It was a revision surgery, and I wanted the shape to look as natural as possible, so I went for consultations at 4 clinics, mostly single-doctor clinics known for safe, natural-looking work. I finally made up my mind and just booked the surgery.
Since materials and surgical methods differ for each nose, I won’t mention those separately and will just write about the overall clinic/consultation style.
<Dareum> Consultation order: consultant > director > consultant Photos: yes, CT: yes Consultation fee: 10,000 won The clinic facilities felt the cleanest and most luxurious, and since it’s right in front of Gangnam Station, accessibility was the best too. The director was kind and gave a very detailed consultation. It helps to watch the director’s YouTube videos before going for the consultation. This was the only clinic where I got a CT scan, and while looking at it carefully, they pointed out the structural problems with my nose. Even though the consultation was quite long, they kept asking until the end if I had any more questions. They realistically told me which areas could be improved and which could not. For aftercare, they said they give swelling injections. They said cotton packing is often not used if bleeding is well controlled, and even if it is used, they remove it within 1 or 2 days. They said right before surgery, I would meet the director again and have a very long design consultation.
<Goksaem> Consultation order: director > consultant Consultation fee: 10,000 won It was interesting because the director personally took the photos haha After having me lie down, they also examined my nose in detail. Among the four places, they put the most effort and sincerity into the consultation, so I was really grateful. They showed me several before-and-after photos and also did a virtual simulation with Photoshop. I liked that they honestly said when something would be realistically difficult to improve. After the consultation with the director, I consulted with the consultant, and they said that even going for walks to reduce swelling after surgery can put strain on the face, so it’s better not to walk either. I was surprised because I had never heard that before. They said I would need to keep the nasal cotton in for 5 days, so I was surprised a second time there. They said I could come in almost every other day after surgery so they could check my condition, and I got the impression that they keep the nasal cotton/splint on the longest and do aftercare as safely and conservatively as possible.
<WithU Wonil> Consultation order: director > consultant Photos: yes, CT: no, X-ray: yes Consultation fee: 30,000 won
They seem to have a CT machine, but they said since so many people already get CT scans at other clinics, they worry about radiation exposure, so they take X-rays instead. As soon as the director came in, they looked at my nose and asked, “You had a hump, right?” so I was surprised inside. (I did, but had it shaved during my first surgery.) They seem to have a good eye. Overall, they seemed confident, and the consultation felt the most professional and substantial. I had seen many reviews saying the consultation was blunt, but I didn’t really feel that. They showed me many before-and-after photos and gave a sincere consultation. For aftercare, they said I would come in on day 2, and if there was a lot of swelling, they would give an injection. During consultations, I heard a lot that my skin is thin, so I asked whether something should be added for skin reinforcement. The director said that even if dermis or fascia is added, the skin itself does not ultimately become thicker; instead of the implant showing through, what wraps around the implant would show through, so it isn’t very useful and they do not particularly recommend it. They said that during surgery, they control bleeding well, so they do not use cotton packing. (This varies by clinic, and most clinics do use packing, but among the places I went to, Dareum and this place seem not to use it unless there is heavy bleeding.) I personally thought my nose itself was quite a difficult case, and from consultation reviews, I had heard the director gives blunt reality checks and firmly says when something difficult to improve cannot be done, so I went mentally prepared, but they weren’t really like that.
<Hwi> Consultation order: director > consultant Photos: no, CT: no Consultation fee: 10,000 won
Maybe because I went at the last time slot (5 p.m.), the director looked very tired.. haha
The other three places all took photos, put my face on a monitor, and consulted that way, but here they didn’t take photos, so I found that a little odd. As soon as I arrived, they had me lie on the bed and put a long cotton swab into both nostrils to check something. (Maybe checking the nasal septum?) As soon as I sat down in the consultation room, they started drawing my nose shape from the front and side angles.. They drew well, so I was impressed. They emphasized the contour of the nasal tip and said they design while considering the point where light reflects on the nasal tip when light hits it. It helps to read the director’s blog before the consultation.
I didn’t bring any specific photos I wanted, but the director wanted photos, saying that seeing the desired shape in photos is more important than describing it in words. Among the four places, this was the only one that asked me to show photos of the nose shape I wanted. Since standards for “natural” and “flashy” differ from person to person, I understood that showing photos would be more accurate than words.
<Overall review> -All four clinics had directors who consulted in detail and kindly, so I was really grateful. (Maybe because it was a weekday and there weren’t many people, but at all four places, the director consultation alone lasted over 30 minutes.) I didn’t feel that any of the four were a waste of time or that the consultation fee was a waste. All the consultants were kind too.
-All four clinics pointed out the same issues, so it was good because I clearly learned what I need to improve.
-All four clinics are single-doctor clinics, so it seems the directors personally handle aftercare, and the schedules were similar too. (Visit the day after surgery for dressing/disinfection, splint removal at 1 week, final progress check at 2-3 weeks.)
-None of the four clinics pressured me to book the same day or offered any discounts, and all had fixed prices. Price: Dareum, WithU Wonil < Hwi << Goksaem (Surgery prices differ depending on each person’s nose condition, so please use this only as a reference.)
For almost a month, I researched like crazy to narrow down my clinic list. Among the clinics I narrowed down, I searched clinic reviews like crazy through premium reviews/general reviews in a community, apps, cafes, and so on. I also read the directors’ YouTube channels and blogs thoroughly and studied hard before going.
It definitely seems that if you study a lot before going to consultations, your understanding improves, so you can ask more questions and the quality of the consultation goes up. At one clinic, they complimented me, saying I understood things very well and asked if I had been to many consultations haha. I recommend studying a lot and visiting clinics in person.
While doing lots of online research, honestly, I had already decided in my mind which clinic was 1st place and which was 4th place, thinking I should do it there. The consultations overall were all good, but after visiting in person, all the rankings in my mind changed lol. Personally, I got a really good feeling from a clinic I hadn’t expected much from, so I made my final decision there and booked it. In conclusion, online research definitely helps a lot, but in-person consultations are the most accurate!