danbam Posted July 2, 2019 Share Posted July 2, 2019 Hello beautiful people! It’s Danbam here, you might’ve noticed me lurking around some forums and group chats on Kakao! Having finished this wild and crazy surgery adventure at UVOM, I wanted to share w/ y’all the entire process and some things I wish I known before + any advice for y’all coming to Korea for surgery because I know that I read up a lot on what to expect and utilized a lot of reviews to help me make my plastic surgery decisions! Just a lil info about myself, I may be one of the youngest ppl on this forum to get plastic surgery, I just turned 18 in the United States and I decided I was going to bite the bullet and get my surgeries this summer. The only surgeries I have undergone was tonsil and wisdom tooth surgeries (hardly anything cosmetic) but I did have a sense of general anesthesia so that was a plus. I am Asian, and unfortunately I wasn’t born with a high nose bridge like my sisters in the family (sigh). It’s alright though! All can be improved When coming to Korea, I consulted primarily online with clinics over getting Osteotomy, wide alar reduction, bulbous nose correction, and epicanthoplasty. (There were some more procedures added later however!) I listed the clinics I consulted with online on my other thread: https://beautyhacker.com/forums/topic/1010581-going-off-to-s-korea-soon-1-month-till-take-off/#post-33101040. so be sure to check that out! But I had a general sense of clinics to go to, which were primarily View and Uvom given the sheer amount of chatting and planning that was taking place. Landing in Korea— So I left the United States on June 15th and headed towards S Korea! Me and my friend left near 11 pm so we would actually be landing in the country 2 days later, on Monday June 17th. Going through the airport was a breeze, but it took me a lot more money than I originally thought. For anyone getting a SIM card, I would actually recommend buying one online beforehand that includes talk and text! I would recommend Trazy where you can pick up your SIM card at the airport, I didn’t do that and instead went to the SKT counter where I got my SIM card but it was more expensive (71,000 krw for a month) and it only had data. We arrived in the country super early in the morning, at 3:30 AM, and commuting to Gangnam was about an hour so we ended up arriving at UVOM at 5 in the morning. No one was open at that time though, so we just stayed at this small restaurant called Juju for 4 hours (not recommended!) We probably should’ve stayed at the airport longer and looked around. Once UVOM opened, I went in and the clinic was really cozy looking. I actually barged in 30 minutes before they actually opened, and Eunice (the consultant) told me that I arrived really early. I waited for an hour or so, and I filled out some medical questions and took some angler shots of my face. After waiting, I went into the consulting room with Eunice and my translator Stephanie (the absolute sweetest girl) and we discussed what kind of procedures to get. Referring to my angled pics, Eunice actually pointed out a lot of things that I didn’t realize I even had that could be changed (like that I had a hump nose and a slight unevenness in my nostrils, go figure.) At the end, Eunice answered my questions diligently and we decided on adding Rhinoplasy-bridge insertion where they would add ePTFE for my bridge to add some height. I really did want to use Autologous material like my cartilage, but Eunice told me that the change would only be 1 mm or so. She told me to try ePTFE, which she says she had herself and I was surprised because her nose didn’t seem at all unnatural.Note: I didn’t know exactly what ePTFE was at the time, but looking it up (and correct me if I’m wrong Purseforumers) is that it’s just a fancy variation for Goretex. So if you guys wanted to compare/weigh the pros and cons of such for rhinoplasty, now you know Hello beautiful people! It’s Danbam here, you might’ve noticed me lurking around some forums and group chats on Kakao! Having finished this wild and crazy surgery adventure at UVOM, I wanted to share w/ y’all the entire process and some things I wish I known before + any advice for y’all coming to Korea for surgery because I know that I read up a lot on what to expect and utilized a lot of reviews to help me make my plastic surgery decisions! Just a lil info about myself, I may be one of the youngest ppl on this forum to get plastic surgery, I just turned 18 in the United States and I decided I was going to bite the bullet and get my surgeries this summer. The only surgeries I have undergone was tonsil and wisdom tooth surgeries (hardly anything cosmetic) but I did have a sense of general anesthesia so that was a plus. I am Asian, and unfortunately I wasn’t born with a high nose bridge like my sisters in the family (sigh). It’s alright though! All can be improved When coming to Korea, I consulted primarily online with clinics over getting Osteotomy, wide alar reduction, bulbous nose correction, and epicanthoplasty. (There were some more procedures added later however!) I listed the clinics I consulted with online on my other thread: https://beautyhacker.com/forums/topic/1010581-going-off-to-s-korea-soon-1-month-till-take-off/#post-33101040so be sure to check that out! But I had a general sense of clinics to go to, which were primarily View and Uvom given the sheer amount of chatting and planning that was taking place. Landing in Korea— So