figjamm

yes, I will try! I at least took the pictures last time but now they are old and things have changed. sorry, it would take at least a block of 3o minutes and I'm a busy mom with 2 young ones - priorities.

I'll add that I'm quite happy with it

 

will try to post some picts this weekend, but I have avoided doing so primarily because I had uneven swelling (much better now) and have pre-existing facial assymetries that became extreme looking when combined with the swelling and mobile phone selfie angle. the picts even freak me out when doing a selfie. was happier when I stopped taking picts and just saw the progress frontal, mirror.

 

wow, this is a lot of good advice! Sad to hear that "Emily" changed jobs. I don't even know her real name but would love to know where she goes, if that's even possible! Both the docs you mentioned there are very good ( they were my docs) and I second many of your opinions on JW ( size of the business, experience level of the docs -- which I feel is ideal -- they weren't too old or too young but had at least 15+ years for Kang and Suh, each is my guess. I did pay the deposit before hand and seeing the volume of work going on there, it definitely is a scheduling thing as well as financial leverage they have on non-locals.

Wishing you good luck. You will be in good hands

 

Great results!! you look gorgeous! congrats! are you enjoying this new look? Do you get compliments? what are "mint threads" also "v-lift" is that a marketing term for a specific clinic? or is that what is generally known for thread lifting? I hope you are enjoying it! I got a smas facelift in November and am blown away by "lifting" procedures.

 

I'm sure it is going to take some time to get your head around the changes and the communication issues you have experienced, but I think you are likely to get a really nice result. Not sure about the cartilage, but your photos look like an improvement to me, even with the swelling, which is still considerable.

 

Sorry to hear you had a negative experience. How many months out are you? Do you have any photos? It sounds like you've waited at least a few months... Swelling can really mess with you. I did my surgeries there and due to swelling, I thought was for sure I was in need of some fixes (to some eye work). Time has gone by and things are getting better, but I think what is bugging me isn't totally going away. I had a previous rhino, in which I knew early on that there was a bump that wasn't working towards what I wanted. It was extremely upsetting, so I really feel for you if that's the case. Unfortunately revisions are super common in rhinoplasty (learned this the hard way!). I do think my recent rhinoplasty at JW was my last; something finally worked out. For the hair washing, what was the expectation? Were you promised a certain number of washes? It is possible they may prioritize certain patients for the hair washing, based on the procedure. They are really busy (one day I was there it was so busy, it was unbelievable/almost comical), but you should not have to "beg," after spending so much money! I also had face lifting where I had incisions in my hair, so I needed the wounds checked and cleaned regularly; I got hair washes and wound cleaning almost every other day and even declined some. The lack of empathy towards your complaints and disappointment is not cool at all and not necessary. We put so much time, money, and energy into this, I'm sure there is a lot of angst and of course, anger ( I have been there, super angry after a previous rhino) Stand your ground if you think they need to help you out with a revision (if you even want to use the same staff).

 

Interesting! Didn't know there was such a thing:
https://www.booking.com/hotel/kr/k-girl-guesthouse-female-only.html

 

oh, if you stay in a hotel, dealing with your ice packs gets tricky. if you have airbnb with your own refrigerator, less of a problem. my hotel was totally fine with changing out my ice packs, but of course I had to go down there in person and request it while looking pretty creepy!

 

1) included due to multiples. I don’t think they offer that to everyone and most people simply do not need it



2) yes can see. It got harder as swelling increased on day 2 or 3. But could still see. Those were “what did I do?” Days…



3) My clinic gave me 2 ice packs that had their logos on them. My guess is everyone gets/gives those. Otherwise, you can use icepacks? I bought some but did not use.. you can by face masks on amazon.

4) no itchiness

5) right, no face washing. Just cleaning of the wounds with hydrogen peroxide, etc. They gave me hair washes every 1-2 days, but that was because I had a facelift, too, I think. You won’t have problems showering with eye surgery. Just don’t submerge/wet your head.

6) yes, buy it here before you go at Whole Foods or amazon (well, one in the same now!)

 

Very nice of you to accompany your sister! I was alone for multiple procedures, though I also got to stay overnight at my clinic. I had upper and lower bleph. Lots of deep, dark bruising, but it goes away quickly . I don't think flying after 9 days would be a problem, though I flew home after 2 weeks due to other surgeries. Not much for you to do. Getting her things like ice packs and food, drinks would be nice. But otherwise, your sister will still be able to do a lot. I was working on my computer after a facelift and the eyework. Swelling did get worse on day 2/3, but I was still able to see out of my eyes, though they did get quite puffy. Then they quickly got better from there. maybe just make sure she takes any.all medicines on time, too. Try arnica and bromelian tablets. You can reassure her by saying things like, swelling will go down and you will look great..etc, maybe.

GL!

