How To Get Free Plastic Surgery In Korea

I Went to a Plastic Surgeon in Korea and Hither's What He Suggested

In 2018, I went on a trip to Korea with 3 friends of mine. We traveled around, ran around the city, and had a nail drinking Cass beer and trying many different street foods in Seoul.

One night, my mom messaged me on KakaoTalk (a korean messenger app), and gave me an address to some place in Gangnam. She directed me to become there.

I texted her back and asked why, who, how, and when?

She told me it's plastic surgeon. A really well known plastic surgeon in Gangnam that is known for his work and not overdoing information technology with unnecessary procedures.

I laughed and told her I actually don't take whatever interest in getting plastic surgery.

She told me I have nothing to lose with a gratis consultation from ane of the best surgeons in the world for Koreans.

And equally I guessed it, she told me to go in to come across what the plastic surgeon had to say near my eyes and nose. These are two pop cosmetic procedures done in Korea—blepharoplasty (double eyelid surgery) and rhinoplasty (olfactory organ surgery). The virtually pop corrective procedures in America are breast augmentation (puppet job) and liposuction.

You may be questioning why a Mom would suggest this to her daughter, and there'southward really no right manner to answer this other than:

Korean culture is very unlike when it comes to discussing this subject field, and it's common to have this chat amongst family unit and friends effectually the dinner table. Information technology's really quite fascinating how it's become then normalized and accepted to casually discuss matters like this. I hash out this more below.

I told my friends virtually what my mom messaged me, and if it'due south worth the subway ride at that place. One of my dear friends asked me if the consultation would affect my confidence and to exist careful. She said, "If he points out what can be fixed, you'll be okay, right?".

She'due south ever been a actually good friend.

I didn't think for long though. Spontaneous trips are ever fun! I had naught to lose with a free consultation, correct? If the doctor had something to advise, I knew I would walk out with the same level of confidence I had when I walked in. Then why non? It would exist fascinating to run across what a plastic surgeon has to say well-nigh my face.

So I messaged the plastic surgeon's office and, ready an appointment. This whole fourth dimension I kept giggling. I'm really going to run across a plastic surgeon, huh? My friends were super curious as well and excited to see what this consultation would entail.

Few days later, I rode the subway myself and arrived at the plastic surgeon'southward building.

Messages with the Plastic Surgeon office

The building was nice and clean. I call up stepping out of the elevator and seeing ii to 3 Korean clients waiting for the doctor.

Fun 'Fact': If y'all practice get plastic surgery in Korea, and all of their clients are Non Korean (but rather other types of Asians) then information technology'southward very probable that that place isn't where all the Korean natives go, but a foreigner hotspot that runs similar a factory.

I was immediately greeted with an English translator, equally I had told the doctor's office before that I'yard not fluent enough to understand Korean medical terms.

Equally we waited together, the English language translator and I minor-talked about where we were from and what not. I found out that she didn't work for this plastic surgeon as role of their staff.

She explained to me that she works every bit a freelance translator for many businesses in Korea, and they hired her that solar day for me.

Ahh.

The front desk receptionist calls us in, and I walk-in to come across the well known doctor my Mom was telling me virtually.

He greets me, and has me sit and take off my makeup and wear this headband to tuck my hair away. I recall I tried to agree my laughter in and smirking because I looked like this:

He asks me what I was interested in.

"My eyes and nose".

He observes my olfactory organ very closely. He measures it and has me turn side to side, up and downwards.

In Korea, the majority of rhinoplasty (nose) clients ask for a higher bridge and longer tip.

A few minutes subsequently, the md steps back from my face, and he asks, "Did yous get your olfactory organ done?"

I looked dorsum at him dislocated. This wasn't the first fourth dimension I've been asked this, but information technology caught me off guard when asked from a surgeon.

"A lot of people would want your nose, it's something I would put in my portfolio!"

We laughed, and he reassured me I could use his words to get my mom to say no more virtually my god damn olfactory organ.

He suggested that I don't get a nose chore because it's already fine the way it is. He surely was living up to what he'south known for— non overdoing it.

So why did he make this suggestion? I know information technology'south non portfolio worthy— I don't have Bella Hadid'southward nose. So allow's be honest— why was it off limits to at least enhance information technology?

For those of you lot who do non know, Bella Hadid is an American model known for her perfect (only cosmetically altered) nose.

He told me that if we altered my nose bridge to exist higher, it would disrupt the harmony of my face and require other areas to be altered. Like my chin, for instance. He pointed out that I have a weak mentum (it's not prominent) and getting a nose task would sink in my chin more. He mentioned other areas information technology would negatively affect besides, such every bit my cheekbones and overall face up shape.

And then nose was washed. Adjacent were my optics.

In Korea, the most popular is the double eyelid surgery. Information technology's a very small procedure that takes the same amount of time and, arguably, has the aforementioned level hurting as a wisdom teeth removal.

