Are you considering breast augmentation and looking for top - notch hospitals in South Korea? South Korea has gained international acclaim for its advanced plastic surgery techniques and experienced medical professionals. In this comprehensive article, we'll delve into the ranking of Korean breast augmentation hospitals, the reasons behind their popularity, the procedures offered, and much more.
Overview of South Korea's Breast Augmentation Scene
South Korea has emerged as a global leader in plastic surgery, and breast augmentation is no exception. The country's clinics and hospitals are known for their high - success rates, state - of - the - art facilities, and a large pool of experienced surgeons. Medical tourism is booming, with patients from around the world traveling to South Korea for breast augmentation procedures.
Advantages of Choosing South Korea for Breast Augmentation
- High Success Rates: South Korean clinics perform breast augmentation and other procedures with up to 100% success rate, which is one of the best in the world. This is a testament to the skill and expertise of the surgeons and the advanced medical technology used.
- Experienced Doctors: International specialists who perform breast enhancement in South Korea undergo long - term practice in their own country and then improve their skills in Europe or the USA. This cross - cultural training equips them with the latest techniques and best practices.
- International Recognition: The clinics where breast augmentation is carried out have special accreditation that allows them to provide the procedure for international patients. For example, many hospitals are accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI) and the Korea Institute for Healthcare Accreditation (KOIH A), which ensures they meet strict international standards.
- Cost - Effectiveness: The average cost of breast augmentation in South Korea ranges from $2,800 to $4,000, which is much more affordable compared to the average cost in the United States, which is around $15,000.
Ranking of Korean Breast Augmentation Hospitals
There are numerous hospitals and clinics in South Korea that offer breast augmentation services. Here are some of the top - ranked ones based on various factors such as success rates, patient reviews, facilities, and doctor expertise.
Hospital Name | Location | Established Year | Number of Beds | Specialty | Notable Achievements | Approximate Breast Augmentation Cost |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Soonchunhyang University Hospital – Cheonan | Cheonan, South Korea | 1982 | 736 | Super - specialty | Became the first among Korea's university hospitals to start free onsite cancer education in 2001. Opened the first day clinic of the region in 2011 and launched 8 - channel multi - detect spiral CT in 2003. | Price on request |
Keimyung University – Dongsan Medical Center | Daegu, South Korea | 1982 | 965 | Multi - specialty | Recognized as a medical center for excellence in foreign patient attraction in 2011. Has a well - equipped biobank for research. | Price on request |
Kyung Hee University – Hospital at Gangdong | Seoul, South Korea | 1970 | 800 | Multi - specialty | Comprises a western medical school hospital, an oriental medical school hospital, and a dental school hospital. Equipped with a 3.0T MRI, EMR system, and 64 MD CT. | Price on request |
Asan Medical Center, Seoul | Seoul, South Korea | 1989 | 2705 | Multi - specialty | Honored as the most respected hospital in Korea for 14 consecutive years by Korean Management Association Consulting (KMAC) (2007 to 2019). Certified by the International Organization for Standardization and accredited by the Korean Institute for Healthcare Accreditation. Breast augmentation costs range from $15,000 - $17,000. | $15,000 - $17,000 |
Samsung Medical Center | Seoul, South Korea | 1994 | 1979 | Multi - specialty | Won first place 14 times for the national customer satisfaction index - NCSI. Known for its innovative medical practices and large number of medical professionals. | Price on request |
Kyung Hee University Medical Center | Seoul, South Korea | 1971 | 1047 | Multi - specialty | The first center that offers treatment by combining dental, eastern, western, and eastern - western medicine. Has advanced treatment and diagnostic equipment like EMR, 3.0 - tesla MRI, and robotic surgery systems. | Price on request |
Chonbuk National University Hospital | Jeonju, South Korea | 1909 | 1150 | Multi - specialty | Has specialised centers for clinical research, geriatrics, cancer, etc. Conducted 500 organ transplant surgeries of the cornea, kidney, and liver. | Price on request |
Gachon University – Gil Medical Center | Incheon, South Korea | 1958 | 1600 | Multi - specialty | Recognized as the first hospital to focus on scientific research and have the first air ambulance. Introduced Korea's first artificial joint robotic surgery system. | Price on request |
Kang Buk Samsung Hospital, Seoul | Seoul, South Korea | 1968 | - | Multi - specialty | Awarded the patient satisfaction no. 1 hospital in 1994. Selected as the best operational hospital for three kinds of cancer (stomach, colon, and liver) in 2012. | Price on request |
Kosin University – Gospel Hospital | Busan, South Korea | 1951 | 1000 | Super - specialty | Has 40 departments and 15 special centers and clinics. Its international health center caters to foreign patients speaking English, Russian, and Mongolian. | Price on request |
Popular Clinics for Breast Augmentation
In addition to the large hospitals, there are also many well - known clinics in South Korea that offer excellent breast augmentation services.
- Saero Plastic Surgery: Located in Seoul, this clinic has a surgeon with 24 years of experience and 22 years of specialization in plastic surgery. It ensures experienced care for breast augmentation, prioritizes honesty and warmth, and offers personalized medical plans. A basic breast augmentation with GC Aesthetics® Impleo™ breast implants costs around $4,000 (originally $3,630).
- JK Plastic Surgery Center: Also in Seoul, it offers the best breast augmentation procedure in the country. With over 6,000 medical tourists visiting annually, it has a 100% success rate of all procedures performed. The lead doctor, Kwon Soon - Hong, along with Dr. Kwon Hyeok - Moon, an interventional cardiologist with 37+ years of experience, specializes in breast augmentation and related cosmetic surgeries. The price for breast augmentation per package is $15,000.
