smoothly.

Step 5 — Your recovery week in Seoul

After surgery you'll visit every few days for dressing changes and progress checks. When we judge it will help recovery, we also provide swelling laser and similar care — and if unplanned treatment becomes necessary, we do not bill extra for it. In your free time, gentle sightseeing is fine — just skip strenuous exercise and saunas.

Step 6 — After you fly home: we stay in touch

Once your sutures are out and you're home, message us on WhatsApp or KakaoTalk with photos whenever a question comes up, and we'll advise on how your recovery is progressing. As above, because every message is answered personally and closed days intervene, replies can take a few days — thank you for your patience.

Checklist before you leave home

1. Send front/side photos + your full procedure history, and complete the remote consultation
2. Confirm your surgery date with the deposit
3. Check the stay length (8–13 days by procedure) and clinic closed days, then book flights
4. Report any medication — especially blood thinners — before your booking is confirmed
5. Remember the 6-hour fast before surgery
6. Save our WhatsApp/KakaoTalk for follow-up after you return home

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