I have double eyelids, but information technology'southward non the perfect double eyelids—the shape has slowly changed throughout the years.

A picture of my eyes, 2019 — A moving-picture show of my eyes, 2019

He looks into my eyes and pokes my eyelids with a 2 brawl-pointed prong, and tries dissimilar heights and shapes with the eyelids. He looks at the inner corner of my eyes, and has me widen my eyes then release... widen my eyes... then release.

He releases a "hmmmm" and tells me I have ptosis.

Ptosis is a medical status, defined as:

Drooping of the upper eyelids in adults, well-nigh commonly due to separation of the tendon of the lid-lifting (levator) muscle from the eyelid.

Having ptosis has concrete effects. The older I get, the worse the condition will become due to the nature of crumbling.

When I widen my eyes, I can literally run into more. I've known that I can run across more when I widen my eyes since I was pretty young, but I always idea that was normal. This certainly doesn't assist the Asian stereotype, ha.

But evidently, with this condition, my hat-lifting musculus is weak, this is why I simply come across near 95% of the earth equally opposed to 100%— my eyelids muscles aren't working at its optimal level, causing me to have drooping of the upper eyelids. Thus I see less, and it causes my eyelid shape to change over time.

He so tells me that my eyes are asymmetrical. My left eye is farther away from my olfactory organ bridge and my right center is closer to my nose bridge. You can see it in the movie of my eyes I posted to a higher place.

I look into the mirror, and I see it! I was amazed because I never noticed that earlier.

He makes suggestions virtually how I can enhance my double eyelids with partial incision to remove some backlog peel and adjusting the meridian of my eyelids. He too suggests fixing the asymmetry by cutting the inner corner of my optics. But beyond that, he tells me that ptosis surgery is something I should consider in a higher place all considering it will affect me more when I get older.

He cautions me that if I DO get plastic surgery for concrete purposes on my optics, I have to see someone who is also specialized in fixing ptosis, every bit medical conditions demand to be treated outset. Every bit a medical doctor, he gave me tips on how to exercise this muscle to strengthen it, and suggested I practice it everyday. He reassured me he can perform the surgery if I wanted to continue, whether that exist for ptosis (medical purposes) or double eyelids surgery (corrective purposes).

Mind to video with sound: Doc and Translator explaining how cosmetically altering my nose would touch on my confront shape.

I give thanks him and the translator for their fourth dimension, and tell them I will think nigh it and return if interested.

I and then go into another part, and I speak with one of the staff members to go over the finances. She breaks down how much information technology would cost, expected recovery fourth dimension, and what non.

Information technology would toll $2,800 if I wanted to proceed with the surgery. The unabridged consultation was near ane hour.

So take I become more self conscious knowing that I have droopy eyelids, a weak chin, asymmetrical eyes (and more)—to list a few? Haha, nah. Rest bodacious, I walked out of the doctor'due south office with the same level of conviction I had walking in. I honestly forget about what was said and have nonetheless to conditioning my eyelid muscles similar the doctor suggested.

I never knew I had ptosis, and that diagnosis explained a lot of things. That was very important to know, as this condition volition touch me more as I age.

Physically, I hold that my eyelids could be enhanced with the new shape he suggested.

I thought he was a cracking plastic surgeon to consult with. He was thorough, honest, and incredibly patient.

I never returned to get these procedures washed.

But surely, as Skee-Lo one time said:

I wish I was a little bit taller
I wish I was a baller

I would be lying if I said I wouldn't consider plastic surgery. Recollect near it—I went in for a free consultation— that'southward, to some degree, a level of consideration, right? Just for at present, I'k fine with how I look. I may have to become information technology after due to my ptosis, simply I'll worry almost that then.

And if I were to get plastic surgery, and the consequence is non great, I would exist absolutely devastated and crushed. I would have so many regrets. I recollect a lot almost the past, a flaw I'm working on, and the thought of feeling regret after having a permanent alter on my face would kill me—especially knowing that I was fine with the confront I was born with. With this mentality, it shows I'm not mentally strong plenty to get plastic surgery either way.

Overall, I think plastic surgery is fine—I truly retrieve nosotros shouldn't care what others do so as long as they are not hurting themselves or others. If it makes you happy and more than confident, then I understand why yous want to get plastic surgery. But I do think at that place are some weather condition to exist met and must exist considered. As a friend, this is what I would tell a friend that was considering plastic surgery:

Offset, be mentally healthy. This is a major decision that is irreversible. Practise not decide to take plastic surgery if you lot are not mentally fit. Kind of a no brainer, simply think virtually how many people modify the way they look after a breakdown for instance. A haircut is temporary. Surgery is non. Delight please pleaseeeeeee love yourself first.

