I want to tell you a little story about my two nose jobs in Korea. Yes. You heard me. Two. I know that I don’t look like I’ve gotten work done…but we’ll get to that part later. I think the biggest reason why I want to write about these rhinoplasty experiences is because, even to this day, I don’t think there are that many people who’ve had my type of surgery in Korea. When I first started researching this topic years ago, most of the people who talked about getting plastic surgery in Korea had gotten implants to increase the height of their noses. I couldn’t really find people with my issues getting rhinoplasty or a revision afterwards. That’s why I’d like to offer some insight and advice about rhinoplasty and rhinoplasty revision in Korea.
Before the Nose Job
I’m guessing the first question you have is, “Why did you even want to get plastic surgery in the first place?” The answer to that is simple: ever since I was a teenager, I hated my nose. My sister had won the genetics lottery with her cute little button nose. I, on the other hand, was cursed with a hawk-like nose. I had a hump on the bridge, and the tip was low and hooked down at the bottom. My nose complex was so severe, I’d never take side shots of my face. Every pose was purposely done to disguise or minimize the way my nose looked.
Before moving to Korea, I thought I’d never be able to afford a nose job and that I’d be resigned to living the big eagle nose life. In the United States, depending on the city, rhinoplasty can cost around 5,000 dollars or more. Let’s be real, how many people have that kind of money just lying around to throw at an insecurity? I certainly didn’t.
The Consultation
It wasn’t until the end of 2014 that I had the chance at an affordable rhinoplasty procedure, 3 years after moving to Korea. I had been talking to my friend Dax one day and he suggested I go to a plastic surgery clinic with him that he knew and where he had gone to for a different procedure. Dax knows a lot about the plastic surgery world, so I trusted him fully.
I know that you’re all curious about the name of the clinic…but unfortunately, I can’t tell you. South Korea has strong laws related to libel which means that if I say something negative about a place or a person, even if it’s the truth, I can get into trouble. Therefore, because I want to be completely honest and talk about the good, the bad, and the ugly about my nose job and rhinoplasty revision, I cannot say the clinic’s name. All I can tell you is the clinic I went to was a large one in Seoul.
Let’s continue. Dax was awesome throughout this whole experience, as he always is, and he even went with me to my consultation in December of 2014. The clinic has onsite translators so I didn’t have to worry about any miscommunication issues. For me, even though I can speak some Korean, that was incredibly important and something I would advise others to look for when going to a clinic. The last thing you want is a misunderstanding between you and the consultant or the doctor.
The keyword of the day was “natural” which in Korean is 자연스럽게. We decided that the best thing to do was remove the hump and lift the tip. To help lift the tip, they would use the cartilage that was in already in my nose. They would also straighten my nose as it was a little bit crooked. This would all be done through the open rhinoplasty method. Everything sounded perfect and I was ecstatic to finally get the plastic surgery of my dreams.
The Negotiation
Those dreams almost crashed when it was time to discuss the cost. Originally, they quoted me what I can only describe as a ridiculous amount. I think it was over 6 million or 7 million Korean won. In today’s currency exchange, that is a around 5,000-6,000 USD. I was completely shocked. Everyone and their mom had said rhinoplasty wasn’t expensive in Korea, but at that price I could have just done it in the states.
Instead of walking away, Dax and I decided that it was time to negotiate. First, they offered a referral discount just because I knew Dax. Secondly, I offered to pay in cash which dropped the price down further. Finally, and probably most importantly, I agreed to take photos, videos, and write diary entries for their website to show other prospective clients and to be used in presentations. Because my face was not going to be on any billboard or in a subway advertisement, I felt comfortable doing agreeing to these terms.
The final price after all of this: 3 million won (currently a little over 2,500 USD).
After the consultation was all said and done, I agreed to get my rhinoplasty done 3 days later. 3 days. I could have even chosen a same day surgery but that seemed too extreme for me. Because I was getting the surgery so soon, I had to get a bunch of tests done on the same day of the consultation and let them know if I was on any medication or birth control. I also had to give blood and…..that was an experience.
The person who was taking my blood made a mistake somehow and so as she was drawing it, there was a small explosion. To this day I am not sure if the vial broke or if there was an issue with the tubing, all I know was that blood. was. everywhere. We both just sat there in shock. Someone else eventually took over to draw my blood, but I was shaken.
Maybe that was a little warning of what was to come.
The First Nose Job
The day of the nose job was one of the most terrifying days of my life. Until that day, I’d never had a surgery of any kind before. Dax, being my knight in shining armor, came with me for support. I also had my translator who was by my side every step of the way. She was just the sweetest. I even remember her telling me stories to calm me down about her own plastic surgery experiences. Fun fact, she and her sisters had their eyes done when they were teenagers, so compared to them, I guess I was being a giant baby.
Finally, it was time for the surgery. I walked into the operating room. I lay down on the table. Then, I suddenly started bawling. In a manner of seconds I went from feeling calm and collect to being overwhelmed. I was keenly aware that I was in a foreign country, laying on a table about to be cut open with all of these people around me. I almost wanted to stop the whole procedure. My translator and the nurses were so kind and helped to calm me down before the anesthesiologist and surgeon came.
