Umnagumo Plastic Surgery
CHECKLIST · A TO Z

Breast Surgery Checklist A to Z

A field-tested checklist for international patients considering breast augmentation, revision, mastopexy, or reduction at Umnagumo Plastic Surgery in Gangnam, Seoul. Decisions are organized around implant choice, incision, placement plane, and recovery — each item lists what to verify with the surgical team before, during, and after surgery.

01

Before the Consultation

  • •Decide on your priorities — natural look, volume, asymmetry correction, revision of a prior surgery, or post-pregnancy reconstruction. Different priorities lead to different surgical plans, so clarity here saves time during consultation.
  • •Gather any prior surgical records — implant brand and cc, incision site, year of surgery, and complication history. For revision cases, the original operative report is the single most useful document you can bring.
  • •Note physical context — chest wall shape, tissue thickness, skin elasticity, pregnancy and breastfeeding plans, lifestyle factors (sports, sleep posture, sun exposure for scar care).
  • •Compile 4–6 reference photos that show the silhouette you find natural and proportional for your frame — front, side, and three-quarter views work best. Avoid celebrity-only references; the same photo on different bodies produces different results.
  • •List your medical history honestly — autoimmune conditions, anticoagulant or hormone medications, smoking, prior radiation, and family history of breast disease all change the surgical plan.
02

Implant Selection — Brand & Profile

  • •Brand: Motiva, Mentor (BOOST / Xtra Smooth), Sebbin — each has distinct cohesivity, surface texture, and shell properties. Umnagumo uses only FDA / KFDA / CE-cleared brands and you receive the warranty card and serial sticker at discharge.
  • •Profile: low / moderate / high — projection is matched to your chest width, not chosen by personal preference alone. A high-profile implant on a wide chest looks narrow; a moderate-profile on a narrow chest can look over-projected.
  • •Surface: smooth vs. nano-textured — long-term capsular-contracture rates and rippling profiles differ. Surface choice is coupled to placement plane: smooth implants in dual plane behave differently from nano-textured in subfascial.
  • •cc range: derived from breast base width, soft-tissue cover, and target silhouette — not an arbitrary number. Two patients of the same dress size will often land in different cc ranges.
  • •Shape: round vs. anatomical — at the upper-pole level, anatomical implants give a more sloped projection; round implants give a fuller upper pole. With nano-textured surfaces, the difference at rest is smaller than ten years ago.
03

Incision Approach

  • •Trans-axillary (armpit) — no scar on the breast itself. Umnagumo specialty since 2005, applicable to both primary and revision cases. Endoscopic visualization is used for the pocket dissection, not blind tunneling.
  • •Inframammary (under-breast fold) — direct pocket access, often chosen for larger implants, anatomical implants, or revision plans that require precise inframammary-fold reconstruction.
  • •Periareolar (around the areola) — direct dissection access. The trade-off is areolar scar visibility on light skin and a slightly higher reported sensation-change rate; not the first choice in patients planning to breastfeed.
  • •Trade-offs vary by skin elasticity, areolar size, the implant you plan to use, and your personal scar tolerance — review side-by-side with the surgeon before committing.
  • •For revision: the previous incision is reused when feasible. Adding a new scar is avoided unless the prior incision cannot reach the new pocket plan.
04

Placement Plane

  • •Subglandular — under the breast tissue only. Visible implant movement and a higher rippling risk in thin patients; preferred only in select revision contexts.
  • •Subfascial — under the pectoral fascia. A balance of soft-tissue cover and natural movement; commonly chosen when the dual plane is not needed.
  • •Dual plane — partial muscle cover at the upper pole. The most common choice for natural-looking augmentation when upper-pole tissue cover is limited.
  • •Submuscular — full muscle cover. Used in very thin patients or specific revision contexts; produces more upper-pole animation deformity in athletes.
  • •For revision: the new plane decision depends on the prior plane, capsule status, and whether the original pocket needs closing (capsulorrhaphy) or rebuilding (neo-pocket).
05