Second, be physically salubrious and reach your concrete goals. Optimize all your natural dazzler. For example, lose the weight you've wanted to shed for a long time. Yous want that 6-pack? Then make it a goal to get it. You want that big haul? Find a skillful leg workout routine. My point is, try to reach a lot of these concrete goals first. The physical health and confidence that comes with this will definitely impact you in positive way. I cut out sugar for two months, and my trunk, face shape, and conviction literally transformed. This is another blog post that I call back is worth sharing, simply to continue information technology short, changing your lifestyle to be salubrious volition bear upon yous positively, both physically and mentally.

Tertiary, inquire yourself if these physical desires are organic (something YOU truly desire) or influenced by what social club has deemed as attractive. Trends are e'er irresolute, and then I promise that your physical desires are solely because y'all want it, not because society, your family, your friends, your man, your adult female, thinks it'southward attractive.

My marvel of what a plastic surgeon thought about my face was satiated at the end of the day, and I am happy to have had the opportunity to experience this.

This whole experience fabricated me think a lot almost beauty standards and Korea.

If I had to describe Korea in iii words, information technology would exist fun, homogeneous, and superficial.

I recollect Korea is very superficial, and I say that indifferently—have the negative connotation away from this give-and-take. What I hateful is that everything in Korea is very presentable, organized, and clean. Every outer appearance is pleasing to look at. It's really quite nice.

The buildings are beautiful, the designs are soft and frail, the cafes are stunning, the dogs make my beautiful domestic dog look mediocre, heck the interior design of this dentist office I visited was fifty-fifty beautiful— everything is but so damn beautiful in Korea. And likewise, the people in Korea, are very presentable and quite endearing to look at.

Of course, I was in Hongdae, which is a very trendy city in Seoul, Korea and so it adds a lot to this generalization.

There'due south definitely a criteria of what's considered beautiful in Korea, as there is for every country, just I would say it's pretty severe in Korea.

Information technology's very common and accepted to tell your daughter, niece, granddaughter, son, nephew, (anyone that's really an acquaintance) at a immature age that they should get plastic surgery, and it's totally okay to tell these people that they've gotten chubby and should lose weight. It's not considered offensive- information technology's just casual talk.

My Mom apparently takes part in this, every bit she was the 1 who suggested the plastic surgery consultation. Do I think information technology'southward toxic? It's and then hard to answer that, and feel gratis to chime in on that. I personally don't have it offensively considering I know my Mom'due south intentions. Simply at the aforementioned fourth dimension, I would never say those things to my kids, if I were to ever accept kids.

This focus and involvement in looks and outer advent goes beyond that in Korea though. Information technology'south pretty common for people to rudely stare at and even mock someone because they're fat, disabled, dark skinned, and so forth. It took me a while to realize this as I can easily blend in the crowds of Korea. It'southward not a positive note, but I recollect information technology's important to mention because Korea is frequently portrayed as this fun, bubbly place.

This definitely makes everyone witting of how they expect and inevitably aggravates Korean beauty standards and the way of life when it'due south beyond beauty standards (eg. disability, Down syndrome, etc.). When at that place'due south a disruption of the homogeneity in Korea, people tend to react quite negatively.

Granted, there are many amazing things about Korea. Improve food, amazing civilisation and history, family unit oriented, one of a kind night life, overall great hospitality, fast forrard applied science and manner, and the shopping experience.

Despite these fun attributes, due to the nature of how everyday life is in Korea, I would relish visiting Korea as part of a vacation rather than living in that location permanently.

After a long nighttime out exploring Seoul, my friends and I laid in our Airbnb bunk beds and talked equally we tried to doze off.

I of my friends said, "Everyone is and so gorgeous here, I can't cease looking. Simply yous know what's really weird, Sarah? I can't remember a single confront or a single outfit."

I laughed. She'south a proficient and wise friend.

3 things to notice in this picture: My amazing friend, Sabrina, the man's gucci purse and New Balance shoes, and the plastic surgery ad on the top left, 2018 — 3 things to notice in this picture: My astonishing friend, Sabrina, the man's gucci purse and New Balance shoes, and the plastic surgery ad on the top left, 2018

Let me know your thoughts! What do you think of plastic surgery? The consultation? Korea's beauty standards?

I'll acknowledge, I put along pretty stiff opinions, and I actually went back and forth trying to decide if I wanted to share them fully or not. I definitely censored myself more than than I would have liked to. I wanted to share these opinions, but besides non portray Korea as some nighttime place. It'southward definitely a different perspective on what we usually run across.

There was a pretty big feminist motility in Fall 2018 that occurred in Korea. Nicknamed equally the ' Escape the Corset ' movement, thousands of South Korean women trashed their makeup and posted the results online as a way to insubordinate confronting the beauty standards in Korea. NPR published a good article on this. Definitely requite it a read.

This is also a skilful video to lookout before yous go to bed. It's a thought-provoking interview where a person tries to approximate who regrets getting plastic surgery, and the people talk over how information technology afflicted them. Brand sure you lookout man information technology with English subtitles.

Stay safe, and I hope this was an interesting read during the coronavirus quarantine. Feel free to disagree or agree, share your thoughts with me! You can easily leave bearding comments below.

Sarah