As a foreigner visiting Korea for medical tourism, how do you coordinate consults, deposits, surgeries, etc?

[paul80]

I have yet to travel to Korea for cosmetic procedures, but I'm strongly considering it. I have a slight asymmetry in my face, particularly in my right cheekbone and right jawline. The issue is, I would like to consult with several clinics to get their feedback and quotes for the procedures, and do it all around the same time obviously, and minimize the overall time spent there.

I've read that many clinics do not offer online video consultations. Now, I'm totally fine with doing a real face to face consultation as well, when I arrive. But I would still like them to look at my face ahead of time - before I put in vacation time at work, purchase flight tickets, and book hotel accommodations. What if I arrive at the clinic, only for them to tell me I'm not a good candidate or that my problem can't be fixed? I will have wasted flight and hotel costs for nothing. Do you guys make appointments for face to face consults only, without any quick online meetings beforehand, and just travel over there hoping you are a good candidate?

Second, since travelers have limited time in the country, can they typically book you for surgery right away after the consult? Or do you have to mention that you're a foreigner traveling there, and they book both the consult and the surgery back to back, ahead of time? And if they're willing to do this, what if you decide you don't want to go with them after the consult? They probably won't like you too much lol.

Lastly, deposits. Do all clinics require deposits? And I heard you have up to a week before the surgery date to get it back, by law? But if they don't do online video consults, and they demand a deposit to book a surgery date, does it mean the deposit is effectively non-refundable? I'm assuming this since people probably don't have weeks of vacation time banked and will need to do surgery right after the real consult. What if the real consult didn't go well and you want to back out? No deposit refund? Not everyone has a spare week to waste doing nothing, to factor in that deposit cushion period.

Just curious how you guys handle and reconcile consult dates, surgeries dates, and deposit refunds, when trying to size up multiple clinics, all around the same time?

Thanks!

 

[pecansapples]

I have yet to travel to Korea for cosmetic procedures, but I'm strongly considering it. I have a slight asymmetry in my face, particularly in my right cheekbone and right jawline. The issue is, I would like to consult with several clinics to get their feedback and quotes for the procedures, and do it all around the same time obviously, and minimize the overall time spent there.

I've read that many clinics do not offer online video consultations. Now, I'm totally fine with doing a real face to face consultation as well, when I arrive. But I would still like them to look at my face ahead of time - before I put in vacation time at work, purchase flight tickets, and book hotel accommodations. What if I arrive at the clinic, only for them to tell me I'm not a good candidate or that my problem can't be fixed? I will have wasted flight and hotel costs for nothing. Do you guys make appointments for face to face consults only, without any quick online meetings beforehand, and just travel over there hoping you are a good candidate?

Second, since travelers have limited time in the country, can they typically book you for surgery right away after the consult? Or do you have to mention that you're a foreigner traveling there, and they book both the consult and the surgery back to back, ahead of time? And if they're willing to do this, what if you decide you don't want to go with them after the consult? They probably won't like you too much lol.

Lastly, deposits. Do all clinics require deposits? And I heard you have up to a week before the surgery date to get it back, by law? But if they don't do online video consults, and they demand a deposit to book a surgery date, does it mean the deposit is effectively non-refundable? I'm assuming this since people probably don't have weeks of vacation time banked and will need to do surgery right after the real consult. What if the real consult didn't go well and you want to back out? No deposit refund? Not everyone has a spare week to waste doing nothing, to factor in that deposit cushion period.

Just curious how you guys handle and reconcile consult dates, surgeries dates, and deposit refunds, when trying to size up multiple clinics, all around the same time?

Thanks!

you can start reaching out for online consults with photos from various angles. from there you’ll get a sense of their communication style and recommendations with pricing to start narrowing down your list. of course the recommendations may vary during f2f but it’s a good place to start your research.

 

[Auroraglowsg]

Hi paul80!

Perhaps you can take a look at @Auroraglowsg on IG!

 

[perriotte]

I think most people book their surgery date and put down a deposit before coming to Korea. Or at least put a deposit down for their priority clinic.

This is what I do:

1) Figure what surgery I want, research cost, set a surgery budget

2) Research online which clinics to consult, narrow down to 3-4 clinics

3) Set a target travel date, look up travel costs, book flight ticket ~3 months in advance (or do a fare lock/hold my fare for 2 weeks if unsure of travel date), notify time off for work ~1-2 months in advance

3) 2-3 months before travel: contact clinics via kaokaotalk or WhatsApp, fill out their surgery inquiry form (name, nationality, surgery you want, when you're planning on having the surgery, etc), send pics if they request it, receive quote. Some clinics will ask if you want to secure a surgery date with a deposit (10% cost of quote). Usually, I ask to book the f2f consult instead. If I'm told that I'm not a candidate for a requested surgery but the other surgery I want is doable, I still book the consultation, but may start looking for an additional clinic, or put the clinic lower on my priority list.

Consult time is booked with 2 hours in between clinics. Usually 10am, 12pm, 2pm, 4pm appointment times. My consultations usually takes 2 days because of clinic availability. Booking several months in advance might get the desired time slots and have all consultations in 1 day.

4) I don't put deposits down because I don't know which clinic I'll choose. In my mind, deposits are non-refundable (that's how it is in the US). It's "risky," but I want to consult and then decide on the clinic, and hope there is still an open slot available with the clinic. In the f2f consult, they always tell you what days are available. It may not be the next day. If you choose popular clinics, the next open slot can be 3-5+ days later. Sometimes you can't do the surgery at the popular clinic because you also need to factor in stitch removal time (usually 7 days).

5) 1 month before travel: Book hotel, travel wifi, transfer money into Wise card (Wise card will be used to pull KRW from global ATMs, and used as a credit card for shopping because it has a good exchange rate). Regular credit card will be used to pay for surgery.

6) In Korea, doing consults: After deciding on a clinic, I'll send a message to the clinic asking if the time slot is still open. A deposit must be made to reserve the surgery date, but I always pay in full. Blood/lab work needs to be done 1-2 days in advance, so I also pay and get blood/lab work while I'm paying for the surgery.

Note: First time credit card transactions usually get declined even if you submit a travel notification. It's best if you turn on your credit card emailed notifications of transactions to approve the surgery transaction. Otherwise, you'll have to call your credit card to approve the charge.

7) Surgery date is set. Time spent in Korea: 12-14 days.

 

[paul80]

you can start reaching out for online consults with photos from various angles. from there you’ll get a sense of their communication style and recommendations with pricing to start narrowing down your list. of course the recommendations may vary during f2f but it’s a good place to start your research.

Thanks - sounds like a plan to start!

 

[paul80]

Hi paul80!

Perhaps you can take a look at @Auroraglowsg on IG!

Thanks!

 

[paul80]

I think most people book their surgery date and put down a deposit before coming to Korea. Or at least put a deposit down for their priority clinic.

This is what I do:

1) Figure what surgery I want, research cost, set a surgery budget

2) Research online which clinics to consult, narrow down to 3-4 clinics

3) Set a target travel date, look up travel costs, book flight ticket ~3 months in advance (or do a fare lock/hold my fare for 2 weeks if unsure of travel date), notify time off for work ~1-2 months in advance

3) 2-3 months before travel: contact clinics via kaokaotalk or WhatsApp, fill out their surgery inquiry form (name, nationality, surgery you want, when you're planning on having the surgery, etc), send pics if they request it, receive quote. Some clinics will ask if you want to secure a surgery date with a deposit (10% cost of quote). Usually, I ask to book the f2f consult instead. If I'm told that I'm not a candidate for a requested surgery but the other surgery I want is doable, I still book the consultation, but may start looking for an additional clinic, or put the clinic lower on my priority list.

Consult time is booked with 2 hours in between clinics. Usually 10am, 12pm, 2pm, 4pm appointment times. My consultations usually takes 2 days because of clinic availability. Booking several months in advance might get the desired time slots and have all consultations in 1 day.

4) I don't put deposits down because I don't know which clinic I'll choose. In my mind, deposits are non-refundable (that's how it is in the US). It's "risky," but I want to consult and then decide on the clinic, and hope there is still an open slot available with the clinic. In the f2f consult, they always tell you what days are available. It may not be the next day. If you choose popular clinics, the next open slot can be 3-5+ days later. Sometimes you can't do the surgery at the popular clinic because you also need to factor in stitch removal time (usually 7 days).

5) 1 month before travel: Book hotel, travel wifi, transfer money into Wise card (Wise card will be used to pull KRW from global ATMs, and used as a credit card for shopping because it has a good exchange rate). Regular credit card will be used to pay for surgery.

6) In Korea, doing consults: After deciding on a clinic, I'll send a message to the clinic asking if the time slot is still open. A deposit must be made to reserve the surgery date, but I always pay in full. Blood/lab work needs to be done 1-2 days in advance, so I also pay and get blood/lab work while I'm paying for the surgery.

Note: First time credit card transactions usually get declined even if you submit a travel notification. It's best if you turn on your credit card emailed notifications of transactions to approve the surgery transaction. Otherwise, you'll have to call your credit card to approve the charge.