I left the United States on June 15th and headed towards S Korea! Me and my friend left near 11 pm so we would actually be landing in the country 2 days later, on Monday June 17th. Going through the airport was a breeze, but it took me a lot more money than I originally thought. For anyone getting a SIM card, I would actually recommend buying one online beforehand that includes talk and text! I would recommend Trazy where you can pick up your SIM card at the airport, I didn’t do that and instead went to the SKT counter where I got my SIM card but it was more expensive (71,000 krw for a month) and it only had data. We arrived in the country super early in the morning, at 3:30 AM, and commuting to Gangnam was about an hour so we ended up arriving at UVOM at 5 in the morning. No one was open at that time though, so we just stayed at this small restaurant called Juju for 4 hours (not recommended!) We probably should’ve stayed at the airport longer and looked around. Once UVOM opened, I went in and the clinic was really cozy looking. I actually barged in 30 minutes before they actually opened, and Eunice (the consultant) told me that I arrived really early. I waited for an hour or so, and I filled out some medical questions and took some angler shots of my face. After waiting, I went into the consulting room with Eunice and my translator Stephanie (the absolute sweetest girl) and we discussed what kind of procedures to get. Referring to my angled pics, Eunice actually pointed out a lot of things that I didn’t realize I even had that could be changed (like that I had a hump nose and a slight unevenness in my nostrils, go figure.) At the end, Eunice answered my questions diligently and we decided on adding Rhinoplasy-bridge insertion where they would add ePTFE for my bridge to add some height. I really did want to use Autologous material like my cartilage, but Eunice told me that the change would only be 1 mm or so. She told me to try ePTFE, which she says she had herself and I was surprised because her nose didn’t seem at all unnatural. Note: During my consultation, because I was still only 18, I actually needed to contact my family for them to give consent for my surgery. Only having a data plan, it was incredibly difficult to reach my mother, but I was able to work with Eunice and Stephanie to reach my mother (who at the time hurriedly agreed since she was incredibly busy) and consented to my surgery. If you’re 18, please be sure to get some note or be prepared to call your Guardians, I didn’t think Uvom would need to, but alas they did. After the consultation, Stephanie went with me to exchange my money at the bank (they had way better rates compared to the ones at the airport!) and get some medicine at the pharmacy. The process was kind of long, but I had a really nice chat with Stephanie where we talked about life and stuff, so that was a big plus. During the time this was happening, View contacted me about my f2f consult, but I went with my gut and just stuck with Uvom. Surgery: Surgery was happening the same day for me, only two hours later so I had to take a lot of tests and pictures beforehand. I met with Dr.Lee and Dr.Kang who would be doing my nose and eyes respectively. Dr.Lee was a lot more conversational, asking me how I was feeling, and chuckling when I said I was nervous. He actually pointed out that my nose was asymmetrical, saying that my left side was flatter than my right which really surprised me. He did some careful line drawings on my nose, and then Dr.Kang came in to ask me how far I’d like my epicanthic cuts to be. Dr.Kang didn’t speak as much, but he was prompt in telling me what incision was possible. I put on my gown, and did a couple last tests, and I finally laid in their bed awaiting for surgery. A couple minutes later, Stephanie took me out of the room, and Eunice came by and told me she would stay with me until I fell asleep. During the entire process, Stephanie explained what was happening, and Eunice held my hand and rubbed my feet which made me feel a lot better, and then I fell asleep. I woke up later in the clinics bed, and I was bombarded with Stephanie and my friend tapping me so I wouldn’t fall back asleep. My throat was the absolute worst, incredibly dry and I begged Stephanie for some water. She brought in a cup and told me to drink then spit all the water back out, but I kind of drank some of the water since my throat felt like the Sahara desert. I slept for about 2 hours in the bed, and I woke up again at 12 am. Stephanie was the only staff member there, and she helped us get our luggage and stuff back to our Airbnb. Post op: Day 1.) I actually wasn’t in pain too much on my first day. There were occasional nose bleeds, but it was relatively minor and I went about drinking Ensure (Pro tip, probs the most smartest decision I made this trip, but Ensure really pulled through with providing me essential vitamins and nutrients needed! I didn’t really have to take anything else since drinking 3 a day already reached my daily needed vitamins!) I put on some medication and took a couple naps. At night, I strolled around my street for a short 10 minutes before I went to the CU convenience store to buy some fruit juice and arrive home to sleep. Day 2.) I woke up super early in the morning at 5 am haha, as I was anticipating my trip back to Uvom for my post appointment. (I wanted to go back on my first day, but Stephanie told me to come on day 2 unless there was something