All Activity

Yes. This is one of the big red flags. I don't think people think much about it though unfortunately. I will say that I do wish there was an app for non-Korean natives/speakers to browse feedback from clinics from people. It is hard to find anything that doesn't have poor translations.

Holy cow! That sounds absolutely terrifying! I am sorry that happened to her but thank you for sharing. I know people don't like hearing about this stuff but it is better to be throughout with all doctors and clinics than risk anything like this!

I know, I just want to make sure people know all their options as laser costs and other options like this can add up fast. It is not always ideal to travel that far to get treatment either.

I wanted to post this as a PSA for new members and anyone considering a clinic in Korea. Most clinics are up to code, registered/licensed, and follow their strict laws but some skirt them. One of the biggest and easiest to spot red flags are a lack of CCTV in the operating rooms. Korea requires this BY LAW. If a clinic does not have cameras in the operating rooms, decline service with them and fine a different clinic.

You can join the Discord through the forum for some recommendations as far as clinics go or just search around. Most of them have great ratings. I would make sure no matter which clinic you are considering though that you make sure they are certified by law in Korea. They have a medical board that publicly shows this online. Expect to pay anywhere from 30% to 60% less compared to American prices. The cost depends on how much work you will need.

Not everyone gets relief from this stuff and do need other options. I have a friend that nothing worked for her and she did laser work and it made it much better. Her skin even looks younger too!

Something I was told awhile back was to go to a local clinic in the country I am in first. Most of the time, you don't pay for a consultation but if you do, it tends to be cheap. You will get a better understanding of what work you want or need done and be better prepared for when you talk to a Korean doctor, especially if this is your first surgery.

I don't know about surgeries but for hormone balancing stuff, you could just go to a regular doctor and they sort that. There is no profit or high requests for it. That is why. Most people that get these surgeries are happy.

I will, thanks again. I have been reading up more on it and it is easing my worried. I was a bit nervous about the surgery in general and was considering putting it off but I think it will be okay. haha

Look into Han Gang Soo hospital, they only burns and scars.

I was going to mention this because I saw it mentioned at a lot of the clinics I was looking into. I am not getting this kind of work done or anything but it seems very popular over there!

Both my consultations were about an hour but when I spoke to the doctor directly, it was about 10 to 15 minutes. The rest of the time I was speaking with other people that handle all the information.

That is the part I liked about it. You didn't feel like you were stuck without anything. If you wanted to stay in and cook a meal, you could. Made things so much easier

I am in my mid 50s and started getting a lot of sagging skin on my neck and jaw. I have those droopy bits on each side of my chin. I would like to get this all tightened up so I look and feel young again. I stumbled on a Facebook group that talked about plastic surgery and I was ready to book an appointment until I realized how expensive it was. I am still paying off debts and can't afford the cost in the states. Someone told me she got work done in Korea for 70% cheaper. I messaged her but have not heard anything for weeks. So I started looking around online for help and stumbled on this forum. I am hoping someone can help me figure this out. As in where to look for a clinic, the process, the prices, and how everything happens. I have not been outside the US in 15 years either. Last time I was I was in France.

No experience for me. I don't like traveling with my kids. I did it once and it was within the country but it was a short plane ride away to visit family. I will never do it again! LOL Some kids do fine but it seems like most kids don't but mine were very young. You likely won't have issues with older kids.

I don't want to pull you away from seeking out better options but are you sure you tried EVERYTHING? I had a friend who thought she did. Ivermectin (Solantra), azelaic acid, sulfur, zinc, etc. etc. but she never tried niacinamide. I actually got her buying a Korean ointment I use for adult acne and it got her rosacea under control so much in under 2 weeks she doesn't even wear make-up anymore. If you are curious it is called Dr.Althea 345 Relief Cream. Might be worth trying

It sucks cause I don't really see people talking about this online a lot either. I am wondering if this is normal or if I was getting brushed off and need to find a better clinic or something.

A friend of mine had a ghost doctor incident but not in Korea, it happened in Mexico. She ended up losing a kidney. We went there for dental work and they stole her kidney to sell on the black market. Thankfully she ended up being okay. I don't think things like this happen in Korea but I am just sharing this to make sure everyone triple checks everything about these doctors before going under the knife!

Well I do know laser therapies like the pulsed dye laser (PDL) or intense pulsed light (IPL) are considered standard for anyone that is not getting help from the creams and prescriptions. A friend of mine had her face done with pulsed lasers and it helped for a while. It did eventually come back and worse so she had to get the treatment again but I think her face was mostly clear and free of redness for almost 2 years. I am sure they offer this stuff in Korea. Everyone wants perfect skin there!

What do you do if you take a medication on the banned list and have to take the pills with you? I mean I would imagine if they approve you, you still are able to bring your own and don't have to get pills in Korea right?

I figured this might be worth looking into while I am there. I have had issues with rosacea since my mid 30's. It is worse on one side vs the other but I have had a constant red flush for almost 5 years now. No matter what I have tried, nothing is working. I have tried just about every prescription pill and cream I could. I have heard of there being options with lasers or microneedling for it but I don't know if Korea offers these things for rosacea treatment. Anyone have any experience?

I wanted to point something out that back lipo IS cheaper. I know this because of a friend who had a lot of it done. I am not sure why people think it is more. All your organs and stuff is in the front and there is way more loose skin to work with.

I am glad you got to go through the process. I was a bit confused by it. One clinic had me waiting for nearly 45 minutes to do a zoom call with the doctor. He was done with his chat with me in like 5 minutes. It was so fast I felt a bit rushed and uneasy about. I am going to try a few other clinics. I don't want to feel like I am being pushed to the side especially when I am flying all the way out there for surgery of all things. Same experience for me

Thanks! I am going to look into this more over the weekend. I found a few clinics that offer it and I should be able to call in during the week (next week) to talk things over. I really just want to get this fixed and find something that works. I don't feel very feminine seeing my scalp balding

I am actually going to need some lipo for my tummy tuck. I was told by two clinics so I have a general idea of the pricing. For me it is going to be $1,500 (in Korea). I don't have much that needs to be removed. I would guess it would be double for a standard amount and maybe another $1000 if it was around the back. I heard removing back fat takes a bit more effort and time. So I would guess $4,000 would be the price based on what I know.