Plastic Surgery Recovery Korea: Aftercare After Rhinoplasty, Breast Surgery & Facial Contouring (2026)

These principles apply to all plastic surgery procedures. Refer to your specific procedure section below for additional instructions.

1. A responsible adult must accompany you after surgery, provide transportation home (no public transport or ride-sharing services), and stay with you for at least the first 24 hours.
2. Rest is critical in the first 48-to-72 hours. Limit activity to essential movements only. Sleep with your head elevated at approximately 30-to-45 degrees using extra pillows or a recliner — this reduces swelling significantly.
3. Take all prescribed medications on schedule. Complete the full course of antibiotics even if you feel well. Take pain medication as directed — do not wait until pain becomes severe. If prescribed a narcotic pain reliever, take a stool softener concurrently to prevent constipation.
4. Do not take aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil/Motrin), naproxen, or other NSAIDs unless specifically approved by your surgeon. These increase bleeding risk. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is generally safe unless directed otherwise.
5. Avoid alcohol for at least 2 weeks after surgery. Alcohol dilates blood vessels, increases bleeding risk, and interacts with pain medications.
6. Do not smoke or use nicotine products for at least 4 weeks before and after surgery (ideally 6 weeks). Nicotine constricts blood vessels and severely impairs wound healing, increasing the risk of tissue necrosis, infection, and poor scarring.
7. Stay hydrated and eat nutritious, easily digestible foods. Protein-rich meals support tissue repair. Avoid foods that require excessive chewing if your procedure involved the face or neck.
8. Avoid strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, and bending for at least 3-to-4 weeks or until cleared by your surgeon. Walking short distances is encouraged from day 1 to support circulation and reduce blood clot risk.
9. Do not drive until you have been off narcotic pain medication for at least 24 hours and can perform emergency maneuvers safely.
10. Protect incisions from sun exposure for at least 6-to-12 months. UV radiation can cause permanent darkening of healing scars. Apply SPF 30+ sunscreen once incisions are fully healed, and wear protective clothing or hats when outdoors.
11. Attend all scheduled follow-up appointments. Your surgeon needs to monitor healing, remove sutures or drains, and identify any issues early.

1. Keep your head elevated at all times for the first 1-to-2 weeks — even while sleeping. This is the single most effective way to reduce swelling and bruising around the nose and eyes.
2. Apply cold compresses around the eyes and cheeks (not directly on the nose) for the first 48-to-72 hours. Use crushed ice in a soft bag or damp washcloths soaked in ice water. Apply for 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off.
3. Do not blow your nose for at least 2-to-3 weeks after surgery. If you need to sneeze, open your mouth and sneeze through it to avoid pressure on the nasal structures.
4. Clean the inside of your nostrils gently as instructed — typically with hydrogen peroxide on a cotton swab, followed by a thin layer of antibiotic ointment or petroleum jelly. Saline nasal spray (2-to-3 times daily) helps prevent crusting.
5. Do not wear glasses or sunglasses that rest on the bridge of your nose for at least 4-to-6 weeks. The weight can alter the shape of healing nasal bones. Use tape to suspend glasses from your forehead, or switch to contact lenses during recovery.
6. Avoid contact sports, swimming, and any activity that risks impact to the nose for at least 6-to-8 weeks.
7. Expect swelling, bruising around the eyes (which may appear worse at 48-to-72 hours before improving), temporary numbness of the nasal tip and occasionally the front teeth, and mild nasal congestion. These are normal and will resolve gradually.
8. Do not manipulate, press, or massage the nose unless specifically instructed by your surgeon.
9. Avoid facial expressions that put strain on the nose area — excessive smiling or laughing may cause discomfort in the early recovery period.
10. Slight asymmetry during healing is normal. The nose continues to refine its shape for up to 12 months — be patient with the final result.

