Korean plastic surgery clinics require pre-operative blood tests before any surgical procedure performed under 전신마취 (jeonsin machi — general anaesthesia) or IV sedation. The tests allow the anaesthesiologist and surgeon to assess your bleeding risk, organ function, and infectious disease status before proceeding. Without a completed and reviewed panel, surgery cannot be scheduled.
The Standard Pre-Op Test Panel
The panel below applies to the majority of Korean plastic surgery clinics performing procedures under general or IV sedation anaesthesia. Clinics may add tests depending on your age, medical history, or procedure type — confirm the exact list with your coordinator after booking.
| Test | What it checks | Why required for surgery |
|---|---|---|
| Full blood count (FBC) | Red cells, white cells, platelets | Detects anaemia and low platelet count, both of which increase bleeding risk under anaesthesia |
| Clotting screen (PT / INR / APTT) | How fast your blood clots | Identifies clotting disorders or anticoagulant medication use that could cause uncontrolled surgical bleeding |
| Liver function tests (LFTs) | Liver enzyme levels and liver health | The liver metabolises anaesthetic drugs; impaired function changes drug dosing and recovery profile |
| Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) | Active hepatitis B infection | Informs infection control protocols and consent; required by Korean clinic regulations |
| Hepatitis C antibody (anti-HCV) | Hepatitis C exposure or infection | Same infection control and consent requirement as hepatitis B |
| HIV antibody test | HIV status | Required for surgical consent and instrument sterilisation protocols |
| Blood type and crossmatch (ABO / Rh) | Your blood group | Needed in case emergency transfusion is required during or after surgery |
| Fasting blood glucose | Blood sugar level after fasting | Uncontrolled diabetes affects wound healing and anaesthesia management |
| ECG (electrocardiogram) | Heart rhythm and electrical activity | Required for patients over 40 or with any cardiac history; screens for arrhythmia risk under anaesthesia |
Patients under 40 with no relevant medical history typically complete the blood panel only. The ECG requirement kicks in at age 40 or earlier if you have a history of heart conditions, high blood pressure, or are taking cardiac medication.
Getting Tests at Home vs in Korea
Two factors drive the choice: your schedule and how much lead time you have before departure.
Getting tests in your home country is the more efficient option for most international patients. Most Gangnam-area clinics accept results from a home-country GP or private pathology clinic (such as Sonic Healthcare in Australia, Quest Diagnostics in the US, or BMI Healthcare in the UK) provided results are in English and dated within 4 weeks of your surgery date. Request tests by asking your GP explicitly for a “pre-operative blood panel for elective surgery” — and bring the exact test list from your clinic coordinator to the appointment so nothing is missed. Private pathology services in many countries can turn results around same-day or next-day without a GP referral, which speeds up the process.
Getting tests in Korea is the fallback if you are travelling with very little lead time or if your home-country results expired before surgery day. The clinic arranges a nearby pathology lab visit for the day before surgery. Expect a 2-hour process including travel, blood draw, and waiting. You must arrive fasted (see fasting section below). Results are reviewed by the clinic’s anaesthesiologist the same afternoon and you will be notified of clearance before surgery day.
Either pathway is acceptable — the key variable is the 4-week validity window.
What Happens if a Result Is Abnormal
An abnormal pre-op result does not automatically cancel your surgery. Clinicians assess each finding individually, and many abnormalities are manageable with adjusted protocols or a short delay.
Results that commonly trigger a case review:
- Platelet count below the acceptable threshold — raises bleeding risk; the surgeon and anaesthesiologist review whether the procedure can proceed safely or requires postponement.
- INR above the normal range — suggests anticoagulant medication use or a liver issue; the team will ask about current medications before deciding on next steps.
- Elevated liver enzymes (LFTs) — affects how anaesthetic drugs are metabolised; mild elevation may be monitored, significant elevation typically delays surgery until the cause is identified.
- Positive hepatitis B or C result — does not cancel surgery in most cases, but requires consent modifications and specific infection control protocols. The clinic coordinator will discuss this with you directly.
- Positive HIV result — handled under confidential consent protocols; surgery can proceed in many cases with appropriate precautions.
If an abnormality is found, the clinic will contact you to explain the finding, ask clarifying questions about your medical history, and outline options. Bring a list of all current medications and supplements to every pre-op interaction — undisclosed medications are the most common cause of unexpected clotting results.
Fasting and Day-Before-Surgery Logistics
If tests are done in Korea: arrive at the pathology lab fasted — no food for 8 hours before the blood draw, water is fine. The clinic will give you the lab address and appointment time. Plan for 2 hours total. Results are transmitted directly to the clinic; you do not need to collect a paper copy.
If tests are done at home: standard fasting glucose requires an 8-hour fast before the draw. Most other blood tests on the panel do not require fasting, but fasting for all of them in a single draw is standard practice and avoids a repeat visit.
Day before surgery: once test results are reviewed and cleared by the anaesthesiologist, you will receive confirmation from the clinic. After midnight on the night before surgery, follow the specific nil-by-mouth (nothing to eat or drink) instructions your clinic provides — these override general fasting guidance and vary by anaesthetic type and surgery duration.
Can I get pre-op blood tests done at my GP before flying to Korea?
Yes — most Korean clinics accept blood test results done by your home-country GP or pathology clinic, provided results are within 4 weeks of your surgery date and the test panel matches their requirements. Share the specific tests required (ask your clinic coordinator for the list) with your GP so nothing is missed. Results in English are accepted. Some GPs may ask why you need these tests — explaining 'pre-operative medical clearance for elective surgery' is accurate and sufficient.
How far in advance should I get pre-op tests done before flying to Korea?
Tests must be done within 4 weeks of your surgery date, so the optimal window is 2–3 weeks before departure — early enough to get results back, confirm they're accepted by the clinic, and allow time to resolve any questions about abnormal results, but close enough to be within the 4-week validity window. Do not get tests done more than 4 weeks before surgery — they will be expired by surgery day and you'll need to repeat them.