Introduction
Breast augmentation has become an increasingly popular cosmetic procedure around the world, and South Korea has emerged as a leading destination for this surgery. With its advanced medical techniques, experienced surgeons, and a variety of high - quality clinics, Korean breast augmentation hospitals have attracted a large number of patients, including those from Albany. In this article, we will present a selected ranking list of Korean breast augmentation hospitals, share detailed information about these hospitals, and discuss the prices associated with the procedures.
Reasons to Choose South Korea for Breast Augmentation
South Korea has several advantages that make it a top choice for breast augmentation:
- Advanced Medical Technology: Korean hospitals are equipped with state - of - the - art medical equipment and facilities. For example, some clinics use 3D breast implant modeling technology, which allows patients to visualize the expected results before the surgery. This advanced technology helps surgeons perform more precise and personalized procedures.
- Experienced Surgeons: Korean plastic surgeons are well - trained and have extensive experience in performing breast augmentation surgeries. Many of them have undergone long - term practice in their own country and have also improved their skills in Europe or the USA. They are certified by reputable organizations and have performed countless successful procedures.
- High Success Rate: South Korean clinics perform breast augmentation and other procedures with up to 100% success rate in some cases. This is one of the best indexes in the world, which gives patients more confidence in the outcome of the surgery.
- International Recognition: Many clinics in South Korea have special accreditation that allows them to provide the procedure for international patients. They follow international standards in terms of patient care, safety, and hygiene.
- Cost - Effectiveness: The cost of breast augmentation in South Korea is relatively affordable compared to some Western countries. The average cost of breast augmentation in South Korea ranges from $2,800 to $4,000, while in the United States, it is around $15,000.
Types of Breast Augmentation
There are several types of breast augmentation methods available in South Korea:
Breast Augmentation with Implants
Plastic surgeons in South Korea use hypoallergenic Korean breast implants which 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). They provide a more natural slope and contour.
- Round implants: Used for women with bigger breast (2 - 3 size) or sagging. They offer a fuller, more voluminous look.
The implants can be placed under the breast muscle if a woman is planning to have children and breastfeed, or under the mamma gland if she is not planning to have children in the future. Breast augmentation with implants in 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 to the breasts to increase volume. It uses the patient's own fat, reducing the risk of rejection and offering more natural results compared to pectoral implants. However, it typically achieves a smaller increase in size compared to tear - drop implants and requires enough donor fat from other body areas. The success rate of fat survival in the transferred area is 60 - 80%, the duration of the procedure is 3 - 5 hours, and the recovery time is 2 - 4 weeks. It is best for women seeking modest breast enlargement and body contouring when natural results are desired. The cost of breast augmentation with fat transfer in South Korea starts from $4,000.
Selected Ranking List of Korean Breast Augmentation Hospitals
Saero Plastic Surgery
- Location: Seoul, South Korea
- Surgeon: Park Young Kyu with 24 years of experience. With 22 years of specialization in plastic surgery, the clinic ensures experienced care for breast augmentation.
- Features: The clinic prioritizes honesty and warmth, fostering a trustful environment for patients. It offers language support staff for non - Korean speaking patients and crafts personalized medical plans for breast augmentation. Patients from Europe, Asia, and North America choose this clinic for their breast augmentation needs.
- Price: Basic breast augmentation with GC Aesthetics® Impleo™ breast implants costs $4,000 per package.
JK Plastic Surgery Center
- Location: Seoul, South Korea
- Surgeon: Kwon Soon - Hong with 22 years of experience. Dr. Kwon Hyeok - Moon, an interventional cardiologist with 37 + years of experience, is also involved. He specializes in breast augmentation and other related cosmetic surgeries.
- Features: It offers the best breast augmentation procedure in the country. With over 6,000 medical tourists visiting annually, the clinic has a 100% success rate of all procedures performed. It is a premium center with 20 - years of history and numerous awards, providing excellent services in luxurious surroundings with the best results.
- Price: The price for breast augmentation is $15,000 per package.
VG Plastic Surgery
- Location: Seoul, South Korea
- Surgeon: Im Young Min with 19 years of experience. Dr. Park Sang Wook, a skilled surgeon with nine years of experience in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, is also part of the team.
- Features: The clinic is certified and 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 and preferences, ensuring personalized care. Patient testimonials highlight the professionalism of the staff and the positive experiences at the clinic.
- Price: Price on request.
Asan Medical Center
- Location: Seoul, South Korea
- Features: Recognized by Newsweek among the world's best hospitals from 2020 to 2022. It performs 2,000 surgeries for breast cancer annually, with 70% of procedures preserving the breast. It is equipped with facilities for organ reconstruction using implants, providing options for those requiring mastectomies. It is certified by the International Organization for Standardization and accredited by the Korean Institute for Healthcare Accreditation.
- Price: Breast augmentation costs $15,000 - $17,000.
