First Rhinoplasty

This event is for first-time rhinoplasty patients. It's not just about raising the bridge: the height, length, width and angle of the nose are designed to suit your whole face, and the right material is chosen from your own cartilage (ear, septal or rib cartilage) based on the condition of your skin and cartilage.

Who it's for

• First-time rhinoplasty patients who want a natural-looking nose that doesn't scream "surgery"
• Those who want a nose with clear definition like the one in their reference photo, but worry whether it will suit their face
• Those uneasy about using only artificial implants, or worried an implant might show through thin skin
• Those who'd also like breathing issues such as a deviated septum or rhinitis checked
• Those who want to go from consultation to surgery within a short trip to Korea

How it works

1. Online photo consultation firstSend five photos of the nose you want (your "wannabe" photos), and the surgeon will compare them with your current nose and walk you through what's possible in advance.
2. In-clinic consultation and designBased on four criteria—the angle of the bridge flowing from between the brows, the bridge line (straight or curved), the tip shape, and the shape of the columella (the column between the nostrils)—you decide where you want to land between a natural nose and a more glamorous one.
3. Choosing the materialMost first-time rhinoplasties use ear and septal cartilage. If your skin is thick and firm, or the tip needs significant projection and lengthening, rib cartilage is recommended even for a first surgery. When the bridge needs a definite lift, silicone may be used as well.
4. Pre-op testsAfter a blood test, ECG, chest X-ray and a check of any medications you're taking, the clinic decides whether surgery can go ahead and which anesthesia to use.
5. SurgeryMost procedures are done under sedation, with anesthesia monitored in real time throughout. When rib cartilage is used, the incision is under 2.5cm, and only as much as needed is taken—no more than the upper or lower half of the cartilage.
6. Surgery recordsThe surgical process is photographed and the photos are given to the patient.

What's included

• One rhinoplasty surgery
• Anesthesia fee
• Post-op care fee

Prices include VAT and apply until November 30, 2026. The final price may vary depending on the type and amount of cartilage used, and is confirmed at the consultation. If you want a glamorous-style nose and the surgery runs longer, the price won't go up for that reason alone.

From surgery day to recovery

1. Before your tripSettle on the direction and likely materials through the photo consultation, and line up your surgery date with your departure date.
2. Surgery dayAfter the consultation and tests, surgery is performed under sedation. Once it's over, you rest in the recovery room and then head home.
3. Right after surgerySwelling and bruising appear and subside over time. When the splint and stitches come out depends on the surgical method and will be explained at the consultation.
4. 1–2 months (if rib cartilage was used)The scar at the harvest site may temporarily look raised as the tissue regenerates. This is managed with injections and scar ointment.
5. After 6 monthsIf a scar remains, scar laser treatment can help. Since the nose settles over time, it's planned to feel slightly higher than expected at first.

Aftercare

• The anesthesia fee and post-op care fee are included in the event price.
• The rib cartilage harvest site is sutured beneath the skin and finished on the surface with a waterproof skin adhesive (Dermabond) to minimize stitch marks.
• When the scar becomes raised, care continues with injections and scar ointment, followed by scar laser treatment after 6 months.

Medical team and clinic

Board-certified plastic surgeon and head director Im Ji-hong personally handles both consultation and surgery. A Japanese interpreter is on staff and accompanies you from consultation through surgery day. The clinic runs real-time anesthesia monitoring during surgery, emergency equipment, sterile facilities and an infection-control system, and the operating room has CCTV. It's located on Gangnam-daero in Seocho-gu, close to Gangnam Station.

Side effects and precautions

• Bleeding, infection or inflammation can occur after surgery, so follow the clinic's instructions.
• Swelling and bruising are common and gradually subside during recovery.
• Using rib cartilage leaves a small scar below the chest, and the harvest site may be painful. Only the portion of cartilage needed is removed to reduce the strain.
• A tip that's too pointed or a columella that sticks out too much can look unnatural, so it's important to be specific about how much change you want at the consultation.

FAQ