7) Surgery date is set. Time spent in Korea: 12-14 days.

Wow thanks for the detailed reply!

2) I have 2 definite clinics with whom I want to consult. Trying to settle on 1 more, at least.

3) My target date is around late July or early August. Need to coordinate with work. Also, want to lose as much weight as possible before then. Not that it may matter much since they'll be taking scans, but I'm assuming it will be easier for the docs to assess the underlying structures (at least visually), with less fat over the bones lol. I'm around 150 lbs (69-ish kilos), but want to get it down to like around 145 lbs (65 kilos) or lower if I can.

4) If one were doing FC surgery, is that F2F consult comprehensive and complete? Does it include the time needed to take the CT scans, then sit down and discuss the plan of action, as well as to bring up own concerns and input for the doc? I can see that consult taking a full hour and then some, easily.

5) I have Revolut, but will look into Wise as well. Does that use the Visa or Mastercard network for transactions? Also, why not Wise to pay for the surgery as well? I only have American Express credit cards which I highly doubt will be accepted broadly in Korea (probably only at like major American hotel chains and some shopping malls), so I guess I'll have to use the Revolut or Wise card at the clinic. Or in the worst case, withdraw a stash from the ATM, using those travel cards.

7) So a rough example timeline... Day 1 - consult. Day 2 - make a decision and contact a clinic to confirm a surgery date and start blood work and pre-op tests if necessary. Day 7 (worst case) - surgery date. Day 14 - remove stitches, checkup, take new CT scans, etc. So it looks like a minimum of 2 weeks stay in Korea is necessary to comfortably fit a reasonable schedule in, from consult to post-op checkup. I guess the biggest variable is getting the actual surgery date - I could get lucky and get a spot the next day, or it could be 5 days later like you mentioned.

 

[perriotte]

The F2F consult is comprehensive and complete. When you go in for the consult, they take your CT scans and you'll talk to a consultant first about the surgery and what you want to achieve cosmetically and aesthetically. They take notes and later will bring in the doctor. Then you get to consult with the doctor, ask him questions, etc. The consultation length really depends on how many questions you have.

If you have Revoult which has good exchange rates, then you don't need another card like Wise, which is on the Visa/MC network. Personally, I don't have the cash to pay for surgeries, so that's why I put it on a credit card. Travel cards typically have a ATM cash limit withdrawal, so you're better off just bringing cash and exchanging it to pay for your surgery (there's a website that will list the best places to exchange currency in Korea).

 

[edenflare]

The F2F consult is comprehensive and complete. When you go in for the consult, they take your CT scans and you'll talk to a consultant first about the surgery and what you want to achieve cosmetically and aesthetically. They take notes and later will bring in the doctor. Then you get to consult with the doctor, ask him questions, etc. The consultation length really depends on how many questions you have.

If you have Revoult which has good exchange rates, then you don't need another card like Wise, which is on the Visa/MC network. Personally, I don't have the cash to pay for surgeries, so that's why I put it on a credit card. Travel cards typically have a ATM cash limit withdrawal, so you're better off just bringing cash and exchanging it to pay for your surgery (there's a website that will list the best places to exchange currency in Korea).

Hi perriotte, for Revolut, is there a limit to how much you can put on the card? And if so, do you happen to know of a way to remove the limit? Thinking of using Revolut as main payment as well but I am from SG and heard that the max amount I can top up is SG5,000 which is unable to cover certain procedures…

Thank you!

 

[paul80]

The F2F consult is comprehensive and complete. When you go in for the consult, they take your CT scans and you'll talk to a consultant first about the surgery and what you want to achieve cosmetically and aesthetically. They take notes and later will bring in the doctor. Then you get to consult with the doctor, ask him questions, etc. The consultation length really depends on how many questions you have.

If you have Revoult which has good exchange rates, then you don't need another card like Wise, which is on the Visa/MC network. Personally, I don't have the cash to pay for surgeries, so that's why I put it on a credit card. Travel cards typically have a ATM cash limit withdrawal, so you're better off just bringing cash and exchanging it to pay for your surgery (there's a website that will list the best places to exchange currency in Korea).

Thanks - I assume they charge a fee for these comprehensive consults.

