A Deep-Plane Facelift in Seoul — What a Realistic 12-Day Trip Looks Like
- An 11-to-14-day stay in Seoul is recommended for a deep-plane facelift so suture removal on post-op day 10 and early healing checks are completed safely.
- Post-op days 1–3 focus on rest and early dressing checks; post-op days 5–7 cover dressing and care visits; all facelift stitches are removed on post-op day 10, followed by a final check with Dr. Kim.
- Staying near Sinsa Station (Gangnam) keeps clinic follow-up visits within a short, comfortable commute.
Planning a facelift in Seoul? Explore our Facelift in Korea: surgery, recovery and before-and-after cases.
The question we hear most often from international patients planning facial rejuvenation in Korea is: "How many days do I actually need in Seoul?" For a deep-plane facelift, the realistic answer is about 11 to 12 nights (the schedule below assumes surgery on Day 2). Here is how each day of your trip unfolds.
Before You Fly (14 Days Prior)
Complete your preliminary photo review or 1:1 Zoom consultation with Dr. Kim so you know whether a deep-plane facelift, forehead lift, or eyelid combination is planned. Pause smoking, aspirin, fish oil, high-dose vitamin E, and herbal supplements two weeks before surgery.
Day 1 — Arrival, In-Person Consultation & Pre-Op Lab Work
Land at Incheon International Airport and check into your hotel near Sinsa Station (our clinic is a 1-minute walk from Sinsa Station Exit 4 on Subway Line 3). Dr. Kim examines your facial layers sitting up and lying down, measures brow and eyelid balance, and finalizes the surgical design. Pre-op blood work, ECG, and standardized clinical photography are completed in clinic. If you arrive in good condition, surgery can be scheduled the same day—in that case every later step below moves one day earlier.
Day 2 — Surgery Day
A deep-plane SMAS facelift takes approximately 3 to 4 hours under monitored sedation. After resting in our private recovery suite, you return to your hotel the same evening with a supportive compression garment.
Days 3–5 — Swelling Peak & Dressing Checks
Swelling peaks around 48 to 72 hours post-op. Sleep with your head elevated at 30 degrees and take gentle walks around the neighborhood. You visit Dr. Kim on Day 4 (post-op day 2) for dressing inspection and gentle wound care.
Days 6–11 — Walks & Dressing Checks
Swelling subsides by well over half, and most patients feel comfortable exploring cafes and shops around Sinsa and Garosu-gil with a light scarf or hat. Dr. Kim checks your dressings and wound care during these days.
Day 12 — Stitch Removal (Post-Op Day 10)
All facelift stitches—in front of the ear, behind the ear, and in the scalp—are removed on post-op day 10, and Dr. Kim confirms the incisions have healed.
Days 12–13 — Final Surgeon Clearance & Flight Home
Dr. Kim performs a final check, provides your English flight certificate and scar-care kit, and clears you for your long-haul flight home.
Book Your 1:1 Consultation with Dr. Seungsoo Kim
Whether you are flying in from overseas or living in Korea, Dr. Seungsoo Kim personally oversees every step from initial consultation to surgery and recovery:
- 📅 Book a 1:1 Zoom Video Pre-Consultation or Seoul Clinic Visit (English Booking Hub) →
- 📖 Read Dr. Kim's Mother's Deep-Plane Facelift & Eyelid Surgery 2-Month Recovery Log →
- ✨ View Deep-Plane Facelift Guide & 1-Year Follow-Up Cases →
- 👁️ View Upper Eyelid, Sub-Brow & Forehead Lift Guide →
- 💬 Chat Directly on WhatsApp (+82 10-3705-3423) →
📍 AVA Plastic Surgery · 4F Insung Building, 603 Gangnam-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul (1-min walk from Sinsa Station Exit 4) · TEL +82 2-545-1882
※ Surgical & Consultation Notice: 1:1 Zoom video consultations provide a preliminary educational assessment; final surgical candidacy and operative plans are confirmed through an in-person clinical examination by Dr. Seungsoo Kim in Seoul. Post-operative complications such as bleeding, infection, swelling, scarring, asymmetry, or sensory changes may occur, and results and recovery vary by individual.
Frequently Asked Clinical Questions (FAQ)
Q. Why do I need 11 to 14 days in Seoul for a deep-plane facelift?
Facelift stitches in front of the ear, behind the ear and in the scalp are removed on post-op day 10 to ensure secure, tension-free wound healing before you fly.
Q. When can I wash my hair and walk around Seoul after a facelift?
Light indoor walking is encouraged from day 2, gentle hair washing is typically guided around day 3–5 after dressing removal, and short neighborhood walks are comfortable by week 1.
Q. Where is AVA Plastic Surgery located for hotel planning?
We are located on the 4th floor of the Insung Building, 603 Gangnam-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul—a 1-minute walk from Sinsa Station Exit 4.
Facelift consultation in Seoul, Korea
Visit AVA Plastic Surgery near Exit 4 of Sinsa Station, on Gangnam-daero in Seoul. Our clinic is on the 4th floor of Inseong Building, 603 Gangnam-daero, Seocho-gu. A facelift consultation covers your concerns, previous treatments and recovery plans, including arrangements for your stay in Korea.
Facelift surgery in KoreaMeet Dr. KimDirections to Sinsa Station clinicRequest a facelift consultation
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