lola159 Posted August 25, 2017 Posted August 25, 2017 Hey guys, I'm in my recovery period for v line and cheek implant from TLPS Korea. I will write down what I have experienced so far. Currently I am day 2/3 post op. I contacted them through kakao after I saw their instagram, I actually had never heard of them before so PF was the research place for me. I saw mixed reviews, mainly that the procedures or result were good but aftercare was bad. I also talked with a recent PF who had had v line at TLPS and she was satisfied so I placed my 500 USD deposit to book a surgery date. Initially, I was planning to visit Regen and Banobagi as well but Regen quoted me quite a lot and banobagi were quite rude, plus I was pretty dumb and only booked 7 days stay in Korea. I was in contact with Melissa who handles the english clients i believe. She replies really quickly and she also told me i can pay via usd or pound ( Ask your clinics if they are able to accept your currency as well as it makes it easier). I specifically requested Dr Kim Jee Myung as the recent PF had the same doctor. They did charge me more as he is the head of the hospital as far as i am aware. I did not mind this as I would rather have good doctor. I was also told to consider the fat graft ( if i really wanted it) as they didn't think I needed it. There were just some areas of the temple, Melissa told me to consider filler instead . They use restylane (800usd per cartridge). I landed a bit early but had trouble with the simcard so i managed to find my driver from the airport around 8 am. There was so much traffic that I only arrived at the clinic around 10:30 ( it was supposed to take around an hour only). I had two luggages and one backpack. However, since i was late than expected, I did not have time to drop my study to my airbnb for next day. I met Kelly (english translator/ carer) who offered me to contact the airbnb person and explained what will happen.I was welcomed by the reception team. The building is the old ID hospital building. There are various levels, each dedicated for different teams. Basement is the surgical area, third floor is recovery area, second floor is deswelling are. I was given a large storage locker ( fitted all my luggage and had more space), given clothes to change into. There were various tests done 1) urine test 2) blood test 3)ECG 4)panoramic radiograph/ OPG 5) CT scan Then I removed my make up and they took various pictures. All in different floors. Then I met Melissa, who is super friendly who asked me what I wanted and was looking to achieve. People bring in pictures i guess but I took a picture of myself and edited it in an app called beauty plus to show them what i wanted. She had printed my picture from before and drew on the photo, what I wanted. I also stated that I was considering fat graft and I looked at my picture and I realised that I was just taking it at a wrong angle as I had enough curve on my forehead but realised that my nose bridge is too low. So I ended up completely abandoning FG and did filler on my nose bridge and bit on the lower forehead to match my bridge. I did not feel pressured at all for my decisions as they asked me what I wanted all the time. Then they called Dr Kim in. I had quite a short consultation as Melissa had more or less answered all my questions. He recommended v line and asked me about my chin, how much to reduce as it is quite long. I said just a bit and he asked me which method I would like him to use. Theres t osetomy and the u shape one. I asked the question back to see what he recommended, he recommended using plates/ t osteomy so I went with that. I asked him if it will show up on CT - yes, will it affect MRI scans - no. I didn't ask any more questions even though I was asked. The Dr is quite serious and had a no nonsense attitude lol. Then he went away and I paid the money in cash to Melissa. Then I went back to my locker and private room where I brushed my teeth quickly, gave 50,000 won to Kelly for the prescription. Then I went to the basement, though the air decontaminator and finally the anaesthetic team. One was focusing on IV and another was talking to me whilst placing the gas. I passed out and I remember getting help from 2 nurses and Kelly translating. I was so drowsy and was placed in the care unit (basement floor still). There was two people on my right hand side and one on my left hand side. I was told to keep awake for atleast 2 hours and that there was a bell next to me if i needed anything. I had iv dry and my pulse and o2 was monitored. My throat was scratchy like a lot of people have said. However, not