Bariatric Surgery in South Korea

Bariatric surgery is a group of weight-loss surgeries that involves making changes to the digestive system, some of which are non-reversible. The idea behind these types of surgeries is to help patients lose weight by either limiting the amount of food they can consume/digest at any one time or reducing their body’s ability to absorb nutrients. Some procedures do both. 

Bariatric surgeries should only ever be the final option when diet and exercise have proved inadequate and there are now serious health concerns caused by a person's weight. In general, these surgeries can only be an option for patients whose body mass index (BMI) is 40 or higher (extreme obesity). In certain cases, patients whose BMI is 30 to 39.9 may qualify for certain types of bariatric surgery if they have serious weight-related problems, such as type 2 diabetes.

The three most common types of Bariatric Surgeries are as follows:

1. Gastric Sleeve – The most common surgery, in which about 80% of the stomach is irreversibly removed, resulting in a sleeve or tube-like structure. This smaller stomach will not be able to hold as much food and produces less of the hormone that regulates appetite (ghrelin), which can lessen the patient’s desire to eat. 
2. Gastric Bypass – A more complicated procedure in which the stomach is divided into two parts; a small upper pouch and a large lower ‘remnant’ pouch. The small intestine is rearranged to bypass the large pouch. As a result, the volume of the stomach is significantly reduced. This causes food to go into the small upper pouch of the stomach and then directly into the small intestine. The small upper pouch can only hold around an ounce of food. Gastric Bypass is typically not reversible. 
3. Gastric Band – Involves an inflatable silicone device that is fitted around the top portion of the stomach to create a smaller stomach pouch. This procedure causes the patient to feel fuller with less food but still allows the body to digest food as usual, without malabsorption. The device can be removed when the patient reaches their desired weight.

The bariatric surgeries mentioned above are typically performed laparoscopically, in which the surgeon creates around one to five small incisions in the abdomen to insert a laparoscope (a long narrow tube with a camera) and surgical tools. The patients are usually given a general anesthetic, so they will not feel anything throughout the surgery.

How Long Should I Stay in South Korea?

After bariatric surgery, an overnight stay in the hospital is usually required. In some cases, you may need to stay longer (around 3 to 5 days). However, it is not advisable to leave South Korea as soon as you are discharged from the hospital. Stay at least 10 to 14 days following your surgery for initial recovery and follow-up checkups. During the follow-up checkups, your surgeon will remove your stitches and check your overall condition.

What's the Expected Recovery Time?

The recovery time may take around 3 to 6 weeks until you are allowed to go back to your normal activities, including work, with some restrictions. You must avoid heavy work and strenuous activities, such as lifting, pushing, or carrying heavy loads for at least the first three months after surgery. You should also avoid sitting and standing without moving for long periods to avoid blood clots forming in your legs.

What Aftercare is Required?

You will be given a special diet plan immediately after your surgery, as well as detailed post-operative instructions. Make sure to follow the diet plan and instructions to avoid complications and speed up your recovery. In order to maximize and maintain weight loss, it is important that you commit to healthy eating and regular exercise. There may be restrictions on how much food you can consume. You may also need to change your eating habits, such as eating 6 small meals instead of 3 large meals each day. You should take vitamins and mineral supplements to ensure proper nutrition. 

What's the Success Rate?

The success rates vary for each of the different types of bariatric surgery. In general, within the first six months following the surgery, most patients lose around 30% to 55% of their excess weight. Then, as early as 12 months after surgery, most patients lose over 70% of their excess weight. Patients could also maintain a 50% to 60% loss of excess weight for 10 to 14 years after their bariatric surgery. Although the success rates are high, there are risks associated with bariatric surgery, such as bleeding, deep vein thrombosis, infections, spleen injury, stenosis, and infections.

Are there Alternatives?