I was actually looking further into Revolut and Wise last weekend. Never used them in this manner to pay for large expenses out of the country. Revolut has a daily/weekly deposit top up limit it seems, unless you do a bank transfer, but then you may have to wait a few days for the money to show up in your account. And then there is the small risk that the clinic will reject this payment method (as claimed on reddit). Reportedly, there also have been accounts that were locked down without explanation, with all of your money trapped inside (arbitrary and nebulous anti-money laundering regulations, etc) indefinitely. Those instances are probably relatively few and far between, but too risky for me. Having said all this, I'm probably just going to open a couple of Visa/Mastercard credit cards (that don't charge foreign transaction fees) and go this route. I just have Amex cards right now, but clinics will most likely not accept them. And for the small cash expenses I would need here and there, I could get away with the Revolut deposit limitations and withdraw small amounts of cash from the ATMs there with the Revolut debit card.

 

[paul80]

Hi perriotte, for Revolut, is there a limit to how much you can put on the card? And if so, do you happen to know of a way to remove the limit? Thinking of using Revolut as main payment as well but I am from SG and heard that the max amount I can top up is SG5,000 which is unable to cover certain procedures…

Thank you!

I would contact Revolut customer service for SG to confirm. For US accounts, instant deposits are pretty limiting, but bank transfers have no limits, the caveat being that it isn't instant and can potentially take days to show up in your account. I'm going to go the credit card route, since I don't want to deal with the potential uncertainty and headaches.

 

[ntlvdnv22]

This country has no lack of prospects who are keen to undergo cosmetic surgery. As such, oftentimes when they tell you that you are not a suitable candidate, or that something cannot be fixed, there is a likelihood the reason could be: 1) you're not the low hanging fruit they're looking for; 2) a method does not exist at this time in the world to address your issue; 3) the surgeon does not have the expertise to fix it; 4) other reasons. At the same time, you could benefit from managing your expectations because investing time and cost to make the right decision trumps possibility of getting botched due to a reckless decision. If you decide that you could afford neither, then you are most definitely an unsuitable candidate for any elective surgery.

Consultations should be booked 3-4 weeks prior to your arrival, although in rare instances, certain clinics may require booking months in advance. It is not a good idea to place deposit before you have the chance to have face to face consultation with all the clinics in your list. The clinics can make it difficult to receive refund. Face to face consultations also enable you to get the vibe of the clinic, interact with the staff and identify red flags. Most clinics will be able to find you a surgery slot within days. I'm of the opinion that 5 clinics is the minimum you should consult with.

Depending on your place of domicile, and subject to your own interpretation, consultations with clinics in this country are rarely comprehensive and complete. Unfortunately, consultations in this country are not a time for you to arrive uninformed, and be comprehensively fed information concerning your condition, procedures, any salient risks or complications. Generally speaking, bedside manners tend to be abysmal or incomparable to your country of origin.

You have to decide which risk you're willing to accept -- 1) time and cost lost because no clinic in your list was able to provide satisfactory recommendation or assurance; 2) possibility of getting botched, or having an unsatisfactory outcome, and the financial, mental and emotional toil a negative outcome and experience can have on you, and in turn additional time required to ensure you do not repeat a mistake.

 

[paul80]

This country has no lack of prospects who are keen to undergo cosmetic surgery. As such, oftentimes when they tell you that you are not a suitable candidate, or that something cannot be fixed, there is a likelihood the reason could be: 1) you're not the low hanging fruit they're looking for; 2) a method does not exist at this time in the world to address your issue; 3) the surgeon does not have the expertise to fix it; 4) other reasons. At the same time, you could benefit from managing your expectations because investing time and cost to make the right decision trumps possibility of getting botched due to a reckless decision. If you decide that you could afford neither, then you are most definitely an unsuitable candidate for any elective surgery.

Consultations should be booked 3-4 weeks prior to your arrival, although in rare instances, certain clinics may require booking months in advance. It is not a good idea to place deposit before you have the chance to have face to face consultation with all the clinics in your list. The clinics can make it difficult to receive refund. Face to face consultations also enable you to get the vibe of the clinic, interact with the staff and identify red flags. Most clinics will be able to find you a surgery slot within days. I'm of the opinion that 5 clinics is the minimum you should consult with.

Depending on your place of domicile, and subject to your own interpretation, consultations with clinics in this country are rarely comprehensive and complete. Unfortunately, consultations in this country are not a time for you to arrive uninformed, and be comprehensively fed information concerning your condition, procedures, any salient risks or complications. Generally speaking, bedside manners tend to be abysmal or incomparable to your country of origin.

You have to decide which risk you're willing to accept -- 1) time and cost lost because no clinic in your list was able to provide satisfactory recommendation or assurance; 2) possibility of getting botched, or having an unsatisfactory outcome, and the financial, mental and emotional toil a negative outcome and experience can have on you, and in turn additional time required to ensure you do not repeat a mistake.

Good info, thanks!