To be honest, when I first went to South Korea for a consultation, I was completely at a loss. I couldn’t speak Korean, and my English was also quite limited. Although the staff at the clinic were very friendly, I had no idea what questions to ask or what information I needed to confirm.
In retrospect, that consultation was essentially a waste of time—I asked a bunch of irrelevant questions and missed the most critical ones. Now, I’ve compiled the mistakes I made to serve as a reference for those who are considering going to Gangnam for a consultation.
Why is pre-operative consultation more important than you might think?
Many people think that consulting simply means “listening to the quotes”, but in fact, the consultation is the only opportunity you have to communicate directly with the doctor. The more carefully you examine all the details before the surgery, the lower the chances of encountering problems afterwards.
To put it plainly, clinics will not take the initiative to inform you about all the risks, especially those situations that are “rare but still possible to happen.” You must ask about them yourself.
10 essential questions to ask before the procedure
Question 1: Who exactly is the surgeon performing the procedure?
This is the issue that the most people overlook. The doctor information you see on the official website does not necessarily mean that it is the same person who will actually perform the surgery on you on that day. In some clinics in South Korea, there is a problem known as “ghost doctors” – where the actual doctors are only responsible for providing consultations and taking photographs, while the surgeries are performed by other individuals.
It is essential to ask clearly: “Is the doctor I am consulting with today actually the one who will perform my surgery?” If the answer is vague or evasive, this is a red flag.
Question 2: How many similar surgeries has this doctor performed?
The number of cases performed is not the only criterion, but it can certainly help you determine the right direction to take. There is a clear difference in technical stability between a doctor who has performed 500 Double eyelid surgery cases and one who has only done 50.
You can ask, “How many instances of this specific procedure have you performed?” At the same time, request to see actual before-and-after comparisons, rather than just a selected collection posted on the official website.
Question 3: Is my specific situation suitable for this procedure?
Many people ask this question, but in essence, it’s as if they never asked it at all—because what you should really be asking is “Are there any reasons why this procedure might not be suitable for me?”, rather than expecting the doctor to persuade you to proceed.
For example, if you want to have Double eyelid surgery, you might ask, “Is there any reason why my specific eye condition might make this procedure unsuitable for me?” A good doctor will inform you whether the thickness of the fat on your upper eyelid makes thread embedding unsuitable, rather than simply giving you a price estimate.
Question 4: What are the most common side effects after the procedure?
The question is not “whether there are any risks,” but “what are the most common side effects.” The answers to these two questions are completely different.
How long does it take for the swelling to subside, how extensive is the area of bruising, and how much time is required for the scars to fade? These are real questions; don’t let responses like “basically no problems at all” distract you from them.
Question 5: If the results are not satisfactory, who will bear the costs for making corrections?
Without further ado, I decided to ask directly: “What is your policy if I am not satisfied with the results?” and “How long is the free repair period, and what are the requirements for it?”
Some clinics claim to “guarantee customer satisfaction,” but the question is: who determines what constitutes satisfaction? Make sure you understand the terms regarding repairs in detail, and it’s best to have them clearly stated in a written contract, rather than relying on verbal promises.
Question 6: What materials/instruments are used during the surgery?
This issue is particularly important in regards to procedures such as fillers, radiofrequency treatments, and nose surgeries. For example, when undergoing Thermage treatment, it is essential to confirm whether the device used is the fifth-generation genuine model or a counterfeit one; similarly, when getting a nose augmentation, it is crucial to know the brand and specifications of the implant used.
For the same type of surgical procedure, the use of different materials can result in significant differences in outcomes and safety levels. It is essential to ask the doctor to specify the exact brand and model of the materials being used.
Question 7: How long does the surgery take? What kind of anesthesia is used?
The method of anesthesia can significantly affect your entire surgical experience as well as your recovery after the operation. With local anesthesia, you remain awake during the procedure; general anesthesia requires a longer recovery time. Intravenous anesthesia (a state between wakefulness and sleep) is the most common option, but its effects vary from person to person.
How long after the surgery can I take the subway back to the hotel by myself? Can I stay in the hotel alone on the first day after the surgery? These questions should be clarified in advance.
Question 8: How is post-operative care specifically carried out?
Many people return to their home countries just a couple of days after undergoing surgery in South Korea. Therefore, the requirements for post-surgical care are of utmost importance: when can the stitches be removed? After how many days can one wash their face with water? At what point can makeup be applied? And when is it safe to start exercising?
If you experience any abnormalities after returning to your home country, how can you contact the clinic? Are there Chinese-speaking customer services or online consultation options available? Essentially, these questions are asking: “In case something goes wrong, who should I turn to?”
Question 9: What exactly is included in the fee breakdown, and are there any hidden charges?