1. Wear your surgical bra or compression garment 24/7 for the duration specified by your surgeon — typically 3-to-4 weeks. If an upper breast strap was placed (for submuscular implants), wear it as directed to help implants settle into the correct position.
2. Sleep on your back with your upper body elevated for at least 2-to-4 weeks. Do not sleep on your side or stomach — pressure can displace implants or disrupt healing tissue.
3. Do not raise your arms above shoulder level for approximately 2 weeks. Avoid pushing, pulling, or lifting anything heavier than 2-to-3 kg (5 lbs) for 4-to-6 weeks.
4. Showering is typically permitted 48 hours after surgery. Remove the bra, shower gently, pat the incision area dry, and replace the bra immediately. Do not remove surgical tape strips (Steri-Strips) over incisions — allow them to fall off naturally or be removed at your follow-up.
5. Do not submerge incisions in bathtubs, hot tubs, swimming pools, or the ocean until fully healed — typically 4-to-6 weeks.
6. Expect tightness, muscle soreness (especially with submuscular placement), swelling, temporary numbness or hypersensitivity around the nipples, and mild asymmetry during healing. The two breasts may heal at different rates — this is normal.
7. You may hear or feel fluid "sloshing" inside the breast — this is trapped air or natural fluid around the implant, not the implant itself. It will resolve as healing progresses.
8. Do not perform breast massage or displacement exercises unless specifically instructed by your surgeon. With anatomical (shaped) implants, unsupervised massage can cause rotation.
9. Report any sudden increase in breast size on one side, severe one-sided pain, skin that becomes hot and red, or fever — these may indicate hematoma or infection requiring urgent attention.

1. Keep your head elevated at all times for the first 1-to-2 weeks. Sleep on your back with your head raised — do not turn your head sharply or bend your neck forward.
2. Wear the compression chin strap or head wrap as directed — typically 24/7 for the first 1-to-2 weeks, then at night only for an additional period. This supports healing tissue and controls swelling.
3. Apply cool (not ice-cold) compresses to the eyes and cheeks for the first 24-to-48 hours. Do not apply compresses directly to the neck incisions or apply pressure. Do not apply heat.
4. Wear button-down or zip-up clothing only — nothing that must be pulled over the head, which could catch on sutures or disrupt incision lines.
5. Avoid bending, lifting, straining, and aerobic activities for 2-to-3 weeks. Exercise may not resume for 3-to-4 weeks or until cleared by your surgeon.
6. Expect numbness in the cheeks, ears, and under the chin — this is normal and may persist for 3-to-6 months. Tingling, itching, or occasional sharp shooting sensations around incision areas are part of nerve regeneration and will resolve.
7. You may feel lumpiness or firmness beneath the skin in the cheeks and neck — this is normal post-surgical tissue response and typically smooths out within weeks.
8. Avoid excessive facial expressions and minimize jaw movement (chewing tough foods, wide yawning) for the first 2 weeks.
9. Eat soft, easy-to-chew foods for the first 1-to-2 weeks. Soups, smoothies, and soft proteins are ideal. Avoid foods that require significant jaw effort.
10. Swelling is uneven and variable — your face will appear asymmetric and may change day to day. This is normal. As swelling resolves, your natural facial symmetry will return. Be patient.
11. Avoid alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine during the recovery period — all impair healing.

1. Wear the chin compression strap 24/7 for the first 1-to-2 weeks, then at night only for an additional 1-to-2 weeks as directed. The strap controls swelling and supports skin retraction for a defined jawline result.
2. Keep your head elevated while sleeping for the first 1-to-2 weeks. Avoid sleeping on your side or face-down.
3. Expect swelling, bruising, numbness, and tightness in the chin and neck area. These are normal and typically peak at 48-to-72 hours before gradually improving.
4. Minor fluid drainage from incision sites is normal for the first 12-to-48 hours. The drainage may appear bloody — this is expected. Keep incision sites clean and change absorbent pads as needed.
5. Avoid excessive neck movement — no sharp head turning, heavy lifting, or bending forward for the first 2 weeks.
6. Keep incisions clean and dry for 48 hours. Gentle showering is typically permitted from day 3. Do not submerge the area in water until fully healed (approximately 4 weeks).
7. Localized numbness may persist for several weeks to months as sensory nerves regenerate. Tingling sensations indicate recovery and are a positive sign.
8. The final contour result takes 2-to-3 months to fully emerge as residual swelling resolves and the skin retracts to its new shape.

