ladybugz

I have considered this; however, I also read that Botox in the jaw can cause bone loss and thus tooth loss. Can anyone confirm/dispute this? The main reason I want to do this isn't even for just the cosmetic part of having an asymmetrical face; my teeth grinding is for the charts and I've broken and fractured several teeth. Obviously, I don't want to LOSE my teeth in the process of trying to save it.

 

Does anyone know if Hanabi will do CLOSED rib rhinoplasties? I need to swap my silicone with rib due to illness but I don't want a scar (and I have a short nose, so any scar would be very visible).

 

While I have a fat face and plan to get Acculift, I also have a horribly enlarged masseter muscle on the right side of my face due to teeth grinding. This has caused my entire right side to become enlarged and frighteningly asymmetrical.

I was wondering what is the procedure to get this reduced? I am asking on this forum because there are quite a bit of PS "experts" here, haha, and I don't want to be upsold by the clinic.

*Also, any procedure I get cannot involve screws or implants of any kind due to autoimmune illness.

Thank you!

 

Do you feel that Hanabi is able to make a dramatic difference? Their before/after photos look incredibly subtle.

I am going to need to get a revision at some point in the future. My previous clinic did a great job on my nose, but I am unfortunately developing autoimmune issues from the silicone. I am vain and hoping this won't undo the work from my silicone nose job -- I had a very wide nose with blunt tip before, and I am hoping my nose will at least look the same (if not sharper) after swapping for rib. However, looking at Hanabi's photos, they seem to favor the natural look (which I don't want, as my "natural" nose was hideous).

 

If it's already happened, then yeah, you're at the mercy of asking for a revision. Sometimes they will attempt to charge a fee.
You want to make sure beforehand -- and get it in writing -- what their policies are regarding revisions. The clinic I went to, Wonjin, actually only had a 2 year free revision policy, but they waived it because my resulting ptosis was so severe, but I didn't have money to return to Korea for the longest time. I'm very happy with their sense of ethics. I had a friend who had an unsatisfactory surgery from BK, and that doctor offered to revise for free as well. You just want to get their policies ahead of time. Some people (you can read the other threads) had horrible experiences where the clinics just stopped responding to them after their surgeries.

 

I've posted on this forum for years now and I have no beef against this clinic personally -- as in, I've never been there either for a consultation or surgery. However, I will say that their reviews are 100% fraudulent. If you look at the photos and reviews of white Americans (they clearly identify as American in the "comments" section of RealSelf), they are written in broken English and by someone for whom English is clearly not his/her first language. I am aware that many other clinics basically bribe people for reviews. However, they seem particularly dishonest in their methods of advertisement. I actually filed a report with RealSelf because I was so troubled by this. I don't have a problem with people allowing the use of before/after photos for discounts. However, to actually write a review FOR SOMEONE is just... I really think it crosses a line.

 

I'm 34. I don't have significant sagging yet but I'm not worried about having too thin of skin. My face is so fat (and my skin is so thick) that I literally have the face of someone 2-3x my weight. I am just trying to figure out what will make the most dramatic difference. I can't afford to drop 2-3 grand on something to not even be noticeable in the end.

If buccal fat removal will make the most noticeable difference, I will probably just get it here in the U.S. and save myself the plane ticket.

Are there significant advantages to Acculift over face liposuction or buccal fat removal? I am thinking I won't even go to Korea unless Acculift (which is not common here) is the best way to go.

 

I did like Fresh's pictures, but they quoted me literally 2x as much as everywhere else, so they're off my list. In addition, I read some of their "reviews" on this site as well as on RealSelf, and I was really sketched out by the obviously clinic-written reviews (they were written in broken English) attached to the pictures of um, visibly white people (who claimed to be American). If their ethics aren't up to par, I don't want to risk it no matter how nice the photos may be.

I am considering BK, Banobagi, Regen and Wonjin. I've gone to Wonjin and had a poor result the first time and an excellent result the second, so I'm kind of mixed on them.

