Breast Augmentation in Korea —Gangnam, Seoul · 25 years · 12,000+ cases.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

The most common questions from international patients about consultation, scheduling, and care.

Q. Why is Korea (Gangnam) considered the top destination for breast augmentation, and what should international patients expect at Umnagumo?

A. Korea — and the Gangnam district of Seoul in particular — has an exceptionally dense concentration of breast-surgery practices, and Seoul has become an established destination for international patients. Umnagumo Plastic Surgery was founded in 2003 as the Korea branch of Tokyo Nagumo Clinic (Tokyo, Ueno, est. 1988), and operates on 25+ years of clinical experience and 12,000+ cumulative breast surgeries — covering primary breast augmentation, breast revision, capsular contracture correction, implant rupture management, and post-mastectomy reconstruction. The clinic offers all three incision approaches (trans-axillary / peri-areolar / inframammary) and the major implant brands used in Korean breast surgery (Motiva, Mentor, Sebbin), with subfascial, subpectoral, and dual-plane placement all available under a single roof. Every case is performed with endoscopic dissection as standard, under board-certified anesthesiologist coverage. Dr. Soonchan Eom personally responds to all English-language inquiries, the typical Seoul stay is 7–10 days, and post-operative follow-up at 1 / 3 / 6 / 12 months is conducted by English-language video call after you return home.

Q. How do I choose a breast augmentation clinic in Korea — what 7 criteria should international patients verify before booking?

A. Choosing a Korean breast augmentation clinic comes down to medical infrastructure rather than price or location alone. The 7 criteria international patients should verify are: (1) Lead surgeon's cumulative case count, broken down by category — primary breast augmentation, breast revision, and capsular contracture correction each independently exceeding 1,000 cases; (2) Direct execution by a board-certified plastic surgeon — the same surgeon who runs the consultation operates on you, not a resident or junior; (3) On-site board-certified anesthesiologist for every case (essential for general-anesthesia risk management); (4) Endoscopic dissection equipment and routine use (essential for trans-axillary incision); (5) Capacity to offer all 3 incision approaches × all 3 implant layers × all major implant brands (Motiva / Mentor / Sebbin) — not just one preferred method; (6) Direct English-language communication with the surgeon, not just an agent or coordinator; (7) Long-term post-operative protocol with video-call follow-ups out to 1 year. Umnagumo satisfies all seven criteria as the Korea branch of Tokyo Nagumo Clinic, with 25+ years and 12,000+ cumulative breast surgeries under Dr. Soonchan Eom.

Q. Where is Umnagumo Plastic Surgery located, and is there English-speaking staff on site?

A. Umnagumo Plastic Surgery is located on the 6th floor of SB Tower, 318 Dosan-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul — a few minutes' walk from Nonhyeon Station (Seoul Metro Line 7, Exit 6) and Sinnonhyeon Station (Sinbundang Line, Line 9). The clinic is approximately 45 minutes from Incheon International Airport (ICN) by car. An English-speaking coordinator is on site, and Dr. Soonchan Eom personally handles all English-language correspondence. From the initial video consultation through in-person surgery, post-operative monitoring, and long-term follow-up after you return home, every step is supported in English.

Q. What is the relationship between Umnagumo and Tokyo Nagumo Clinic, and why does it matter?

A. Umnagumo Plastic Surgery is the Korea branch of Tokyo Nagumo Clinic, originally founded in 1988 in Ueno, Tokyo. The Seoul clinic was opened in 2003 by Dr. Soonchan Eom, who served as the first Korean Chief Surgeon at Nagumo Clinic Tokyo. Dr. Eom completed his medical degree, surgical residency, and Ph.D. studies in Japan before bringing the Nagumo surgical philosophy and trans-axillary system back to Korea. The Tokyo Nagumo Clinic Group today operates four branches in Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, and Fukuoka, and our case-review and protocol-sharing with the parent network remain active.

Q. How much less does breast surgery in Korea cost compared with the United States, UK, or Australia?

A. Pricing depends on the implant selection (Motiva, Mentor, or Sebbin) and the procedure (primary augmentation, revision, or reconstruction); the clinic publishes its price board openly rather than quoting case by case in private. After the pre-arrival video consultation, we provide a written English-language estimate covering the surgical fee, anesthesia, recovery monitoring, and the first post-operative ultrasound, so the total — including flights and accommodation in Seoul — can be compared concretely against quotes from other countries. The current price board is published at /en/pricing and updated daily against KRW exchange rates.

Q. Do you specialize in breast revision surgery and breast reconstruction as well?

A. Yes. Revision surgery and post-mastectomy reconstruction are core specialties at Umnagumo. Over 25+ years and 12,000+ cumulative breast surgeries, we have built dedicated protocols for capsular contracture correction, implant rupture management, en-bloc capsulectomy, implant exchange, bottoming-out repair, double-capsule revision, and tissue-flap reconstruction. Dr. Eom evaluates capsule condition, residual implant status, and tissue damage in detail before proposing a tailored correction plan. International patients are encouraged to send pre-arrival photographs, prior operative records, and current implant details for a substantive assessment.

Q. What is trans-axillary breast augmentation, and why does Umnagumo specialize in it?

A. Trans-axillary breast augmentation inserts the implant through a small incision in the armpit (axilla), following the natural skin folds. Because the incision is not on the breast itself, no scar appears on the breast, and the axillary scar typically fades into the natural folds within 6–12 months. Umnagumo built a specialized trans-axillary system in 2005 and has refined it across 12,000+ cumulative cases. This is our default approach for primary augmentation when anatomically indicated, and a frequent choice for revision cases that would otherwise leave a visible scar.

Q. How long should I plan to stay in Korea, and how do follow-ups work after I return home?

A. A typical stay is 7–10 days. Day 1 covers in-person consultation, pre-operative examinations, and final design. Surgery is on Day 2. Days 3–7 cover wound checks, suture management, and the first post-operative ultrasound. Long-term follow-ups (1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months) are conducted by English-language video call once you are back home, so the full year of post-operative monitoring continues seamlessly. Urgent questions during recovery can be sent at any time via WhatsApp.

Q. Which implant brands do you use, and how do I know mine is authentic?

A. Umnagumo uses only FDA-approved authentic implants from Motiva (Establishment Labs, Costa Rica), Mentor (Johnson & Johnson, USA), and Sebbin (France). Implant selection — round vs. anatomical, smooth vs. textured, profile, projection, and volume — is decided after in-person measurement, in consultation with you. Every patient receives the manufacturer-issued certificate of authenticity with the implant serial number on the day of discharge, which can be verified directly against the manufacturer's registry.

Q. What does the booking process look like for international patients?

A. Reach out via WhatsApp at +82-10-3116-5545 — Dr. Eom (chair) personally reads all English-language inquiries. A free video consultation is then scheduled to discuss goals, review measurement photos, and walk through implant and approach options. A written quote and a recommended Seoul stay window are provided. A reservation deposit secures your surgery date. On arrival, the in-person consultation and final design happen on Day 1, and surgery on Day 2.

Q. How can I contact the clinic?

A. Phone (English): +82-10-3116-5545. WhatsApp is the preferred channel for international patients and reaches the same line — Dr. Eom (chair) responds personally to all English-language messages, including those sent outside office hours. Office hours: Monday to Friday 10:00–18:30, Saturday 10:00–16:00, closed Sundays and public holidays (lunch break 13:00–14:00 weekdays). Address: 6F, SB Tower, 318 Dosan-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul 06054.