How long do I need to stay in Seoul after a deep plane facelift?
Plan to stay in Seoul for about 7 to 10 days. That is the stay RNWOOD Plastic Surgery generally recommends for recovery after a deep plane facelift. Do not fly home until the clinical team confirms that you are fit to travel. During those days, aftercare and Dr. Min-Hee Ryu's own assessment continue every day.
This article walks through the first week as RNWOOD schedules it, so you can see how the stay is planned and what to arrange before you book your flights.
What happens on the day of surgery?
A deep plane facelift at RNWOOD takes about four to five hours and is mostly performed under IV sedation. RNWOOD's in-house anesthesiologist remains present throughout the entire procedure, continuously monitoring each patient's condition. Before surgery, an electrocardiogram and blood tests are done.
After the operation you rest in the recovery room for three to four hours. The clinic has one inpatient room and two recovery rooms. Most patients go home on the same day. If you would rather stay overnight, a one-day admission is possible on request.
What happens during the first seven days?
RNWOOD follows its own facelift recovery timeline. The schedule below is the clinic's standard plan; your own visits can change depending on how your recovery goes.
| Day | What is done |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Shampoo, dressing, antibiotic injection |
| Day 2 | Dressing |
| Day 3 | Shampoo, removal of the short drain, dressing |
| Day 4 | Dressing |
| Day 5 | Shampoo, removal of the medium and long drains, dressing, compression net |
| Day 6 | Dressing, removal of 80–90% of the stitches in front of the ears and on the neck |
| Day 7 | Removal of all remaining stitches at the earlobes and fat graft sites |
Alongside this schedule, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) and Healite LED therapy are given from day 1 to day 7. Shampoo sessions are typically up to three, on days 1, 3 and 5. You also wear a compression garment after surgery; Dr. Ryu's team tells you how long to wear it.
How does the first week fit into a 7 to 10 day stay?
The clinic's first-week schedule ends on day 7, when the last stitches come out. RNWOOD's general recommendation for the whole stay is 7 to 10 days. Whether you can fly home on a given day is confirmed by the clinical team after they check you.
What should I arrange before I book?
The documents and support below can be arranged through the clinic.
| What | When it is used |
|---|---|
| Visa invitation letter | Provided on request, before you travel |
| Airport–hotel transfer | Arranged on arrival and departure once your deposit is confirmed |
| Post-operative precaution letter | Given after surgery, with instructions for your recovery |
| Immigration letter (fit-to-fly letter) | Given when the team confirms you can travel |
| Medical report | Provided on request |
The cost is explained at your consultation after Dr. Ryu's assessment.
Is the stay the same for everyone?
No. The 7 to 10 day figure is RNWOOD's general recommendation for a deep plane facelift. Swelling, bruising and tightness can continue after you return home, and recovery speed differs from one person to another. If another procedure is added to the facelift, ask about the stay for that plan at your consultation.
Frequently asked questions
Q1) How long should I stay in Seoul after a deep plane facelift?
A1) About 7 to 10 days. Do not fly home until the clinical team confirms you are fit to travel.
Q2) Is there overnight hospitalization?
A2) It is not required. Most patients go home on the day of surgery after three to four hours in the recovery room. A one-day admission is possible on request.
Q3) When are the stitches removed?
A3) Most stitches in front of the ears and on the neck come out on day 6, and the remaining stitches at the earlobes and fat graft sites come out on day 7.
Q4) When are the drains removed?
A4) The short drain is removed on day 3, and the medium and long drains on day 5.
Q5) What recovery care is given in Seoul?
A5) Hyperbaric oxygen therapy and Healite LED therapy from day 1 to day 7, shampoo sessions on days 1, 3 and 5, daily dressings and aftercare, and Dr. Ryu's assessment each day.
Q6) Will I get a letter for my flight home?
A6) Yes. An immigration letter, also called a fit-to-fly letter, is provided once the team confirms you can travel.
Q7) Can the clinic help with a visa?
A7) A visa invitation letter is provided on request.
About the Author
Dr. Min-Hee Ryu is the Chief Director 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. Fat Graft — Fat harvesting can cause donor-site pain, scarring, numbness, contour irregularity, bleeding, hematoma, or infection. Fat grafting can cause prolonged swelling, asymmetry, lumps, oil cysts, calcification, overcorrection, undercorrection, migration, infection, or fat necrosis. Rarely, injected fat can enter a blood vessel and cause skin necrosis, permanent blindness, stroke, or severe neurological injury. Not all transferred fat survives, results vary substantially, and no preparation or injection method guarantees better fat survival. A complication can require emergency treatment or additional surgery.