Plastic Surgery Procedures in Korea by Body Area 2026

How to use this guide

Korea has one of the world's busiest plastic surgery scenes, centered on Gangnam, Apgujeong and Sinsa. With so many clinics and techniques, it helps to start from the body area you want to change, then compare procedures within it. Each section below gives a short overview, typical costs and recovery, and links to detailed pages.

Eyes

Eyelid surgery is the most common procedure in Korea. Younger patients often want a defined crease or a wider eye shape, while patients from their 40s usually want to remove heaviness and puffiness. Options include double eyelid surgery, upper and lower blepharoplasty, ptosis correction, under-eye fat repositioning and corner procedures such as epicanthoplasty. Most take one to two hours under local anesthesia with sedation, typically cost about ₩1,000,000 to ₩5,000,000, and stitches come out after about a week.

Nose

Korean rhinoplasty often focuses on bridge height and tip definition, though reduction, hump removal and breathing surgery are also common. Many surgeons combine a silicone implant with cartilage at the tip, while others use your own septal, ear or rib cartilage. Start with our rhinoplasty guide, or see revision rhinoplasty if you have had surgery before. Expect about ₩3,000,000 to ₩15,000,000, a splint for a week and a shape that keeps refining for up to a year.

Facial contouring

Korea is known for bone surgery that slims and softens the face, planned on 3D CT scans and performed through incisions inside the mouth. V-line surgery narrows the jaw and chin, zygoma reduction narrows the cheekbones, and genioplasty or two-jaw surgery corrects chin and bite. These are major operations under general anesthesia, typically ₩8,000,000 to ₩35,000,000 or more, with two to four weeks of visible swelling.

Facelift and lifting

Lifting ranges from short-scar mini lifts to the deep plane facelift, which repositions deeper tissues for a longer-lasting result. Neck lifts, forehead lifts and temporal lifts treat specific areas, and many patients add facial fat grafting, since restoring volume matters as much as lifting. Typical costs are about ₩6,000,000 to ₩30,000,000, with 10 to 14 days in Seoul.

Lips, ears and minor facial surgery

These shorter procedures are usually done under local anesthesia and fit easily into a one-week trip. They include lip augmentation or reduction, a corner lip lift, philtrum reduction, gummy smile surgery, scar revision, dimple creation and otoplasty or ear pinning. Prices typically range from about ₩1,500,000 to ₩5,000,000.

Breast

Breast clinics in Gangnam commonly use 3D imaging and offer several implant brands, along with fat grafting for a softer change. Breast augmentation, breast lift, reduction, gynecomastia surgery and revision are all widely performed. Expect about ₩7,000,000 to ₩15,000,000 and 7 to 14 days in Seoul.

Body contouring

Liposuction is the most common body procedure, often combined with fat transfer to the hips or breasts. Full body liposuction treats several areas in one session, while a tummy tuck or mommy makeover suits loose skin after pregnancy or weight loss. Costs range widely, from about ₩2,000,000 for one area to ₩20,000,000 for combined plans.

Combining procedures

Many visitors combine areas in one trip, such as eyes and nose, or V-line surgery with cheekbone reduction. Combining can save travel time and a second recovery, but longer operations carry more risk. Ask about total operating time, whether an anesthesiologist will be present throughout, and whether some steps are better done separately.

How to choose a clinic

Look for a surgeon whose experience matches your procedure, who explains risks clearly and who will see you at follow-up. Ask who performs each step, what the price includes and how revisions are handled. Avoid clinics that pressure you to book on the day or add procedures you did not ask about.

Planning your trip

Start with online consultations, then confirm your plan in person. Allow buffer days for follow-up, and read our plastic surgery trip guide before you book flights.

This guide is for general information and is not medical advice. Prices are typical ranges reported by Gangnam clinics in 2026 and vary by clinic, doctor and treatment plan; confirm directly with the clinic.

What is the most popular plastic surgery in Korea?

Eyelid surgery and rhinoplasty are the most common, followed by facial contouring and lifting procedures.

How long should I stay in Korea for surgery?

About 7 days for eyes or nose, and 10 to 14 days or more for contouring, facelift or body surgery.

Can I combine several procedures?

Often yes, such as eyes and nose together. Your surgeon will advise on safe combinations and total operating time.

Do clinics speak English?

Many Gangnam clinics have English-speaking coordinators. Confirm whether the surgeon consults in English or through an interpreter.

Plastic Surgery Procedures in Korea: A Guide by Body Area

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