 

This thread is why I am considering doing face lipo in the U.S. instead of Korea. Although the Korean surgeons are amazing in their work, I am afraid the aesthetics are too different. I have a fat, round face. I would look like a freak if I had a skinny, narrow face suddenly -- it wouldn't even fit my features. Just about every single clinic I've emailed have pushed the "V-line" -- I don't want a v-line. I want to look like Ivanka Trump (who has a round face, but not a fat face); I don't want to look like these before/after models.

 

I have noticed some really suspicious reviews of FRESH on other sites as well (such as RealSelf). The reviewer claimed she was American but her writing was clearly that of someone who did not speak or write English fluently. SUPER-sketchy. I actually reported it to RealSelf, but they didn't take her review down.

 

Hi All -- My face is fat. Like, really, really fat. I'm actually not fat at all body-wise, but I have the face of a 300 pounder. I've already had chin lipo once and the fat just came right back after two years :-/ Plus, now it's not just my chin. My entire face is fat -- fat cheeks, fat jowls, fat nasolabial folds, etc.

What should I do? Get buccal fat removal? Acculift? Facial liposuction? Any clinic recommendations? (Should I just go to the cheapest? Facial fat removal isn't something people can screw up too badly on, right?) How much should I expect to pay for this? I've read on other threads that the prices should be 1.5-2 mill won, but I assume I am a special case because I need full face lipo?

 

Wow, I just read your story and am horrified. Wonjin messed up on my eyes the first time I went there because the surgeon refused to listen to me -- I ended up having years of asymmetry and even more severe ptosis. Thankfully, they were extremely ethical and gave me a revision for free. They even threw in another procedure for only like $600 USD. I was weary about letting the same surgeon operate on me again, but she ended up doing an excellent job the second time.

I was actually just considering GNG -- I am returning to Korea soon to get facial liposuction. NO WAY am I going to them after your story. Geez. Thank you so much for sharing your story. Please considering posting to other internet forums as well as well as internet review sites. People need to know this.

 

I'm hoping someone on this forum can help… have any of you actually had surgery with him? How did you get ahold of him? I have messaged him on Facebook as well as the email listed on his website but have never gotten a response. Did you just show up in person? Does the clinic staff speak English? How much does it cost to replace silicone with rib for rhinoplasty?

 

I was wondering what is the best way to get rid of eye bags -- fillers? Lower eyelid surgery? Fat graft? I don't know how to fix this!

 

I like Cinderella the best for dolly eyes, though actually, any clinic with a good doctor could do that for you. It's just that some may have philosophical issues against it, so I would go to one that produces a lot of the results that oyu want (for example, I know the doctor at Teium is very, very conservative and refuses to do anything that looks unnatural).

 

Oops, I meant 2013, not 2003!

Nope -- they gave it to me for free right away without haggling. Their policy -- I believe -- is that you get 2 years to return for free, and then after that 50%. I had to sign something like that during my revision surgery. However, I emailed them a picture of how awful the ptosis was and they offered it to me for free right away.

I asked them specifically about my face shape both times but was talked out of doing invasive procedures both times, so I definitely respect them for not trying to up-sell. The customer service there is by far the most outstanding I've ever seen. They have Mandrin speakers and English speakers and take care of you from beginning to end.

While I was there, I asked them for quotes on fillers (I have acne scars). I also asked a few other clinics for quotes. They were the same as what I'd been quoted in the U.S., though I'm a cheapskate and go on Groupon to get fillers so I have gotten fillers for under $300 easily in the U.S via Groupon/LivingSocial. You can also find way better deals on Botox in the U.S. depending on where you live. (For example, I don't live in NYC, but I've gone there several times to utilize Groupons for teeth whitening, fillers, Botox jaw injection, etc.). Liposuction is also the same or cheaper in the U.S., depending on where you live. I don't groupon for that (too risky); I go to a reputable plastic surgeon in Chevy Chase, Maryland... Though I'm getting disillusioned re: lipo. I had chin lipo in 2015 when I was in the 150-160 lb range. I lost 30 lbs and gained 7 and now the fat is BACK and looks nearly as bad as it did when I was in the 150s (even though now I'm only in the 130s... go figure)! The idea that fat doesn't grow back after lipo is blatantly false. I'm living proof :-/