Severance Hospital
- Location: Seoul, South Korea
- Features: Serves 1.6 million outpatients each year, demonstrating extensive experience in patient care. Recognized by Newsweek among the world's best hospitals in 2021 and 2022. Accredited by the Korean Institute for Healthcare Accreditation and featured in Newsweek's World's Best Smart Hospitals list for 2021 and 2023. The women's clinic at the hospital specializes in breast diseases, offering dedicated care for breast augmentation patients.
- Price: Breast augmentation costs $10,000 - $15,000.
Banobagi Clinic
- Location: Seoul, South Korea
- Features: It is the official medical center for "Let Me In," a renowned Asian show. Annually, 2,000 individuals choose this clinic for their plastic surgery needs. It has a global patient base, with individuals coming from the USA, China, Vietnam, Thailand, and more. It conducts thorough pre - surgery examinations to ensure personalized and safe breast augmentation procedures and has partnerships with leading implant manufacturers, offering a wide selection to fit each patient's preferences.
- Price: Price on request.
Miz Medi Women's Hospital
- Location: Seoul, South Korea
- Features: Specialized in breast procedures with a dedicated breast & thyroid cancer center. It offers plastic surgery services, including breast augmentation, within a comprehensive surgical department. It is equipped with modern technology, ensuring precise and safe breast augmentation procedures. It has JCI accreditation, guaranteeing high - quality standards and patient safety during breast augmentations. It is part of a large hospital network, providing extensive resources and support for breast surgery.
- Price: Price on request.
Seoul National University Hospital (SNUH)
- Location: Seoul, South Korea
- Features: One of the well - known medical facilities in Seoul. Neurology, weight loss surgery, obstetrics and gynecology are the strongest specialties. Patients from the United States, Canada, the UK, and other countries choose this hospital for healthcare.
- Price: Price on request.
Factors Affecting the Cost of Breast Augmentation in South Korea
The price for breast augmentation surgery in Korea depends on several factors:
- The 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 may lead to higher prices.
- Doctor's experience: Plastic surgeons with more years of experience, who participate in international conferences, develop new techniques, and have positive feedback from patients, may ask for a higher fee. This increases the price of breast augmentation.
- Type of breast implant: The main types of breast implants applied in South Korea are saline and silicone ones. The cost of silicone implants in Korea is a little higher compared to the price of saline ones.
What the Price for Breast Augmentation in South Korea Includes
The package for breast augmentation in South Korea varies from clinic to clinic. Usually, the price includes:
- The breast augmentation itself
- Implants
- Doctor's fee
- Medications
The special garment, medical tests, accommodation, transfer, and language assistance are paid additionally.
The Process of Korean Breast Augmentation
Pre - surgery
A patient needs to undergo tests to exclude contraindications to a surgery (HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, diabetes, syphilis, etc.). A woman arrives at a Korean clinic and goes through a preoperative examination. This includes consulting with a plastic surgeon and anesthesiologist, completing a blood count with cancer markers and a proteinogram, and undergoing breast ultrasound or mammogram if necessary.
Surgery
The breast augmentation procedure is performed the next day. It is carried out for 1 - 2 hours under local (for lipofilling) and general anesthesia (for implanting). Korean surgeons are renowned for their meticulous technique and strive to minimize scarring and maximize natural - looking results.
Post - surgery
A patient stays in a hospital or a hotel for 1 day and then is dismissed. In a week after the breast enlargement, a woman comes to a doctor to remove the stitches and estimate the result. Then she can return home. The swelling disappears in 2 weeks in 80% of cases, and the scars fade from several months to 1 year.
Patient Reviews and Feedback
Patients have both positive and negative feedback about breast augmentation in South Korea:
Positive Aspects
- Cost: The breast augmentation cost in South Korea is much more affordable compared to the average cost in the United States, which is around $15,000.
- Doctor's professionalism: Patients praise the professionalism of Korean doctors. They are certified by reputable organizations and have performed countless successful procedures.
- Service level: The service level in Korean clinics is high. Patients appreciate the attentive, friendly, and professional staff.
- Breast augmentation efficacy: The modern techniques used in Korea provide effective and satisfying results. Patients report high satisfaction with their new appearance.
- Logistics: Patients appreciate the seamless logistics, including airport transfers and hotel bookings. Clinics often provide these services, making the process stress - free.
Negative Aspects
- Language barrier: Some patients reported difficulties in communication as not all staff members speak fluent English.
- Post - operative care: While the immediate post - operative care is excellent, some patients felt that long - term follow - up care could be improved.
- Travel distance: For patients coming from far - off countries, the long travel distance can be a disadvantage.
Conclusion
South Korea offers a wide range of high - quality breast augmentation hospitals with experienced surgeons, advanced technology, and relatively affordable prices. However, patients considering breast augmentation in Korea should carefully research the hospitals, understand the procedure and associated costs, and be aware of the potential pros and cons. By doing so, they can make an informed decision and increase the likelihood of a successful and satisfying breast augmentation experience.
If you are interested in learning more about breast augmentation in South Korea, we encourage you to share this article with your friends and family. You can also explore related topics such as breast augmentation recovery tips, different types of breast implants, and how to choose the right surgeon. For personalized information, you can fill out a form on relevant websites to get a free estimate and professional advice from the clinics.
