Planning plastic surgery in South Korea? Read this essential pre-op checklist from Noonopi Plastic Surgery, covering medication rules, skincare prep, and travel tips—especially for international patients seeking facelift, eyelid surgery, or neck lift in Korea.
Why Preparation Matters Before Plastic Surgery in Korea
Undergoing plastic surgery in Korea as a foreigner is a life-changing decision—one that requires not only choosing the best clinic, but also preparing your body and mind in advance. Whether you're getting a facelift, eyelid surgery, or neck lift, your preparation directly impacts safety, healing, and long-term results.
At Noonopi Plastic Surgery in Gangnam, we’ve prepared a detailed preoperative checklist designed especially for international patients traveling to Korea for surgery. These tips ensure you're physically and mentally ready for the journey ahead—and that your results are as smooth and natural as possible.
Choosing the Right Korean Clinic for Foreigners
If you’re researching plastic surgery in Korea for foreigners, choosing the right clinic is your most important step. Seoul’s Gangnam district is widely known as Asia’s cosmetic surgery hub, but not all clinics offer the same level of care.
When searching for the best plastic surgery in Korea for foreigners, consider:
Board-certified plastic surgeons with international training
Clinics with a track record of successful procedures on foreign patients
Before-and-after photos showing natural, consistent outcomes
Accreditation from the Korean Ministry of Health
English (or multilingual) consultation services
Dr. Nk Park, the director of Noonopi Plastic Surgery, has published a study on 518 cases of middle-aged eyelid surgery in a respected academic journal. He is also frequently invited to speak at medical seminars, where he teaches fellow surgeons the precision and techniques behind his procedures.
Noonopi offers English consultations with our doctor and staff at any time. You can also arrange a video consultation with Dr. Park via 📱WhatsApp or FaceTime. If you prefer another language, please schedule a date and time in advance.
We also provide personalized care, transparent pricing(no ‘Patient recruitment agency’ at Noonopi), and tax refunds(around 5% of total price) for international patients.
Navigating Language & Communication as a Foreigner
Wondering "can foreigners get plastic surgery in South Korea?" Absolutely—but communication is key.
Noonopi clinics in Seoul provide bilingual consultation services, especially for English at any time. If you prefer Chinese, Japanese, or another language, please schedule in advance to ensure smooth communication. Or, we can also use AI translation if you prefer.
You can also use translation apps or bring a Korean-speaking friend
Prepare your questions ahead of time
At Noonopi, we offer consultations via WhatsApp and FaceTime, allowing you to discuss your concerns with Dr. Nk Park before even boarding a flight.
Budgeting for Surgery in Korea as an International Patient
Cost is a major consideration in your plastic surgery journey. While Korea offers world-class results at reasonable prices, international patients should plan ahead for:
Surgery fees (facelift, blepharoplasty, fat graft, etc.)
Travel and accommodation
Medications and postoperative supplies
Follow-up visits or aftercare
Travel insurance and visa costs
Top Korean plastic surgery clinics for international patients—such as Noonopi—often provide all-inclusive packages that include comfortable accommodation, attentive post-operative care, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy to support a smooth recovery.
Travel Preparation: What Foreign Patients Should Know
To have a successful experience with Korean plastic surgery on foreigners, your travel plan should prioritize comfort and convenience.
Book accommodation close to the clinic
Pack loose clothing and personal hygiene items
Bring someone you trust to assist your post-op
Check if your country requires a visa
Make sure your passport is valid for 6+ months
Stay in Korea at least 1–2 weeks for appropriate follow-up care
Safety & Accreditation: Your Non-Negotiables
When choosing a Korean plastic surgery clinic for foreigners, always verify the clinic’s:
Government accreditation
Infection control standards
In-house emergency protocols
Anesthesia safety systems
Noonopi Plastic Surgery is committed to global standards of surgical safety, offering high-end quiality hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) on the market, clean recovery room, and advanced operative room facility.
✅ General Preoperative Checklist (All Surgeries)
These universal guidelines apply to any procedure and are especially important for foreign patients traveling to Korea:
1. Stop Smoking
Quit smoking at least 7 days before surgery to improve blood circulation and skin healing.
2. Avoid Blood-Thinning Medications
Stop the following 1 week before surgery, unless instructed otherwise:
Aspirin or NSAIDs
Warfarin, heparin
Herbal supplements (ginseng, ginkgo, garlic, etc.)
Oral contraceptives
Fish oil
3. No Alcohol
Avoid alcohol for 3 days before surgery. It may thin the blood and increase bleeding risk.
4. Dissolve Fillers
If you have filler in the surgical area, we recommend dissolving it 3+ days in advance.
5. Continue Prescription Medications
For chronic conditions like hypertension or diabetes, continue your medications unless your surgeon tells you otherwise.
6. Shower on Surgery Day
Wash your face, hair, and body thoroughly the morning of surgery, as you may not be allowed to shower for 1–3 days post-op.
7. Wear Loose, Button-Up Clothes, Hat, and Sunglasses
Avoid overhead shirts. Choose loose-fitting, front-button clothes to minimize tension on incisions. Prepare large hat and sunglasses to cover your facial bruises.
Preoperative Tips for Facelift, Neck Lift, and Thread Lift
If you're coming for a facial rejuvenation procedure, keep these additional tips in mind:
⛔ No Ultherapy or Thermage
Avoid energy-based skin tightening procedures like Ultherapy or Thermage for at least 3 months before surgery.
🚭 Smokers Over 60
If you’re over 60, stop smoking at least 2 weeks in advance for optimal blood flow and healing.
Mental Preparation Before Surgery
Plastic surgery isn’t just a physical change—it’s a mental journey. At Noonopi, we recommend:
Preparing questions for your surgeon
Managing expectations with realistic goals
Bringing a support person for emotional recovery
Final Words for Foreign Patients at Noonopi
At Noonopi, we believe that great results begin before the surgery starts. This checklist will help ensure your body, mind, and schedule are ready for a smooth experience in Korea.
We recommend staying in Korea for at least
2 days after non-incisional double eyelid surgery or scarless lower blepharoplasty;
8 to 10 days for incisional eyelid procedures such as upper blepharoplasty, lower blepharoplasty, forehead lift, and neck lift;
14 days for a SMAS facelift to ensure proper recovery and follow-up care.
If you must return earlier, we can coordinate basic wound care or suture removal in your home country.
If you have questions about the checklist, your surgery, or how to prepare for plastic surgery in Korea as a foreigner, contact us anytime via WhatsApp.
