Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery in Seoul

MyMediTravel has teamed up with Doctors, Surgeons, and Clinics to offer you a fabulous selection of Plastic and Cosmetic surgery procedures. Many of our customers shared the same opinion that Plastic Surgery and Cosmetic Surgery were actually the same. So what is the difference? While both plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery aim to improve a patient’s body, there are differences:

Plastic Surgery is reconstructive surgery aimed at reconstructing the burnt, cut, or damaged part of the body. Functional abnormalities due to accidents, burns, injuries, cancers, fractures, tumors, medical impairments, congenital defects including cleft palate, cleft lip, spina bifida, etc., fractured body parts are also treated under plastic surgery. The most common reconstructive procedure is the redevelopment of removed breasts in cancer patients, hand surgery, and the removal of tumors.

Cosmetic surgery or aesthetic surgery is involved in enhancing your physical beauty. It is not for the treatment of any disease or ailment. Your physical appearance is changed according to your desire by performing surgery. Facial features are altered by reshaping of the nose, chin implants, lip implants, brow lifting, eyelid lifting, and face lifting. Butt implants, breast implants, breast lift. and neck contouring is also prevalent. The likes of liposuction and Tummy Tucks also fall under this category.

Plastic Surgery Treatments

The procedures vary according to the purpose for which surgery is being performed. The following are some of the procedures used in plastic surgery:

• Skin Grafting involves taking a healthy piece of skin from a Donor Site and implanting onto a damaged Recipient Site. 
• Flap Surgery, in this type of plastic surgery a piece of flesh is transferred from one body part to the other. This piece of tissue carries its own blood supply and heals faster. It is used to treat the more complicated type of disorders.
• Tissue Expansion, as the name indicates, the body grows extra tissue by the extension of the surrounding skin. A device called an expander is used in this method. It is a balloon-like machine that is inserted under the skin near the defected area which needs to be repaired. This is filled with saltwater allowing the skin to expand and grow.
• Microsurgery, in this technique, very small sutures are used to connect arteries, veins, and nerves in the transplanted tissue. It makes the healing process rapid.   

Length of Stay in Seoul

This also depends upon the type of surgery being performed. Complex surgeries require a long stay in the hospital. For example, if someone is going through reconstructive surgery for burns, the duration of stay in the hospital depends upon the percentage of the burnt area. It is referred to as total body surface area burnt (TBSA%). In cases of severe burns, the stay is longer. For breast tumor removal two methods are used. In a lumpectomy, only the tumor along with some surrounding tissue is removed and the patient is discharged the same day. While in the case of mastectomy, the whole breast tissue is removed leaving the chest flat. It requires an overnight stay at the hospital. 2 days are needed if the breasts are reconstructed after the removal of the tumor. Similarly, different cosmetic surgeries require a different stay at hospital time. Butt lift surgery demands variable time which depends on your pain tolerance and healing speed. But in most cases, a minimum of 10-14 days post-op stay in Seoul is required for the removal of stitches and for follow up checks, etc.

Recovery Time

This too depends upon the type of surgery performed. It is advised to give yourself plenty of time for recovery. This will make you happy if you recover in less than the estimated time. In the case of a breast transplant, you can return to work after 5-7 days. In three months, the swelling subsides and the breasts get proper size and shape. Butt lift surgery demands four months for complete recovery. Liposuction has varying recovery times, depending on the area of the body from which fat is removed. Vaginal rejuvenation requires 3 to 6 weeks for recovery in which you need to abstain from sexual intercourse. Rhinoplasty shows an early setting within one month. However, complete results are seen after 1 year. Facelift and eyelid surgery requires 2 to 3 week recovery time.

Success Rate

Plastic surgeries are not always successful. Physical conditions of a patient are considered before undergoing surgery, and those with the least health risks are allowed to go through the operation. The success rate is higher if the subject is fit, both physically and mentally. Although the success rate is high, surgery can still go wrong. In the case of plastic surgery gone wrong, your body might become de-shaped, but surgeons are well equipped and well experienced enough to correct this as quickly as possible, which is why you must not fly home immediately after surgery.

Aftercare

Plastic surgery is a wide field, with many operations coming under this category, and aftercare for every surgery is different. Following are some tips for aftercare:

1. Visit your doctor on a regular basis and follow his/her guidelines.
2. Make sure that you have someone with you because recovery can take some time.
3. Ask your doctor about a healthy diet plan. Eat nutritious food according to that plan.
4. Take some days off work. Take rest and avoid un-necessary exercise and movement.
5. Drink a lot of water.
6. Do not take medicines on your own because some pain killers can increase inflammation.

Alternatives to Plastic Surgery

• Microdermabrasion: in this method, fine crystals are rapidly sprayed onto the skin removing superficial dead skin layer.
• Botox: Botulinum Toxin is injected into the skin which temporarily paralyzes your muscles causing skin lines and wrinkles.
• CoolSculpting: This technique works by freezing the adipocytes present under your skin. These are crystallized and ultimately killed. After that, your body will digest them leaving fat free skin.
• Ultherapy: This involves using ultrasound energy for skin tightening giving smooth and healthy skin.
• Facial Fillers: these are long term, short term, or permanent fillers. Which improves your skin quality without surgery.
• Bio Stimulators: these are the boosters of collagen production. Increased collagen gives tight and youthful skin.

In the case of reconstructive surgery, breast prostheses may be considered an alternative to breast implants. Prostheses are an artificial body part. Artificial breasts are worn inside a suitable bra giving the appearance of natural breasts. It is useful for those who do not want to go for reconstructive surgery.  