 

Congrats! You're in the home stretch!

My experience this time was about same as my previous post. However, I thought the swelling would be worse since it was a revision. It wasn't any worse. In fact, I could see the result-improvement, faster. I don't know why. The ask was for more definition, less bulbous, more prominence, a little longer. By about week 3, I think I could start to see that happening and it soon after surpassed my old nose, making me very glad I did it. Other doctors were reluctant to try, offering the reason that it was "OK, good enough." I'm glad my doctor was confident he could improve it. No one has seemed to give it a second look, look deeply at me, ect---but I think that's going to be determined by what you had done and who it is that is around you (I work with mostly male engineers, definitely not scanning my face frequently for cosmetics...)

 

ha! I was alone the whole time and not many people here in the US who know about my trip, so I guess I have stuff to say

folks, the airbnb listing above, which has nothing to do with my experience, had some interesting tips here/there-- about the wifi egg thing and the day spa, as I remember.

 

If you don't find something within walking distance, add taxi cost roundtrip to each day
if you can find an airbnb that also has a "wifi egg" for guests, that would be great. some sort of portable wifi thing. I never had that and didn't need it badly at all, but if you plan on going out a lot, would be great.

 

I didn't book an airbnb but thought about it after I got there. Think if I wasn't alone or if it was not my first trip, would book something. A place with a lot of good reviews, really reputable airbnb host, that would have worked, too. airbnb search with "Gangnam" and you'll likely get close to where you want to be...but of course, look around the subway station near your clinic.

an airbnb like this one would have been nice
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/15863248?s=67&shared_item_type=1&virality_entry_point=1&sharer_id=136060

but that was more expensive than my hotel room.

80,000 KRW nightly was my rate at IBIS Gangnam ( my clinic may have had some sort of deal, they booked it for me. something like you pay that but get a better room than if you had booked it on your own. I heard a few surgery people were staying there too but never saw them)

 

I wasn't able to get a personal one in my room at the IBIS Gangnam ( this is not close to where you want), but I just went to the restaurant and they gladly microwaved anything I asked for, 24/7. maybe call/email and ask if they can send on to your room? (

also had that problem with needing a freezer. I went to the front desk and swapped ice packs. inconvenient but not that big of an issue. You only need an ice pack for first 3 days of surgery (granted this is when you look the worst and have to ask someone to swap your packs that sucks, but they really do not care and do not even look twice)

I was glad to be in a place where there were people around 24/7 and could help, if needed. So no microwave and no fridge, but a sense of security and great location, 7 minute walk to clinic.

airbnb?

Good luck

 

I'm sorry to hear about your loss. I would ask them to reschedule and hold/honor your deposit. You are giving them enough advance notice to enable them to fill the spot with another surgery. Let's say you cancelled 1-3 days in advance, it would seem sort of justifiable the they keep the deposit because they need to staff accordingly and could not schedule any work on your days (they lose work opportunity). In your case, they'll have enough time and additionally, this was a life/death matter, out of your control. GL

 

I'm about 2 weeks today. I only had tip surgery, revision. I saw a refined version of my nose, post surgery, which makes me think this is my last rhino! but since then, nose is swollen, but really doesn't look that much different than old nose. A bit puffier all around. wearing glasses, many people won't even notice. I don't feel hideous either. but had previous nose work where around this time, I think my nose seemed a lot chubbier, which made me self conscious for that worst week of swelling after cast -- week 2-3 (this is just my experience). most bruising is gone, but what's there can be covered up with good concealer. if you're getting bridge work or not, this thing was great for your glasses. I'll be using even after I'm all recovered. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01H3ZJAIM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

I ended up preferring mid-size -- so I think this is about 4-7 surgeons at the clinic. You'll see the same doctors around the office, get 1:1 time with your own doctors (not a ton but enough). They have enough staff to give you all the bells/whistles (English speaking consultant, post-care (surgical dressings, hair washes, led therapies, airport pickup/dropoff, etc) and consistent care. I was pretty happy with JW plastic surgery- the level of service on all points. I just got back from my trip there and will post pictures at some point. Dr. Suh (nose) has tons of experience as does Dr. Kang, who did anti-aging/eye for me. The location had many pluses, too. oh also-- cctv in the operating rooms, everywhere, really.
I'm sure it wasn't the cheapest place but I did want the bells/whistles and I got it, for sure

 

I don't know enough about the way these cards work to say if that is true or not.
Anyone have smooth experiences with MC? I will try to call company later this week and see what they say. It has to do with relationships/channels between card processing companies and the card issuer in the US, I think.

My impression is that Citi is a good way to go if they have offices all over the world. BofA does not...but don't MasterCard? I can try to call the cards that worked and ask why...

 

Good luck!
yes, cash-bank transfer would work and you might even be able to do that right from your computer at the clinic. but it would still cause a delay. omg, what I nightmare to remember I was sitting there with the markings on my face, super hungry and thirsty, trying to sort this out. very thankful to hubs who bailed me out of this!

 

It definitely has to do with the card processing step. The BofA card didn't even work at Hyundai Dept Store, but it works at small restaurants, coffee shops, and convenience stores. I have not been in Korea for 10+ years, but come back these past 2 weeks. Btw I'm almost done here and am very pleased with the whole experience thus far. will try to write something up soon

I think Citibank is a safe bet, as I see they even have offices here.
I would bring some combo of this:
1) 3 cards, all with enough room, I suppose this can be a debit card too
2) $1-2k in cash ? ( I don't like walking around with that much cash, but if you could use it if you did have any problems, at least to hold the situation over for a bit). I am at a pretty good hotel with a safe in each room (this was one of the best things about the hotel room thing). Was picked up by by my clinic's driving service/international taxi and then just walked to my appointments. Cash would have been doable, but still. that's a lot of money.
3) Traveler's checks? ( do these things still exist? I thought I saw a note about that at my hotel)

I would not mail the card over and have them swipe. There are just too many staff around and the envelope would have to change hands too many times before it gets physically back to you in your home country

 

I'll add that the credit cards that worked smoothly:

1) Citibank/Costco Visa (points) - works great everywhere this far
2) Chase Sapphire Reserve Visa (points) - heard good things about this one

the Dud:
Bank of America/Mastercard - Consultant said they had problems with that in the past, too.
usage has been iffy. Customer service when it wasn't working was pretty good, but they were really getting no sign of the charge.

 

My clinic is JW plastic surgery, but I don't think that this was their fault. ..I'm sharing this because I think it can happen anywhere to anyone. Maybe someone here knows where the weak point was. How can you prevent this? Maybe if the clinic had multiple credit card processing companies? Would not normally seem necessary

If charging, bring 2-3 payment options. I called both cards before leaving the country to let them know to expect such charges. That didn't help because that wasn't the issue. The one that is getting declined here and there ( B of A) gets declined on very small and very large attempts. The clinic was actually very professional throughout the incident, even though this was high stress for everyone involved. I'm thankful that they trusted me enough to let the surgeries go on as scheduled, but I would have understood if they said to wait until full payment. Only thing I can think of to have done was mail my card weeks before and have them swipe a small amount, to make sure it goes through.

 

With so much to think about before getting to Seoul, I did not give sufficient thought about this detail..how to pay. I just made sure that my 2 credit cards had sufficient room to charge for my procedures ( I wanted points and credit history build up). Asked about the fees, etc. Thought I was good to go.

Not the case.

On procedure day, this payment part was extremely stressful and almost comical. DISASTER.

Doctor did his face drawing. Had final consult. Fasted for 4+ hours. Was ready to go.
We swiped my Bank of America MC.

It did not work!!! Tried many many times. Tried calling them from consultant's phone. Tried calling the processing company here in Korea. Nothing could be done. The credit card company in the US said that they were NOT EVEN RECEIVING THE CHARGE, but if it came in, they'd process it.

It never worked. I maxed out a different card (my VISA), with a lower limit, but that didn't cover everything. Probably 2 hours go by. I'm starving. The waiting area is busy with people. Trying to transfer cash online or transfer from the card to the clinic bank, etc. etc.

Meanwhile, lady next to me with fancy purse, pulls out bundles of dollars. I guess she brought this with her on the flight? ( In looking back, I see that this can be safely done, if you are being picked up in Seoul by a trusted driver or taking fairly direct transportation?) The clinic runs the dough through a counting machine. DONE. She is on her way to la-la-la land....

Me, I'm racking my brain about what to do. SH#@$@##, I came this far, got this far and now I won't be able to do this???? This will throw off the surgery schedules?!! I texted my husband ( yes, resorted to this). Thankfully I had taken a picture with the doctor, so I could prove that it was me, and not someone who found my phone in this foreign country...Asked husband to wire money. He decides he wants the credit card points and we end up sending the card via DHL. Since I had paid a significant portion already, the clinic was ok to proceed (but do not count on this! They could have waited, for sure) and we continued with surgery plans. Held my wedding ring as collateral ( my passport was at my hotel, but at one point, we discussed me walking back with the face markings to go get it. we were running out of time, so decided against that).

The card arrived today via DHL. Paid with no issue -- this was VISA. Phew.
The credit card that declined, continues to randomly do so here in Seoul. I have a Citi Visa card that has worked smoothly for everything. Guess which card I am going to stop using in the near future???

Don't let this happen to you. It was extremely stressful. I'm going to see if I can open a bank account or see if the old one I had from almost a decade ago is still open.

 

huh, wasn't my first impression (doh), but you might be right! woa.