What Korean Clinics Provide vs What You Need to Bring
수술 준비물 (susul junbimul — surgery preparation items) are largely covered by Korean clinics as part of the post-operative package. The packing list below separates what clinics typically supply from what you should source yourself, reducing the risk of over-packing or missing something important.
| Category | Clinic provides? | What to bring / where to buy |
|---|---|---|
| Dressings and wound care | Yes — gauze, tape, basic wound care | Bring none; replenish at local 약국 (yakguk) as needed |
| Prescribed antibiotics / anti-inflammatories | Yes — provided post-operatively | No action needed; collect prescription at discharge |
| Compression garments (body procedures) | Usually yes — confirm with coordinator | Confirm pre-op; bring medical-grade stockings for flight home |
| Recovery pillow (wedge or V-shaped) | Rarely — some recovery houses supply | Buy in Seoul (Daiso, pharmacies, Coupang delivery to hotel) |
| Saline and wound cleansing supplies | Typically included for first week | Replenish at 약국 (yakguk) — cheap and widely available |
| Loose front-opening clothing | No | Pack 5–7 days; buy more at Uniqlo Gangnam if needed |
| Button-front or zip pyjamas | No | Essential for facial surgery patients |
| Sunscreen SPF 50+ | No | Available at Korean pharmacies and CU/GS convenience stores |
| Arnica tablets / Bromelain (for bruising) | No | Available at larger Seoul pharmacies; confirm with surgeon first |
| Silicone scar strips (for 4–6 weeks post-op) | Sometimes — confirm with clinic | Buy in Seoul; Korean brands (Cica-Care) are high quality |
| Cold compresses / ice packs | No | Buy reusable gel packs at Daiso (~₩2,000) |
| Neck pillow (for flight home) | No | Pack or buy at airport |
| Surgical summary in English | Your clinic provides — REQUEST before discharge | Essential: collect before leaving Korea |
| Implant records (if applicable) | Your clinic provides — REQUEST explicitly | Essential: brand, model, and size details |
| K-MEDI claim information | Not provided — self-research | Know the 180-day filing window before leaving Korea |
Document Checklist: Before Leaving Korea
This is the one area where most patients underestimate what they need. Collecting these documents before departure costs nothing and is invaluable if a complication develops after you arrive home.
Must collect before departure:
- Surgical summary in English (Korean and English versions, if available)
- Procedure name and technique used (e.g., “closed rhinoplasty with ear cartilage graft” — not just “nose job”)
- Implant records: brand, model, volume, and batch number if applicable
- Full medication list: antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, topicals, and duration
- Post-operative care instructions
- Surgeon’s direct contact and clinic emergency number (not just reception)
- Travel insurance policy number and emergency claim line
Do I need to bring my own compression garments to Korea?
For most common procedures, no — Korean clinics provide fitted compression garments as part of the post-operative package. Body contouring garments (after liposuction, abdominoplasty, or arm lift) are typically included; you may be measured pre-operatively to ensure correct sizing. Medical-grade compression stockings for the flight home are sometimes provided and sometimes need to be sourced separately — confirm with your clinic coordinator before packing.
What should I wear on the flight to Korea?
Wear comfortable, loose clothing that you would be happy to wear in the post-operative period. You will likely be shopping in Seoul for additional loose tops or tracksuit-style pants after surgery — plan for this rather than packing a large wardrobe from home. For the flight home, compression stockings are medically indicated after body procedures; loose trousers or skirts accommodate compression stockings and post-operative swelling better than fitted jeans.
What medications should I declare when crossing customs?
All prescription medications must be carried in original, labelled containers. Bring a typed medication list from your home doctor noting each medication, dose, and indication. Opioid-based pain medications prescribed in Korea may require export documentation from the Korean clinic — ask your coordinator about this before departure. Controlled substances and some injectables have import restrictions that vary by destination country; check your home country's customs authority rules before departure.