Breast Augmentation in Korea — The Complete Guide for International Patients

Who it suits / when to be careful

• You are small-chested and unhappy with how clothes fit or with your body proportions
• Your breast volume has decreased after pregnancy, breastfeeding or weight loss
• You have a noticeable size difference between your two breasts
• You are unhappy with the result of a previous breast surgery (revision)

Breast Augmentation Methods Compared — Implants vs. Fat Transfer

There are two main ways to enlarge the breasts: placing silicone implants, or fat transfer, where fat taken from your own body is moved to the breasts. Implants make it easier to reach the size you want in one go; fat transfer leaves no foreign material and feels natural, but the amount of increase is limited.

Implant basics

• Filling: Most implants today are silicone gel. The firmness (cohesiveness) of the gel slightly changes the feel and how well the shape holds.
• Shape: Round and teardrop (anatomical, fuller at the bottom). The choice depends on your body type and how much upper-chest fullness you want.
• Surface texture: Smooth, very fine micro-texture, and rough textured surfaces. The surface changes how the implant settles in and the related risks, so make sure you are told which surface is being used.

Implants vs. fat transfer

There is also combined breast augmentation using both methods: the implant creates the volume and fat softens the edges and contour, so it is considered for people with thin skin and tissue.

Incision and implant placement

Implant placement can be over the pectoralis major (chest muscle), under the muscle, or dual plane, a mix of the two. Under the muscle, the implant outline shows less and feels more natural, but early pain can be greater. For slim people with thin skin and fat, under-the-muscle or dual plane is chosen more often.

Step by step, before and after surgery

1. 1
   Day 1 of your stay — in-person consultation: your body is measured and implant sizes are tried on you to find the fit. A pre-op breast ultrasound checks for lumps or abnormal findings, along with blood tests, ECG and more. Your manager interprets and confirms that the doctor you consult is the one who operates.
2. 2
   Surgery day — arrive after fasting 8+ hours → general anesthesia (anesthesiologist confirmed) → surgery 1–2 hours → recovery room until you are awake → return to your accommodation or stay one night in hospital
3. 3
   Days 1–3 — dressing changes and checks at the clinic. If a drain was placed, it comes out during this time. You wear a compression bra or band.
4. 4
   Days 7–10 — stitch removal, plus an ultrasound or similar check of implant position. From here, light outings and shopping get easier.
5. 5
   Before you fly home — at the last check-up: confirmation you can fly, how long to wear the compression bra, whether to massage, and how to contact us after you return

Recovery day by day

• Surgery day
  Tight, full feeling in the chest and muscle soreness. Raising your arms high is hard; pain is controlled with the prescribed painkillers.
• Days 2–4
  Swelling and stiffness are at their worst. Sleep slightly propped up and keep wearing the compression bra.
• Days 7–10
  Stitches out. Pain drops a lot and daily movements get easier. It is normal for the upper breast to still look high and firm.
• 1 month
  The implants drop down and the shape starts to look natural. Light exercise is possible.
• 3–6 months
  Swelling is almost gone, the feel softens and the shape gets close to final. Scar color fades over 6 months to 1 year.

Length of stay and flights — how to plan your trip

We generally recommend staying 7–10 days. As a rule, you fly home after stitch removal and an implant position check; for revision or combined breast augmentation, 10–14 days is safer.

• Flying: You can fly once the doctor confirms after stitch removal. On long routes, wear compression stockings, walk every 1–2 hours and drink water often.
• Heavy luggage: Do not lift heavy suitcases for 2–4 weeks — use airport pickup and carts
• Sauna, jjimjilbang, hot springs, swimming pools: avoid for at least 4 weeks
• Alcohol and smoking: avoid for at least 2 weeks (4 if possible) — they affect wound healing and swelling
• Do your sightseeing before surgery; after surgery, stick to light walks near your accommodation

Before and after surgery care

Before surgery

• No smoking or alcohol from 2 weeks before; talk to the doctor before stopping blood-thinning drugs or supplements such as aspirin, omega-3 and vitamin E
• Bring breast exam results from the past year if you have them (if not, the pre-op ultrasound will check)
• Tell the doctor accurately about your medications, allergies, previous surgeries, and any plans for pregnancy or breastfeeding

After surgery

• Wear the compression bra for the period the clinic advises (usually several weeks); underwire bras only after 1–3 months
• Sleep on your back for 2 weeks and do not sleep on your stomach
• Raising your arms far overhead and upper-body strength training: wait 4–6 weeks
• Massage is done or not depending on the implant surface, so follow the clinic's instructions
• If you have a fever, or one breast suddenly swells and hurts, contact the clinic right away

Check your authentic implant and warranty card — be sure to get them

An implant is a medical device that stays in your body for a long time. For future check-ups, revision or warranty service, you need an accurate record of which product was placed.

• Before surgery: have the manufacturer, product name, surface type and size (volume) of the implant explained and get them in writing
• Check that it is a product approved in Korea
• After surgery: receive the authenticity card or warranty with the implant serial numbers — one for each side
• Ask for an operative record with the product label stickers attached
• Check what the warranty covers (when replacement is supported) and how to register it

Side effects and revision — what to know in advance

BIA-ALCL is a rare lymphoma (a type of blood cancer) that develops around a breast implant, and is reported mainly in connection with rough-surfaced (textured) implants. It is very rare, and when found early it is generally known to be treated by removing the implant and the capsule. If one breast suddenly swells several years after surgery, get it checked. Rather than worrying too much, the key is to know which surface your implant has and to attend regular check-ups.

Revision surgery may be needed to change size or to correct contracture or rupture; it is harder than the first surgery and recovery takes longer. Bringing your earlier operative record and implant information makes the plan far more accurate.

Regular check-ups after you return home

• 1, 3 and 6 months after surgery: send photos of your progress and check in with the clinic
• After that, check the implants with a breast ultrasound at the interval your clinic advises
• For silicone implants, the US FDA recommends a first imaging scan 5–6 years after surgery and an ultrasound or MRI every 2–3 years after that
• Keep having regular breast cancer screening — always tell the examiner beforehand that you have implants

10 questions to ask at your consultation

When you come from abroad, you may only get one or two chances to consult. Taking notes of the questions below helps you cover both satisfaction and safety. Your manager organizes the questions and interprets for you in advance.

1. Which method suits my body better, implants or fat transfer? Why?
2. Which manufacturer, surface, shape and size of implant do you recommend?
3. Where will the incision be, and where will the implant go (over the muscle, under it, or dual plane)?
4. Will the doctor I am consulting be the one who operates?
5. Will an anesthesiologist be present during general anesthesia?
6. Where and when is the pre-op breast ultrasound done?
7. From which day can the stitches come out and can I fly home?
8. How long do I wear the compression bra, and should I massage?
9. Can I get the authenticity card, warranty and operative record?
10. If I need revision for contracture or rupture, what are the criteria and what support is there?

How to choose a clinic

• A board-certified plastic surgeon consults and operates personally, and the doctor who consults is the one who operates
• An anesthesiologist is present for general anesthesia and emergency equipment is in place
• Tests such as the pre-op breast ultrasound are done systematically
• Implant information, serial cards and warranty are provided transparently
• There is CCTV in the operating room, and you can request recording if you wish
• They offer foreign-language support and check your progress by photo after you return home

KBEAU connects you with partner clinics in Gangnam and Apgujeong run by board-certified plastic surgeons. Send us the shape you want and your body information and we will tell you in advance which methods are possible and how many days you need to stay; a dedicated manager accompanies you through consultation, surgery and stitch removal. We also help book a recovery stay near the clinic and an airport pickup car.