Pack loose, front-opening clothing, slip-on shoes, sunglasses, a soft hat, a scarf and a mask, your clinic paperwork and prescriptions, and simple comfort items for your hotel room. Bring more button-down or zip-up tops than you think you need, skip anything that pulls over your head, and leave tight necklines and heavy jewelry at home. Above all, follow your own surgeon's pre- and post-op instructions — they override any general list, including this one.
This guide is general information for people travelling to Korea for facial surgery such as a facelift, neck lift, eyelid surgery or rhinoplasty. It is not medical advice. Your clinic's written instructions are the version that matters.
Why packing differently matters after facial surgery
Most packing lists are written for holidays. Recovery is different. For the first days and weeks you may have swelling, bruising, bandages, stitches and — depending on your procedure — a drain. You will probably feel more tired than usual and less able to bend, lift or rummage through a suitcase.
Many clinics advise avoiding bending your head forward and limiting strong facial movement in the early days, because it can encourage bleeding. That single instruction changes what you pack: nothing that requires pulling a tight collar over your face, and nothing you have to crouch down to find.
Plan for a hotel room rather than a home. You will be unpacking into a small space, eating differently and resting a lot. A little forethought makes the first week much calmer.
Clothing: comfort first, style later
Your clinic will usually ask you to arrive on surgery day in something loose and easy to remove. The same clothes work beautifully for the days afterwards.
- Button-down shirts and zip-up hoodies. Front-opening tops are the single most useful thing you can pack. Bring several, including one or two dark colours.
- Loose tracksuit or lounge trousers with a soft, non-restrictive waistband.
- Slip-on shoes — nothing you need to tie or bend far to put on.
- A light layer or cardigan for air-conditioned rooms and clinics.
- Comfortable sleepwear that opens at the front, plus a few extra pairs of underwear and socks.
- Avoid: tight turtlenecks, small-neck T-shirts, heavy earrings or necklaces, and anything that has to go over your head.
If you are having eyelid surgery or rhinoplasty, the same logic applies: soft, easy layers and nothing that presses on the treated area.
Face, eyes and head: the small essentials
These items come up again and again in clinic pre-op notes, and they are easy to forget.
- Glasses if you normally wear them, and sunglasses with a shape that does not sit heavily on the cheeks or nose. Many clinics advise against contact lenses for around a month after surgery — check your own instructions.
- A soft hat or cap and a light scarf for going between the hotel and the clinic.
- A mask — useful for privacy and for anyone feeling self-conscious about swelling or bandages.
- Lip balm and a gentle, unscented moisturiser. Ask your clinic when you can resume skincare; many advise waiting about two weeks before normal products and sun protection on the face.
- Hair ties or clips that do not pull, and a wide headband if your clinic suggests keeping hair away from incisions.
Leave perfume, body oil and hair products at home for surgery day — clinics typically ask you to arrive without them.
Documents, money and admin
Keep these together in one folder or pouch, on your phone and on paper.
- Passport and visa or entry paperwork. Entry rules change, so check the official Korean immigration website and your nearest embassy before you travel.
- Your clinic's appointment details, pre-op instructions and any consent or medical forms.
- A list of your medications and allergies, written in English and Korean if possible.
- Travel insurance details, and a note of your embassy's contact number.
- A payment plan. Clinics may ask for cash in Korean won or a card approved for international use, and ATM withdrawal limits vary — confirm the details with your clinic and your bank in advance.
- A translation app and a map app installed before you fly.
For the wider logistics of a hotel-based recovery, our practical hotel recovery checklist walks through the day-to-day side.
Comfort and care items for the hotel room
You will spend more time in your room than on a normal trip. A few small things help.
- Extra pillows or a travel pillow. Many clinics advise sleeping with your head elevated for the first week and on your back for about a month — you may want to ask the hotel for extra pillows rather than pack them. Our article on sleeping on your side after a facelift explains the usual reasoning.
- Soft gauze or cotton pads if your clinic has told you how to use them. Do not improvise wound care — ask first.
- A small cooler bag or thermos if you plan to use cold compresses as instructed. Many clinics suggest a cloth or gel pack kept in the fridge, wrapped so it never touches skin directly.
- A long phone cable and a plug adapter for Korea.
- Entertainment that does not strain your eyes — podcasts, audiobooks, a light novel.
- Easy snacks such as soft crackers or fruit that do not need chewing hard. Avoid spicy, salty and very hot food for the first week, as many clinics advise.
Food is its own packing problem. You will not want to cook, and Korean delivery apps can be tricky in a second language. If you would rather not navigate them, AfterOp delivers English-menu meals to your hotel room — you can browse the in-room dining menu before you arrive. For background, see our guide to what to eat after facial plastic surgery in Korea.
What to leave at home
- Heavy jewelry, piercings and metal hair accessories — clinics usually ask you to remove these before surgery.
- Nail polish and gel manicures, which many clinics ask you to remove in advance.
- Eyelash extensions, particularly before eyelid surgery.
- Tight, fitted clothing and anything that has to go over your head.
- Large bottles of toiletries you can buy locally.
If you are unsure about a specific item, message your clinic before you fly. It is a much easier conversation now than on surgery morning.
When to contact your clinic
Packing is the easy part. Recovery can raise questions that no list answers, and it is always reasonable to ask your clinic rather than guess.
- Contact your clinic if bleeding increases, swelling or bruising suddenly gets much worse, or you have pain that is not controlled by your prescribed medication.
- Contact your clinic about a fever, spreading redness, unusual discharge, or a wound that looks like it is opening.
- Contact your clinic if you have eye pain, a change in vision, or increasing dryness after eyelid surgery.
- Ask before restarting any medication, supplement, skincare product or exercise — timing varies by procedure and by person.
In an emergency in Korea, call 119 for ambulance and emergency services. For anything non-urgent, your clinic's own contact line is the right first call.
Pack light, pack soft, and keep your clinic's instructions where you can find them. The rest of recovery is mostly patience — and a comfortable shirt.
Frequently asked questions
What should I wear on the day of plastic surgery in Korea?
Wear loose, comfortable clothing that is easy to remove, such as a button-down shirt, zip-up hoodie or loose tracksuit. Avoid anything that pulls over your head or presses on your face, and leave jewelry, makeup and contact lenses at your hotel as your clinic instructs.
Do I need to bring button-down shirts for after a facelift?
Yes, they are one of the most useful items. Front-opening tops mean you do not have to pull clothing over your face or neck while you are swollen or bandaged. Bring several, including a couple of dark colours.
Can I wear contact lenses after eyelid surgery?
Many clinics advise waiting about a month before wearing contact lenses again, but timing can vary with your procedure and healing. Ask your own surgeon when it is safe for you.
Should I pack cold packs for swelling?
Ask your clinic first. Many advise cold compresses in the first few days, usually for short periods several times a day and never directly on bare skin. A small cooler bag or thermos can help you keep a cloth or gel pack cold in a hotel room.
How much cash should I bring for surgery in Korea?
Payment arrangements vary by clinic, and some ask for Korean won in cash or a card approved for international use. Confirm the amount and method with your clinic well in advance, check your card limits with your bank, and check current entry and currency rules on official sources before you travel.