Korea is one of the places foreigners search most for cosmetic surgery, and Seoul's Gangnam district has hundreds of clinics within a few subway stops. That choice is also the hard part. This guide covers what our English-speaking guests ask first: how to pick a clinic, what changes the price, and how many days to plan.
How many days do I need in Seoul?
Plan the trip around the surgery, not the other way round. These are typical ranges for our guests; your surgeon sets the final schedule.
| Surgery | Typical stay | When stitches come out | Anesthesia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Double eyelid | 7–10 days | Day 5–7 | Usually local or sedation |
| Rhinoplasty | 10–14 days | Splint off around day 7 | General or sedation |
| Jaw / cheekbone contouring | 14–21 days | Varies, swelling lasts weeks | General |
| Breast augmentation | 7–10 days | Around day 7 | General |
| Liposuction | 7–10 days | Day 5–7 | General or sedation |
How do I choose a clinic in Korea?
Start with safety, then fit, then price. In that order.
- Registration. Clinics that legally recruit foreign patients are registered with the Korean government. Search the clinic name on Medical Korea (medicalkorea.or.kr). See our step-by-step guide on how to check a clinic's license in Korea.
- Surgeon and specialty. Ask who performs the operation, and whether they are a board-certified plastic surgeon. Ask who does the follow-up visits.
- Experience with your procedure. A clinic known for facial bone surgery is a different place from one focused on eyelids. Ask how often they do the exact surgery you want.
- Communication. Do they reply clearly in your language, and do they put the plan in writing?
- Aftercare. What happens if you have a problem after you fly home? Who do you contact?
What drives the cost of plastic surgery in Korea?
Prices for the same surgery name can differ a lot, because the plan behind the name differs. These are the factors that move the quote the most:
| Factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Technique | Incisional vs non-incisional eyelids, implant vs own cartilage in the nose, V-line vs two-jaw surgery |
| Scope | One area or several (tip only, or tip and bridge) |
| Anesthesia | Local, sedation or general |
| What is included | Pre-op tests, medicine, garments, follow-ups, stitch removal |
| Surgeon | Some clinics price by the operating surgeon |
Prices vary by clinic and are confirmed at consultation. We do not publish procedure prices, because a number without the plan behind it is misleading. What we do instead is put every quote you receive into one table so you compare the same things.
What should I ask at consultation?
Bring the same list to every clinic and write the answers down:
- What exactly will you do, and which technique?
- Who operates, and who sees me at follow-ups?
- What is included in the price, and is VAT included?
- How many days should I stay before flying?
- What are the common side effects and the rare risks?
- What happens if I need a revision?
After two or three consultations, the differences between clinics are usually clear. Most of our guests book consultations on the first one or two days of their trip and decide that evening.
Which procedures do foreigners search for most?
Among English searches, rhinoplasty, double eyelid surgery and jaw contouring come first, followed by fillers and face lifting. Each has its own guide:
For the nose, read our rhinoplasty guide.
Clinics our guests often consult
These Gangnam-area clinics see many foreign patients. KBW partner clinics can be booked through us for a free consultation, and we coordinate in English.
KBW DirectBanobagi Plastic SurgeryNonhyeon · Plastic surgery · ★ 4.4Get a free consultation ›
KBW DirectPascal ClinicGangnam · Plastic surgery · ★ 5.0Get a free consultation ›
KBW DirectHERA Plastic SurgeryGangnam · Plastic surgery · ★ 5.0Get a free consultation ›Most surgery clinics are around Gangnam Station, Sinsa and Apgujeong. You can browse more on our clinics page.
Where should I stay during recovery?
Stay close to the clinic. During the first week you will go back for check-ups, and you will not want to sit in traffic while swollen. A serviced apartment with a kitchen and washing machine helps more than a hotel near the sights.
Pack a neck pillow for sleeping upright, a cap and sunglasses, lip balm, and loose clothes that open at the front.
A step-by-step plan
- 4–8 weeks before: Send us photos and what you want to change. We ask two or three clinics for an initial opinion.
- 2–4 weeks before: Book flights with a flexible return, and a stay near the clinic.
- Day 1–2 in Seoul: Consultations and pre-op tests. Decide.
- Day 2–3: Surgery.
- The following days: Check-ups, stitch or splint removal.
- Before flying: Final check-up. Ask for your records and medication list in English.
Next step
Message us on WhatsApp with your travel dates and what you want to change. We set up consultations at clinics that fit your plan and send you the quotes in one comparison.
