Patient Journey
Guidelines

Preparation protocols in South Korea are designed for maximum clinical efficiency. While basic health stability is required prior to travel, the final clinical clearance often happens rapidly upon arrival in Seoul.

Testing & Lab Protocols:

• On-Site Screenings: For most elective procedures, clinics conduct full pre-operative screenings—including blood panels and EKG results—on-site. This is typically done 1 to 2 days before the procedure.
• Complex Cases & Oncology: For major medical or oncological treatments, patients are generally required to provide comprehensive diagnostic results and laboratory history from their home country for a preliminary review before travel is cleared.
• Safety Window: Regardless of testing location, standard advice remains to stop all blood-thinning supplements (Vitamin E, Ginseng, Omega-3) 14 days prior to surgery to minimize intraoperative risks.

The in-person consultation in Seoul is a comprehensive evaluation designed to align patient expectations with surgical feasibility. This phase often involves advanced diagnostic imaging and a final health assessment.

Standard Clinical Protocols:

• Surgical Planning: Final designs are confirmed through 3D CT scans or imaging simulations to ensure anatomical proportions are respected.
• Safety Fasting: For procedures requiring general or local sedation, clinics mandate a strict fasting window (typically 8 hours) where no food, water, or gum may be consumed.
• Consent & Documentation: Official clinical consent forms are reviewed and signed on-site after a thorough explanation of the procedure and potential risks by the surgical team.

Post-operative timelines are dictated by individual healing rates, but the primary clinical objective is ensuring a patient is structurally stable before their return flight.

Common Recovery Milestones:

• Suture Management: Suture removal is a key clinical milestone and is generally completed within 10 days of the procedure. It is advised to coordinate return travel around this date.
• "Fit to Fly" Clearance: For patients traveling internationally, a final clinical assessment is conducted to ensure cabin pressure will not adversely affect incisions or increase internal pressure.
• Healing Trajectory: While primary deswelling occurs in the first 2-3 weeks, patients should anticipate monthly virtual milestones as tissues settle into their final aesthetic position over 12 months.

Clinical Preparation

• ☐ Case-specific medical records (as requested)
• ☐ Detailed list of current medications and allergies
• ☐ Previous surgical history and procedure dates
• ☐ Specialist reports (Mandatory for Oncology cases)
• ☐ Recent treatment area documentation (for Coordinator)

Travel & Recovery

• ☐ Valid Passport & K-ETA or Medical Visa
• ☐ Post-op wardrobe: Button-up shirts & slip-on shoes
• ☐ Recovery aids: Neck pillow or light scarf for privacy
• ☐ Digital copy of flight and hotel itinerary
• ☐ International credit card and local currency (KRW)