Post-operative Care

  • •Day 1–3: elevated upper-body sleep on two pillows, soft diet, prescribed medications strictly on schedule. No spicy or salty food on day 1.
  • •Week 1: drain (Hemovac) check, suture check on day 7, light walking from day 2. No driving, no upper-arm load, no shower over the chest.
  • •Week 2–4: scar care begins — silicone gel twice daily plus strict sun protection on the incision. Gradual return to office work. Sleep position can transition to flat from week 3 if comfortable.
  • •Month 1–3: implant-massage technique is taught at the 1-month visit; compression band is reduced based on healing, not a fixed calendar date. Light cardio is fine; chest-targeted exercise still avoided.
  • •Month 3+: gradual return to full exercise, including chest-targeted strength training. Underwire bras are usually OK from month 2 onward after follow-up confirmation.
  • •Long-term: 6-month follow-up (implant position, scar, ultrasound when indicated) and annual check-ups thereafter — recommended for both primary and revision patients.
06

Medical Tourism Logistics

  • •Arrival timing: most international patients arrive 1–2 days before surgery for pre-operative blood work, imaging, and in-person consultation with the surgeon.
  • •Length of stay in Seoul: minimum 7 days after surgery is the safer minimum for primary cases (until drain removal and day-7 follow-up). Revision cases typically need 10–14 days.
  • •Accommodation: short-stay residences in Gangnam are within 5–15 minutes of the clinic. The English desk can recommend partner hotels with quiet, elevated bedding and an in-room safe.
  • •Translation: English-speaking staff are present during consultation, surgery briefing, and follow-up visits. WhatsApp is the primary remote channel for after-hours questions.
  • •Documentation: international patients receive a discharge package with the operative report, implant brand/serial/warranty, and a recovery plan in English for handover to a local physician at home.
07

Anesthesia, Monitoring & Hospitalization

  • •Anesthesia: general anesthesia is standard for primary augmentation and revision. A board-certified anesthesiologist is in the room from start to finish — not a nurse, not a technician.
  • •Monitoring: continuous ECG, oxygen saturation, end-tidal CO₂, blood pressure, and BIS (depth-of-anesthesia) monitoring during the entire procedure.
  • •Operating room: HEPA-filtered air, single-use sterile draping, individually tracked implant lot numbers, and on-site emergency equipment (defibrillator, malignant-hyperthermia kit).
  • •Hospitalization: same-day discharge after observation in recovery — typically 2–4 hours post-op. Overnight stay is available if requested or if the case warrants it.
  • •First-night protocol: an English-speaking contact is on call for the first 24 hours, and the surgeon reviews the post-op photos before final discharge.
08

Returning Home — Long-Distance Recovery

  • •Flight timing: short-haul flights from week 2 are usually fine; long-haul flights are safer from week 3 onward with compression stockings and frequent walking in the cabin.
  • •Photo follow-ups: monthly photos at month 1, 3, and 6 are uploaded via WhatsApp and reviewed by the surgeon — same evaluation as an in-person visit for routine progress.
  • •Local physician handover: the English discharge package is designed to be shared with a primary care physician or general surgeon at home, so suture removal or wound issues can be handled locally if needed.
  • •Scar care abroad: silicone gel (or sheets, depending on incision) for at least 12 weeks, strict SPF 50+ on the incision area for 6 months, no tanning beds for 12 months.
  • •When to fly back: revision or in-person follow-up is recommended at the 6-month mark if travel allows; otherwise, the 12-month annual check is the primary in-person touchpoint.
09

Revision & Long-term Considerations

  • •Capsular contracture monitoring: self-check monthly for firmness, position change, or shape change. Baker grade is assessed at each in-person follow-up.
  • •Implant warranty: Motiva, Mentor, and Sebbin all offer manufacturer warranties for rupture and (in some product lines) capsular contracture — warranty cards are issued at discharge.
  • •Lifetime expectations: modern implants are not lifetime devices. Most international guidelines recommend an MRI or high-resolution ultrasound check at 5–7 years and revision planning when indicated.
  • •Revision triggers: rupture, capsular contracture (Baker III–IV), implant malposition (bottoming-out, lateralization, double-bubble), and patient-driven size or shape changes.
  • •Returning for revision: prior operative report and implant serial information are required. Revision planning is conservative — the goal is to preserve tissue and avoid creating a third revision in five years.
EDITORIAL · DR. NAM COLUMN

The clinical decisions, written out longhand

The same calls we make in consultation — placement plane, implant position, complications, size — written in editorial form by the clinic director.

REFERENCE · IMPLANTS & INCISIONS

Deep dives on the choices you’ll make

Three practical guides for international patients: Motiva and Mentor implant families explained, and the three main incision approaches honestly compared.

