VG Plastic Surgery
VG Plastic Surgery
Republic of Korea, Seoul
Im Young Min
20 years of experience
accreditations :
Clinic is certified :
Top surgery in the Republic of Korea typically costs from $6,800 to $12,500. The final price depends on the surgical technique, clinic location, and surgeon seniority. In the US, similar procedures cost around $15,000 on average. Patients save around 35% compared to US prices. Standard inclusions often cover anesthesia, overnight stays, and initial follow-up care in Seoul.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Choosing a specialist with international credentials offers the best balance of cost and expertise. For example, Dr. Francis Jeon at Evita Clinic is a board-certified thoracic surgeon. He is a member of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH). Clinics like VG Plastic Surgery hold KOIHA accreditation, ensuring safety standards meet international levels. This expertise is vital for minimizing the need for costly revision surgeries later.
| Republic of Korea | Turkey | The USA | |
| Top surgery | from $6,800 | from $3,850 | from $10,000 |
No hidden fees – just official clinic prices. Pay at the clinic for Top surgery upon arrival and use a flexible installment plan if needed.
Bookimed is committed to your safety. We only work with medical institutions that maintain high international standards in Top surgery and have the necessary licenses to serve international patients worldwide.
Bookimed offers free expert assistance. A personal medical coordinator supports you before, during, and after your treatment, solving any issues. You're never alone on your Top surgery journey.
Dr. Seung‑Hyung Noh is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon. He has extensive experience in revision surgery for major aesthetic procedures. He is known for managing complex revision cases that call for sound judgment and precise technique.
He earned his medical degree from Hanyang University College of Medicine. He completed training in plastic and reconstructive surgery at Hanyang University Hospital. He also completed a clinical training program at Columbia University in New York.
His approach puts safety, balance, and natural results first. He avoids overtreatment and uses the least necessary intervention. He is a full member of major Korean plastic surgery societies, including KSPRS.
Dr. Francis Jeon is a board-certified thoracic and cardiovascular surgeon. He has broad experience in both clinical work and teaching. He completed his medical degree and residency at Soonchunhyang Medical University and Hospital. He later worked there as an instructor and outpatient professor.
Dr. Jeon has held leadership positions, including Auditor of the Korean Society for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery from 2019 to 2021. He is also a member of WPATH. Since 2009, he has served as the representative at Evita Clinic. In 2011, the American Biographical Institute named him “Man of the Year in Medicine & HealthCare.”
Written by Mariia Mytrofankina
Written by Mariia Mytrofankina
Written by Mariia Mytrofankina
Written by Mariia Mytrofankina
Top surgery is a gender-affirming procedure that alters the chest to match an individual's gender identity.
A psychiatric diagnosis of gender dysphoria is generally required before undergoing top surgery in South Korea. Most reputable clinics follow WPATH Standards of Care, requiring 1 to 2 referral letters from mental health professionals to ensure patient readiness and documented gender incongruence before surgical intervention.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While local clinics usually require 3 months of therapy, international patients can often fast-track the process. Specialists like those at Evita Clinic participate in WPATH and may accept valid psychiatric letters from your home country. Always send digital copies of existing diagnoses via KakaoTalk to your surgeon before traveling to confirm they meet specific facility standards.
Patient Consensus: Many patients suggest bringing bilingual copies of prior mental health records to avoid repeating the full evaluation. While the diagnosis costs approximately $50 locally, having established paperwork significantly reduces the time spent in pre-operative consultations.
Recovery after top surgery in South Korea typically lasts six weeks for initial healing, with full tissue softening taking up to one year. Patients generally return to light daily tasks within 14 days, provided they adhere to strict arm movement limitations and continuous compression garment usage.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Surgeons in Seoul, such as those at Evita Clinic, often prioritize early-intervention scar management compared to Western protocols. You may receive specialized silicone sheets and creams immediately after incision closure. This meticulous approach, combined with frequent follow-up visits, aims for the aesthetic precision Korean plastic surgery is known for.
Patient Consensus: Many find the first week most challenging due to significant swelling and fatigue. While nerve sensations like tingling are common during months 2 to 8, the visual results usually settle beautifully by the one-year mark.
Recognized Korean clinics for top surgery include VG Plastic Surgery, Evita Clinic, and JK Plastic Surgery. These facilities in Seoul prioritize gender-affirming care through board-certified specialists. Most offer advanced techniques like double incision or keyhole mastectomy to ensure natural chest contours and minimal scarring for international patients.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While many search for large K-pop-style cosmetic hospitals, data shows private single-specialty centers like Evita Clinic often provide more specialized anatomical expertise. Dr. Francis Jeon is a board-certified thoracic surgeon, which is a rare and valuable qualification for performing complex chest wall masculinization.
Patient Consensus: Trans patients value clinics like View and JK for achieving natural shapes with English-speaking support. Most advise booking virtual consults early and planning for peak swelling in the second week post-op.
Patients should plan to stay in the Republic of Korea for 10 to 14 days following top surgery. This window allows for critical post-operative monitoring, drain removal, and professional suture removal by board-certified surgeons like those at Evita Clinic before clearing patients for long-haul international travel.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While basic packages cover 1 night in the hospital, the most successful recoveries in Seoul leverage the city's specialized medical hotels. High-volume clinics like VG Plastic Surgery serve 1,000 patients annually and often coordinate these stays to ensure immediate access to medical staff during peak swelling on days 3 through 5.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize that double-incision techniques require the full 14-day stay. Bringing extra compression garments for the return flight is essential as cabin pressure can temporarily increase chest tightness and swelling.
Most major South Korean clinics provide dedicated English-speaking coordinators and medical translators to support international patients. Facilities in Seoul districts like Gangnam and Myeongdong frequently offer multilingual staff, bilingual pre-operative consultations, and comprehensive assistance with medical visa documentation for specialized procedures like top surgery.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While luxury chains provide seamless English support, surgeon fluency varies significantly across Seoul. Choosing clinics like VG Plastic Surgery, which serves patients from 47 countries, ensures a more robust multilingual infrastructure. Always confirm if your specific post-op discharge instructions will be provided in English before your surgery date.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize testing communication via KakaoTalk before arrival to gauge responsiveness. Some recommend downloading the Papago app for additional help during pharmacy visits or when interacting with local nursing staff.