Hi there,
I am a Vietnamese woman in her 30s from Australia and planning to get a medial and lateral Canthoplasty, rhinoplasty and smas and forehead lift in Korea this august.
Initially I had planned to get everything done at the same clinic but after research, talking to local Koreans and watching some Korean vlogs from YouTubers mincarong and Jooshica(Korean girls with some experience with surgery) I took their advice and decided to go to clinics that specialise in each area. This made me decide on the following clinics that specialise in only one area of the face- Winks (eyes), 1st button (nose) and Vlif (facial lifting and anti ageing procedures)
I selected the following clinics based on their aesthetics and conservative results. I do not want to look like a completely different person but a better version of myself. Also, I appreciated that their before and afters did not have exaggerated editing or excessive marketing to foreigners. Other reasons are outlined below which I listed per clinic
Wink: what sold me was this blogpost I found:
https://ahnestkitchen.com/thoughts/des
I really liked her results and her description of the clinic compared to others. Also, after inspection of their site, the results were inline with what I am personally after. The doctor also seems conservative and this is important to me as I want to mitigate looking botched in anyway that I can (although I understand it is a risk). Also, I have a preference for tapered eyelids and this clinic specialises in this look. I have a fear of sausage eyelids and do not detect an ounce of that based on the clinic's before and afters.
I contacted the clinic and they responded within a day. They asked me for a photo of my eyes opened and closed and recommended that I get an Epicanthoplasty; both medial and lateral. I already have double eyelids so do not require DES but do have a significant Mongolian fold that covers my inner eyelid and I have a desire of showing more of my eye whites (inner and outer) as I have very round and short eyes.
They quoted me 1.9 million won
1st button: A huge selling point for me is that Dr Kim Tae Hwan is an ENT board certified surgeon. This is important to me because whilst aesthetics is important, I want the function of my nose to be intact cause I like breathing haha. In terms of their results, the before and afters on their site are natural and tbh I like my natural nose. I just want my tip refined because I have a bulbous tip (from the front) and would like my nostrils to be narrowed down.
In terms of consult, I was added into a group chat with the surgeon and an English speaking consultant. They requested I send through photos of my nose (front, 45 degree angle, nostrils and side). I also sent 2 photos of the look I am after and described what I wanted to achieve.
I am waiting for their advice but Ive already set my mind that this is the clinic I want to go to based on my research and their results.
Also, this clinic only does noses!
I will edit in the quoted price once they tell me
Vlif: I have fluctuated in weight throughout my life and whether that is the reason, or genetics, I have pre jowling despite being in my 30s, also I have quite a lot of bulk in my jaw due to getting fillers throughout the years to try correct and hide the excess fat/ skin and sharpen my jawline. Consequently, this has made my face look bigger than what it actually is. (Sidenote: If you are young, please dont make my mistake and try correct everything with filler because it doesn't dissolve and causes excess bulk to your face) ...In terms of my forehead, I have a slightly larger forehead that is 7cm long from my hairline to my browline that is an insecurity of mine and something I wanted to decrease to achieve a higher 1:1:1 facial ratio.
Initially I just wanted to dissolve my jaw fillers and get a SMAS lift to correct my lower and mid face, as well as a forehead reduction, but after consult via WhatsApp, was suggested that I get a forehead lift at the same time as the reduction as the surgeon noticed from the photos I sent them that I have heavy eyelids due to sagging. This sounded ideal to me so I have decided to go forward with them. - they also said that they do facial liposuction along with the lift for free if I need it (I may not).
In terms of the clinic itself, they seem to have many satisfied clients, natural results and seem quite skilled at hiding incisions. Also, unlike other clinics, their site doesn't use exaggerated models that are edited. This adds to their credibility IMO.
I was quoted 13.2 for the facelift and 8.8 million for the forehead lift and reduction. However, they said if I agree for them to use my photos they will discount me 30%. I said yes cause why not? haha.
Also, with all these surgeries you can get 10% back when you leave Korea which great!
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My intention is to stay 3 weeks in Korea total and I anticipate this time to be HECTIC running from clinic to clinic for appointments and check ups. The current plan is to do eyes first, a couple days after- facelift, then a week after the rhinoplasty. 3 weeks should give me enough time to remove the stitches and heal etc.
I welcome you guys to follow along on this journey with me and if anyone is planning surgery in August let me know