Some other things that I felt were not cheaper in Korea:

-- Chin Implants (the staff at Wonjin talked me out of getting one, but the cost in Korea is pretty even to most places in the U.S., though I do know of some outrageously expensive places in the U.S. that charge like 5K). But in my hometown they are $2500-3000. Every clinic I got quotes from in Korea cited around $2700.

-- Revision rhinoplasty using rib -- this has steadily increased since the first time I went to Korea in 2013. I'm looking at 15K at this point regardless of whether I do it in the U.S. or Korea. I wish I didn't have to do this because I LOVE the way my nose looks (plus the doctor at Wonjin did something to help my breathing a lot), but I'm having autoimmune issues with the silicone (I don't mean to scare anyone with that; 98% of people won't have problems just because they get silicone breast/nose implants, I was just one of the unlucky ones).

-- Hair transplant (I've always wanted thicker eyebrows, but I got a quote of $3000 in Korea from each clinic. There is a doctor in Utah that charges $3500 and he discounts for travel, so it amounts to the same).

 

I wouldn't do Item or Teium for eyes unless you are trying to find a very natural look. In terms of skills, Teium is probably the best, but again, you have to really like the natural look.

 

I had my nose done at Wonjin and I can highly recommend them for noses. I've heard VIP is excellent as well, though I know they prefer open rhinoplasties (something I'm not willing to do).

 

I've been on this forum for nearly five years now, and I thought I'd share my insights on Wonjin. It tends to have pretty negative reviews on forums, so I thought I'd share my input.

THE GOOD

-- First of all, I think they are one of the best places for silicone rhinoplasty, hands-down. Rib, I'm not so sure about, but they do a REALLY good job on noses using silicone + cartilage for the tip. I had a very difficult nose -- flat, wide, hideous, and they did an amazing job via closed rhinoplasty. I didn't even get it done by Dr. Park Wonjin; it was just some random doctor who did a really good job (considering the difficulty of the case he was presented with). He wasn't some warm or chatty guy and he couldn't speak English, but he was awesome. I actually wish I'd gotten rib rhinoplasty due to autoimmune health issues with silicone, but that's obviously not the clinic's fault. In terms of aesthetics, they did a wonderful job.

-- One of the reasons I liked them was that they are really good at doing both subtle/natural work as well as more dramatic effects.

-- Their prices are some of the most reasonable in Korea.

-- Their customer service for foreigners is exceptional. They have a specific floor for international patients, and there's always an English-speaking patient there. Both times I went there, I was helped by extremely helpful girls who used to live in the U.S. (and thus had a perfect understanding of the language). They went above and beyond in helping me, even with things that had nothing to do with surgery (like how to get around the city, which trains to take, etc.).

-- Unlike other clinics, they do NOT up-sell. They actually talked me out of several procedures both times I went there and always recommended the minimally invasive options (I actually ended up declining and just decided to do these extra things in the U.S. instead, since the prices are pretty even these days). Personally, I am surprised they didn't recommend some sort of jaw surgery or V-line contouring -- I have a fat, awkwardly-shaped round head with ridiculously fat cheeks for my age. I find them just extremely ethical. The first girl who helped me back in 2003, Angela, was so sweet. The current one, Ina, was incredibly nice and helpful as well. But even more importantly, they were HONEST and that's really something valuable when you're getting surgery in another country.

-- I've heard allegations of "shadow doctors." THIS IS FLAT-OUT UNTRUE. For my eyelid surgery, I was awake 95% of the time and believe me, it was the same doctor I was presented with (more on that later). The doctors are not only the same, they're extremely present, engaged, and actively speaking with you throughout the process. Another reason why I don't buy this allegation is that they are like, the most uptight clinic when it comes to rules and regulations ever. Both times I was forced to return home for stitches because they refused to bend in regards to even one day (I was 4 days out when I went home; you have to be 5 days out to get stitches removed). So no, I don't think they would switch doctors.

