u/Skineggy

Hiiii everyone 💗

I’ve noticed that many people get excited after an online consultation and pay a deposit before checking the small details, so here’s a little checklist that may save you a lot of stress later!

Before sending any money, ask:

1. Which surgeon will actually perform my surgery? - ask and make sure the appointed surgeon will perform your surgery
2. Will I meet the surgeon before surgery day? - Since most of you are abroad, you can't see the doctor unless it's through a video call which most of them are reluctant to do. However, make sure that the clinic tells you that you will see the surgeon for a consultation before the surgery day and on the surgery day to design your face.
3. Is the deposit refundable or transferable? - MUST check the clinic's refund policy so you can take any legal actions in case they ghost you. I'd consider paypal a safe option as the clinic usually pay the transaction fee, and most Korean clinics don't have a direct SWIFT code. Paypal is okay.
4. What happens if I need to cancel or change my dates? - This is why I recommend that you don't book the surgery and pay deposit until you are 90% sure about the dates. If your surgery is months away, it's possible you won't be available then or have to change the dates. So please make sure you check in with the clinic regarding this cancellation or dates changing policy.
5. Does the quoted price include anesthesia, medication, and follow-ups? - Learn what's included! Ask this beforehand so you don't get overcharged with everything else once you are here in Korea.
6. Who will administer the anesthesia, and will they stay throughout the surgery? - I personally asked this to the clinic for my surgery. What kind of aesthesia they will use and if the anesthesiologist will stay monitoring my surgery! It is rare for a lot of clinics to have an anesthesiologist so keep that in mind.
7. How many post-op checkups are included? - usually clinics don't want to bother taking you in for post op checkups unless you have some side effects or going for post op care therapies etc. Also, not all clinics have you remove your sutures by the surgeon who did your surgery. These are things you need to ask and request.
8. What is the clinic’s revision policy? - very important, unless it's seriously botched, for minor asymmetry or side effects caused by yourselves/ your specific anatomy the clinic cannot refund or refund you. There are many cases where it's hard to tell whether it's the clinic's fault so I'd recommend going to the right doctor so you wouldn't have the need for revision surgery in the first place!
9. Who should I contact after hours if something feels wrong? - this is why I think having a concierge is the best idea as some of them have 24h standby service, but if this is not your case check with the clinic. In most cases you have to wait until the morning after to immediately see the doctor for any complications.
10. Will I receive the full treatment plan and price in writing? - ask what is included, make sure the price is right and how much is due before and after you pay the deposit.

Also, please don’t feel pressured by phrases like "discount only if you book today or this month” or “the surgeon’s schedule is almost full so book asap” A reputable clinic should give you enough time to understand the procedure, compare options, and make a calm decision.

Deposits are 100% normal, but safety & clarity should always be first. You’re not being difficult by asking these questions if the clinics take you seriously since you are going in for a life lasting surgeries at high prices. You’re just being responsible with your face, body, health, and money 🫶

Be safe and best of luck babies!

Hi everyone 💗

A lot of you seemed to have found my post regarding red flags in clinics helpful so here goes another post lol

If you’re choosing a clinic in Korea, you might hear people mention “factory clinics” (in Korean 공장형 병원). It basically means a clinic that treats a very high volume of patients, often with a more standardized, fast-moving system.

common features of a typical factory clinic :

1. Ridiculously prices/ constant promo - like it's 30-50% cheaper (????) I thought they were mixing water when they were injecting botox and fillers into my face, but usually its cheap cause GP(general practitioners) perform the procedure and not a dermatlogist or a specialist. Otherwise, it's a one off bait promotion; next visit you pay normal price.
2. Many patients waiting at once - have u ever waited 30min+ to get something done even WITH reservation? highly likely it's a factory clinic.
3. Short consultations - simple. they offer cheap procedures, don't bother paying a lot of attention to each patients
4. You mainly talk to consultants, not doctors - very typical strategy, doctors are busy conducting procedures so they don't even bother come talk to you regarding your surgery or procedure.
5. Doctor changes are unclear - this happens ALL THE TIME. Since factory clinics' turnover is super quick and often, you're first told that you'll get the surgery from doctor Kim but later it changes to doctor Choi on the day of surgery and they tell you it's the same 'quality' surgery.
6. Same treatment plan recommended to many people - lack of customization, they just have a package they sell out like tour items.
7. Lots of add-ons pushed - I was ripped off 8 times in my early 20s cause I didn't know what to do, maybe it'll help, idk, looked pretty good and price was cheap. If you're a nice kind person like myself LEARN TO SAY NO to unnecessary procedures!
8. Before/after photos look heavily marketed - another classic. Overly dramatic/ photoshopped pictures are fishy anywhere.
9. Follow-up care feels rushed - or they don't exist at all! If it's a procedure it's understandable given the cheap price but for surgery...? Of course you need to be looked after.
10. The clinic feels more sales-focused than personalized - you can tell from the atmosphere, consultants' attitude and overall vibe basically.

