Tummy Tuck in South Korea

What you need to know about Tummy Tuck in South Korea

Also known as an Abdominoplasty. This popular surgical procedure is used to help firm the abdomen area and involves the removal of excess skin and fat, to give the appearance of a flatter and firmer abdomen. The procedure is ideally suited for women who would like to regain their pre-pregnancy shape and contours, their muscle control and remove stretch marks, if present, below the navel. It is also very suitable for patients who have experienced significant weight loss and are left with excess skin that they wish to be removed.

---

MyMediTravel offers 2 Medical Centers in South Korea, many of which offer Tummy Tuck procedures - see below for the complete list, along with estimated prices. Prices can vary, for a bespoke quote and to discuss further with a member of our patient support team, Click Here for a Free Quote.

---

The Procedure

A tummy tuck procedure will get rid of some of your excess skin and fat and will tighten the muscles in your abdominal wall.

What you need to understand is that a tummy tuck procedure is not an alternative for weight loss or an appropriate exercise program. While its results are significantly permanent, maintaining a positive outcome will require you to have a healthier lifestyle.

Furthermore, this type of treatment procedure is not the same as liposuction. A tummy tuck is a major surgery and not all individuals who wish to undergo it are good candidates. Generally speaking, this specific type of treatment procedure is for both men and women who are in good health. This is also suitable for women who have had more than one pregnancies, as well as both men and women who were formerly obese and still have excess fat and loose skin around their belly area.

You will be advised to postpone your plans for a tummy tuck procedure if you are:

• Planning to get pregnant - you may want to consider it once you’re done having children. A tummy tuck tightens your vertical muscles and future pregnancies may separate those muscles.
• Planning to lose weight - tummy tuck should be done after weight loss.

In preparation for a tummy tuck procedure, you will need to have a consultation with your surgeon.  During your consultation, you will be asked about your expected result, goals. Furthermore, your surgeon will also discuss the following options:

• Partial abdominoplasty (Mini abdominoplasty) - this is for those people who have fat deposits below their navel area. This type of tummy tuck procedure usually lasts about two hours, depending on the case.
• Complete abdominoplasty - With this type of tummy tuck surgery, an incision is usually from hip bone to hip bone following the contouring of skin, tissue, and muscle as needed. It will also be required to move the patient’s belly button; patients must also have tube drainage under their skin for a few days.

Before your actual surgery, you may be asked to do the following:

• Quit smoking two weeks before and two weeks after your surgery.
• Eat well balanced complete meals.
• Stop taking certain medications before and after your surgery (prescription drugs, herbal medicines, and supplements)

A tummy tuck procedure typically lasts for about one to five hours, depending on your case. You will also be given general anesthesia while you undergo the surgery, meaning, you will be asleep during the whole procedure.

Length of Stay in South Korea

Depending on the extent of the surgery, you may be released within a few hours or you may have to remain overnight at the hospital. You should plan to stay in South Korea for at least one week after your surgery, this will allow for the initial recovery and follow-up check-ups and etc.

Aftercare

Aside from stitches, the area where you had your surgery will also be covered by bandages. The bandage will help promote proper healing. Small tubes will also be placed along your incisions for several days to help drain any excess blood and fluid. The pain will be inevitable for the first few days, swelling around your surgical area for about six weeks is also normal. You will be given pain medications to help ease discomfort.

It is very important that you strictly follow your doctor's aftercare instructions to help you recover. You will need to limit your strenuous activities for at least six weeks. You may also need to take up to one month off of work for your recovery, follow-up visits with your doctor are also very important to ensure positive results in the long run.

Success Rate

Overall, patients who have had a tummy tuck procedure have been recorded to having positive results after the procedure. However, maintaining these significant results will always depend on how you care for your body.

Apart from fulfilling your body goal, it is also important that you should be aware of the possible risks and side effects of this type of treatment procedure, for example, scarring, skin loss, infections, bleeding, asymmetry, fat necrosis (fat tissues deep in the skin might die), prolonged swelling and skin discoloration, cardiac and pulmonary complications, seroma (fluid accumulation) and suboptimal aesthetic result.

---

Alternatives to Tummy Tuck

While there are non-surgical options that can be considered as an alternative to this type of treatment procedure, note that these alternatives will not give you the same results as a tummy tuck. These non-surgical alternatives only give off limited amounts of skin tightening and a small amount of non-surgical fat reduction.

CoolSculpting - in this procedure, your fat cells will be frozen and eventually be eliminated by your body. You will usually see results after a few weeks and its final effects will be shown typically within three months.

SculpSure - unlike CoolSculpting, SculpSure makes use of laser beam light to kill your fat cells. During the procedure, the laser will be used to heat the fat cells to a point of irreversible damage. Once your fat cells are damaged, they will eventually be swept away by your body’s lymphatic system. Just like CoolSculpting, it will also take about three months to see full results.

---

Find top clinics for Tummy Tuck in South Korea at the lowest price. Compare costs & reviews of 2 clinics, specialized in Tummy Tuck procedures in South Korea.

Tummy Tuck in and around South Korea

About South Korea

South Korea’s population is 51 million and it's capital Seoul is a major world city. 50 percent of the country’s population live within the Seoul Capital Area which includes Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi-do. The capital is situated in the north-west region of the country.

The Republic of Korea has immense potential for medical tourism with futuristic hospitals, sophisticated technologies, and advanced procedures. The government is taking all measures to make the country a top medical tourism destination. By 2022, it is looking to receive 998,000 medical tourists into the country.

