A Patient's Guide to Plastic Surgery in Korea: The Noonopi Consultation Process

Hello, I'm Dr. Nk Park founder of Noonopi Plastic Surgery.
We take pride in the fact that our clinic has grown organically, welcoming not only local patients but also a significant number of international clients who find us through their own research and word-of-mouth referrals, all without the help of marketing companies or agencies. This direct-to-clinic approach is something I deeply believe in.
When patients come through third-party agencies, communication can be filtered, leading to medical recommendations that aren't perfectly tailored to their needs. Furthermore, agency commissions inevitably inflate the plastic surgery cost in Korea. Our transparent, fixed-price policy eliminates these unnecessary costs, a practice that has helped us build lasting trust with our patients.
Having been personally involved in every step of patient communication alongside my staff, we've spent a lot of time thinking about how to make the journey for our international patients as smooth and clear as possible.

This guide is the result of that reflection—a step-by-step overview of the entire process, from your first inquiry to your final follow-up.

Phase 1: Your Consultation from Home (The Online Process)

Your journey with us begins long before you arrive in Korea, with a thorough and personalized online consultation.

Step 1: Your First Contact via Chat

Most of our international patients first reach out via chat applications like WhatsApp, LINE, WeChat(scan below), or KakaoTalk. Because you are contacting us directly, our dedicated clinic staff can respond to you promptly and personally.

To help us provide the most accurate initial assessment, please share the following information in your first message:

1. Your full name, date of birth, and gender.
2. The specific areas you wish to improve (e.g., sagging cheeks, droopy eyes, bags under your eyes).
3. If you feel comfortable, a few recent, clear photos (front and side views) so I can provide a more precise recommendation.
4. Your planned dates for visiting Korea and the approximate length of your stay.
5. Any underlying medical conditions, allergies, or current medications.
6. Any history of previous facial surgery, fillers, or thread lifts.
7. If you smoke, please let us know the frequency.

Step 2: Optional Video Consultation with Dr. Park

While not required for all patients, you are welcome to schedule a direct video consultation with me, Dr. Park, to discuss your goals in more detail. After our video call, my staff will send you a comprehensive summary that includes my surgical recommendations and a detailed cost estimate.

Step 3: Understanding Your Surgery Quote

Our price quotes are transparent and inclusive. We provide our pricing in USD, regardless of whether the patient is Korean or international. The final payment is then calculated in Korean Won based on the exchange rate on the day of payment.

The cost of your surgery includes:

• The surgeon's fee and anesthesia fee
• All post-operative treatments like LED therapy and wound dressings
• All applicable taxes

Due to the straightforward nature of aesthetic surgery, a professional anesthesiologist is generally not necessary. However, should you prefer one, we can schedule their attendance in advance. The fee for this service is based on the surgical time and costs between $600 and $1,200.

Additionally, depending on the type of surgery, your package may exclusively include advanced recovery treatments such as a bruise-reducing laser, scar-care laser, or sessions in our Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber.

Step 4: Available Discounts & Promotions

International patients are eligible for several discounts, which my staff will be happy to explain:

• Tax Refund: Approximately 7% VAT refund, available at the airport upon departure.
• Review Promotion Discount: 5%
• Video Testimonial Discount: 5%

Step 5: Scheduling Your Surgery

To secure your preferred surgery date, we recommend contacting us at least two months in advance. A deposit of $100 to $1,000 USD is required to reserve your date depending on the type of the procedures. This deposit is fully refundable if you need to cancel, provided you do so at least one month prior to the scheduled surgery date.
Once your deposit is complete, we will send you a booking confirmation and a helpful infographic with detailed directions to our clinic.

Phase 2: Preparing for Your Trip to Korea

Communication (Phone & Wi-Fi)

While South Korea has excellent public Wi-Fi, we recommend arranging a roaming service or a local SIM card plan in advance for seamless communication.

Medical Records (A Note on Safety)

For your safety, we recommend that you bring a copy of your recent health records (within the last 6 months) if you meet either of these criteria:

• You are over 60 with a history of diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart-related conditions.
• You are over 70.
  Alternatively, you can undergo basic lab tests or an EKG in Korea after your initial consultation with me. However, please be aware that this may require extending your stay in Korea.

Accommodation & Transportation

We can provide a list of recommended accommodations near our clinic. If you require an airport pickup service (approx. $110 USD), please let us know at least one month in advance so we can arrange it for you.

Phase 3: Your Journey in Korea (Surgery & Aftercare)

Before & On the Day of Your Surgery

You will have a final, in-depth, in-person consultation with me before your procedure. Please remember to fast as instructed. On the day of your surgery, wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing and remove all makeup, nail polish, and jewelry. Click for more info.

Post-Procedure Care: Your Follow-Up Schedule

Your follow-up schedule will be tailored to your specific surgery.

• For Eyelid Surgery:
  • We recommend a follow-up visit 1-3 days after surgery for a check-up and swelling-reduction treatment.
  • Stitch removal for most eyelid surgeries is on day 7. For procedures like an endoscopic forehead lift or upper lip lift, we recommend stitch removal between days 7 and 10 (day 10 is ideal).
• For Facelift & Neck Lift:
  • Expect 3-4 follow-up visits within the first 1-5 days. These appointments will include Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy to accelerate healing.
  • The surgical drain is typically removed on day 4 or 5, at which time we also provide a complimentary shampoo service.
  • Stitches are removed in two stages: some on day 7, and the remainder between days 10 and 14.
  • We highly recommend a 3-week stay in Korea for facelift patients to ensure a complete and safe recovery, especially for revision cases or older patients.
• For Minimally Invasive Procedures (e.g., Fat Grafting):
  • These procedures have minimal mandatory follow-ups. For fat grafting, we provide one session of Hyperbaric Therapy the day after to improve graft survival.
  • We can often use absorbable sutures, making a stitch removal visit unnecessary.
• For Laser Skin Resurfacing:
  • Follow-up depends on the intensity. Lighter peels require no follow-up, while deeper treatments may require two visits within the first 5 days for wound care and patient education.

Our Commitment: Your Satisfaction & Our Revision Policy

Your care continues even after you return home. You can always contact us via chat with any questions or concerns.
Plastic surgery results are subjective. A refund is not offered for subjective dissatisfaction in the absence of an objective medical issue. However, your satisfaction is our priority.

• If before-and-after photos show a clear, objective lack of improvement, a revision surgery will be performed with the patient only covering the cost of surgical supplies and anesthesia, provided the revision is done at Noonopi Plastic Surgery.
• If there is a definite improvement but the result is slightly short of the desired outcome, a revision surgery can be performed at a 50% reduced cost.

Please note that we cannot cover the costs of revision surgeries performed at other clinics.