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I spend a lot of time online and that comes with plenty of reading on forums and social platforms. It seems like most people talk up South Korea as if it is the best place to go for plastic surgery. I think this is true in the case of cost. You won’t find both budget and skill in the same area… But I think there should be stipulations. For one, Korean doctors are used to working on Korean faces. If you compare the average Korean to the average American, the bone structure is not alike. Many Americans are of European descent and compared to Eastern Asians, there are a lot of significant differences. This is especially true with eye shape. Another thing to consider is the amount of work these doctors do. Doctors in the US charge much higher prices so they tend to have fewer surgeries per day. They are able to space things out a lot more. In Korea, some doctors are booked solid from the moment they wake up to the moment they go to bed. So being in a work flow like this can lead to mistakes for people that are non-Korean. So because of this, I feel like while many surgeries are better suited for value in South Korea, you have to keep in mind that if the work you are getting will be achievable by someone that works primarily on Korean/Asian face structures. For more complex surgeries, especially with eyes, noses, and lips I feel like you are better off sticking with US doctors. Have you ever thought on this topic at all or is it just me?

Hmm, okay. I did see The Pride PS mentioned a few times in other threads but not for breasts. So I wouldn't have thought that was something they did. I will look into it, thanks! Thanks!

This is what I never understood about the trend in the US. Why do they remove so much of it! It looks awful when you compare it to Korean surgeries.

I am not sure if this has been asked here or not. I am asking for a family member. She wants to get her neck down. She has a lot of loose and sagging skin from weight loss and it has bothered her for years. She is on a budget which is why she hasn't looked into it, the costs over here are too high. I mentioned South Korea and showed her the average costs and she wants to plan a trip. I might be going with her as well. Anyways, I want to see which clinics rate highly for skin lifting. I am assuming this falls under that? I am not entirely sure what the surgery is called. I just know it is a common issue women have and it can be expensive to get done. She is in her 50s but looks amazing outside of this. She could pass for early 40s but her neck makes her look much older. So I can't blame her for feeling this way. She even wears scarfs and such to hide it. I figured I would try to narrow down some clinics for her to contact and see if we can get the ball rolling. I have found a few on my own thanks to looking through threads on here. I saw Vava Plastic Surgery was mentioned a number of time for anti-aging work, I would imagine they do lifting, tucking, etc. for the neck area. I know she will want to do consultations first. So does anyone have any good recommendations or any tips on how to find some good doctors for her?

I wanted to make a simple thread that highlighted some of the information I have found while researching the topic. So when it comes to budgeting for overseas plastic surgery, you have to be calculating for the total cost - This includes the procedure itself, travel, accommodation, and in some cases aftercare. I have found that overall surgery can be upwards of 80% cheaper than it is in the US or UK if you travel for it. Key Cost Considerations: Surgery Fees: Vary by procedure; for example, rhinoplasty costs $1,100–$3,500 in countries like Vietnam or Turkey, compared to $6,000–$10,000 in the US. Travel and Stay: Flights and hotels can add $1,500–$3,500 to the total, depending on the destination's distance. Aftercare: Post-operative medications, garments, and local follow-up visits may cost an additional $500–$2,000. Complications: Managing serious infections or botched procedures at home can cost $15,000–$150,000, which insurance rarely covers. Top Affordable Destinations: Turkey: Best for multi-procedure bundles; saves 60–80% vs US. Mexico: Popular for US patients; saves 50–70%. Thailand: Strong for recovery and medical tourism; saves 50–70%. Vietnam: Low costs and direct flights for some regions; saves 60–70%. South Korea in particular will save you 30-70% depending on what you wish to have done and is safer than Turkey, Thailand, and Vietnam. Financing options for your surgery: Credit Cards: There are some cars that offer promotional zero-interest periods of up to 16 months. Medical Credit: Providers like CareCredit (I have this one) or Alphaeon offer specialized payment plans - usually 6 to 12 months no interest. Personal Loans: Bank loans provide flexibility but include interest rates and I would not recommend them. Clinic Financing: Some international clinics offer internal payment plans or partner with local lenders which is SUPER helpful. Budgeting Tips: Get Itemized Quotes: Ensure quotes include surgeon fees, anesthesia, facility charges, and post-op care as all can vary from clinic to clinic. Plan for Contingencies: Set aside 10–20% of your budget for unexpected expenses or extended stays so you are not caught off guard. Verify Credentials: Choose board-certified surgeons and accredited hospitals to minimize risk, this is always a top priority. Compare Total Cost: Factor in travel and aftercare when comparing prices across countries.

