How Many Days Should You Stay in Korea for a Nose Job? Day-by-Day Schedule [Kowon Plastic Surgery]

How many days should you stay in Korea for a nose job?

For a first-time rhinoplasty, Kowon Plastic Surgery generally recommends about 7–10 days.

For revision surgery, rib cartilage harvesting, or combined procedures, a slightly longer stay of 10–14 days may be better.

If your schedule allows, we recommend 14 days.

How many days do you need to stay in Korea for each type of rhinoplasty?

This stay covers the consultation and pre-surgery preparation (one to two days), the surgery, recovery until the splint (the protective cast placed on the nose after surgery) comes off, and some buffer time before your flight.

A 10-day stay is possible, but it leaves little room for the unexpected, so Dr. Kim Hyung-taek recommends 14 days if your schedule permits.

Your exact length of stay depends on the surgical method Dr. Kim decides on and is built into your individual treatment plan.

Rhinoplasty recovery day by day: splint removal and departure schedule

This is a sample 10-day schedule for a first-time rhinoplasty. The actual dates are set by Dr. Kim based on your surgical method and recovery.

· Day 1–2 Consultation and pre-surgery tests — A 3D CT scan and a skin check allow us to confirm or adjust the direction set during your video consultation and finalize the surgical design. You will also see the simulation Dr. Kim creates personally in Photoshop. One doctor, Dr. Kim, handles everything from the consultation to the surgery and aftercare. Any spare days before surgery are a good time for sightseeing.

· Day 3 Surgery — Dr. Kim performs no more than two surgeries a day.

· Day 4–7 Rest, swelling care, and follow-up visits — You rest with the splint on. Swelling usually peaks on day 2–3 after surgery, and any bruising fades over 1–2 weeks. Keeping your head elevated while resting and applying cold compresses are swelling-care methods that nose surgeons commonly recommend. For the first day or two after surgery, a taxi is more comfortable; once you feel steadier, you can also take uncrowded public transportation.

· Day 8–9 Splint removal and final check — Splint removal after rhinoplasty is usually quick and painless. If your nose looks swollen after the splint comes off, that is normal, so wait a few days before judging the shape. Every surgery patient receives a medical certificate before departure; it comes in handy at the airport if your face looks different from your passport photo, so carry it with your passport.

· Day 10 Departure — Most people can fly 7–10 days after surgery, once the splint is off and Dr. Kim has checked your progress. On long-haul flights, changes in cabin pressure may make nasal congestion or a feeling of pressure a little more noticeable for a while. This isn't dangerous, but some people stay a few extra days to travel more comfortably.

Revision rhinoplasty and rib cartilage rhinoplasty: recovery and stay schedule

Revision surgery, rib cartilage harvesting, and combined procedures need closer monitoring during early recovery, so it's best to plan a 10–14 day stay, and one more follow-up visit may be needed before you leave. Surgery that involves bone tends to cause more bruising than surgery on cartilage alone.

If your recovery is slower than expected, your coordinator will let you know whether you need to extend your accommodation. Whether an extension is possible depends on the hotel's availability.

Returning to work, traveling, and follow-up care after rhinoplasty

Most people can return to work about 2–3 weeks after surgery and travel for leisure comfortably from around 3–4 weeks, when the major swelling has subsided.

However, allow extra time for trips involving long sun exposure, strenuous activity, or high altitudes.

Dr. Kim sets the exact timing after checking your recovery.

Most residual swelling goes down within 2–3 months, and subtle changes in the nasal tip can continue for up to a year.

If you have any questions, message your coordinator on WhatsApp and they will pass them on to Dr. Kim.

Dr. Kim checks your progress by video call at a time that suits your local time zone, so please send photos taken from the same angles as those taken at the clinic beforehand.

In an emergency, go to a local ER first

If bleeding won't stop, you have trouble breathing, you're in severe pain, or you have any other symptom that feels urgent, don't wait to hear from the clinic—go to a local emergency room first. Once you've started treatment, contact your coordinator on WhatsApp, and the clinic will send your surgical information to the local doctor.

Rhinoplasty checklist: 5 things to do before coming to Korea

1. Request a video consultation via WhatsApp 4–6 weeks before your trip.

2. Before the video consultation, take selfies in bright light—front, from below, 45-degree, three-quarter, and side profile—and send them via WhatsApp.

If you send your photos in advance, we can go over the simulation Dr. Kim creates personally in Photoshop together during the consultation.

3. Buy a return flight ticket that allows date changes. Recovery speed differs from person to person.

4. Choose accommodation near Sinsa Station that's easy to cancel or extend.

This makes it easy to get to and from the clinic while you recover. Kowon Plastic Surgery, a rhinoplasty clinic in Sinsa, is visible right from Exit 1 of Sinsa Station. Send the name of your accommodation to your coordinator on WhatsApp, and they will tell you the walking and taxi times.

5. Pack a front-opening top (buttons or zipper), a neck pillow, sunglasses, and any medications you take regularly.

Frequently asked questions about planning a rhinoplasty trip abroad

Q. Is rhinoplasty out of reach if I can't take 10 days off?

There are ways to split up the schedule. Some patients stay in Korea only until the splint is removed and receive light follow-up care remotely after the swelling has gone down. If you tell your coordinator your actual vacation dates, we'll plan the surgery date and recovery around them.

Q. How long does it take to get from Incheon Airport to the clinic?

From Incheon Airport, it takes about 60–75 minutes by airport railroad and subway, or about 45–60 minutes by taxi depending on traffic. From Gimpo Airport, it takes about 35–45 minutes by subway or taxi.

Q. When will I find out the cost of rhinoplasty?

The exact cost is provided after Dr. Kim has examined you and decided on your surgical plan. Before the consultation, only a rough range is available, so please ask your coordinator.

Kowon Plastic Surgery Consultation and Booking Information

Phone consultation / booking

02-6242-7080 All appointments are by reservation only.

Overseas video consultation

WhatsApp +82 10-4434-6234

Video consultation guide page

Consultation request form

Kowon Plastic Surgery 24-hour consultation request form

Leave the details of what you'd like to discuss, and we will review it and get back to you promptly.

Business hours

Mon–Thu 09:30–19:00 · Fri 09:30–21:00 (evening hours) · Sat 09:30–16:00 · Closed on Sundays and public holidays

Directions

2F, KBL Building, 110 Dosan-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (Kowon Plastic Surgery Clinic)

The building is visible right from Exit 1 of Sinsa Station (Line 3) · Naver Map · Google Maps

Representative Director Kim Hyung-taek · Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon