Last fact-checked: 4 November 2019

Looking at affordable ways of undergoing a breast reduction? In South Korea, Medical Departures has partnered with expert surgeons across the country that offer this procedure to both local and international patients at prices around 50% less than you’d pay at home. Find out more about surgery in South Korea.

Am I Suitable for Breast Reduction?

Breast reduction is usually something to consider if your breasts are disproportionately large in comparison to the rest of your body, or if one is a much bigger size than the other. Quite often large breasts create neck, shoulder or back pain, as well as discomfort from bra straps that dig in.

The goal of the surgery is to reduce and reshape breasts so they are in balance with your body and to reduce the physical and emotional discomfort of large breasts.

South Korea may not be on everyone’s lips as a tourist destination (especially if you are a Westerner), but it does offer a plentiful supply of Asian charm, stunning landscapes and an alluring culture that holidaymakers to this continent enjoy so much.

As a holiday destination, South Korea is growing in stature, not to mention the fact that it is one of the world’s fastest-growing economies. Health travel and medical tourism are also increasing as Chinese, Japanese and American clientele are choosing South Korea because of its modern hospitals, well-qualified and experienced medical staff.

South Korea is technologically advanced, and also has its fair share of Joint Commission International-accredited facilities – the gold standard in terms of healthcare quality.

Medical Departures’ provides quality-checked doctors and clinics in our listings, so you know you are choosing pre-vetted providers whose credentials add up. We confirm qualifications and professional memberships, do onsite visits and collect patient testimonials which are all published on our website, alongside high-definition photos and clinic virtual tours. We are your eyes, and we provide you with as much information as we can so that you can make an informed decision on whether a particular provider suits you.

Breast reductions take between three and five hours to complete and the length of time is dependent on how much breast tissue has to be removed.

A general anesthetic will be given and the surgery begins with. Prior to surgery, your surgeon will have marked the incision lines on your body while you are sitting or standing up, which is important because once you are lying down in theatre your breasts change shape. Excess tissue, fat and skin are removed and the areola and nipple are moved to a higher position. Sometimes liposuction may be used to provide additional contouring and shape.

Once happy with the new size and shape, your surgeon will close the wounds with sutures. You will most likely be dressed in a compression garment, and you may have surgical drains inserted to help drain fluid away from the wounds.

Immediately after surgery, you will feel tender, bruised and swollen – which is to be expected. Pain medication will help to ease your discomfort.

You will need to keep your incisions clean and dry and may have to sleep with several pillows to prop you up. After several days you should begin to feel less stiff, and you will be encouraged to move around as soon as you can, even if you don’t feel up to it, as this helps with swelling, prevents blood clots and speeds up the healing process.

Give yourself time to heal. Try not to lift anything too heavy over your head and do not engage in strenuous activities for several weeks. It could take six – 10 weeks before you can engage in vigorous exercise and up to several months before you feel healed completely – inside and out.

Breast reductions in South Korea cost around 50% less than in Australia and New Zealand, for example. 

Please note that these are approximate, averages prices collated at the time of writing. For exact prices, as well as clinic photos, surgeon profiles, patient reviews and other useful information, check out these three leading clinics in South Korea that offer breast reduction surgery:

• BANOBAGI Plastic Surgery & Aesthetics
• Dream Medical Group
• Imageup Plastic Surgery

Find out more about our verified surgeons and clinics in South Korea.

If you’re ready to book see below for ways to arrange an appointment. If you’ve any questions about any aspect of breast reduction in South Korea, get in touch with our Customer Care Team today for free. 

Sources:

Joint Commission International. Website accessed: 4 November 2019.
https://www.jointcommissioninternational.org/

Breast Reduction Surgery. Mayo Clinic. Website accessed: 4 November 2019.https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/breast-reduction-surgery/about/pac-20385246

Kim, Cynthia; Kim, Dahee. South Korea economy posts fastest growth in seven years, brushes off geopolitical tensions. Reuters. 26 October 2017. 
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-southkorea-economy-gdp/south-korea-economy-posts-fastest-growth-in-seven-years-brushes-off-geopolitical-tensions-idUSKBN1CU3AD

Breast Reduction (female). NHS. Website accessed: 4 November 2019.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cosmetic-procedures/breast-reduction-female/

(Image by: Hago Schatz)