In my experience 3 is acceptable with no perks or frills. Both 1 and 2 are very budget forward so you really do get the bare minimum with those.

Hello! I am a student in Visual Anthropology studying in Tromsø, Norway. For my masters project in 2027 I am developing an independent documentary film about facial imagery, facial construction/re-construction, cosmetic surgery and how people experience plastic surgery in South Korea. This is not meant to be a critique of the beauty industry, or a clinic advertisement. I am more interested in peoples experiences with research, scouting for clinics and conversations with friends, family and plastic surgeons when considering modifications to their own face. I am looking for people who are considering plastic surgery in Korea or have gone through with it who can help me with this project. Any angle is welcome for discussion and a simple chat is not a commitment to being filmed. If any of this sounds interesting to you I would love to have a chat and share more about the project. If you know anyone else interested, please share this post with them as well, it would be a tremendous help. Leave a comment or send me a DM.

I want to share something just in case you are not aware. It really depends on genetics and age but... A friend of mine was on these weight loss shots too. She lots so much weight so quickly, she had skin sagging and issues as well. She knew it would be awhile before she could get in to a surgeon to fix things so she just started putting money aside for when she would eventually get some work done. This was about a year ago and her skin has bounced back. She is 42. She has minimal sagging, her skin is much tighter, and she looks amazing. It just took her body time to fix the issue. One thing she was doing was making sure she got enough vitamin C daily, drinking plenty of water, and she would rebound 10 minutes a day. So it might be worth waiting and seeing if your skin adjusts first.

I am new to this. I have not gone to Korea. I have never had plastic surgery. I am looking into options. I am considering South Korea because the costs would be much more affordable for me. I was looking online and there is an application called Unni and it focuses on beauty clinics. I have seen a number of clinics on there. One that rates really high on there is called VAVA Plastic. It gets a 9.7/10 which is really impressive. I was looking into the doctors a bit more and Dr. Cho Sung Eun, Dr. Kim Sang Il, and Dr. Taewook Kim all seem to be legit and registered doctors. So there are no red flags with them. I know everyone says to check to make sure the doctors are all board certified, all three are. Not sure if there are more doctors or not with this clinic but these seem to be the main three. ... The reason I am giving pause and wanting to ask is because it seems a lot of things rate well on there. VAVA has over 2,500 review though which is on the higher end. I am jut not sure of these reviews on this app are real, reliable, or if they are just paid spam. Just a means to get more people booked and make more money. Does anyone use this app here? Is it safe? Are there better options when looking at reviews of clinics in South Korea?

