Korean Plastic Surgery Checklist: 15 Things to Prepare Before You Travel

Planning cosmetic surgery in Korea involves more than choosing a procedure and booking a flight. You need confirmed hospital information, a practical itinerary and clear instructions from the team treating you. Use this checklist to organize questions before travelling; your doctor’s individual instructions take priority.

Your 15-point preparation checklist

1. Confirm the hospital and doctorRecord the hospital’s full name, branch, address and the doctor expected to assess you. Check these details against the appointment confirmation rather than relying on a social-media account name.
2. Confirm consultation and procedure datesKeep the appointment time and proposed treatment date in one itinerary. Ask which dates are confirmed and which remain provisional until the doctor has assessed you.
3. Prepare your relevant health and surgery historyMake a clear record of existing conditions, previous operations and any relevant treatment. Tell the hospital if your information changes before the appointment.
4. List medicines and supplementsWrite down prescription and non-prescription medicines, supplements and other products you take, including doses where known. Ask how the hospital wants to receive this information.
5. Disclose allergiesTell the treating team about known medicine and food allergies, and describe previous reactions where possible. Include relevant problems during earlier surgery or anesthesia.
6. Get individual medication instructionsDo not stop or change regular medicines based on an online checklist. Ask the treating team what to continue, change or pause, and obtain a clear written plan.
7. Check requested tests and recordsAsk which records or test results the hospital needs, when they must be provided and whether translation is required. Avoid arranging tests without confirming the hospital’s requirements.
8. Check your passport and travel documentsCheck that appointment details match your passport. Consult official entry information for your nationality and travel dates; a hospital appointment does not itself guarantee permission to enter Korea.
9. Leave room in the flight itineraryPlan around consultations and review appointments. Confirm the doctor’s advice about returning home before committing to a flight schedule that cannot accommodate follow-up.
10. Choose practical accommodationConsider the journey to the hospital, transport options and daily needs during recovery. Confirm who books the accommodation and what is included in the arrangement.
11. Confirm communication arrangementsIdentify the hospital contact, coordinator and any interpreter involved. Confirm the supported language, availability and which parts of the appointment include communication support.
12. Obtain the hospital’s fasting instructionsAsk for the instructions that apply to your procedure and appointment time, including any directions concerning medicines. If the instructions are unclear or conflict, contact the treating team.
13. Pack clothing that is easy to manageChoose comfortable clothing that is easy to put on and remove. Ask the hospital whether the planned procedure requires particular clothing or items.
14. Record the follow-up scheduleConfirm review appointments and any planned stitch or splint removal. Record the hospital’s instructions and clarify which appointments must take place before you leave Korea.
15. Keep contact details accessibleSave the hospital’s contact details and its instructions for urgent concerns. Keep the coordinator’s details separately so you know which team handles medical questions and which handles practical arrangements.

Reconfirm the essentials before departure

Check the latest appointment time, hospital location, doctor, requested records, payment arrangements and preparation instructions. If your health, medicines or travel dates have changed, tell the hospital before you leave. Keep a copy of the confirmed plan that you can access without relying on a single chat conversation.

Build follow-up into the trip

Arrange the trip around the hospital’s review schedule rather than a fixed number of holiday days. Ask who will answer questions after you return home and how to contact the treating team. If you expect to use a service in your home country, confirm the provider, appointment, records required and any separate charges in advance.

Questions before travelling

Can I use a standard fasting or medicine schedule?

Use the individual instructions issued by your treating team. A general checklist cannot account for your procedure, medicines or medical history.

Should I book a return flight before confirming follow-up?

Ask the hospital to confirm the planned reviews and the doctor’s advice about returning home before you finalize the itinerary.

Do I need to send medical records in my first enquiry?

Start with the procedure you are considering, your approximate dates and preferred contact language. Confirm the recipient, purpose and suitable channel before sending sensitive records.

Continue planning

• Budgeting for surgery in Korea
• Five hospitals and clinics to research
• Ten things to research before booking

Source and further reading

Santongsuai’s original Thai checklist
NHS: preparing for surgery · English

This is general preparation information. Medical assessment, treatment decisions and individual instructions belong to your treating doctor and hospital.