There is a non-surgical Bariatric procedure, known as the Gastric Balloon. This involves an inflatable device that is temporarily inserted into the stomach via endoscopic placement. A sizable area of the stomach is obstructed by the balloon or balloons, thus reducing the amount of food it can contain at any one time, leading to eventual weight loss. The balloons are usually removed after 6 or 12 months. 

If you cannot or do not want to undergo any surgery or medical procedure, you may be able to work with a doctor who is experienced in treating extreme obesity and a dietician as the alternative. They may recommend you to change your diet, adding physical activity, and prescribe medications.

Bariatric Surgery in and around South Korea

About South Korea

South Korea’s population is 51 million and it's capital Seoul is a major world city. 50 percent of the country’s population lives within the Seoul Capital Area which includes Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi-do. The capital is situated in the north-west region of the country.

The Republic of Korea has immense potential for medical tourism with futuristic hospitals, sophisticated technologies, and advanced procedures. The government is taking all measures to make the country a top medical tourism destination. By 2022, it is looking to receive 998,000 medical tourists in the country.

Tourists from the USA, UAE, and Japan travel to Korea for affordable treatments. Some medical institutions in South Korea offer price packages, especially for plastic surgery, and help the medical tourist to save up to 40 percent on the treatment, even after adding travel and accommodation costs.

The Country has 27 accredited JCI-certified state-of-art hospitals. Severance Hospital, Seoul National University Hospital, and JK Plastic Surgery Centre are the most renowned hospitals within South Korea for medical tourism. The Doctors are well-educated to international standards of certifications and training.

The country is popular for treatments and procedures in several medical specialties, with an excellent track record for success and survival rates. Cancer treatment, plastic surgery, cardiovascular procedures, orthopedics, and preventive health check-ups are the top five areas for medical tourism in Korea.

Popular Parts of South Korea

When considering South Korea, it would be a mistake to overlook its many offerings that stretch way beyond the confines of its dynamic capital, Seoul. This vibrant nation is the embodiment of a perfect blend of advanced urban slickness, serene yet majestic rustic charm, awe-inspiring scenic beauty, and serene coastal landscapes with pristine beaches. Everywhere you go, each region unravels a story and invites you to become part of its unique narrative.

Notably, South Korea teems with places that make for intriguing and memorable visits. These locales, scattered across the country, are an intriguing cocktail of experiences, extending from modern high-tech cities shrouded in electrifying energy to tranquil, time-honoured folk villages nestled amongst nature's wonder, where tranquillity prevails and tradition holds sway.

1. Seoul – The capital city is a mix of pop and party culture, modern architecture, scenic parks, and glittering promenades and it is also rich in history and culture. The National Museum, War Memorial, Changdeokgung Palace, and Bukchon Hanok Village are some of the key attractions in Seoul.
2. The Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) – DMZ is one of the most important places in South Korea as you will get a better knowledge of the troubles between North and South. When you book a DMZ 3rd tunnel tour, make sure it includes the tram ride up and down the tunnel, or you will be in for a long walk. You can also get a glimpse of North Korea from the Observation Post in DMZ.
3. Busan - Is the second largest city of South Korea and is well known for hosting Asia’s biggest international film festival. It is also a unique blend of modern skyscrapers, majestic mountains, picturesque beaches, and magnificent Buddhist temples. Haedong Yonggungsa Temple and the Jagalchi fish market are some of the popular sites.
4. Jeju Island –Has beautiful white sandy beaches, volcanic craters, and lava caves, and the botanical gardens will take your breath away. Hyeopjae & Hamdeok beach, Cheonjiyeon Waterfalls, and Seongsan Sunrise Peak are some of the interesting places on this island.
5. Gyeongju –This coastal city has a large collection of cultural and historical sites dating back a thousand years. It gives you a peek into its cultural roots through the UNESCO World Heritage site, Bulguksa Temple, and the National Museum.

Seoraksan National Park, Incheon, and Pyeongchang County are a few other places to visit in South Korea.

