Final Rhinoplasty Revision, Seoul SK

I was fortunate to have come across Dr. Hanjo Kim for my rhinoplasty revision, I'm currently 1 month post-op. It’s been an amazingly smooth process, especially since I have been thru numerous in-person consultations with various well-known clinics and ENTs from all over Gangnam to Apgujeong, Seoul, South Korea over the course of 2 months. I had lined up appointments nearly every week! All of the doctors in these clinics - including my primary doctor told me, it was not possible to correct the tip deviation, asymmetry, bridge work & nasofrontal angle correction and achieve the overall aesthetics I had wanted. The advice given from these clinics was that I need to accept and compromise the aesthetic limitations to maintain proper nasal function and use rib cartilage to have improved results. I was not about to settle for anything for this revision. Also, unfortunately, I'm not a good candidate for autologous rib cartilage, as my ribs are calcified. My initial consultation with Dr. Kim was more about gathering information on the precise problem areas than discussing the ideal outcome. He shares ideas on various methods and shows techniques that are possible to make these corrections and also points out potential drawbacks. I was able to meet with Dr. Kim on several occasions to discuss concerns before finalizing on a surgery plan. It’s a lengthy process that requires time and patience, and Dr. Kim was always there to provide answers and solutions.

On the day of the surgery, the op room was well prepped and nurses were very professional, the anesthesiologist took over and I was back in a cast just as soon as I had awakened. I was expecting to feel severe bruising and swelling similar to my primary, since technically I'm having even more work done for this revision then I did with the primary, however surprisingly, there was very little bruising, only some slight swelling. I think it had a lot to do with Dr. Kim approach in his technique to cause as little trauma as possible, especially since I also did an osteotomy as well. There was no bruising discoloration on the under eye or nasal area post-op. For some context, I spent a month in South Korea post-op from my primary procedure, and my entire nose still looked big and swollen when I landed.

Aftercare de-swelling and post-op follow up was required by Dr. Kim to ensure there was no infection. Also, a very unique addition to the rhinoplasty operation by Dr. Kim was that he offers to make any minor adjustments within 14 days of the operation at no additional charge. In my case, it wasn't necessary as I can visually see the changes I had wanted based on the shape and structure of the nose - it already feels very different from my primary post-op, I know it would be more apparent and define over time. Final results will take up to 1 year, so I'm still in the healing phase.

In the end, I did not even need to use autologous rib cartilage, Dr. Kim was able to work around it and use the remaining ear cartilage I had left to achieve the aesthetics results, I had originally wanted when I did my primary procedure.

There's are an overwhelming number of surgeons in Seoul to filter thru in finding the "right" surgeon but for my case, few are as talented, technique driven and patience as Dr. Hanjo Kim at Eight Plastic Surgery. I truly hope this review can help others out there, whom are considering rhinoplasty or looking to do a rhinoplasty revision. Lastly, I'm sure I am not alone in this, as a foreigner - its particularly challenging to do plastic surgery in a foreign country with a language barrier, Dr. Kim is very articulate and speaks both American English and Korean. It's certainly worth a visit, during your time in South Korea.



Many Thanks Dr. Kim. Good luck to all!:D