Deep plane facelift in Seoul for patients from the US: the steps from first message to follow-up
RNWOOD Plastic Surgery in Seoul names the United States among its main patient markets, and the clinic's list of patient locations also includes Australia, UK, Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia, China, and Japan. For international patients, the deep plane facelift process follows the clinic's nine-step patient journey. This page walks through it from an international patient perspective.
The nine steps
The clinic sets out the journey as:
- Initial online inquiry
- Online photo assessment
- In-person consultation
- Surgical recommendation
- Scheduling
- Pre-operative preparation
- Surgery
- Recovery
- Aftercare
Steps 1 and 2: from home
Inquiries can be made through the website, by email, on WhatsApp or on Instagram. The email address is consult@rnwoodseoul.com, the WhatsApp number is +82 10-6254-8672, and the clinic's phone number is +82-2-515-3833. Clinic hours are in Seoul time.
The online stage provides an estimated price, gives surgical recommendations and an estimated quote, arranges the in-person consultation, and gives deposit information and a general test list.
Steps 3 and 4: in Seoul
At the in-person consultation, Dr. Min-Hee Ryu examines you himself and the final price is given. He is the only operating doctor and personally handles consultation and surgery. Surgery is recommended based on symptoms. The clinic's own phrase is: no symptoms, no surgery. If the assessment finds that a deep plane facelift is not the right answer, you are told so.
Steps 5 to 7: preparation and the operation
Before surgery, an electrocardiogram, blood tests and a chest X-ray are carried out. A deep plane facelift takes about four to five hours and is mainly performed under IV sedation. RNWOOD's in-house anesthesiologist remains present throughout the entire procedure, continuously monitoring each patient's condition. Facelifts are performed once a day.
Steps 8 and 9: recovery and aftercare
RNWOOD generally recommends a stay of about 7 to 10 days in Seoul. During that time, aftercare is provided daily and Dr. Ryu assesses patients directly. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy and Healite LED therapy are given from day 1 to day 7, and stitches are removed on days 5 and 7.
You do not fly home until the clinical team confirms you are fit to travel, at which point a fit-to-fly letter is issued. You also receive a post-operative precaution letter, and a medical report on request. Follow-up continues through a WhatsApp group chat.
For US patients: registration and entry
RNWOOD is registered in Korea as a medical institution for attracting international patients, registration number M-2025-01-08-8488, valid until 23 January 2028. A visa invitation letter is provided on request. Check the entry requirements that apply to US citizens before traveling.
Questions and answers
Q1) I live in the US. How do I start a deep plane facelift consultation in Seoul?
A1) Contact the clinic through the website, email, WhatsApp or Instagram and send the materials for an online photo assessment.
Q2) Who examines me in Seoul?
A2) Dr. Min-Hee Ryu, who also performs the operation.
Q3) How long will I be in Seoul?
A3) About 7 to 10 days is generally recommended, and you fly home once the clinical team confirms you are fit to travel.
About the Author
Dr. Min-Hee Ryu is the Medical Director and Founder of RNWOOD Plastic Surgery in Seoul and a plastic surgery specialist certified in Korea (2008). He has been Faculty of the Mendelson Advanced Facial Anatomy Course (MAFAC) since 2016, an Editorial Board Member of the Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Journal since 2019, and an Educational Council Member of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS) since 2024.
Deep Plane Facelift — Deep plane facelift involves extensive dissection beneath facial tissues. Risks include anesthesia reactions, bleeding, hematoma, infection, seroma, delayed healing, wound separation, persistent pain, and visible scars. Swelling, bruising, tightness, and numbness can last for months, and hair loss or distortion of the hairline or ear position can occur. Poor blood supply can cause skin loss or tissue death. Nerve injury can cause temporary or permanent weakness, an altered smile, or numbness, and injury to the parotid gland or salivary duct can cause salivary leakage. A postoperative hematoma can require urgent drainage or another operation. General risks include thrombosis or embolism, and a complication can require emergency treatment or additional surgery. No result, symmetry, scar quality, or duration can be guaranteed, and sagging can recur. Post-operative Care — Swelling, bruising, pain, tightness, and numbness can continue during the postoperative care period, and recovery speed differs between individuals. If you have severe pain, rapid swelling, fever, a change in vision, or a wound that opens or drains, contact the clinical team right away using the contact details you were given.