- VG Plastic Surgery: Based in Seoul, it is recognized for high safety and trust. It attracts 1,000 patients annually for various procedures including breast augmentation. It offers a range of breast aesthetic procedures to suit different patient needs. The price is on request.
- Banobagi Clinic: Located in Seoul, it is the official medical center for a renowned Asian show. Annually, 2,000 individuals choose this clinic for their plastic surgery needs. It conducts thorough pre - surgery examinations and has partnerships with leading implant manufacturers. The price is on request.
Factors Affecting the Ranking of Hospitals
When ranking hospitals for breast augmentation in South Korea, several factors are taken into account:
- Popularity for the Procedure: Hospitals that are well - known for successful breast augmentation surgeries tend to rank higher. Word - of - mouth, patient reviews, and a large number of patients seeking breast augmentation at a particular hospital contribute to its popularity.
- Infrastructure: State - of - the - art facilities, advanced medical equipment such as 3.0T MRI, EMR systems, and 64 MD CT scanners, play a crucial role. Well - equipped hospitals can perform procedures more accurately and safely.
- Availability of the Procedure: Hospitals that offer a wide range of breast augmentation techniques, including fat transfer and different types of implants, are more likely to be highly ranked.
- Experienced Doctors: Surgeons with years of experience, international training, and a high success rate in breast augmentation procedures are a valuable asset to a hospital. Their expertise can significantly impact the outcome of the surgery.
- Technology Used: The use of the latest medical technology, such as robotic - assisted surgery or advanced imaging for pre - operative planning, can give a hospital an edge in the ranking.
- Cost: While cost is not the only factor, hospitals that offer competitive prices without compromising on quality are more appealing to patients. Some hospitals may also offer package deals that include accommodation and post - operative care.
- Facilities Provided: This includes patient accommodation, support services such as language assistance for international patients, and post - operative care facilities. A hospital that provides a comfortable and convenient environment for patients will rank higher.
- Success Rate: A high success rate in breast augmentation surgeries, with low complication rates and high patient satisfaction, is a key determinant of a hospital's ranking.
Breast Augmentation Techniques in South Korea
South Korean hospitals and clinics offer a variety of breast augmentation techniques to meet the diverse needs of patients.
Breast Augmentation with Implants
Plastic surgeons in South Korea apply hypoallergenic breast implants that are reliable and safe. There are two main implant shapes:
- Anatomic - like Implants: These are mainly for slim women with little breast (0 - 1 size).
- Round Implants: Used for women with bigger breasts (2 - 3 size) or sagging breasts.
The implants can be placed in two different positions:
- Under the Breast Muscle: Recommended for women who are planning to have children and breastfeed.
- Under the Mamma Gland: Suitable for women who are not planning to have children in the future.
Breast augmentation with implants in South Korea is considered a simple procedure with a 99% success rate.
Breast Augmentation with Fat Transfer
This method involves transferring fat from other body areas, such as the belly or hips, to the breasts to increase volume. The advantages of this technique include:
- It uses the patient's own fat, reducing the risk of rejection.
- It offers more natural results compared to pectoral implants.
- It avoids foreign materials like silicone or saline implants.
However, it also has some limitations:
- It typically achieves a smaller increase in size compared to tear - drop implants.
- It requires enough donor fat from other body areas.
The success rate for fat survival in the transferred area is 60 - 80%. The procedure usually takes 3 - 5 hours, and the recovery time is 2 - 4 weeks. It is best for women seeking modest breast enlargement and body contouring, especially when natural results are desired. The cost of breast augmentation with fat transfer in South Korea starts from $4,000.
Cost of Breast Augmentation in South Korea
The cost of breast augmentation in South Korea can vary depending on several factors:
- Chosen Clinic: The cost for breast augmentation in South Korean clinics may range within 10 - 15%. Some medical centers have international certifications and are famous far beyond Korea, which can affect the price.
- Doctor's Experience: Plastic surgeons with many years of experience, who participate in international conferences, develop new techniques, and have positive feedback from patients, may ask for a higher fee.
- Type of Breast Implant: The main types of breast implants applied in South Korea are saline and silicone. The cost of silicone implants is usually a little higher compared to saline implants.
Typically, the price package for breast augmentation includes the breast augmentation itself, implants, the doctor's fee, and medications. However, additional costs such as a special garment, medical tests, accommodation, transfer, and language assistance are usually paid separately.
Pre - operative and Post - operative Care
Pre - operative Care
Before undergoing breast augmentation in South Korea, patients need to undergo a series of tests to exclude contraindications to the surgery, such as HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, diabetes, and syphilis. The patient arrives at the Korean clinic and goes through a preoperative examination, which may include a consultation with a plastic surgeon and anesthesiologist, a complete blood count with cancer markers, a proteinogram, and a breast ultrasound or mammogram if necessary.
Post - operative Care
After the surgery, patients stay in the hospital or a hotel for 1 day for observation and aftercare. They are advised to begin gentle movements to aid recovery. During the rehabilitation period:
- Week 1: Rest and recover at the accommodation. Wear a surgical bra 24/7 and restrict physical activities.
- Week 2 - 4: Gradually resume light activities. Continue wearing the surgical bra and monitor the healing process. Contact the surgeon if needed.
- Week 4 - 6: Return to work depending on the job nature. Gradually return to normal activities and see visible improvement in breast shape and position.
- Week 12: Return to sports and strenuous activities and see the final results of the breast augmentation.
It's important to note that each patient's case is unique, and recovery times can vary.
Patient Experiences and Testimonials