INTERNATIONAL PATIENTS
C1 English communication. 24-48h consult-surgery gap. Visa, flights, hotels, recovery support. Everything you need to plan plastic surgery travel.
C1 English
Surgeons + Coordinators
No Translator
Required for Communication
24-48h Gap
Between Consult & Surgery
Patient coordinators at Etonne operate at a minimum C1 (advanced) level in English — written and spoken. Defined by the Common European Framework of Reference as the level at which a speaker can express ideas fluently and spontaneously without obvious searching for expressions.
In practice: You will not need a translator. You will not encounter Google Translate intermediation. You will receive nuanced answers to nuanced questions.
The four operating surgeons at Etonne also communicate at C1 or higher. Dr. Koo Heetae completed a brief clinical observership at UC Irvine Medical Center in the United States, and is the most fluent of the team for casually-paced clinical conversations. This is Promise 5.
SAMPLE TIMELINE
| Day | Activity |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive ICN, transfer to hotel, rest |
| Day 2 | In-person consultation at Etonne, blood work |
| Day 3 | Surgery (morning), discharge to hotel afternoon |
| Day 4 | First follow-up (in-person at clinic) |
| Day 5 | Rest, hotel recovery |
| Day 6 | Second follow-up |
| Day 7 | Stitch removal, third follow-up |
| Day 8 | Rest |
| Day 9 | Final follow-up before departure |
| Day 10 | Depart ICN |
For double eyelid surgery: 7-day stay typical. Lower blepharoplasty: 5-7 days.
PRACTICAL LOGISTICS
Most international patients travel as ordinary tourists. Korea provides visa-free entry of 30, 60, or 90 days for most North American, European, and Pacific countries. Plastic surgery does not typically require a separate medical visa. Apply for K-ETA online if your nationality requires it ($9 USD).
Etonne is a 30-minute drive from Incheon International Airport (ICN). Surgery is typically scheduled 24–48 hours after arrival as the default — same-day consult-and-surgery is available by exception with a deposit. Recovery requires 5–14 days in Seoul depending on procedure.
Premium with HBOT chamber on-site: $250–400/night.
Mid-range Gangnam (4-star international): $150–250/night.
Serviced apartments (long stays): $200–350/night.
We do not directly operate or commission any hotel — Etonne does not earn referral fees from accommodation. List of hotels we have worked with available on request, with no markup.
WHAT WE PROVIDE
FAQ
No. Promise 5 of Patient Safety commits to a C1-level English coordinator and surgeons. Google Translate is not used as an intermediation tool.
No. We schedule in-person consultation 24–48 hours before your surgery. This gap is non-negotiable. You may sleep on the plan, discuss with family at home, or change your mind without penalty.
No. The VAT refund program for cosmetic surgery was eliminated effective January 1, 2026. See our 2026 Cost Guide.
A small deposit (~10%) confirms your booking before travel. The balance is paid at the clinic on the day of surgery — typically by international wire transfer or credit card.
Yes. Hotels in Gangnam easily accommodate companions. Your companion can attend pre-op consultation and post-op follow-ups with your written consent.
You receive an emergency WhatsApp number on the day of surgery. The operating surgeon responds within 1 hour for urgent concerns. For genuine emergencies, go to the nearest hospital and inform Etonne via WhatsApp afterward.