IMPLANT GUIDE · MOTIVA

Motiva Implants — A Practical Guide for International Patients

Read guide
IMPLANT GUIDE · MENTOR

Mentor Implants — A Practical Guide for International Patients

Read guide
CHECKLIST · INCISION METHODS

Incision Methods — Trans-Axillary, Inframammary, Periareolar Compared

Read guide

Checklist FAQ

What are the most important things to verify before any breast-surgery consultation?
Body type and skin elasticity, implant brand and size, incision location (trans-axillary, inframammary, periareolar), placement plane (subfascial, dual plane, submuscular), and the recovery timeline. A thorough first consultation should cover all five — if any of them is glossed over, ask for more detail.
How do I choose between trans-axillary, inframammary, and periareolar incisions?
It depends on your scar tolerance, existing breast shape, skin and tissue condition, and the overall surgical plan. There is no universal best — discuss the trade-offs with the surgeon based on your specific anatomy. Patients planning future breastfeeding usually avoid the periareolar approach; patients prioritising no-visible-scar usually choose trans-axillary; patients receiving anatomical or larger implants often choose inframammary.
What is the difference between subfascial placement and the dual-plane technique?
Each has its own strengths and trade-offs. The right approach depends on tissue thickness, chest-wall shape, and the silhouette you want. The dual-plane technique is the most common choice for natural-looking augmentation in average-tissue patients, while subfascial often suits patients with adequate upper-pole tissue who want to avoid muscle animation.
Is the checklist different for breast revision or mastopexy?
Yes. Additional evaluation is required — degree of ptosis, nipple/areola position, prior surgical history, capsule status, and existing tissue quality. Diagnosis and planning carry more weight than in a primary case, and the operative report from the previous surgery is the single most valuable document to bring.
How long should I stay in Korea after surgery?
For primary breast augmentation, the minimum safer stay is 7 days post-op — enough to cover drain removal, the day-7 follow-up, and suture check. For breast revision, mastopexy, or combined cases, 10–14 days post-op is the recommended baseline. Patients on long-haul flights should plan an additional 2–3 days of buffer for swelling and DVT-prevention measures.
What type of anesthesia is used, and is a board-certified anesthesiologist present?
General anesthesia is standard for primary augmentation and revision. A board-certified anesthesiologist (not a nurse anesthetist or technician) is in the operating room from induction through recovery. Continuous ECG, oxygen saturation, end-tidal CO₂, blood pressure, and BIS depth-of-anesthesia monitoring are used throughout the procedure.
Is the surgery inpatient or day-surgery?
Most cases are same-day discharge after a 2–4 hour observation period in the recovery suite. Overnight stay is available on request or when the case warrants it (longer combined cases, specific revisions, or patient preference). An English-speaking contact is on call for the first 24 hours after discharge.
How is follow-up handled after I fly home?
Monthly photo follow-ups at months 1, 3, and 6 are reviewed by the surgeon via WhatsApp — the same clinical evaluation as an in-person visit for routine progress. Your discharge package is in English and is designed to be shared with a local physician at home, so suture or wound issues can be addressed locally if needed. In-person follow-up at 6 or 12 months is recommended when travel allows.
How long do breast implants last?
Modern silicone implants are not lifetime devices. Most international guidelines recommend a high-resolution ultrasound or MRI check at the 5–7 year mark, and revision planning when clinically indicated. The implant manufacturers (Motiva, Mentor, Sebbin) provide lifetime warranties for rupture; warranty cards and serial numbers are included in your discharge documentation.
What happens if I have complications after returning home?
WhatsApp contact with the clinic is the first step for any concern — photos, symptom description, and timing. The clinic will advise whether the issue can be observed, managed locally with your home physician, or whether a return visit is required. Emergency-grade complications (sudden severe pain, fever > 38 °C, asymmetric swelling) should be evaluated at a local emergency room first, then reported to the clinic.
Do you offer consultations in English?
Yes. Umnagumo Plastic Surgery offers English-language consultations both online (WhatsApp) and in person, with the surgeon directly. Bookings: +82-10-3116-5545 (English phone line) or https://wa.me/821031165545. In-person consultation is in the Gangnam clinic in Seoul.
Breast AugmentationBreast RevisionImplant GuideSafety & Care

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