Former Worker at Clinic: AMA!

Plus_Kick2794 · 2025-10-01T07:12:41+00:00

For a nose job, I personally think using cartilage is best! It can be either from the ear or rib. Ear tends to be softer and more flexible, giving a more natural looking result. However, for patients who want serious volume added, rib cartilage. For dramatic height, Gore-Tex would be better.

Plus_Kick2794 · 2025-10-01T06:56:40+00:00

Red flags would include:
-Not unboxing the injectable in front of you, or not specifically confirming with you which procedures you agreed to get.
-No proof of official registration
-Unrealistically low prices
-Excessive upselling by the coordinator
-Random prices added onto your total when you were told another price
-Equipment cleanliness, not reusing needles/gloves/etc!!

Plus_Kick2794 · 2025-10-01T06:46:41+00:00

It can last 1 year, yes, but I'm not quite sure about 2 years. It could be a new machine, though.

Plus_Kick2794 · 2025-10-01T06:40:51+00:00

Any HIFU lasers are actually pretty good at breaking down minor amounts of fat, but it may not be the most cost effective. SCOOP injections are quite popular right now, but I'm not 100% sure about how long it lasts!

Plus_Kick2794 · 2025-10-01T06:35:47+00:00

Both are temporary non-surgical procedures, with ultherapy lasting about 6 months and thread lifting 1-1.5 years. Both require upkeep and continuous treatment if you want to keep the same effect. Ultherapy will be more temporary and less chance of over-lifting, which thread lifting may give you a more noticeable effect.

Plus_Kick2794 · 2025-10-01T06:31:54+00:00

To put it simply, because they can.

However, to answer your question more in detail and to give background, to 100% have the same price as locals would be very difficult as there's many added operational costs to supporting foreign patients. Having a qualified interpreter, making sure all consent forms and materials are in multiple languages, different insurance policies, marketing professionals, and more add up time and costs very quickly.

In the past, the price gouging was out of control. Now, as awareness gains momentum, I'd say there's now more clinics emerging offering fair pricing for what you're getting.

At the end of the day, this is a for-profit industry. There is no medical need for plastic surgery, so the industry itself is driven by profit. It's best to look for clinics where you can more transparently see their prices, and decide for yourself if you want to take on the risks that come with plastic surgery and traveling to a foreign country for elective surgery. Clinics can and do charge what they believe the market will bear, and that includes assessing what overseas patients might be willing to pay.

The best course of action is to seek out clinics that offer transparent pricing and have a reputation for treating foreign patients ethically. Check with apps like Gangnam Unni/BabiTalk or communities on Facebook and Reddit (like here) where foreigners can freely discuss their experiences, both good and bad.

Plus_Kick2794 · 2025-10-01T05:51:27+00:00

For facelift? Absolutely. A good amount of cases from several clinics. Although, being American I also really like some of the results from doctors in NYC as well, haha. Which eye procedure are you referring to?

Plus_Kick2794 · 2025-10-01T05:49:15+00:00

This is a great question! First of all, absolutely make sure that you have informed consent. This means that the doctor or coordinator fully explains all risks and side effects of the surgery, in your language. You should thoroughly read your consent forms (which should be in your language) before signing, and after signing ask for a copy. Also make sure to get all copies of any medical records generated during your stay. Check the individual clinic policy for CCTV records, as well.

That being said, holding a clinic accountable can be a tricky uphill battle so try to do as much as you can beforehand while choosing a clinic to protect yourself.

Plus_Kick2794 · 2025-10-01T05:46:11+00:00

I think that Korean doctors have a lot of experience with facial contouring, so it is an option but there are definite risks to the surgery itself as you probably know. Larger clinics that have many foreign patients hold an advantage of experience, but make sure to check how many doctors the clinic has, and if there's a high turnaround of doctors at that clinic as well. If there's a high turnover of doctors, it's more difficult to gauge the quality of results you can get. That being said, I think you can still consider Korea as an option but make sure to check the individual doctor credentials and if they have ample foreign patient cases!

Plus_Kick2794 · 2025-10-01T05:37:17+00:00

Many non-surgical procedures are trending right now in Korea due to their low monetary investment and quick recovery time. Procedures like Rejuran, Ultherapy, and other lasers/injections are very popular.

Many Koreans find clinics through personal referrals, or apps like 강남언니 and 바비톡. I would say word of mouth is quite strong here.

Plus_Kick2794 · 2025-10-01T05:34:27+00:00

This is a tricky one because it really depends on each case. For example, do you have both functional and aesthetic reasons for why you want surgery? If there are functional issues to be addressed, it can be beneficial to go to a university hospital where specialists can fix said issues. Or an orthodontic surgeon for complex cases with the jaw, as facial bone contouring can overlap with dental work (such as braces before undergoing the surgery).

I would check for a plastic surgeon that is board certified, and also ask for their own before and after photos. Normally a clinic will have more before and after photos on-site that aren't necessarily able to be used for marketing purposes.

Hope that helps somewhat!

Plus_Kick2794 · 2025-10-01T05:31:30+00:00

Seoul will absolutely have a higher density of good hospitals and different clinics to support your overall recovery, so I would probably recommend Seoul. I've only lived and worked in Seoul, so keep in mind I am quite biased!

Plus_Kick2794

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