I have been looking into and comparing larger clinics vs smaller ones. A lot of people seem to end up going to hospital-style clinics like the View Plastic Surgery for their first trip to Korea and it is not without its cons. I want to share what I have found. Below are the biggest pros and cons. Let me know if you have any worth mentioning based on your own findings or experiences. Pros of a larger hospital-style clinics Safety and Services : Larger clinics tend to have hospital-grade equipment as well as operating rooms offering a sense of safety and security. They have access to 3D-CT imaging as well as ICU access. This is really important for those seeking more complex procedures or combination surgeries. Overall Cost : Because larger clinics have a much higher volume of surgical patients, you will find they have the best prices – especially compared to countries like the US or UK. They also tend to have better costs when compared to local smaller clinics in Korea. Specialized Teams : At larger clinics, you will find they have dedicated and trained anesthetists, nurses, and coordinators much like medical hospitals. This is great for making sure international patients are comfortable, safe, and well cared for with lower risks of complications. Cons of larger hospital-style clinics Very Impersonal : One thing a lot of people will say online is how impersonal the experience was. Because they have a higher patient volume, this often leads to rushed consultations, less surgeon involvement with planning, and often rushed surgeries as many of them have multiple surgeries every day. Trend Chasing : Instead of getting a surgery catered to your own tastes or face structure, a lot of hospital-style clinics will push trends on patients to keep as many surgeries similar for higher output. Some patients mentioned being pressured into additional procedures as well. Follow-Up Nightmare : Unlike smaller clinics that will often work with local clinics from your own country to ensure proper aftercare, these larger clinics will often have surgeons too busy to address issues or complications following surgery and you may end up seeing multiple doctors. The recommendations I have seen online say that complex surgeries or for someone needing multiple surgeries in one trip, going to these larger hospital-style clinics is a great choice – but for everyone else, going to a smaller one will yield a better and more personalized experience overall.

I think these clinics are fine for simple surgeries and generic corrections. Unless you are looking to have a lot of work done at once, which would also make them a good option because it would be cheaper. I think people online get bad impressions of them but they are fairly popular in Korea and while the doctors can be overworked at times, they do rotate. And most of these kinds of clinics are just as safe.

So for chin surgeries, it isn't always about the outside appearance. Sometimes it involves the bite. So where teeth lineup and it corrects issues with under and overbites. Some people, you can't tell much of a difference because of this.

No not yet. I have a few I am looking into. Zero One PS is one of them. I am looking into clinics for other things as well. Thanks a bunch. I will check these ones out too.

3 is comfort, budget, and reliability. 4 star is a blend of 3 and 5 with some more luxury features. 5 is luxury. Most people do not need to stay at anything beyond a 3 star hotel, especially when traveling for surgery.

Note Plastic seems to be a mid-sized and more inviting clinic vs a factory style one from what I have looked into. I know this matters a lot for some people!

Wow, talk about a culture shock. Where I am everyone is so body positive. I would argue they are too body positive (ignoring health issues) but fat shaming is a bit much!

Look into what sort of surgeries correct those issues. I think doing the consultation will help you get a better idea of what you want and will allow you to look into more clinics.

I always see Turkey as an option or recommendation for saving money but I have seen and read horror stories! I would rather pay a bit more and go to Korea.

This is something I don't see mentioned enough. A friend of mine has one of these cards and you are able to use it for anything medical related. She actually uses it for her dog since he has special medical needs. So you could absolutely use it for overseas plastic surgery expenses!

Locate the International Patient Services page on their website. Most clinics have these if they work with foreigners. These are usually done on WhatsApp, Zoom, or KakaoTalk. All are free and easy to use apps. Keep in mind it may be free upfront but once you book an appointment, they might tack on a charge for it which will be included with your surgery.

In Korea, being fat is shameful. People in public will point it out. If you are younger, you are expected to be in shape. I think the only time it doesn't matter is if you are like 50+ in age. An online friend of mine goes to Korea every year to visit family. She said that the one year she had gained weight, EVERYONE noticed.

You aren't wrong. I didn't honestly consider this. I mean even more expensive surgeries and stays/trips tend to still be cheaper than what you would otherwise get in most other countries. I have done a lot of comparisons. It seems like Korea is best for plastic surgery, Mexico is best for dental work, and Canada (while still expensive) is best for hair transplants.

I was going to mention this. I don't think Rosacea is as common of a condition for Koreans likely due to genetics and diet but lasers do help a lot!

