Most international patients spend their recovery in a hotel near the clinic. A good set-up makes a real difference to how the first few days feel. Here is a practical checklist, based on the questions patients ask us most.
Your clinic's instructions always come first. This is general, practical guidance — not medical advice.
Before you fly: what to pack
- Clothes that open at the front — button-down shirts, zip-up hoodies, loose tracksuits. You won't want to pull anything over your face.
- Sunglasses, a hat or cap, a scarf and face masks — for comfort and privacy when you go out with swelling or bruising.
- Glasses instead of contact lenses — many clinics ask you not to wear contacts for a while after eye surgery.
- A travel pillow or wedge — sleeping with your head raised is commonly advised in the first week.
- Lip balm, gentle cleanser and your usual medications (check with your clinic which ones to continue or stop before surgery).
- A power bank and long charging cable — you'll be in bed more than you expect.
Money and payments
Tell your bank and credit card company you are travelling and check your limits before you leave. Some clinics have specific advice about paying by card or in cash — read it early so there are no surprises.
Setting up your hotel room
- Ask reception about delivery rules. Some hotels let couriers come to your door; others ask that food is left at reception for you to collect.
- Ask for extra pillows so you can sleep with your head raised.
- Keep the fridge for cold packs and soft snacks like yoghurt and fruit.
- Lay out everything within reach of the bed: water, medications, phone, tissues, lip balm.
- Write down your room number and the hotel's address in Korean — useful for taxis and deliveries.
Food: plan it before you need it
The first two or three days are when you'll least want to go out. Soft, mild meals help — see our guide on what to eat after facial surgery. With AfterOp you order from the in-room dining menu on your phone and we handle the Korean-language ordering for you; meals usually arrive 30–40 minutes after we place the order.
Getting around
- Don't drive on the day of surgery — and in Korea you'll rarely need to.
- Taxis are easy and affordable. Show the driver the address in Korean.
- Allow extra time for follow-up appointments, such as stitch removal.
Keep your instructions to hand
You will get a lot of information before and after surgery, and it's easy to forget the details when you're tired. Our care guide keeps your clinic's before- and after-surgery instructions on your phone, and you can ask questions about them any time.
When to call the clinic
Contact your clinic straight away if something feels wrong — for example heavy or increasing bleeding, sudden severe swelling, a high fever or difficulty breathing. In an emergency in Korea, call 119.