These are the pitfalls I have encountered. When I inquired about the prices, various additional fees such as “anesthesia costs,” “post-operative care packages,” and “medication costs” were added at the time of payment, resulting in an unexpected extra expense of tens of thousands of Korean won.
Request the other party to provide a detailed list of all costs, and make sure to clarify whether “this is an all-inclusive price.” Any additional items must be listed in advance, rather than being disclosed only after the procedure.
Question 10: Are there any previous cases or reviews from Chinese patients that I can refer to for contact information?
It doesn’t mean that you need to contact these people directly; rather, it’s about checking whether there are any genuine Chinese reviews for these clinics. Some clinics may provide the contact information of previous patients (if those patients are willing to share it), or they may have genuine reviews on their official social media accounts.
To be honest, if a clinic only has carefully edited photos on its official website and no genuine reviews available for verification, I would be very cautious.
Preparatory checklist before seeking consultation
| Preparatory items | Level of importance | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Paper list of surgical options | ★★★★★ | List the projects you want to undertake and the key issues that need attention. |
| Frontal and side profile photos | ★★★★★ | Shoot in natural light; it’s better to wear no makeup. |
| Previous plastic surgery/medical aesthetics records | ★★★★☆ | Including time, location, and materials (if known). |
| Allergy history and medication history | ★★★★★ | This includes a history of allergy to anesthetic drugs. |
| Reference images showing the desired results | ★★★★☆ | Choose images with a high sense of realism; avoid using photos that have been edited with filters. |
| Budget ceiling | ★★★★☆ | Plan in advance to avoid additional fees being charged during the consultation. |
| Itinerary arrangement (surgical time window) | ★★★★☆ | It is important to determine how many days of recovery are required after the surgery. |
You only discover these “avoidable pitfalls in consultation” after actually encountering them.
Point 1: Consultation and surgery on the same day. Some clinics will directly ask, “Will you have the surgery today?” or “We have special offers right now,” right after the consultation is over. Don’t let this approach influence your decision. A successful surgery requires proper preparation; you need to fast before anesthesia, and you also need time to process all the information provided to you.
Point two: What the translator says does not necessarily reflect what the doctor intends to express. I know a friend who had her nose surgery; due to the translator’s failure to accurately convey her concerns regarding the materials used, she ended up with silicone that she did not actually want. If there are any important details that require confirmation in written form, do not rely solely on interpretation.
Point three: Discount promotions are subject to time restrictions. The phrase “Only reservations made today are eligible for the discount” is very common in South Korea’s clinics. It’s not that all such claims are false, but don’t rush into making a decision just because the offer will no longer be available tomorrow. If a particular procedure is truly suitable for you, it’s still worth scheduling it for next week.
Point four: The consultation fee is not equivalent to a deposit. Some clinics charge a “consultation fee,” and if you decide not to proceed with the service, this fee will not be refunded. It is essential to clarify the nature of this fee in advance.
Comparison of consultation fees for similar surgeries (for reference in Gangnam District)
| Types of surgeries | Is a consultation fee charged? | Typical duration of consultations | Precautions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Double eyelid surgery/eye cosmetic procedures | Most of them are free of charge. | 15 to 30 minutes | I can take analytical photos, and I need to wear no makeup. |
| Rhinoplasty/Revision rhinoplasty | Partial fee range: ¥920,000 to ¥950,000 | 30 to 60 minutes | The repair is complex and requires the use of previous surgical records. |
| Contour/skeletal surgery | Most of these services are charged at a fee ranging from ¥330,000 to ¥910,000. | 45 to 90 minutes | In most cases, it is necessary to take an additional CT scan, and the cost for this will be charged separately. |
| Dermatology treatments (such as Thermage) | Most of them are free of charge. | 10 to 20 minutes | The treatment can be performed on the same day after consultation. |
| Fat transplantation/filling | Most of them are free of charge. | 20 to 40 minutes | It is necessary to indicate whether any fillers have been previously administered. |
Finally, one last thing…
When it comes to conducting a consultation, there is no standard script, but there is certainly a direction to follow. Going in with clear questions is far more reliable than approaching the process with enthusiasm but without knowing what exactly to ask.
The overall standard of plastic surgery in South Korea is indeed high. However, such a high standard is only possible if you choose the right clinic and the right doctor, and if there is effective communication between you and them. All these factors need to be confirmed by you personally during the consultation process.
If you are still looking for a suitable South Korea cosmetic surgery clinic, you can first access more recommended information through the following links.
Find a reliable South Korea cosmetic surgery clinic at BeautsGO.
We carefully select reputable clinics in Gangnam, Seoul, offering Chinese-speaking consultation services and ensuring full transparency of information.