Hi, I went to Wink in January and was going to post a review at some point but I think I need to rack some points up first. Prices were extremely fair and lower than I expected as a foreigner.
Here’s my experience that I was going to post down the road:
Writing this review because at the time I was doing my own research as a non Korean, I could only find 3 reviews for Wink and there wasn’t much detail. I found 1 very detail review with pictures from a blogger in English and thought Dr Choi would be a good fit for me. He does eye surgeries only and specialises in revisions. He does about 2 to 3 eye surgeries per day. Because I could only take limited time off, I did not have the option to consult with other clinics in person. I figured, if I get a red flag on the day of consultation, I cant walk away without my deposit.
I had to get my korean friend to check on korean websites and most of the reviews apparently said he was good and prices were fair. No major red flags, but you never really know because paid reviews are apparently common.
I previously had a blepharoplasty only and I was looking for a revision due to asymmetry. One of the clinics I consulted online said my fold was too high and looked unnatural and recommended a double eyelid revision. I did not go with that clinic because it was on Jeju island and I wanted to be in Seoul.
It seems that this clinic has a lot of foreign clients from other asian countries and occasionally english. They have Chinese translators only. I dont think they are targeting english clients hence why it’s so hard to find out about this clinic if you only spoke English.
I reached out to Wink on whats app. Their staff does not speak English but there was one staff who could communicate in English somehow. They always got back to me within 1 to 2 days. They told me the surgeon reviewed the photos and quoted me 6000000 won for double eyelid revision, fat grafting to eyelids, and ptosis correction. I wire transferred a 10 percent deposit to secure a surgery date.
I was told I would need a translator for 1.5 hours for the consent forms. The surgeon spoke perfect English so I didnt need to worry too much for that part.
To prepare for the trip, I told my credit card in advance and asked my korean friend to be free for a phone call that day.
Pre surgery preparation
I was told to only bring payment and my passport. I had to fast 6 hours for food and 4 hours for liquids. I was given specific instructions for meds. I was told I was going to get ketamine and midazolam for sedation. They dont have an on site anaesthetist and told me I dont need one. I would be asleep initially and then the surgeon will wake me to give instructions in English during the surgery.
Day of surgery - Jan 2024
When I arrived, they went through some of the consent forms with me. My translator Ryan Kim ghosted me so I had to get help from my friend at home to translate on the phone. I used my google translator and my friend to help. That took about 45 minutes. I was then taken a recovery room with a single bed and a locker to change. There were cctv cameras everywhere, so I had to remember to pull the curtains close in the recovery room to change. I didnt realise until later that one of the reasons they have cctv cameras everywhere was maybe to reassure that there wont be a ghost doctor. I wasnt concerned for that because he was the only one in the clinic but I dont know if the cctvs were in the surgery room as well.
They took me to the washroom to wash my face. We then went to a separate room to take photos.
The staff took me to the consult room. We reviewed my medical history and made sure I fasted. The surgeon then came in. He seemed very chill and approachable. He looked at my photos and then did some simulation with toothpicks. He made sure to ask what I wanted. He was super knowledgeable and was blunt as to what he could do with my anatomy. He explained the rationale very well and it made sense for me. He never pushed for surgeries I dont need. I got a really good vibe from him. We ended up only doing the Mongolian folds. His English was perfect so there was no issues there.
I’m a doctor so I know time was money for staffing, bills, and operating costs. I appreciated that he didnt force any additional surgeries on me even though I was booked for a 1.5 hour surgery for 6000000 won initially but only ended up needing a 15 minute surgery which cost 800000 won. This was cheaper than what was quoted to me as a foreigner by other clinics. Because of this, I felt I had complete trust that he was looking out for his patients. My korean friend thought the price was pretty low.
After that, the staff came in and went through the final consent and payment.
I was then walked to the surgery room. I was told I’ll be asleep for the surgery and it will take only 15 to 20 minutes. They put in the IV and then surgeon came in. He marked my face and we had one last chance to talk. Then I went to sleep quickly.
When I woke someone walked me to the single recovery room where my boyfriend was. There was no pain or discomfortable. I was whoozy for about 5 minutes like when your tipsy. I was told I can go when I felt ready.
I was give a package with instructions. They went through aftercare with me:
- no touching water on the wound for a week
- sleeping upright
- wearing glasses lower
They also gave a script for antibiotics which could be filled at pharmacy on the main floor.
Before I left, they scheduled me for a wound check the next day. My wound was oozing blood throughout the first 3 days. They cleaned my wound and then did a de swelling laser. I was instructed to come back on day 5 for suture removal. Normally it is day 7 I think but I had to leave the country. They removed the sutures painlessly. Dr Choi came to take a look. He answered my remaining questions. I did another deswelling laser and then I was free to go.
Before leaving, I made sure to get a tax receipt. I successfully got 7% in wons back.
Some things I appreciated only after getting a different surgery done in Korea:
The operating room looked a lot more friendly rather than the sterile look at bigger places. They also allowed my boyfriend with me in the recovery room.
Overall, I had a great experience. I came skeptical and worried because apparently you cant always trust the reviews on purseforum and its common not to know the surgeons history before he started working at a clinic. My friend also scared me about going under because of stories of ghost doctors. Koreans will choose to go under surgery with local only as a result. I appreciated that he was realistic and put patients first. The clinic layout was also very nice. Because he was the only surgeon there, I didnt get the factory feeling that I got at another clinic for another surgery I had in Seoul.