THE BAD

-- The reason I had to return was because the eye doctor did not listen to me the first time around. I told her that I had ptosis issues and she ignored me and said she was going to just do double eyelids. Because I was pretty new to the whole plastic surgery thing and didn't want to seem rude, I didn't argue. Within months, it became very clear my eyes were more asymmetrical than ever, and my vision on the affected eye actually ended up being blocked 4-5 years out (it was so severe that had I done this surgery in the U.S., my insurance had already agreed to pay). She was a very skilled physician and did not scar me at all, but it wasn't what I wanted or needed. Hence, I had to return for Round 2 just a few years later.

-- The anesthesia wore off both times and I was in EXCRUCIATING pain. I don't understand why they do not administer more anesthesia -- in the U.S., it is commonplace to completely anesthetize the area being worked on. From what I have read about other clinics, they don't seem to have this problem either. I felt every single burn, cut, stitch, and tug. I started crying and heaving halfway and the nurse had to push my chest down to stop me from moving. I don't know if this is clinic policy or just that particular doctor/that set of nurses, but it was awful in terms of pain management. If you choose to go there, I would be VERY CLEAR that you need adequate anesthesia and set up a system with them beforehand in terms of alerting them of your pain level (i.e. raise your hand slightly during surgery to signal the need for more anesthesia, the way you do at a dental office).

-- Again, I think the biggest issue I have with their practice is that you have to be very assertive (to the point of aggressive) to let them know what you want. If you're a timid person or gets bullied easily, you're probably not going to end up with the result you're seeking (I have read a LOT of revision cases on this forum dealing with this issue exactly -- they did not speak up enough and thus received results they were unhappy with). So don't even bother to go in until you've mustered the courage and conviction to clearly and effectively state what you want. If they disagree, LEAVE. I wish I had; I wouldn't have to go through Round 2 of hell.

MORE GOOD

-- That said, I'm very, very happy with the revision surgery. They had the same doctor operate on me again, and this time she did what I wanted and did a great job. It was an awful experience with the anesthesia (again), but I was very assertive this time around regarding what I wanted and she finally listened.

-- They have a lot of integrity in regards to revisions. A lot of places refuse to do it for free; they agreed to do it for free and did so without attitude (again, a LOT of places get pissy if you ask for a revision).

So yeah, after four years of dealing with them, I wanted to kind of "clear the air" a bit because I keep reading about how awful they are, and I just don't think that's true. They need better pain management procedures, but otherwise they have a lot of integrity, skill, and good customer service.

 

IMO, they have actually gotten a lot more expensive since the last time I was in Seoul (2013). I've noticed that nearly everything is significantly more expensive this time around, from fillers to chin implants, etc.

 

So I thought I'd post this for anyone who is going to Seoul for the first time. I know that I would have liked this information before going.

1) Go with a friend, partner, companion, or even acquaintance if possible. I went by myself and it was incredibly lonely, isolating & not fun at all. Both times I've been there, I ended up spending 80% of my time in the hotel room recovering.

2) Be really firm about what you want and don't want. I got talked out of a procedure I needed only to have to return five years later to do it anyway (for functional reasons, not cosmetic reasons) because I was too cared to stand up to the doctor/the consultant and felt as if they were judging me. I have read these forums a lot over the years, and it seems like one of the biggest mistakes a lot of "first timers" make is being talked into doing procedures they don't want, or being told to be more aggressive or conservative than what they really do want. If you do this, you'll regret it and probably seek a revision. Save yourself the time, pain and money and be firm!