I am not entirely sure what I want in terms of surgeries. I know what I want to fix. I want a bit of lifting, anti-aging, and to fix my uneven eyes. When I wear glasses as well, they sit weird. I don't know if that is my nose or ears but I would like that to be fixed if possible too. I have an online consultation set up with Vava Plastic Surgery but there is a waiting period. I am hoping I can get a better idea of surgeries and options as well as costs. A friend of mine told me I should do this with multiple clinics, especially if they offer them for free. I am not sure how to find out of they are free or not though just looking around online. Not every place says they are.

I have a friend on facebook that went to pride plastic surgery for breast implants and she is very happy with the results. She didn't get a massive size done, she just went from an A cup to a C cup. Her figure looks amazing.

I sent you DM

Don't most of these clinics have a lot of positive reviews though? I remember reading clinics will delete or hide bad ones. Not all clinics but a lot of them do apparently.

It could but you would likely end up getting results in Korean and that would likely make it harder for you if you don't know Korean. Contacting clinics helps but as mentioned, you just do basic background checks on credentials online. If they are certified, you have way less to worry about.

You won't get a clear price without doing a consultation. To give you an idea, liposuction costs range from $1,500 to $3,500 for single areas, $4,000 to $8,000 for multi-area packages, and $6,000 to $12,000 for full-body procedures, with VASER techniques adding 20–30% to the base price. This is standard for South Korea. Prices can vary and things can cost most but you will have to get in touch with a clinic. I would contact a few and set up consultations and compare prices and surgeries and pay attention to after care too!

It looks like she got her lips and eyes done as well. This looks like two different people and the version of her on the left is way more beautiful. How sad! I don't see anyone looking like this out of Korea. Like in the plastic surgery reviews or groups. They don't remove that much fat because it makes you not only look older but more masculine. Korean women want to appear soft and doll-like.

My cousin is. I will let you know how things go for her. I can't remember what clinic she had booked with but it isn't the one you mentioned. I will have to ask her. I believe she heads over there the third week of October.

Yeah, that is what that means. Skin tucking, removal, etc. So basically everything that falls under this includes body lifts, tummy tucks, arm lifts, thigh lifts, and breast lifts. All designed to help fix the look, shape, and feel of the body post weight loss.

It depends on how extensive the work is. Some noses require a lot more work to correct/fix issues. -------- Here are some of the top clinics btw @bevinii SAERO Plastic Surgery (Dr. Park Young Kyu): $2,449–$5,483; specializes in complex cases with high patient satisfaction. VG Plastic Surgery (Dr. Im Young Min): Approximately $14,000; includes rib cartilage revision, pre-op tests, and post-op care. URBAN Plastic Surgery (Dr. Choi Eun Kyu): Approximately $6,600; includes airport transfers and a 7-day hotel stay. JK Plastic Surgery Center (Dr. Kim Sung Sik): Approximately $15,000; includes hospital stay, interpreter services, and extended accommodation. THEPLUS Plastic Surgery: Focuses on functional and aesthetic balance using 3D implant technology. Made Young Plastic Surgery: Specializes in precise micro-dissection and capsule removal for difficult revisions. Expect to have a 6+ month waiting period before you get to do the revision end of it. You need to allow time for things to heal.

Yes this would be easier! Some clinics only offer a certain set of PS options as well so it helps to have an idea of what you want done @glowyyy

Thanks for letting me know! I just updated it. Yes, I think price transparency is important and hopefully gives people leverage in advocating for themselves when consulting.

Oh okay, thanks! And thanks everyone else this was helpful. I figured I would ask here as I assumed someone would know. I just get confused when people are talking online and reading information coming from various sources.

Isn't Pop PS where Dr. Sang-il Kim used to be? I was looking into some clinics and I remember reading something about him formally being associated with this clinic. He is over at Vava PS now. Just doing some digging on a few doctors I am considering.

You can try contacting Dr. Ko at zero one ps. I know for sure this clinic does revision and reconstruction surgery for noses. I talked to a few people that have gone here for this very thing and had good results. No personal experience from me though, just make sure you do your research!