Liposuction (Donor Site)

1. Wear your compression garment 24/7 for the duration specified by your surgeon — typically 3-to-6 weeks. The garment controls swelling, supports skin retraction, and improves contouring. It may be tight and uncomfortable — this is expected.
2. Post-operative fluid drainage is significant and normal for the first 12-to-48 hours. The drainage will appear bloody — this is expected and not a cause for alarm. Place absorbent pads inside the garment over incision sites and change them as needed.
3. Localized numbness at the liposuction site may persist for several months as nerves regenerate — this is normal.
4. Keep incisions clean and dry for 48 hours. Gentle showering is typically permitted from day 3 with your back to the water. Remove and gently wash the compression garment, then replace it immediately.
5. Change positions or walk briefly every 2 hours when resting — this reduces the risk of deep vein thrombosis (blood clots).
6. Sleep on your back with legs slightly elevated for the first week.
7. Airline travel is restricted for at least 1 week. When you do fly, expect increased swelling due to cabin pressure changes — this can occur even 6-to-8 weeks after surgery.
8. Results take time — the final body contour may not be fully visible for up to 6 months. Do not judge your result based on early post-operative swelling.

Fat Transfer (Recipient Site)

1. Avoid pressure on the fat transfer area for at least 2-to-3 weeks. Do not sit on buttock fat transfer areas (use a BBL pillow), do not sleep on facial fat transfer areas, and do not apply compression to the recipient site — pressure can kill transferred fat cells.
2. Expect more swelling at the recipient site than at the liposuction site — this is normal and expected.
3. Not all transferred fat survives — typically 50-to-70% of transferred fat cells establish blood supply and persist permanently. Your surgeon accounts for this by initially over-correcting. The final result becomes apparent at approximately 3-to-6 months.
4. Maintain a stable weight after fat transfer. Significant weight loss will reduce the volume of transferred fat, and significant weight gain will increase it proportionally.
5. Avoid smoking absolutely — nicotine severely impairs blood supply to transferred fat cells and dramatically reduces fat survival rates.

1. Apply cold compresses gently around the eyes for the first 48-to-72 hours: 10-to-15 minutes on, 10-to-15 minutes off. Use soft gel packs or damp gauze — never apply ice directly to the delicate eyelid skin.
2. Keep your head elevated at all times for at least 1 week, including while sleeping. Use 2-to-3 pillows. This is the single most effective way to reduce eyelid swelling.
3. Do not rub, scratch, or touch your eyes. Avoid any activity that strains the eyes — no crying, squinting, or extended screen time for the first 3-to-5 days if possible.
4. Clean incision sites as directed — typically with sterile saline-soaked cotton swabs, gently wiping away any crusting along the suture line. Apply prescribed antibiotic ointment.
5. Expect significant swelling, bruising, and tightness around the eyes. The eyelids may feel heavy, sticky, or difficult to open fully — this is normal and improves daily. Swelling is typically worse in the morning and reduces throughout the day.
6. For epicanthoplasty (inner/outer corner surgery): additional small scars at the eye corners will initially appear pink or red and gradually fade over 3-to-6 months. Scar management tape or ointment may be prescribed.
7. For ptosis correction: the eyelid height and crease may appear asymmetric during healing as each side swells and recovers at different rates. Do not judge the final result until at least 2-to-3 months post-surgery.
8. No contact lenses for at least 2-to-3 weeks. Wear glasses instead.
9. No eye makeup for at least 2-to-3 weeks. When resuming, use new products and apply/remove gently.
10. Wear sunglasses outdoors to protect healing tissue from UV exposure and wind for at least 2-to-4 weeks.
11. Avoid alcohol for at least 2 weeks. No smoking for at least 4 weeks.
12. Avoid strenuous exercise, bending over, and heavy lifting for 2-to-3 weeks.
13. The double eyelid crease will appear higher, thicker, and more defined than the final result during the swelling phase. As swelling resolves over 1-to-3 months, the crease settles into its natural, final position. Full stabilization takes 3-to-6 months — be patient.