3) Do NOT walk out alone by yourself. This may seem incredibly obvious to those of you from big cities, but for a small-town girl like myself, I did not understand safety concerns and overestimated the safety of Gangnam. A creepy man on a bike stopped to show me porn when I was sitting on the steps of a storefront in Yeoksam (I was texting my friend and sat down for a second). When I freaked out stood up to kept walking, he circled around me twice and (seemingly) left. By the time I went to to the next block, he was waiting for me in an alley and exposed himself and was touching himself. It was the most horrifying thing I'd ever seen. I ran across the street and he AGAIN rode his bike in front of me twice. I literally ran into the 7/11 and didn't come out until I was sure he was gone.

4) Seoul is really not vegetarian-friendly at all. Be careful because even seemingly vegetarian-looking dishes have ham or seafood in them.

5) There are great bargains to be had at the subway malls. I enjoyed going through Gangnam Station and buying some nice clothes and shoes on the cheap.

6) The prices are not necessarily cheaper than in the United States these days. I think that is one of the biggest misunderstandings that some people have. I've noticed that the prices of Botox, Radiesse, other fillers, etc. are comparable if not more expensive than many places in the U.S. Liposuction is also not substantially cheaper. If you're coming here because you want the expertise of doctors doing thousands of Asian eyelid surgeries or Asian noses, then that's a smart move. But if you're coming here to save money on lipo or fat grafting, etc. -- there are cheaper places in the U.S. that are just as safe and effective; you just have to look for them.

7) It is REALLY expensive to take a taxi from Incheon to Gangnam. You can pay like 1/7 the cost by taking the bus.

8) Don't be too cheap. The first time I was there, I stayed in a hotel room and it was decent and private and everything worked out. I paid like $300 for the week. The second time, I was stupidly cheap and got more of a hostel for $180 (though it has its own private bathrooms). The size of this place was literally like a prison cell. The bed was hard as one would be as well. What's worse is that the neighbors constantly b**tched at me for everything -- from talking on the phone (even during the daytime!) to walking from my bed to the shower (because the walls are so thin). It's just awful. Don't be cheap and pay up to stay at a decent hotel.

 

1) Can you still see your scars without makeup?

Yes. Though I did not have any scars for 10 months after surgery. I stopped using scar cream, figuring I was safe 10 months after surgery, and my scars appeared practically overnight and continued growing to be thick and unsightly. Now I'm using silicone scar sheets and flattening them. Such a pain... I thought I'd gotten away with it scarlessly!

2) Where did you do yours / who was your surgeon?

Wonjin, don't know

3) Which method / technique did you use?

Closed rhinoplasty + alarplasty

 

Oh, my sedation experience at Wonjin was more like your general anesthesia.

The requirements were:

-- No food or drinks 6 hours beforehand
-- Completely asleep
-- Series of tests required for your safety

So, I think it depends on the clinic.

 

Two weeks post-injection update on Lipodissolve:

It does work, and it's nowhere as painful as I've read on the internet. Soreness went away within hours and swelling went away in 1.5 days. It's slightly less effective than liposuction but way more effective than Coolsculpting (I would say I had about a 50%-80% reduction in fat). For $200 and a one-time thing, it was a good deal financially.

The bad side:

-- SEVERE bought of cystic acne. I haven't seen anything like this in years. I think it must be linked to it...
-- My period is now 10 days late. No, I am not pregnant.
-- The fat reduction isn't that even. On the left side of my double-chin, about 80% of the fat is gone. On the right side, only 50% is gone.

I won't be going back for more due to the acne issue, but I'm satisfied enough.

 

So agree, ShinyGlittery. I was VERY uncomfortable when my doctor said she would not do what I had paid her to do (!), but did not have the courage to walk out or even demand a refund for that part.

I would add the following:

1) Make sure in no uncertain terms they know what you expect afterwards. Do not get bullied out of the procedures you want or into procedures you don't want.

2) Find "real" before/afters. I cannot tell you how many "patients" I saw working for these clinics in Korea as their consultants or office clerks. Like a good 75% of the pictures I've seen on naver or this forum have belonged to employees.