too bad as its just for 2 hours, this is the worst time till now as i was really thirsty. I closed my eyes but didn't sleep. After three hours ish, kelly came in with water and told me i can sleep but its better to keep awake to get rid of the GA. The water felt soon nice, not because i was thirsty but it lubricates the throat and removes the scratchiness. Then after about 5 hours we were moved to recovery room (floor 4 or 3 ). They were really nice and gave each of us private rooms when they could have fitted three people per room. I was hooked up to iv which gave me painkiller, antibiotic. Kelly came every hour to change my ice pack until 3 am. I didn't know what to expect from the aftercare as I have read bad reviews but mine was excellent. I had a bell to call whenever I needed kelly. I need to highlight that she was with me from the morning until I was discharged next day from the hospital. I really appreciated this as I was much more comfortable with her. There was a nurse on call all the time as well on the room next door. I buzzed when I needed the toilet as i didn't know where it was. Kelly showed me where to get water and where the toilet was and that I need to do this by myself to reduce swelling. I walked around the floor quite a lot after that ( it is super small floor though) The nurse came every hour until 3 am to change the IV fluids and asked if i was in any pain. Once I had slight pain on my right jaw and she gave me additional pain meds. Around 5/6 am I noticed my iv had blood drawback and apparently I should have buzzed but I didn't. It was solved by the nurse as soon as she noticed it. I didn't sleep a lot because i didn't feel sleepy. I rested for like 5 mins and then walked around, sipped water and walked and then rested, used phone. Morning after I rested and walked around like i had done. Kelly came in with fresh ice pack and told me that they will take out the pressure tubings today from inside my jaw. It will be painful as they don't give anaesthesia and you get stitches as well. We went to the basement again and the doctor did this for me. It was so uncomfortable but in terms of pain 6/10. It wasn't too bad. The only time i have felt pain through out this. I was told to pack up and given goodies of pumpkin juice, soup, ice pack, sleeping pillow, prescriptions (packed and ordered ), dry shampoo ( need this so bad), baby tooth brush and finally an official document to say that I have had plastic surgery for immigration or passport problems. I was taken to ground floor as their driver was to drop me off. This was around 1 pm. I noticed some guardians of people under surgery at the waiting area as well and they had iPad to see how their surgery was going. This is amazing as it ensures no doc swopping as relives the parents or guardians. I had the surgery on wednesday and follow up appointment today (friday) will let you know of this on the next post. Basically, very good carer but minimal doctor time. Goof facilities and staff as well. I do not mind minimal doctor time as Kelly was with me the entire time
watermelon119 Posted August 25, 2017 Posted August 25, 2017 wow, so how much in total did you pay? and as for Regen, how much did they asked for this kind of surgery? and as for Banobagi, actually I was shocked when was reading your story, I've never thought that staff in Korean clinics might be rude, that's surprisingly!
lola159 Posted August 25, 2017 Author Posted August 25, 2017 Regen asked me 11,000000 won just for v line. There was 10% discount to pay in cash. TLPS did everything for 8000 usd plus 1000 usd for dr kim. Banobagi seemed not bothered at all. Mind you I contacted them during their busy period maybe thats why. This week is the first quieter week I heard from Kelly.
watermelon119 Posted August 25, 2017 Posted August 25, 2017 thanks for sharing, I actually was thinking about Regen, since I've heard so many about them and most of people are satisfied with the result. I didn't even search for any other clinics, now I think I should
lola159 Posted August 25, 2017 Author Posted August 25, 2017 Research as much as you can instead of just sticking with one clinic. See and research other clinics, especially with the PFs. They have been super friendly and helpful for me
fasi Posted August 25, 2017 Posted August 25, 2017 Yes but if u ask regen they Ll give u discount , I agree with u DA n banobagi r quite rude ,inappropriate answers of ur questions TL n the line r also good for price n services ID hospital is way too much expensive. I m planning in sep ,banobagi was in my list too but guess I won't go there any more .
