Breast
Breast augmentation in Korea
Breast augmentation adds size and shape with an implant. It suits healthy adults who want fuller or more even breasts. The operation lasts up to 2 hours with general anesthesia or sedation, and you leave the same day. Most people return to light daily activities after 3 to 4 days and plan 7 to 10 days in Seoul.
Who is a good candidate for breast augmentation?
- You want more breast volume or a fuller upper breast, and you are in good general health
- Your breasts differ in size and you would like them closer to even
- Your breasts lost volume after pregnancy, breastfeeding or weight loss
- Your weight is stable and you can avoid heavy lifting and wear a support garment for several weeks
When it may not be the right choice
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding, or plan to be soon. It is better to wait until your breasts have settled
- Your main concern is sagging. A breast lift, alone or with an implant, may suit you better
- You have a breast lump or other change that has not been checked. See your doctor first
- You expect one operation to last for life. Implants are not lifetime devices, and many people need more surgery later
Which method fits you?
The surgeon plans the implant, the size, the incision and whether the implant sits under or over the chest muscle. The clinic offers Motiva, Mentor and Sebbin implants. In its published cases, the implant goes in through the breast fold or the armpit.
| Method | What happens | Suits | Downtime |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breast fold incision | A short cut in the crease under the breast. The implant is placed through it. | Most implant sizes and shapes. The scar lies in the crease under the breast | Light daily life in 3 to 4 days, stitches out around 2 weeks |
| Armpit incision | A cut in a natural crease of the armpit. The implant is passed through to the breast. | A preference for a scar away from the breast itself | Light daily life in 3 to 4 days, stitches out around 2 weeks |
What happens on the day of breast augmentation?
- Consultation and measurements. You and the surgeon agree on the implant brand, model, size, incision and placement.
- Health checks the clinic asks for, then general anesthesia or sedation, so you are asleep or deeply relaxed.
- The implant is placed through the chosen incision, in up to 2 hours. No drain is used, according to the clinic.
- After a rest in the recovery room you put on the support garment, which stays on day and night for the first days, and return to your hotel.
What is recovery like after breast augmentation?
- Days 1 to 3
- Your chest feels tight and sore, with swelling and some bruising. You wear the support garment day and night and avoid lifting.
- Days 3 to 4
- Most people return to light daily activities, such as walking and desk work. Still no lifting or exercise.
- Days 7 to 8
- Check-up and dressing change at the clinic. Most people can fly home after this visit.
- Week 2
- Stitch removal is due around now on the clinic’s schedule. Most people are already home, so follow the plan for your stitches that you agreed with the clinic before you flew.
- Weeks 4 to 6
- Pain and swelling have mostly faded. Ask your surgeon before you return to upper body exercise and heavy lifting, which are often avoided for about six weeks.
- Month 3
- The implants settle lower and soften into place. The shape is usually judged at about three months.
How long should you stay in Seoul after breast augmentation?
Plan 7 to 10 days in Seoul for breast augmentation. The chest is tight and sore for the first days, and the check-up and dressing change come around day 7 or 8; most people fly after it. Of the 3 to 4 follow-up visits the clinic lists, ask which ones you will have before your flight. Stitch removal is listed at about 2 weeks, often after you are home, so settle before booking whether your stitches dissolve or who removes them. Lifting is off limits, so arrange help with heavy luggage.
What are the risks of breast augmentation?
- Capsular contracture, when scar tissue tightens around the implant and the breast feels firm, hurts or changes shape
- Implant rupture or leakage. A silicone gel leak can be silent, so your doctor may suggest ultrasound or MRI checks over the years
- Bleeding (hematoma), fluid build-up (seroma) or infection, which may need treatment or another operation
- Changes in nipple or breast sensation, which may be temporary or lasting
- Asymmetry, rippling, wrinkling or an implant that moves out of position
- Visible scarring or ongoing breast pain
- The general risks of anesthesia or sedation, and blood clots in the legs or lungs, which matter more on a long flight soon after surgery. If you become breathless, have chest pain, or one leg becomes painful and swollen, get emergency care first, then tell the clinic, and do not fly until a doctor says it is safe
- BIA-ALCL, a rare lymphoma in the scar tissue around an implant, reported mostly with textured implants. Rare cases of squamous cell carcinoma in this scar tissue have also been reported
- Symptoms some people link to their implants, such as fatigue or joint pain, often called breast implant illness
- More surgery later. The longer you have implants, the more likely a problem or a replacement becomes
What affects the cost of breast augmentation in Korea?
You will not find a breast augmentation price here yet, because the clinic prices each plan from your photos. The quote moves with the implant brand and model, the incision, the anesthesia and anything added, such as a lift or fat transfer. Get it in writing with the surgeon’s name and the exact implant brand, model and size, plus the support garment, follow-up visits and stitch removal. Also ask whether the implant carries a manufacturer warranty and how you would claim it from abroad.
More questions
How long does breast augmentation take?
Up to about 2 hours, with general anesthesia or sedation. There is no overnight stay at the clinic, so you rest at your hotel from the first night.
When can I fly home after breast augmentation?
Most people fly after the check-up around day 8. Stitch removal is listed at about 2 weeks, so before booking, ask whether your stitches dissolve or how they will be removed once you are home. Avoid lifting heavy bags on the trip.
Which implant brand should I choose?
The clinic offers Motiva, Mentor and Sebbin. The choice depends on your tissue, chest width, the size and shape you want, and the implant surface. Every implant brand carries the usual implant risks, such as capsular contracture and rupture. Ask for the brand, model and size in writing.
Will I need another operation after breast augmentation?
Possibly. Breast implants are not lifetime devices. Capsular contracture, rupture or a change of mind can lead to replacement or removal years later. Keep a record of your implant brand, model and serial number.
Related procedures
Sources
- Clinic figures as published by Urban Plastic Surgery, collected October 3, 2026. Your surgeon confirms your own plan.
- Breast Augmentation Risks and Safety. American Society of Plastic Surgeons
- Breast Augmentation Recovery. American Society of Plastic Surgeons
- Risks and Complications of Breast Implants. US Food and Drug Administration
- Breast enlargement (implants). NHS
Cases and clinic figures come from our partner clinic, Urban Plastic Surgery. The partnership does not change what we publish about risks and recovery.