1. Wear the compression face bandage 24/7 for the period directed by your surgeon — typically 2-to-4 weeks. This controls swelling and supports tissue retraction around the newly contoured bone structure. Remove only for cleaning as instructed.
2. Swelling will be dramatic — your face will appear significantly larger than your pre-operative size for the first 2-to-4 weeks. This is expected. Swelling peaks at approximately day 3-to-5, then gradually subsides over several weeks. Residual swelling may take 3-to-6 months to fully resolve.
3. Follow a strict liquid diet for the first 1-to-2 weeks, progressing to soft foods for 4-to-6 weeks. Avoid any food that requires chewing — the jaw bones need time to heal without mechanical stress.
4. Maintain meticulous oral hygiene. Use a prescribed antiseptic mouth rinse after every meal. Brush gently with a pediatric-sized soft toothbrush, being careful around any intraoral incision sites.
5. Sleep with your head elevated at 30-to-45 degrees for at least 2-to-3 weeks. Sleep on your back — do not sleep on your side or face-down.
6. Numbness in the lower face, chin, and lip area is common after jaw and chin surgery and may persist for 3-to-6 months (occasionally longer). Sensation returns gradually — tingling indicates nerve recovery.
7. No smoking for at least 6 weeks. Bone healing is severely compromised by nicotine. No alcohol for at least 3-to-4 weeks.
8. Avoid any impact to the face — no contact sports, rough activities, or situations where you could be bumped or hit for at least 3 months.
9. Avoid opening your mouth very wide (wide yawning, dental procedures, biting into large food items) for at least 6-to-8 weeks.
10. Asymmetry during healing is normal — each side swells and heals at different rates. The final contour symmetry becomes apparent at 3-to-6 months.
11. Plan for 3-to-4 weeks of in-country recovery if traveling to Korea. Coordinate follow-up appointments before surgery.

1. Your face will appear significantly over-filled immediately after surgery — this is intentional. Surgeons overcorrect because approximately 30-to-50% of transferred fat is naturally absorbed by the body. The final, natural-looking result emerges at 3-to-6 months.
2. Apply cold compresses gently to the face for the first 48 hours. Do not press hard — pressure can displace the transferred fat cells before they establish blood supply.
3. Do not massage, rub, or apply direct pressure to the fat-grafted areas for at least 2-to-4 weeks. This includes sleeping face-down — sleep on your back with head elevated.
4. Swelling and bruising are expected and may be significant, especially in the under-eye and cheek areas. The two sides of the face will swell at different rates — do not judge symmetry during this period.
5. Avoid smoking absolutely for at least 4 weeks — nicotine dramatically reduces fat cell survival by constricting blood vessels that newly grafted fat cells depend on.
6. Avoid alcohol for 2 weeks. Avoid strenuous exercise for 2-to-3 weeks.
7. Donor site (where fat was harvested — typically abdomen or thighs) will also be sore, swollen, and bruised. Wear the compression garment over the donor site as directed.
8. Maintain a stable weight after fat grafting. Significant weight loss will reduce the volume of grafted fat; weight gain will increase it.
9. Small, firm lumps may be palpable under the skin during healing — these typically soften and integrate over weeks to months. Report any lumps that remain hard or grow after 3 months.

