Procedure-by-procedure Korean cosmetic surgery prices against US costs, what an itemized quote should contain, the expenses people forget, and when the trip actually pays for itself.
The short answer: plastic surgery in Korea costs roughly 40–70% less than the same procedure in the United States, and the gap is widest on the facial procedures Korean surgeons perform most. This page is the detailed version — what each procedure costs, what the quote includes, and the expenses that don't show up on it.
Curo is a registered patient-attraction agency, not a medical institution. Facial plastic surgery is handled by physician referral — see how that works below.
| Procedure | United States | South Korea | You save |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhinoplasty | $8,000–$15,000 | $3,500–$6,000 | ~55% |
| Revision rhinoplasty | $12,000–$25,000 | $5,000–$9,000 | ~60% |
| Double-eyelid surgery | $4,000–$6,000 | $1,500–$3,000 | ~55% |
| Ptosis correction | $4,500–$7,000 | $2,000–$3,500 | ~50% |
| Facial contouring (jaw/cheekbone) | $20,000+ | $6,000–$12,000 | ~55% |
| Facelift | $15,000–$30,000 | $6,000–$14,000 | ~55% |
| Liposuction (per area) | $3,500–$7,500 | $1,500–$3,500 | ~55% |
| Breast augmentation | $8,000–$12,000 | $4,000–$7,000 | ~45% |
Illustrative ranges in USD. Your actual quote depends on the surgeon's seniority, case complexity, implant or graft material, and whether it is a primary or revision case.
It is not a quality discount. Three structural reasons:
Because US insurance almost never covers cosmetic surgery, most Americans are comparing out-of-pocket to out-of-pocket — which is why the gap decides the trip.
A real quote is not one number. Insist on seeing each line:
If a clinic will not itemize, that is the answer to your question about the clinic.
Budget these separately — they typically add $2,000–$4,000 to a facial-surgery trip:
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Round-trip flight (US ↔ ICN) | $900–$1,800 |
| Lodging, 10–14 nights | $800–$2,000 |
| Meals, local transport | $300–$700 |
| Post-op care products, medication | $100–$300 |
| Travel / medical-complication insurance | $80–$250 |
Recovery time is the hidden cost people underestimate. Most facial procedures need 7–14 days in Korea before a surgeon clears you to fly — that is unpaid leave for many patients, and it belongs in the math.
Run it as a single number: (US quote) − (Korea quote) − (travel and stay).
If your only reason to travel is price on a small procedure, the honest advice is to stay home.
The cheapest quote in Gangnam is not the one to take. Verify:
More on the full process in our step-by-step guide for US patients, and on the background in why South Korea leads plastic surgery. For specific procedures, see rhinoplasty and double-eyelid surgery.
Curo's directly coordinated services are vision correction, dermatology, dental, and health screening. Facial plastic surgery we handle by physician referral — a Korean doctor reviews your case and refers you to a vetted surgeon, rather than us selling you a procedure. Either way you pay the clinic's own price with no foreigner markup, and booking and interpretation are free.
If price is what brought you here, it is worth knowing that Korea's fastest-growing specialty for international patients is not surgery at all — it is dermatology, where the same technical depth applies with no downtime and a far smaller bill. Start with a free quote.
This content is general information and not medical advice. Personal treatment decisions require consultation with your treating physician. Curo is a Ministry of Health & Welfare–registered international patient attraction agency and is not a medical institution.
Roughly 40–70% less than the US. Rhinoplasty runs about $3,500–$6,000 in Korea versus $8,000–$15,000 in the US, double-eyelid surgery $1,500–$3,000 versus $4,000–$6,000, and a facelift $6,000–$14,000 versus $15,000–$30,000.
Plan on $2,000–$4,000 for flights, 10–14 nights of lodging, meals and transport, medication, and travel insurance. Most facial procedures also require 7–14 days in Korea before you are cleared to fly, which is time off work for many patients.
It can be. Be wary of prices that drop after you hesitate, deadline-driven 'event' pricing, quotes that don't name the operating surgeon, and any separate price list for foreign patients. A legitimate clinic itemizes surgeon, anesthesia, facility, materials, and follow-up in writing.
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