Before and After

The visible difference is seen before and after going through plastic surgery. In reconstructive surgeries, your body parts are reconstructed such as breasts. While in cosmetic surgery your physical appearance is altered.

Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery in and around Seoul

About Seoul

Seoul is the capital city of South Korea and is one of the most affluent cities in Asia with high per capita income. Seoul is a city of differences as you can find anything from ancient monuments and palaces to modern skyscrapers. Every year the city attracts over 10 million tourists from different parts of the world. While some visit Seoul to enjoy its rich culture, others come to experience the fascinating metropolitan vibe, large numbers of medical tourists visit this busy city to undergo various medical procedures for cheaper prices and to enjoy the Korean hospitality. As per reports from the South Korean Ministry of Health & Welfare, the number of medical tourists in 2016 increased to 364,000, which is 23% more than in 2015. Some of the more popular procedures sought-after in Seoul are gynecology related treatments, stem cell therapy, treatments in neurology & endocrinology, laser treatments, transplants, and cardiology.

According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, most medical tourists are from China, Uzbekistan, UAE, Japan, and Canada. Seoul is dynamically emerging as one of the most preferred destinations for medical tourism. The city proudly houses one JCI accredited hospital. The other top-rated medical hospitals include the Severance Hospital, Asan Medical Center, Seoul National University Hospital, MizMedi Women's Hospital. The world-class hospitals comprise of VIP rooms, exceptional medical facilities, and highly-reputed physicians. Doctors are fluent in English, Korean, Japanese, and French.

Popular Areas in Seoul

The beautiful River Han flows through the heart of the city. It divides Seoul into North and South and you will find most of the ancient palaces and historical sites in the North. The Southside is quite modern and trendy with neighborhoods like Gangnam which is also the business hub of the city. It is also the residential part of the city with many apartments, and shopping malls.

• River Han: Is the favorite location for both locals and tourists. Here, you can enjoy indulging in exciting water activities such as windsurfing, water skiing, fishing, sailing, and swimming. The banks of the river are the perfect place to lounge and see the lights of the city at night.
• Banpo Bridge: Connects the districts Seocho and Yongsan and It was the first double-deck bridge built in South Korea and is covered with 10000 lights and the  Rainbow Fountain's colored water rains down the side of the bridge.
• Gangnam: It is the most trendy neighborhood and is home to Asia's largest shopping mall, COEX, and several high-end restaurants.
• Hongdae: Four Korean Universities lie close to the neighborhood. Hongdae houses a number of theme-based restaurants and an array of boutiques that cater to the needs of college-goers. Several music venues and glitzy nightclubs make it a perfect place to enjoy the vibrant nightlife.
• Myeongdong: Is the best and the largest shopping destination in Korea. It is a shopping mega where you can find clothes, cosmetics, stylish handbags, shoes and accessories, and Jewelry at affordable prices.

Weather and Climate in Seoul

As Seoul lies close to the coast of the Yellow Sea, the climate is continental. Summer and Winter are the two distinct seasons in Seoul. Summer is sultry, hot, and rainy, whereas winter is cold and sunny. The transitional periods are the spring and autumn, which are mild and pleasant.

1. Winter: November to February. The average temperature is around 0°C during winter. The cold air blows in from Asia and during the night time, the temperature can drop to -20°C but it rarely snows during winter.
2. Spring: March to May. Spring is mild and it rains occasionally.
3. Summer: June to August. Seoul receives about 80 mm of rainfall during the summer season. July is the wettest month of the year. The temperature can rise to 35°C during the hot summer days.
4. Autumn: September-October. Autumn is pleasant and rainfall gradually decreases during these months.

Getting around in Seoul

Incheon International Airport lies 48 km west of Seoul. It is the largest in the country and one of the busiest airports in the world. The airport is luxurious with an ice-skating rink, casinos, and spas. The airport operates several domestic and international flights to varied parts of the world.

Seoul has one of the finest public transportation systems in the world.

• Seoul Metropolitan subway: It is the fastest and cheapest mode of transportation. There is a total of 22 lines in operation and it costs 0.44$ for a single journey. You can buy tickets at the vending machines found in all subway stations.
• Seoul public buses: There are four different types of buses running in Seoul, each one covering different routes. The cost varies from 0.92$ to $1.63, depending on the bus type and the distance traveled.
• Taxis: Are expensive and are ideal for a large group of people. Regular, deluxe, jumbo, and International taxis are available. The major differences being the size and fare.

Tourist visa in Seoul

South Korea exempts the citizens of 117 countries from obtaining a valid tourist visa to enter the country. Australia, Chile, Greece, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Mexico, Russia, Switzerland, UK, US are some of the visa-exempted countries. They can stay visa-free for a maximum of 90 days.

Citizens of countries like India, China needs to apply for a tourist visa with all the required documents. The visa fee comes to around $30.

Additional Information

1. The official currency of South Korea is the Korean Republican Won (KRW). One US dollar is approximately equivalent to 1149 KRW.
2. You can find ATMs across the City. Some accept foreign cards and dispense cash. You can exchange your currencies to KRW in banks and money exchange booths.
3. Hangul is the national and official language of South Korea. Koreans who are under the age of 40 years understand and speak English better than the rest of the locals.
4. Most people in Korea are not affiliated with any religion. The same holds true in Seoul. Though, a small number of people practice Confucianism and Buddhism.
5. Some of the public holidays in Seoul include New Year's Eve, Korean New Year, Buddha's birthday, Constitution day, Harvest festival, Hangeul day and Christmas.