Planning Your Plastic Surgery in Korea

Written by Seoul TouchUp. Posted in Asian Plastic Surgery, Korean Plastic Surgery

This article assumes that you have already made a decision on which procedure you would live to have done and that you have also chosen, or almost chosen, the doctor and the clinic where you wish to go. Advice on these two things will be provided in another article, but for now let’s focus on how to actually plan the trip, what you need to know before you leave for Korea, and what you need to know once you have landed in the country. Plastic surgery in Korea for those coming from abroad is in some ways similar to a holiday trip, but because of the additional elements of it actually being for medicinal reasons, there are many more things that you need to prepare for before hand.

PREPARE ALL THE PAPERWORK AND VISA IF NEEDED

You will need to prepare all the paperwork that you need for the clinic. This includes any previous medical conditions or surgeries, which you can get from your own doctor. Try to collect as much information as possible on your medical history as this will greatly help your doctor in Korea to understand your body better and to choose the right approach for your procedure. Pay special attention to any allergies that you may have and make sure that you have them all written down and prepared, because some people may actually be allergic to certain medicine.

Once you have collected all of your medical paperwork, you will need to prepare your passport and your visa. Of course, if you already have a Korean passport or if you come from a country that doesn’t have tourist visas for Korea then you won’t have to worry about this, but do still make sure that you have everything prepared well in advance before your journey. There is no need to place yourself in a situation where you will become frustrated, because you need to be as relaxed and stress-free as possible for your procedure.

BOOK YOUR ACCOMODATION WELL IN ADVANCE

There are many great websites where you can look for a place to stay in Korea, and since you will be coming for surgery, your clinic will very likely be located in the Gangnam area.

There is an abundance of different accommodations available in this area. Everything from hotels, hostels, mansions and apartments, all designed to fit your budget and to provide you with everything that you need so that you won’t have to worry about appliances, Internet and in-house entertainment. However, the price for this accommodation doesn’t just vary according to your pick but also according to the season. If possible, try not to fly to Seoul for your procedure during the peak season because the accommodation will be more expensive, and the city will also be crowded with tourists. Now while this does not affect some people, if you are looking for a more stress-free environment, then stay away from the peak tourist seasons. Off season, accommodation for a hotel will generally cost you about $50 per night (sometimes with breakfast), and it usually has everything included in the room: TV, free WiFi, small refrigerator, kettle, and many other necessities that you may need during your stay. But whether you plan to stay for a longer or shorter period of time, remember to always check flight tickets and accommodation simultaneously so that you don’t have to make any unexpected changes.

LOAD UP WITH APPS

The era of technology will really make your life easier during this trip. There are so many great apps to download and use during your stay, and with WiFi available in so many places in Korea, you won’t even have to rent a portable WiFi with you for your stay. Try to specifically find apps that are related to maps of the city, the subway, some sightseeing and of course a Korean language app if you do not speak any Korean. These will all be absolute lifesavers if you haven’t been to Korea before or you have never visited that particular city. You can plan everything from home in great detail, but unexpected things can happen during your journey and it is always a great idea to be prepared ahead of time for these situations, especially since you will likely be tired from your plane journey and also from the additional transportation that you would need to take from the airport.

VISUAL AIDS ARE EXCEPTIONALLY IMPORTANT

Korean people are very welcoming towards foreigners and will be happy to help you. However, if you do not speak Korean you should also know that there aren’t many people there who speak English, so make sure that you have all important addresses written in Korean to show to taxi drivers, or to people who want to help you on the subway. It would also be a good idea to take pictures of certain things that you may need, such as food and other facilities, so that people will be able to easily point you in the right direction. Help yourself by preparing as many things beforehand as you can possibly think of so that you don’t have to worry about them so much once you get to Korea.

GET IN THE RIGHT HEAD SPACE FOR YOUR JOURNEY

If you are worried and emotional about your plastic surgery journey you should really think about changing your mental state into one which will help you think of it as a new start in your life, and perhaps an even better life to come. This is in fact an equivalent to medical tourism. What you will take out of such a journey is the best of both worlds.

On one hand you will return home with a new body and a fresh new start. You will have improved a part of yourself that seemed to cause you stress and low self-esteem in your life, and something that perhaps also prevented you from doing the things that you really love to do. Focus your mind on all the positive things that will come out of this and do not fret on the things that may seem to be stressful. Your surgery will be performed by an expert, so you do not have to worry about it going wrong or coming out in a way that you will not like. Yes, you may have a short or long recovery time, but you will be in a place that will allow you to heal in peace and enjoyment while being surrounded by people who understand you and who have also likely gone through the same thing. Think of yourself as someone who will return home as a better person than they were when they left.

Additionally, this is a great chance to explore Korea a little. If you haven’t had the chance to do so before, Korean plastic surgery is an opportunity to get to know the country, meet wonderful people, taste delicious food, and go sightseeing! There are many things to do in Seoul, so remember that once the surgery is over you will have the chance to enjoy its after-effects almost immediately. So don’t be afraid to try something new, perhaps to find a lovely Korean restaurant in your area where you can enjoy a wonderful meal and rest from the procedure. This will be an especially wonderful time if you are bringing someone else along with you on this journey because you will be able to share it together. Make sure that you bring someone who is as supportive and willing to come as possible so that you can both enjoy it.

Regardless of what some other people may think of your choice, understand that this is something that you are doing for yourself, and that it is something that will better your future and make you happier to be in your own skin. What makes journeys to Korea so special is that you will return home with a much more positive outlook on your procedure and will also have many wonderful memories to share for years to come. This is an adventure and you should always treat it with the same enthusiasm.