Eventually, I felt calm enough to start the surgery. They put me under, and I woke up a few hours later. All I remember about those first moments after opening my eyes was that I felt very loop and needed to go to the bathroom like crazy. The next time I awoke, I was in my post op surgery room. I had to wear an oxygen mask because my breathing was a little low, but I felt fine. Dax was there with me, and we were just relaxing because I wasn’t allowed to leave for a bit. The worst part of surgery day was that I couldn’t drink water for the first hour. I was dying of thirst and that first sip of water was divine.
When I was finally discharged, Dax and I went to get the antibiotics which cost me around 80,000 won (less than 70 USD). I was also provided pumpkin juice to help with the swelling.
The rhinoplasty recovery process wasn’t as difficult as I thought it would be. I wasn’t in pain, and my bruising wasn’t all that bad compared to some pictures I’d seen online. The worst part was that my nose wouldn’t stop dripping for the first few weeks and sleeping was an absolute nightmare. I couldn’t breathe through my nose because there were packing and nose splints shoved in there, so I had to sleep with my mouth open. At night, my mouth became the Sahara desert. My tongue, sandpaper. I needed to keep water with me and spent my nights waking up periodically to take a sip.
After 3 days, I went to the clinic and they removed the packing from my nose. After a week, the cast was taken off and replaced with a bandage, the stiches were removed, and finally, finally, the nose splints were taken out and I could breathe. That first deep breath is something that I’ll never forget. You have no idea how precious something like that is until it’s taken away from you, even for a short time.
The Revision
The healing process itself was not so bad. I mean, I looked a bit like a chipmunk with my swollen face, especially after eating salty food, but I thought it was a little cute. It was, however, during the healing process that I started to notice something. The clinic said they straightened my nose, but it was starting to look crooked again, and in an even more dramatic way than before.
I kept telling myself it was swelling and that it would all even out. As time went on, it was apparent that the crookedness was not due to swelling. At the 3 month mark, I had another follow up appointment with the clinic and I pointed out my concerns over my nose. And so the surgeon came in, took a look, and flippantly said, “Oh ok, you’re going to need a revision”, before turning around and leaving.
Like the crybaby I am, I broke down. I had saved up all this money, I had gone through my first surgery, I spent the time dealing with recovery, and I was going to have to do it all over again? I was heartbroken and felt defeated.
The only part that made me feel better was that the cost of my revision rhinoplasty was going to be free. Apparently, cartilage has memory and may move, so there was always a chance of it becoming a little crooked like before. In my contract with the clinic, they promised a free revision within a year of my surgery if it became crooked again.
That’s how, in June of 2015, I had my revision surgery. That surgery went even more smoothly than the first. I didn’t have to go under general anesthesia but rather local with sedation, so I felt clear headed when I woke up after the revision. I didn’t even have to wait around at the clinic, I could just leave as soon as I woke up. This time around they used cartilage from the back of my ear.
The best part was that I didn’t need a cast. They just put a bandage over my nose and some cotton for any initial bleeding. There was very little bruising, less swelling compared to the first time around, and overall, it was just an easier time. The worst part of the revision was taking out the stitches in my ear…. my translator had to hold my hand during that part.
The Present
So let me show you what it looks like now, nearly 7 years later.
The bump and drooping tip is gone, but as you can see, it’s not perfect. The profile views look great, but the problem is that my nose is not completely straight: it curves to the left, and the area on the right side of my nose tip that feels sunken in. The crookedness is even more visible from a low angle. I think the camera enhances these flaws, because no one I meet in real life can even tell I’ve had anything done. To them, it just looks like a nice, average, natural nose.
Advice on Getting Rhinoplasty in Seoul
After all these years and all these experiences, I think there are a few things you should keep in mind if you want to get rhinoplasty or a rhinoplasty revision here in South Korea.
#1 Shop Around
This is an important surgery. Take the time to find a place that you feel comfortable with. Each place may offer different prices or may recommend different procedures for you. Do not tell them what you want. Instead, let them explain to you how they would improve the area you want to change, and see how they act towards you and your concerns.
#2 Negotiate
Ask what the price would be if you paid in cash, assuming you are able to pay that much all at once. Tell them you only have X amount of money and see if they’re willing to match that price. Go with a friend or two that also want surgery and check if they offer group discounts. Offer the rights to your photos in exchange for a lower price. Basically, find out if you can make a deal somehow. Like my father always tells me, everything is a negotiation.
#3 Seek Improvement, Not Perfection
I had this idea that once I had this surgery, I would become beautiful and I would have the perfect nose for me. That suddenly all the pieces of my life would fall into place. I know, it sounds ridiculous. How can a nose job do all that? It doesn’t, of course. But when you dislike one part of yourself for such a long time, you give it a lot of power and meaning, and therefore, fixing it would be akin to fixing yourself. I didn’t even think about the possibility of a revision nose job or things not turning out the way I wanted them to.
Instead of thinking about it as a failure of achieving perfection, it’s better to think of it in a more positive way. As long as it looks better to you, then the surgery was worth it. If I hadn’t done this surgery, I would’ve kept thinking about and obsessing over my imperfections. Now I don’t really think about my nose at all.
I’m not sure if I would get another revision in the future, because I think a third surgery would require a surgeon with the right type of experience to deal with a 3rd revision, but for now, I am content.
Beauty Bap 