Tourists from the USA, UAE, and Japan travel to Korea for affordable treatments. Some medical institutions in South Korea offer price packages, especially for plastic surgery and help the medical tourist to save up to 40 percent on the treatment, even after adding travel and accommodation costs.

The Country has 27 accredited JCI-certified state-of-art hospitals. Severance Hospital, Seoul National University Hospital, and JK Plastic Surgery Centre are the most renowned hospitals within South Korea for medical tourism. The Doctors are well-educated to international standards of certifications and training.

The country is popular for treatments and procedures in several medical specialties, with an excellent track record for success and survival rates. Cancer treatment, plastic surgery, cardiovascular procedures, orthopedics, and preventive health check-ups are the top five areas for medical tourism in Korea.

Popular Parts of South Korea

South Korea is much more than just Seoul as it is home to modern cities, relaxed and traditional folk villages, breath-taking landscapes and beautiful beaches. The following are some interesting and noteworthy places to visit:

1. Seoul – The capital city is a mix of pop and party culture, modern architecture, scenic parks, and glittering promenades and it is also rich in history and culture. The National Museum, War Memorial, Changdeokgung Palace, and Bukchon Hanok village are some of the key attractions in Seoul.
2. The Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) – DMZ is one of the most important places in South Korea as you will get a better knowledge of the troubles between North and South. When you book a DMZ 3rd tunnel tour, make sure it includes the tram ride up and down the tunnel, or you will be in for a long walk. You can also get a glimpse of North Korea from the Observation Post in DMZ.
3. Busan - Is the second largest city of South Korea and is well known for hosting Asia’s biggest International film festival. It is also a unique blend of modern skyscrapers, majestic mountains, picturesque beaches, and magnificent Buddhist temples. Haedong Yonggungsa Temple and Jagalchi fish market are some of the popular sites.
4. Jeju Island –Has beautiful white sandy beaches, volcanic craters and lava caves, and the botanical gardens will take your breath away. Hyeopjae & Hamdeok beach, Cheonjiyeon Waterfalls, and Seongsan Sunrise Peak are some of the interesting places on this island.
5. Gyeongju –This coastal city has a large collection of cultural and historical sites dating back a thousand years. It gives you a peek into its cultural roots through the UNESCO World Heritage site, Bulguksa Temple, and the National Museum.

Seoraksan National Park, Incheon, and Pyeongchang County are a few other places to visit in South Korea.

Weather and Climate in South Korea

South Korea has a mild climate with four seasons.

• Summers are from June to August and are hot, humid and rainy. There can be heavy rainfall in July and August.
• Winters are from late November to mid-March. During winter, it is freezing cold in the north and the interiors, and mild along the southern coasts and snowfalls is rare.
• Spring is from mid-March to May. It is cold at the beginning of the season and gradually becomes milder. Rainfall becomes more frequent with the formation of low-pressure systems.
• Autumn is from September to late November and this is a pleasant season and during October the highest temperature is around 68 to 72°F. Rainfall is considerably less than in spring.

The average temperature in Seoul in January is around 73.4 to 81.5°F and in July its 71° to 75°F.

Getting Around in South Korea

Incheon International Airport at Seoul handles many daily flights from North America. Many of which are non-stop from San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Atlanta. Korean Air, United, and Delta Airlines operate a lot of these flights. Seoul is also reachable from its other Asian neighbors, Europe, and the middle-east. Other international airports in South Korea are located in Busan, Cheongju, and Jeju.

Gimpy International Airport, also in Seoul, handles domestic flight operations. You can connect to the Seoul Subway System, and to Incheon Airport by the Arex Train System.

Train travel is the most convenient and economical way to get around in South Korea. You can buy a KORAIL rail pass when you arrive at the airport. South Korea’s high-speed bullet train, the KTX, connects Seoul to Busan within 3 hours and It also connects to the other major cities within South Korea.

The Seoul Bus Terminal and the Central City Terminal operate buses to all of the cities. Bus travel is inexpensive and efficient, and fairly empty traveling to the smaller cities. Renting a car is also an option, but expensive.

Tourist Visas in South Korea

South Korea has an agreement with 117 jurisdictions for a visa-waiver. Visitors from countries under the visa-waiver program, such as the USA, Japan, EU countries and New Zealand can enter the country without a tourist visa. Tourists can stay for up to 90 days with a valid passport. Canadians can enter visa-free and stay up to 180 days.

Citizens of most Asian countries like India and China and Russia need a tourist visa to travel to South Korea.

Additional Information

1. Korean Republican Won (KRW) is the currency of Korea. One US dollar converts to 1149.00 KRW.
2. You can exchange most of the major currencies to KRW in banks and currency exchanges. US dollars and Euros are the easiest to convert.
3. You can withdraw money from the many ATMs. Or you may even use credit cards for payments in South Korea.
4. Korean and Korean Sign Language are the official languages of South Korea. Hangul is the formal script.
5. 56.9% of the people are non-religious. Among the religious population, the majority are Christians. Others follow Korean Buddhism.
6. The culture of South Korea is a blend of ancient Korean culture with ancient Chinese and Japanese cultures. Respect for elders is an important aspect of their culture.
7. New Year Day (falls in February as per lunar calendar), The Birthday of Buddha (early May), Independence Day (March 1), Memorial Day (June 6), Constitution Day (July 17) are a few important holidays in the Republic of Korea.