Double Eyelid Surgery in Korea — The Complete Guide for International Patients: Methods, Recovery & Schedule

Who it suits / when to be careful

Double eyelid surgery creates a fold in the upper eyelid so the eyes look brighter and less sleepy. It is one of the most popular eye procedures among international patients because it fits into a relatively short stay.

• People with no crease or a hidden (inner) crease whose eyes look heavy
• People whose creases are uneven between the two eyes
• People whose eyes always look sleepy because the eyelid muscle is weak (consider ptosis correction)
• People whose old crease has loosened or is too high and looks unnatural (revision)

Buried suture vs. partial incision vs. full incision — at a glance

No method is simply better. The right choice depends on your eyelid thickness, how much the skin droops, and the height you want.

Crease design — in-out, inline, outline and height

Height means the width of the crease you can see when your eyes are open. A crease that is too high can look heavy and sleepy, so it is usual to start low and natural. At your consultation the doctor holds a thin rod against your lid and you check in a mirror, so bring photos of the eye shape you like.

Ptosis correction, inner-corner and outer-corner canthoplasty — do you need them?

If the muscle that opens your eye is weak (ptosis), a crease alone will still leave you looking sleepy. In that case ptosis correction, which tightens and fixes the muscle, is added; swelling lasts a bit longer and a surgeon experienced in getting both sides symmetrical matters.

Not everyone needs these. Many eyes do well with the crease alone, and canthoplasty is hard to undo, so ask for specific reasons why it is needed. If you combine procedures, plan your recovery around the one that takes longest.

What is different for Western patients and men

Western patients often already have a crease, so consultations mostly cover upper eyelid surgery to remove droopy skin, correcting asymmetry and ptosis correction. With deep-set eyes and a naturally higher crease, a design made for Korean eyes is not used as is, so ask about experience with similar eye structure.

Men often want a low, thin inline crease that looks like it was always there, so the crease is set low, and for thick eyelids a partial or full incision may be recommended. Bruising is hard to hide with makeup, so leave some extra time in your schedule.

Surgery day: the order of events and anesthesia

1. 1
   In-person consultation — the doctor holds the crease line against your eye and you decide on method, height and whether to add canthoplasty. Your manager interprets, and you confirm that the consulting doctor will be the one operating.
2. 2
   Anesthesia — usually local anesthesia of the eyelid, with sleep (IV) sedation added if you are very anxious. You often open your eyes during surgery so the height on both sides can be checked, so general anesthesia is rare.
3. 3
   Surgery — about 20–40 minutes for buried suture, around 1–1.5 hours for incisional. Apart from a sting during the anesthesia injection, there is almost no pain.
4. 4
   Going back — after a cold pack and 30 minutes to 1 hour of rest, you return to your accommodation. If you had sleep sedation, you travel with your manager.

Recovery — what to expect day by day

• Surgery day
  Swelling and tightness, and your vision may be blurry. Keep your head raised and use cold packs.
• Days 2–3
  The peak of swelling. With incisional surgery bruising can spread, and the crease looks very high.
• Days 4–7
  With buried suture the major swelling goes down and going out is easier. With incisional surgery, stitches come out on day 5–7.
• Weeks 2–3
  Even with incisional surgery most bruising has cleared, and you can go about daily life with light makeup.
• Months 1–3
  Remaining swelling fades and the crease settles lower and looks natural.
• Months 3–6
  The incision scar fades and the final crease settles.

Sample stay plan — buried suture vs. incisional

Buried suture (5 days, 4 nights)

• Day 1
  Arrive → consultation
• Day 2
  Surgery → rest and cold packs at your accommodation
• Days 3–4
  Check-up, short outings in sunglasses
• Day 5
  Final check → fly home

Incisional or ptosis correction (8 days, 7 nights to 10 days, 9 nights)

• Day 1
  Arrive → consultation and crease decision
• Day 2
  Surgery → rest at accommodation near the clinic
• Days 3–5
  Cold packs and wound cleaning, mostly indoors
• Days 6–7
  Stitches out, then go out in sunglasses
• Days 8–10
  Light sightseeing (no sauna or alcohol) → final check, then fly home

Contacts, makeup, glasses and things to watch while traveling

Just remember these while you travel

• Wear sunglasses and a hat to block UV and prevent scar pigmentation
• Do not rub your eyes or sleep face down, and sleep with your head raised for the first week
• Avoid saunas, hot springs and pools until the wounds have healed
• Cabin air is dry, so bring artificial tears

Normal symptoms, when to contact us, loosening and revision

Symptoms that can be normal

• The crease looks high and thick for the first 1–2 weeks
• A slight feeling that the eyes don't fully close, dryness and watering
• The two sides look uneven because of different swelling (for several weeks)
• Redness and firmness along the incision line (fades over several months)

Contact your manager right away if

• Your vision suddenly blurs or your eye hurts badly
• Only one side swells rapidly, becomes hard and the bruise grows
• You see fever, pus or severe redness
• The knot of a buried suture feels rough or shows through (even after you are home)

Loosening, asymmetry and revision

With a buried suture, a thick eyelid or frequent eye rubbing can make the crease shallower or loosen it. Incisional surgery loosens less, but if it is fixed too high it is harder to correct. Early asymmetry is mostly uneven swelling, so whether revision is needed is usually judged after 3–6 months. If you have records of previous surgery, be sure to bring them.

10 questions to ask in your consultation

When you come from abroad, you may only get one or two consultations. Take these questions with you as notes. Your manager will prepare and interpret them for you.

1. For my eyes, which is right — buried suture, partial incision or full incision, and why?
2. Do I really need ptosis correction or canthoplasty?
3. Can you show me the recommended crease height and shape in a mirror?
4. Will the doctor who is consulting me do the surgery personally?
5. Is the anesthesia local only, or do you also use sleep sedation?
6. When are the stitches removed, and when can I fly home?
7. When can I wear contacts and makeup or exercise?
8. What are your criteria and costs for revision if it loosens or is asymmetrical?
9. Can you review my progress from photos after I go home?
10. Can I get a record of my surgery (method and fixation technique)?

How to choose a clinic

• A specialist with a lot of eye surgery experience who consults and operates personally, so the doctor you meet is the one who operates
• They explain why they recommend a method after looking at your eye structure, and do not automatically recommend canthoplasty or ptosis correction
• A monitoring system is in place for sleep sedation
• There are CCTV cameras in the operating room, and you can ask for the recording
• They tell you the criteria and cost of revision in advance
• Foreign-language service and photo check-ups after you go home

KBEAU connects you with partner clinics in Gangnam and Apgujeong led by board-certified plastic surgeons. Send photos with your eyes open and closed and we will tell you which methods are possible and how many days you need, and a dedicated manager will accompany you and interpret through consultation, surgery and stitch removal. We can also arrange a recovery stay near the clinic and an airport pickup car.