1. Swelling in the cheeks is significant for the first 1-to-2 weeks — your face will actually appear rounder and fuller before it appears slimmer. This is normal. The contouring effect emerges gradually over 2-to-3 months.
2. Apply cold compresses gently to the cheeks for the first 48 hours.
3. Eat soft, cool foods for the first 1-to-2 weeks. Avoid hot, spicy, crunchy, or chewy foods that can irritate the intraoral incisions. Soups, smoothies, yogurt, and mashed foods are ideal.
4. Rinse with prescribed antiseptic mouthwash after every meal and before bed to prevent infection at the intraoral incision sites. Brush teeth gently, avoiding the incision areas.
5. Avoid opening your mouth very wide for 1-to-2 weeks — minimize large yawns, dental work, and biting into large items.
6. Dissolvable sutures inside the mouth typically dissolve within 1-to-2 weeks. Do not pull on them.
7. Avoid alcohol and smoking for at least 2 weeks.
8. Avoid strenuous exercise for 1-to-2 weeks.
9. Temporary numbness or stiffness in the cheek area is normal and resolves within weeks.

1. Wear the compression vest 24/7 for the period directed by your surgeon — typically 3-to-6 weeks. This controls swelling, prevents fluid accumulation, and supports the chest skin as it retracts to the new contour.
2. Expect swelling, bruising, and numbness across the chest. Swelling may make the chest appear only marginally different from pre-surgery for the first 2-to-4 weeks — the final result emerges as swelling resolves over 3-to-6 months.
3. If surgical drains are placed, keep them secure and record drainage output as instructed. Drains are typically removed within 3-to-7 days.
4. No upper body exercises (chest press, push-ups, pull-ups, heavy lifting) for at least 4-to-6 weeks. Lower body walking is encouraged from day 1.
5. Showering is typically permitted 48 hours after surgery. Avoid baths, pools, and hot tubs for 3-to-4 weeks.
6. Protect chest incisions from sun exposure for at least 6-to-12 months to minimize scar visibility.
7. Avoid smoking for at least 4 weeks and alcohol for 2 weeks.
8. Nipple sensitivity changes (hypersensitivity or numbness) are common and typically normalize over 3-to-6 months.

1. Significant lip swelling is expected and peaks at 48-to-72 hours. Your lips will appear much larger and more pronounced than the final result during this period. Apply cold compresses gently for the first 48 hours.
2. Eat soft, cool foods for 1-to-2 weeks. Use a spoon rather than biting or chewing with the front of your mouth. Avoid hot beverages and spicy foods.
3. Keep the incision sites clean. Apply prescribed antibiotic ointment as directed. If incisions are inside the mouth, rinse with antiseptic mouthwash after meals.
4. Avoid wide mouth opening, excessive talking, and exaggerated facial expressions for 1-to-2 weeks.
5. No kissing for at least 2 weeks. Avoid any pressure or friction on the lips.
6. No lipstick or lip products for at least 2 weeks. When resuming, use gentle, fragrance-free products.
7. Sutures (if external) are typically removed at 5-to-7 days. Dissolvable internal sutures dissolve within 1-to-2 weeks.
8. Numbness or tingling in the lips is normal and typically resolves over 2-to-6 weeks.
9. Final lip shape and softness stabilize at approximately 2-to-3 months.

1. Wear the protective headband 24/7 for the first 1-to-2 weeks as directed — this holds the ears in their new position during initial healing. After that, wear it at night only for an additional 4-to-6 weeks.
2. Do not bend, fold, or press on your ears. Sleep on your back — do not sleep on your side for at least 4-to-6 weeks.
3. Swelling and bruising around the ears are normal and typically resolve over 2-to-3 weeks.
4. Keep incisions behind the ears clean and dry. Apply prescribed antibiotic ointment as directed. Avoid getting water directly on the incisions for 48-to-72 hours.
5. Avoid contact sports, rough play, and any activity that could bend or hit the ears for at least 6-to-8 weeks.
6. Wear button-down shirts — do not pull clothing over your head for at least 2-to-3 weeks.
7. Numbness around the ears is common and typically resolves over 2-to-3 months.
8. Sutures are removed at 7-to-10 days or dissolve on their own, depending on the technique.
9. The ears may feel stiff or look slightly unnatural in the early weeks — they soften and settle into a natural position over 1-to-3 months.

