Most patients focus on the surgery. The preparation beforehand is what protects your safety and directly affects how well you heal. This covers everything you need to do, and stop doing before your procedure.
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Health Conditions: What Your Clinic Needs to Know
Tell us in advance if you have any of the following:
- Chronic conditions
High blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid disease, or any systemic condition may require a pre-surgery consultation with the anesthesiologist and additional medical checks. Inform Miin when you first confirm your surgery date so arrangements can be made in advance.
- Medication allergies
Tell the clinic exactly which medications you are allergic to and what reaction you experience — itching, irregular heartbeat, breathing difficulty. This information is used to select safe anesthesia and avoid allergic complications.
- Surgical history
Any prior surgery whether it is for health, or cosmetic procedures must be disclosed. The same applies to past chemotherapy.
- Anemia
Existing anemia can worsen after surgery. If you have a diagnosis, inform the clinic so the team can evaluate whether treatment is needed before your procedure.
- Illness in the week before surgery
Fever, cough, phlegm, or cold symptoms within 7 days of your surgery date must be reported immediately. Surgery may need to be rescheduled.
- Menstruation
If your period overlaps with your surgery date, inform the clinic in advance. It does not affect the surgical outcome, but bruising and swelling may resolve more slowly.
Medications to Stop Before Surgery
The following must be stopped before your procedure. Confirm exact timing with your clinic.
Stop at least 1 week before surgery:
- Aspirin and anti-inflammatory painkillers (NSAIDs such as ibuprofen)
- Hormonal medications (unless specifically cleared by your surgeon)
- Herbal medicines and oriental supplements
- Vitamin supplements
Stop at least 2 weeks before surgery:
- Alcohol. Anesthetic medications are metabolized by the liver. Alcohol impairs this process and raises the risk of complications.
Stop at least 3 weeks before surgery:
- Weight-loss injections such as Ozempic or Saxenda
If you are on medication for a chronic condition; high blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid, do not stop without consulting the clinic first. Bring all current medications with you on surgery day.
What to Pack for Your Trip
Documents
- Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity remaining)
- Round-trip flight ticket
- Korean visa if required for your nationality
Personal items
- Comfortable, loose clothing with front buttons
- Thick jacket and scarf (hospital rooms and recovery are cold)
- Slip-on shoes or slippers
- Face mask, hat, and sunglasses
- Toothbrush, toothpaste, and personal hygiene items
- Phone, charger, and portable power bank
- Power plug adapter (Korea uses 220V, round-pin European-style plugs)
Alcohol and Smoking
- Smoking: Stop from the day you confirm your surgery. Smoking slows tissue healing, increases infection risk at the surgical site, and raises the risk of anesthesia complications. There is no safe point to continue.
- Alcohol: Stop at least 1 week before surgery. The liver processes anesthetic medications. Alcohol interferes with that process.
- Stimulants: Avoid caffeine and energy drinks before your pre-surgery health check. Caffeine affects heart rate, which is assessed during the check.
The Night Before Surgery
Get a full night of sleep. At least eight hours.
Begin fasting around 8-12 hours before your scheduled surgery time (actual required hours is confirmed before surgery). Nothing is allowed after that point: no food, no candy, no gum, no water. This is a strict requirement for anesthesia safety.
On the Day of Surgery
- Shower and wash your hair before arriving at the clinic. Patients scheduled for facial contouring surgery should brush their teeth thoroughly on the morning of surgery.
- Do not wear makeup. Do not wear contact lenses. Arrive in glasses if you need vision correction.
- Wear comfortable, loose clothing. Front-button tops are ideal. Avoid tight necklines, stockings, and accessories. Leave jewelry, rings, and necklaces at your hotel.
- Bring items to cover your face after surgery — a face mask, hat, sunglasses, and scarf. You will want them for the return to your hotel.
- For rhinoplasty patients specifically: sunglasses are not allowed post-surgery. Do not bring them as a face-covering option.
- Do not drive yourself. Arrange for your Miin coordinator or a companion to accompany you. For outpatients, driving after surgery is not permitted.
- If you have any implanted medical device — pacemaker, cochlear implant, implantable cardioverter defibrillator — notify the clinic coordinator and your surgeon again on surgery day, even if you have disclosed it previously.
After Surgery: The First Days
Take all prescribed medications on time and exactly as instructed. Do not substitute or skip doses.
Eat soft, light, easy-to-digest food for the first few days. Avoid spicy, greasy, and fried food.
Do not touch or press the surgical area with your hands.
Rest and stay indoors for the first 2 to 3 days. From day 3, light walking and short outings are recommended if you feel able. Strenuous exercise and heavy activity should wait at least 1 month, or until your surgeon clears it.
Miin Is With You at Every Step
Miin’s coordinator accompanies you to your pre-surgery health check, your surgery day, and your post-operative appointments. If anything changes in your health before departure — new symptoms, medication questions, schedule concerns — you contact us directly. We handle the communication with the clinic so nothing gets missed.
The preparation is as important as the procedure. Getting it right is part of what we are here for.
Get in touch to start planning your plastic surgery trip to Korea with Miin.