Pros

• they can be affordable
• efficient - 20 minutes altogether if no waiting
• easy to book
• Honestly, great for simple treatments like Botox, lasers, or basic skin care -> basically if you know what you want, where and when. It's convenient.

Cons

• Less personalized planning
• limited or 0 doctor time
• higher chance of miscommunication - most of them are likely to not care and not take responsibility
• you may feel like “just another patient.” -> yes cause the procedures are cheap and you're part of the program...

my conclusion: A factory clinic isn’t ALWAYS bad, but for surgery or anything that needs detailed judgment and attention pls choose a clinic where you feel genuinely seen, heard, and safely guided. It hurts to see patients with botched results when they clearly didn't deserve it and had they done a little better research/ went with a trustworthy concierge or guide it could have been prevented!

Open to making friends and helping ur journey safer and happier.

Feel free to discuss anything with me <3 cheers!

Hi everyone who wants to glow up and considering Korea as your destination!

I've seen so many unfortunate cases where y'all end up doing tons of research and still end up going to clinics that are 'looking' safe and trustworthy without knowing what's actually best for them.

So I'm sharing a list of clinics to NOT GO TO!!!! - most of them u might already know or are kinda obvious but overlooked.

-> Yes I got some work done myself. Yes I am a native Korean living in Korea. Yes I used to live abroad and brought my high school friends get their noses and boobs done here lmao

Clinics I’d personally be careful with in Korea as a foreign patient:

1. Pushy deposit requests - don't pay unless ur actually sure about the procedure, what it is, surgery date, got your plan fixed etc.
2. Rushed consultations - take enough time to research and consult, your results are permanent unless it's some botox or injectables.
3. No clear doctor name - MAKE SURE you know who's operating your body and face!!!!
4. Too many “recommended” add-ons - honestly this one's NASTYYYY I also used to get ripped off by clinics when I just wanted something small and natural, so when u gotta say no SAY NO,
5. Only influencer-style photos - definitely paid or promoted.
6. No long-term before/afters - make sure to also ask like 6 month ~ 1 year post of photos!
7. Vague pricing - money game gotta be straight and tight. This is a lil complicated cause everyone has different anatomy but if they say it's $3000 and u end up with $5600 that ain't right. Ask them the RANGE since they also don't know the exact price until they see touch and examine your face in person. Specifically rhinoplasty, boob job, lipo has many cases like this.
8. Big discounts for booking today - If you're sure about your surgery fair but kinda sketchy, don't do it
9. Poor English support - this one depends. Some really good clinics just have enough local patients that they don't really support other languages, hence I recommend bringing a local friend/ translator/ concierge service (request if u need info)
10. No proper aftercare plan - so so scary, if they just ghost u after surgery and no LED/ healing package included I'd be terribly upset
11. No CT scan for bone work - for any surgery, make sure you undergo necessary checks. Even tiny clinics send you to internist and orthopedics for x-ray, CT scan etc. at THEIR OWN EXPENSE to make sure your body is compatible for the surgery.
12. Clinics that don’t listen to your aesthetic - last but HEAVY emphasize, they just want to take ur money and perform the surgery so you can go back to ur country so a big nono. Make sure you WILL SEE the surgeon and they listen to your aesthetics and how u want your wherever designed they way YOU WANT.

Korea has amazing surgeons, but the clinic matters as much as the doctor. Take your time, compare multiple consults, and don’t let anyone pressure you into booking fast and overcharge you!