lola159 Posted August 25, 2017 Author Posted August 25, 2017 Regen actually sent me an offer after I had already had my surgery yesterday of 10% off on top. I flat out just deleted it. Still would be more expensive and i already had my surgery lol
lola159 Posted August 25, 2017 Author Posted August 25, 2017 Second update So today (friday) was my check up appointment. I was picked up and dropped off by their complementary service. I was welcomed by the receptionist again and waited as they called Kelly. Kelly took me to check my stitches first to see if i was cleaning well after meals. The lady told me I was and I was then given a compression band which I am to have on for 1 hour and then off for an hour (except when eating or sleeping). I did not see the doctor at all during the appointment and I was told by Kelly that I will be seeing him on Tuesday. Then I was given laser deswelling treatment for 25 minutes. I then met Melissa as I had ~500 usd left over to pay for the filler. She just told me to pay it next time to make it easier for me, so i paid it this appointment. Then we had a bit of chat, she recommended me places to go to deswell like Sinsadong high street and I asked if i would swell more. She said its the peak and asked me if i wanted steroid shot. I agreed and Melissa also asked how i'm eating and I just mentioned I really like the soup they gave me yesterday and I was given extra pumpkin juice, corn soup, potato soup and surgical masks. Kelly is so sweet and comfortable to be with. She had written the instructions for the compression band and written instructions on when my next appointment is, when i can start brushing e.t.c as I won't be seeing then till tuesday. She called me my return transport and reassured me that I can ask her anything on Kakao if needed. I was also given about 5 masks to wear outside when I want to walk or shop. P.s guys I put in my contact lenses today and it was fine. After that, I wanted to walk around as I am planning to go to shop at the recommended sinsadong street tomorrow. I found the nearest park (Dosan park) around 5 pm (lower temperature) which was 15 minutes away from me. No one batted an eye at all when I was walking. I saw about 4-5 people wearing masks as well. Every one is busy minding their own business. The park is decent sized and I managed to walk 30 mins and then rest in the park (they have free wifi) for about 15 minutes and then I walked back home. Bought a lot of milk and instant congee from gs25 in front of me. (trying to reach atlas 1500 calories a day)
lola159 Posted August 26, 2017 Author Posted August 26, 2017 Sorry guys, I forgot to add the price of filler (800 usd per cartridge) to the 9000 they quoted me for the surgery. I used up two
lola159 Posted August 31, 2017 Author Posted August 31, 2017 UPDATE: Final appointment with TLPS before I flew This was post op day 6 and I had plaster/sticker removal from my face (super painful, literally like a blackhead peel for your entire face). Then my face was cleaned and I was given steroid shot as well. The person who was doing this was a doctor as well and encouraged questions for anything I was curious about. I asked about everything I could like how much blood loss did I have, when can I start exercising e.t.c. Then Dr Kim Jee Myung came in and examined. He was pleased and said I had minimal swelling and I did not have a lot of blood loss. He also confirmed the other doctors answers as well. He asked me to come back for a checkup/review whenever I am back in Korea which I was really pleased about as I am hoping to go back again in ~10 months time. After this, I was given all the specifics of when sutures will come out or can be taken out, when I can start eating normally and exercise e.t.c. I was not given a second CT scan, I did question about this but Kelly told me we will do it in the review. If I had done zygoma reduction as well, I would have had a second CT the next day after surgery. I was send all the before and after pics, plus radiographs and CT scans by Melissa the same day on kakao. Right now, I still have swelling around my neck area so I can't comment on sagging.Overall, The post op care has been pretty nice and now I'm just waiting for swelling to go down.
fasi Posted August 31, 2017 Posted August 31, 2017 Urgent !!!!! Hi girls please can someone tell me what does that mean ,I got this from one hospital If you prefer to pay in cash, don't want to receive tax refund for all these procedures, more than 10% discount is available. What is this tax N r there any hidden charges that docs reveal At the end ? Can somone share the kakao screenshot? I need to download that ,
lola159 Posted September 1, 2017 Author Posted September 1, 2017 There is no hidden charge. The amount tou were quoted will include tax. There is tax refund available for alot of goods overseas. You always pay tax for goods you recieve. E.g if you buy an expensive handbag, you will get tax refund on it as you are not from Korea. You claim your tax mostly at the airport. Same for surgery, you can claim tax back at the airport.However, most clinics will give you discount for giving cash instead if tax return. I'm not sure why(possibly because you will claim back the tax at the airport eventually). This saves you the hassle of claiming it back at airport and gives you diacount.
fasi Posted September 1, 2017 Posted September 1, 2017 Wow that's great , I hope hospital ppl won't push me to do that or if I ask them to do it they won't cut the price of somother thing ! Thanks for ur detailed answer , I m trying to download Kakao app but dono how does it look like . Thanks
mn31515 Posted December 9, 2017 Posted December 9, 2017 Wow I thought mouth stitches were removed after 14 days, how were they able to take yours out so soon? How are you feeling now?
cinderllaslipper Posted December 9, 2017 Posted December 9, 2017 Hi thanks for your review! I did surgery in the states but not plastic surgery. When I woke up I was in quite some pain but the hospital refused to give me main medications. They said it is not safe to take too much. I want to do V line too but I am afraid because my pain tolerance is low. Do Korean hospitals have that rule too or do they do whatever it takes to make sure you have no pain. I can tolerate up to a 3 only!
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