Desiree Cerdeña
3 months ago
★★★★★
Virtual Consultation
Jiwon, the in-house translator, and Dr. Kim were very detailed and clearly explained my current case and the procedure. I decided to make a $1,000 USD reservation to secure my surgery date. I first contacted them on January 4, had my virtual consultation on January 14, and my confirmed surgery was scheduled for March 21.
In-Person Consultation
After speaking with them in person, I felt more confident about having my surgery at Kowon. Dr. Kim appeared very sincere, and his gestures showed confidence and expertise in what he does. They thoroughly discussed what needed to be done during the surgery.
Surgery Day
I arrived before 10 AM, which was my appointment time, and the surgery was scheduled for 11 AM. I changed into their surgical gown, and once I entered the operating room, the nurses moved quickly and began sanitizing me. It was my first time experiencing that since my previous surgeries started directly with anesthesia, so I was a bit surprised. When Dr. Kim arrived, I started to feel the sedation being administered. He had prepared detailed plans for different possible scenarios after opening my nose, and fortunately, the actual condition was not far from what he had anticipated. The surgery lasted 3.5 hours, which was shorter than expected, and it went well.
Post-Operative Care
Day 1 (Sunday): They removed my nasal pack on Monday. The removal was uncomfortable but manageable. I received UV antibiotic treatment and laser light therapy. They removed the cast and then placed it back.
Day 3: I returned to the clinic for IV antibiotics, nose cleaning, and laser light therapy for swelling. They reinserted the nasal pack and reapplied the cast. I was advised to come back on Day 5, when they removed the nasal pack again, and I was able to breathe very well.
Day 7: My cast and sutures were removed. We reviewed the before-and-after results and discussed the surgery in detail. We were happy with the outcome, especially the post-operative care. The care here is excellent. Dr. Kim truly cares about his patients, which is hard to find.
Overall, almost everyone at the clinic has been very kind, and I highly recommend Kowon, especially for foreigners.
★★★★★
Overall Impression So Far (6 days post op)
Surgery process felt efficient and professional. Communication and translation support were excellent. Great value of service and care for the price.
Daily follow-up care was consistent with cleaning and laser therapy.
Swelling, especially facial swelling, was mentally difficult during recovery.
Rib discomfort fluctuated but gradually improved.
Main complication experienced was GI upset from antibiotics, which the clinic addressed promptly with medication changes.
★★★★★
U.S. Patient Experience: Rhinoplasty with Dr. Kim at Kowon Plastic Surgery
I had a wonderful experience getting my rhinoplasty at Kowon Plastic Surgery in Seoul, South Korea. I chose Kowon after doing extensive research through Reddit, Google, and social media, and I was especially drawn to Dr. Kim’s work and the fact that his clinic focuses specifically on rhinoplasty.
I am an international patient from the U.S. and had done consultations in Dallas, Texas before deciding to have surgery in Seoul. I ultimately had a cosmetic rhinoplasty using rib cartilage, and my turbinates were also reduced during the procedure due to chronic congestion.
The consultation process was excellent. Dr. Kim made me feel understood and took the time to ask what I wanted, what I didn’t want, and what my concerns were. He was also realistic about what could be achieved, which I really appreciated. I never felt pressured at any point, and it genuinely felt like everyone wanted the best outcome for me.
I was extremely nervous on surgery day because this was my first surgery ever, I had never been under anesthesia before, and I am terrified of needles. The staff did an amazing job calming me down. The IV was painless, and before I knew it, I woke up in the recovery room. I was groggy from anesthesia at first, but I was able to rest until I felt ready to leave. I was discharged with prescriptions, instructions, and extra gauze and tape.
Recovery was a little more challenging than I expected, mostly because of normal rhinoplasty things like sleeping upright, dry mouth, congestion, swelling, and not being able to wash my face normally. That said, I had very little bruising, which really surprised me. I had some discomfort around the rib harvest site and swelling in my nose and cheeks, but not much actual pain. Breathing through my mouth for the first week was uncomfortable, but manageable.
One of the reasons I chose Kowon was because of the aftercare, and I’m so glad I did. They offer de-swelling laser treatments and have been very accommodating, especially since I’m flying back to the U.S. two weeks post-op. Everyone at the clinic has been kind, patient, and understanding throughout the entire process.
I especially appreciated Dr. Kim’s calm and reassuring demeanor. I had full trust in him going into surgery, and he did not disappoint. My final results are still developing, but so far I’m very happy with my decision and grateful I chose Kowon.
★★★★★
I did my consultation twice in January and October 2025. The doctor and staff were really patient and welcoming, and they answered all concerns I had about my upcoming surgery. The clinic was also very clean and well-maintained. Would definitely recommend this place to others who are interested in rhinoplasty procedures.
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