urgent.) At 11, I went to Uvom and I received my first deswelling treatment (light therapy, which is basically just rainbow colored lights beaming down on my face). After, I went and Dr.Lee came in to check on my nose. He asked me if it hurt, and I simply nodded and he chuckled. The doctors proceeded to take out my nose packings which surprisingly hurt a lot, I kinda cried lol and Dr.Lee put in new packing and replaced the bandages under my nose. Dr.Kang came in and observed my eyes and he made me look at him before he nodded with satisfaction and left. Day 3 and 4 were sort of uneventful, I swelled a lot on those days after I took several naps and I requested Stephanie if I could get bromelain at the pharmacy. She agreed and I resumed taking walks, on day 4 I managed to walk a lot more and I deswelled quickly. The parks in Korea are so pretty! Day 5, I returned to the clinic and Stephanie wasn’t there so it was difficult for me to understand the staff, so I had little to communicate. All I did was nod and say yes lol, I did some more light therapy and Dr.Lee came in to take off my cast! I thought I was home free after reading @lipstickarsenal’s review and seeing she had her cast taken off on day 5, but HE PUT THE CAST BACK ON. Sorry ahem, I guess I got a little ahead of myself haha, Dr.Lee kept the cast but the nurse was able to remove my nose stitches which was a great first step. Minimal pain and she was very efficient! On day 6, I did some more walking and I even went to McDonalds heheh. For anyone curious, McDonalds actually has Pineapple cups! So if you wanted to get some natural bromelain for deswelling a pineapple cup wouldn’t hurt! Day 7, My appointment was supposed to be that day, I was super excited but it got canceled, cries* It’s okay though, my appointment was moved to Day 8, and I went around Gangnam and ate at my very first restaurant Day 8, I went to the clinic and once again got deswelling light therapy, Stephanie greeted me once again and I went to the back to get my cast and stitches taken out. Dr.Lee made some conversation and Stephanie was super pleasant and supportive to talk to, so it made me feel less nervous. Dr.Lee finally took off my nose cast and my eyes lit up when I saw the mirror version of myself. My nose went from flat and wide to skinny and more defined and I was super happy with the starting result. It was a bit fat somewhat, but Dr.Lee assured me that it would deswell over time. (Note: not sure if anyone experienced it, but the tip of my nose feels really weird and it felt like numb to any touch). After, Dr.Kang checked on my eyes quickly and asked me if I liked the change to which I agreed, it made my eyes bigger and my eyes weren’t so spaced apart. The nurse took over and removed my eye stitches (it hurt but not too badly) and I was sent on my way! Day 14- I just went today, and I finally got my stitches taken out of my nose, it was pretty painful haha. I held Stephanie’s hand and we cracked some jokes with the nurse taking out my stitches which lightened the mood. I was worried about any potential infection since my nose bridge had some redness, and Dr.Lee reassured me of the redness but wrote me a prescription for antibiotics at my request since I just wanted to be safe. (Thanks Kino for the advice!) Honestly, this whole trip to Korea has been so incredibly surreal for me. I have always loved Korean culture and to be able to experience the food, art, shopping, society, etc that I’ve only ever seen through the screen was so heartwarming. Coming for surgery made me feel somewhat apprehensive, and at times I often questioned whether I should just learn how to self love myself was important (which it is! But don’t let that notion stop you from getting surgery, if you want to enhance yourself to raise your self confidence and you’re doing it for yourself, then do it! Uvom is by no means a large clinic, I stayed 10 minutes to places like Grand PS and ID plastic surgery which had tower like buildings devoted to them, in comparison Uvom was on the fourth floor in a more subtle area. However, the staff is incredibly kind and courteous, Dr.Lee and Dr.Kang are super precise and dedicated to what they do, and big shout out to Stephanie for helping me navigate the area by helping me exchange money, calling me cabs, and giving me recommendations on where to visit in Korea. Big shout out to the Kakao 2019 Eyes and Nose group chat and 2019 Rhinoplasty only for giving me a wealth of knowledge and support along the way. Honestly, I’m nervous about how my face will look 10 years from now, but I’m super excited to go out and tackle on what life throws haha. I’ll let you all know about my progress and feel free to pm me on Kakao through my ID Danbam19, if y’all have any questions. Stay tuned for updated pics, I love y’all. ❤️ Oh, almost forgot lol Here are my current 2 week post ops! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coldwater02 Posted July 3, 2019 Share Posted July 3, 2019 congratulations on the result. it looks good, and i hope you are happy with it. but omg.... you arrived in seoul at 3:30 am, got to the clinic at 5, waited 4 hours, had consultation, and then surgery all in the same day? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danbam Posted July 3, 2019 Author Share Posted July 3, 2019 Awe thank you! I think so too, hopefully it deswells more. Looking at it now, yeah it was pretty crazy, I watched some kdramas to pass the time but we did a whole lot that day! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam-sinclair Posted July 5, 2019 Share Posted July 5, 2019 Hey! Love reading your pre post op. Thank you for the experience. I do have a couple of questions though. 1) Before coming to SK, I've read your reviews on the clinics may I know do you contact them directly? or using an intermediate websites like DocfinderKorea etc. 2) You also mentioned that you read a lot of reviews from groups and Kakao? where can i join these groups? 3) How about the accomodation? Did UVOM helped you or you had to book it yourself? Thank you so much! Love the results. my nose is kinda similar like yours Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danbam Posted July 5, 2019 Author Share Posted July 5, 2019 Awe thanks so much! Let me number my answers out so it’s easier lol 1.) So I didn’t use intermediary sites like Docfinderkorea, usually those medical agencies will help you with translation and transportation, etc but honestly, if you have navermap and have some common sense on using taxi and subway, you can get to the clinic just fine. I contacted the clinics directly through Kakao! 2.) So yeah! If you read around Purseforum ( and also Beautyhacker too!) you’ll find threads in which people start Kakao group chats filled with people who you can talk to for more info! I’m currently in 2: PS 2019 Eyes and Nose and the 2019 Rhinoplasty only group chats. https://open.kakao.com/o/gVDcB8whttps://open.kakao.com/o/gagZdBab I linked them here ) 3.) In terms of accommodation, they did have a small room I could stay in for only a couple hours to rest, but I ultimately had to go to my Airbnb (which was only a 20 minute walk away, great for deswelling lol) Stephanie did however help us with calling a taxi and moving my suitcases (me and my friend had 5 huge ones) to our Airbnb so that was great! Hope that helped, and best of luck in finding your clinic! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam-sinclair Posted July 5, 2019 Share Posted July 5, 2019 Thank you for the answers so just to be clear, you only contact the clinics online through Kakao? then after you're satisfied with the quotation and stuff then only you decided to see them F2F. because sometimes i'm confused like how can some people go to sooo many consultations several days before the surgery. I guess they already know what to expect from the clinics even before seeing them F2F. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danbam Posted July 5, 2019 Author Share Posted July 5, 2019 Yes! Mostly Kakao, some did whatsapp and others did line too. You talk to them through online consult, they give you a range and then if you want, you schedule an f2f consultation Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam-sinclair Posted July 6, 2019 Share Posted July 6, 2019 this might be a stupid question but, may i know what kind of questions do you ask these clinics on their kakao? i tried asking like price range and stuff but they don't seem to provide enough answers? or maybe i was being too general with my question? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danbam Posted July 7, 2019 Author Share Posted July 7, 2019 Honestly I made a list of the clinics to contact, sent my pictures in and asked them what did they think I needed. In my case, we were able to reach a general consensus on my nose. It was flat and wide, and I told them that I wanted it to be raised, and slimmed down. After you talk to a couple, look at the general recommendations ( f.e almost all clinics I consulted agreed on Osteotomy to remove the wide bone) and I added it to my list. I asked questions like how much does it cost, any accommodation, is there a potential for the cost to go lower, a doctor I wanted, etc. For me, I looked at the b&a’s of the clinic and inquired which surgeon operated. Hope that answers your question haha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saisoojin Posted July 8, 2019 Share Posted July 8, 2019 Oh wow I was really so adamant about not wanting implant at all and rather use cartilage but wow your bridge looks so natural after! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danbam Posted July 8, 2019 Author Share Posted July 8, 2019 Awe thanks! Dr.Lee did a great job with the bridge, I really like the height. Your post was my attitude before actually, I was really opposed to alloplastic implant due to risks, but it’s low. It doesn’t have no risk however, so if you have enough cartilage, I would recommend you use that! Otherwise, Goretex is another option Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saisoojin Posted July 8, 2019 Share Posted July 8, 2019 I’ve added you on KakaoTalk but I’ve messaged UVOM and I liked how thorough they were about everything, I’m being swayed from my original choice of GNG . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danbam Posted July 8, 2019 Author Share Posted July 8, 2019 I added you back! I liked Uvom a lot, perhaps still consult Gng and see what styles you liked and the cost! Great to have alternatives Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vonnie_ Posted July 17, 2019 Share Posted July 17, 2019 you look great! thanks for the thorough review and tips Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danbam Posted July 17, 2019 Author Share Posted July 17, 2019 Thank you so much! I really appreciate the kind words Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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