Hello. I’ll write about my current condition and consultation visit reviews without adding or subtracting.
I have a tonsillectomy scheduled because of tonsillar hypertrophy and chronic tonsillitis.
My bronchi are usually weak, so it’s hard when I catch a cold or during seasonal changes. I started rhinitis treatment at age 17 and only had inferior turbinate reduction surgery (laser) at 18. I had been living without thinking about a runny nose or allergies thanks to injections and medication, but after 20 years, the runny nose and sneezing started again.
I caught another cold and went to a local ENT clinic, and they said my nose must feel stuffy because it was blocked. That led me to look into surgery for a deviated nasal septum and inferior turbinate hypertrophy. My friend’s older sister had functional nose surgery + cosmetic surgery at ㅇㅇㄷ and said she was satisfied and that the surgery turned out really well, so I actively tried to make an appointment.
Gangnam is even harder to park in with an SUV, so I had to park at a transfer parking lot and take the subway, so I only scheduled one place per day. Maybe because of my age, one consultation and estimate per day was already so tiring. The intro got too long!
Since cosmetic surgery is my first time (never had filler), I’ll write first about the places I visited, based on the assumption that the functional nose part would be eligible for 80% coverage through the private indemnity insurance I personally have.
1) ㅇㅇㄷ Hospital Consultation order: Manager ㄱㄷㅇ - cosmetic surgery director ㅇㅁㄱ - ENT director ㅇㄱㅈ - manager ㄱㄷㅇ Consultation fee: none, Medical fee: ENT 11,700 won (CT scan, endoscopy) Consultation details: They decided on functional surgery (deviated nasal septum, inferior turbinate reduction) + cosmetic surgery (nasal bridge, nasal tip, osteotomy, hump, bulbous nose). Actually, I went to my first consultation without even knowing the terms semi-straight or straight... The first doctor I met was Director ㅇㅁㄱ, and he seriously pointed out the external issues with my nose while holding it with a cotton swab. But maybe because I couldn’t think of questions and didn’t know much, even though he said he would raise the nasal bridge, he didn’t tell me how many mm of silicone he would use. He looked quite young, so I was concerned about his surgical experience. I did see reviews saying he does double eyelids or men’s noses naturally though...., And the ENT director felt like he looked at me too roughly... He said the septum wasn’t severe but there was a bent part, so he’d trim it a bit, and he’d also trim the inferior turbinates slightly. The exam was that short. They say people commit when they don’t know much, and since it was the place my friend’s sister went to, and especially because the manager was the type who works smoothly and well. She does emphasize reservations, but she also introduced a pharmacy where medicine is a bit cheaper, and maybe because I was thinking I would get surgery, I felt okay about it, so I ended up putting down a 100,000 won deposit. But this is a hospital-level facility and the price is the lowest, is this real... Estimate: Based on same-day reservation + surgery within July (before school vacation) 1. Cosmetic nose only: 2.6 million won 2. With collaboration: cosmetic nose 1.8 million won + functional nose 1.2 million won
2) ㄷㅇㅇ Plastic Surgery Consultation order: Manager ㄱㅁㅇ - ENT director ㅎㅅㅈ - manager ㄱㅁㅇ Consultation fee: none Medical fee: none (photo shoot, CT scan, endoscopy) Consultation details: Functional surgery (deviated nasal septum, inferior turbinate reduction) + cosmetic surgery (augmentation rhinoplasty, hump, bulbous nose, osteotomy, hump, said a semi-straight line would seem to suit me). Director ㅎㅅㅈ held my nose with a cotton swab in detail and said silicone around 3.5-4 mm would be good, and that if the septal cartilage was weak, ear cartilage could be used so the nasal tip would not collapse. The scale was large, and I really, really liked the director. They said they provide AS for 1 year. The problem was that while waiting in the consultation room, sounds from outside could be heard too clearly, and it felt chaotic and a bit hectic, which made me anxious. The manager also felt different from me in vibe, so I didn’t put down a deposit. Estimate: 1. Cosmetic nose 3 million won (condition: partial model use); with same-day reservation, it seemed possible down to 2 million won 2. Functional nose 1.5-1.6 million won
3) ㅂ Plastic Surgery Consultation order: Manager ㄱㄱㅅ - ENT director ㄱㄱㅈ - manager ㄱㄱㅅ Consultation fee: none Medical fee: none (photo shoot, CT scan, endoscopy) Consultation details: Functional surgery (deviated nasal septum, inferior turbinate reduction, nasal valve - diagnosed with stenosis only in the left nostril) + cosmetic surgery (augmentation rhinoplasty, hump, bulbous nose, osteotomy, hump). This was where I first got a nasal valve diagnosis... They say these days, because of issues with private indemnity insurance, nasal valve claims are controversial with each insurer and refunds are often not given smoothly. It felt like I had 30 minutes of tutoring with Director ㄱㄱㅈ....ㅎㅎ He asked whether function or aesthetics was the priority and whether I had any resistance to silicone, said my nose shape wasn’t bad, showed me my nose issues on CT and endoscopy, showed before-and-after photos of other people’s surgeries, and said that during surgery he would try 3 mm, 3.5 mm, and 4 mm silicone and choose the size that fits me from both the front and side. He said if I do functional nose surgery, my nose will open up and breathing will become comfortable. He also talked about empty nose syndrome issues, said they would provide AS for 1 year and monitor me, and his confidence was the best. Here too, he said that if the septal cartilage is weak, ear cartilage (additional 400,000 won) can be used so the nasal tip won’t collapse. They have a resident anesthesiologist, and whether sedation or general anesthesia is used is decided depending on the surgery. The surgery takes 1 hour and 30 minutes. The manager doesn’t pressure you, and I didn’t put down a deposit. Among the 3 places, the price was the highest, but I guess everyone chooses ㅂ because of the director’s confidence!! Estimate: 1. Cosmetic nose 2.8 million won - including the additional 400,000 won for ear cartilage 2. Functional nose 1.9 million won Other: preoperative test fee (blood, ECG, lung, CT) 60,000 won postoperative outpatient fee under 10,000 won
That’s about it... Next week I’m planning to visit a single-doctor clinic around Apgujeong, but this is so hard. Since it’s functional nose + cosmetic surgery, it feels like there are fewer places without a resident anesthesiologist than I expected! Did everyone do okay even at places without a resident anesthesiologist? Please share information~