1. Do not touch, scratch, or rub the transplanted area for at least 7-to-10 days. The grafts are fragile and can be dislodged before they anchor into the scalp — each dislodged graft is a permanently lost hair.
2. Sleep with your head elevated at 45 degrees for the first 5-to-7 nights. Use a travel neck pillow to prevent your head from rolling sideways and touching the transplanted area against the pillow.
3. No hair washing for the first 48-to-72 hours (follow your clinic's specific timeline). When you begin washing, use the prescribed gentle shampoo, apply with a cup-pouring method (not directly under shower pressure), and pat dry — never rub.
4. Small scabs will form around each graft — this is normal. Do not pick or scratch them. They will fall off naturally within 7-to-14 days. Premature removal can pull out grafts.
5. Expect "shock loss" at 2-to-6 weeks — the transplanted hairs will shed. This is a normal and expected part of the cycle. The hair follicles remain alive beneath the skin and will begin producing new hair at 3-to-4 months.
6. Avoid direct sunlight on the scalp for at least 2-to-4 weeks. When going outdoors, wear a loose-fitting hat (not tight caps that press on the grafts). Apply sunscreen to the scalp once fully healed.
7. No strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, or activities that cause heavy sweating for at least 7-to-14 days. Sweat and increased blood pressure can disrupt graft healing.
8. No swimming, saunas, or steam rooms for at least 4 weeks.
9. No smoking for at least 4 weeks (ideally longer) — nicotine severely impairs blood supply to the scalp and reduces graft survival rates.
10. Avoid alcohol for at least 1 week.
11. For FUT (strip method): the donor area suture or staple line at the back of the head requires care — keep it clean, apply antibiotic ointment as directed, and return for suture/staple removal at 10-to-14 days.
12. For FUE: the donor area will have hundreds of tiny dot-shaped marks that heal within 7-to-10 days and become virtually invisible once hair grows back through them.
13. Be patient with results. Hair transplant is a long-game procedure — meaningful visible density appears at 6-to-9 months, and the final result takes a full 12-to-18 months. Do not judge the outcome early.
14. Prescribed finasteride (oral) or minoxidil (topical) may be recommended to support existing hair retention alongside the transplant. Take as directed.

Most post-surgical symptoms are normal parts of the healing process. However, the following warning signs require immediate medical attention — do not wait for a scheduled follow-up if you experience any of these:

1. Fever above 38.5°C (101.3°F) that persists or worsens — may indicate infection.
2. Sudden, severe pain that is not controlled by prescribed medication, or a marked increase in pain after initial improvement — may indicate hematoma, seroma, or tissue compromise.
3. Excessive or worsening bleeding — some minor oozing from incisions is normal in the first 48 hours, but heavy, bright red bleeding that soaks through dressings requires urgent attention.
4. Signs of wound infection: increasing redness, warmth, swelling, or tenderness around the incision; foul-smelling or discolored (yellow/green) discharge; red streaks extending from the incision.
5. Sudden asymmetric swelling — one side becoming markedly more swollen, firm, or discolored than the other may indicate hematoma (a collection of blood beneath the skin).
6. Skin changes: skin that becomes white, gray, blue, or black near the incision or treatment area may indicate compromised blood supply and requires emergency evaluation.
7. Chest pain, shortness of breath, or calf pain/swelling — these may indicate a blood clot (deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism) and require emergency care. Call local emergency services (119 in Korea) immediately.
8. Severe nausea and vomiting that prevents you from keeping down fluids or medications.
9. Any sudden change in vision following any facial procedure — contact the clinic immediately.
10. Confusion, hallucinations, or persistent dizziness beyond what is expected from anesthesia recovery (typically the first 24 hours).

Your MTK coordinator can assist with urgent communication between you and your surgical team in any language, at any time. Do not hesitate to contact them — early intervention prevents complications from escalating.