Weather and Climate in South Korea

South Korea's climate is particularly noteworthy as it is blessed with distinct four seasons, each acquiring a unique charm. The rhythm of nature's cycles is quite pronounced and experienced vividly throughout the country. Spring flamboyantly arrives with blooming flowers and warmth, followed by summer's bright and sunny constitution. Autumn then takes over, painting the landscapes with artistic hues of red and gold, and finally, winter wraps up the cycle by painting the country white with its quiet snowfall.

• Summers are from June to August and are hot, humid, and rainy. There can be heavy rainfall in July and August.
• Winters are from late November to mid-March. During winter, it is freezing cold in the north and the interiors and mild along the southern coasts and snowfalls are rare.
• Spring is from mid-March to May. It is cold at the beginning of the season and gradually becomes milder. Rainfall becomes more frequent with the formation of low-pressure systems.
• Autumn is from September to late November and this is a pleasant season and during October the highest temperature is around 68 to 72°F. Rainfall is considerably less than in spring.

The average temperature in Seoul in January is around 73.4 to 81.5°F and in July its 71° to 75°F.

Getting Around in South Korea

Incheon International Airport at Seoul handles many daily flights from North America. Many of which are non-stop from San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Atlanta. Korean Air, United, and Delta Airlines operate a lot of these flights. Seoul is also reachable from its other Asian neighbors, Europe, and the middle-east. Other international airports in South Korea are located in Busan, Cheongju, and Jeju.

Gimpy International Airport, also in Seoul, handles domestic flight operations. You can connect to the Seoul Subway System, and to Incheon Airport by the Arex Train System.

Train travel is the most convenient and economical way to get around in South Korea. You can buy a KORAIL rail pass when you arrive at the airport. South Korea’s high-speed bullet train, the KTX, connects Seoul to Busan within 3 hours and It also connects to the other major cities within South Korea.

The Seoul Bus Terminal and the Central City Terminal operate buses to all of the cities. Bus travel is inexpensive and efficient, and fairly empty traveling to the smaller cities. Renting a car is also an option, but expensive.

Tourist Visas in South Korea

South Korea has an agreement with 117 jurisdictions for a visa-waiver. Visitors from countries under the visa-waiver program, such as the USA, Japan, EU countries, and New Zealand can enter the country without a tourist visa. Tourists can stay for up to 90 days with a valid passport. Canadians can enter visa-free and stay up to 180 days.

For citizens hailing from most Asian countries, including India and China, and also from Russia, planning a trip to South Korea involves obtaining a tourist visa. The South Korean government enforces travel protocols that require individuals from these nations to secure proper documentation prior to their visit, ensuring that travel regulations are adhered to and creating a simple and systematic process.

This prerequisite visa policy is a standard procedure which intends to streamline the influx of tourists and visitors from these specific nations. Each application undergoes a careful assessment to guarantee that all rules and regulations proposed by the South Korean authorities are in place. It constitutes a critical aspect of aiding security measures, maintaining immigration transparency, and promoting cultural exchange in a regulated manner. Thus, it is an imperative that citizens of these countries, such as India, China, and Russia, procure a tourist visa before embarking on their journey to discover the marvels of South Korea.

Additional Information

1. Korean Republican Won (KRW) is the currency of Korea. One US dollar converts to 1,342.95 KRW.
2. You can exchange most of the major currencies to KRW in banks and currency exchanges. US dollars and Euros are the easiest to convert.
3. You can withdraw money from the many ATMs. Or you may even use credit cards for payments in South Korea.
4. Korean and Korean Sign Language are the official languages of South Korea. Hangul is the formal script.
5. 56.9% of the people are non-religious. Among the religious population, the majority are Christians. Others follow Korean Buddhism.
6. The culture of South Korea is a blend of ancient Korean culture with ancient Chinese and Japanese cultures. Respect for elders is an important aspect of their culture.
7. New Year Day (falls in February as per lunar calendar), The Birthday of Buddha (early May), Independence Day (March 1), Memorial Day (June 6), Constitution Day (July 17) are a few important holidays in the Republic of Korea.