Recovery care in Seoul after a facelift: what is done each day
The next day after Dr. Ryu’s Deep Plane Facelift, patients receive their first round of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) and Healite LED therapy, including an antibiotic injection. Daily post-operative treatments also include dressing, wound care, and personal evaluations by Dr. Ryu. Additional post-operative services during the first, third and fifth day post-operation include Shampoo treatments.
During the daily evaluations, Dr. Ryu will personally perform the drain removal on the third to fifth day post-operation. Stitch removal is typically performed between the fifth and seventh day post-operation for a Deep Plane Facelift. If surgery is performed on a Monday, stitch removal will be performed the following Monday.
Who checks me each day?
Dr. Min-Hee Ryu is the sole attending physician at RNWOOD Plastic Surgery. Dr. Ryu will be present throughout the in-person consultation, surgery and daily follow up treatments.
What care is given?
| Care | When |
|---|---|
| Dressing | Every day from Day 1 |
| Antibiotic injection | Day 1 |
| Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) | Day 1 to Day 7 |
| Healite LED therapy | Day 1 to Day 7 |
| Shampoo session | Days 1, 3 and 5, typically up to three sessions |
| Drain removal | Short drain on Day 3; medium and long drains on Day 5 |
| Hemostatic net | Day 5 |
| Stitch removal | 70–80% of the stitches in front of the ears and on the neck on Day 5 or 6; all remaining stitches at the earlobes and fat graft sites on Day 7 |
Please note that recovery may vary per individual, and scheduling may be subject to changes.
How long do I wear the compression garment?
Compression garments are worn for the first three to five days after a facelift. Afterwards, Dr. Ryu recommends wearing the compression garment only during sleep for an additional three to five days.
Where does recovery start?
In the recovery room. After the operation, patients rest there for three to four hours. Most patients go home on the same day; a one-day admission in the clinic's inpatient room is possible on request.
What documents are provided?
| Document | When |
|---|---|
| Post-operative precaution letter | After surgery |
| Immigration letter (fit-to-fly letter) | Final day of treatments |
| Medical report | Upon request |
When can I fly home?
A recovery period of 7–10 days is recommended before travel.
What happens after I return home?
The clinic keeps in touch through a WhatsApp group chat, used for scheduling appointments, emergencies, post-recovery questions and follow-up. This group chat is created prior to a patient’s arrival in Seoul, and will not be deleted without the patient’s consent.
What are common post-operative symptoms?
Swelling, bruising, pain, tightness and numbness can continue during the postoperative care period, with recovery varying between individuals. After a Deep Plane Facelift, some of these symptoms may persist for several months. Patients should contact the clinical team right away in case of severe pain, rapid swelling, fever, change in vision, or an open wound.
Frequently asked questions
Q1) When are shampoo sessions given?
A1) On days 1, 3 and 5, typically up to three sessions.
Q2) How long is HBOT given?
A2) From day 1 to day 7 after surgery, together with Healite LED therapy.
Q3) Who checks me each day?
A3) Dr. Ryu will be present throughout the in-person consultation, surgery and daily follow up treatments.
Q4) When are the drains removed?
A4) The short drains are removed on the 3rd day post-operation, and the medium and long drains are removed on the 5th day post-operation.
Q5) When are the stitches removed?
A5) Partial stitch removal is performed on the 5th and 6th day, and total stitch removal is done on the 7th day post-operation.
Q6) Do I stay in hospital overnight?
A6) Hospitalization is usually not necessary after Dr. Ryu’s Deep Plane Facelift. However, hospitalization may be requested upon discussion with an assigned consultant.
Q7) What do I take home?
A7) A post-operative precaution letter, an immigration (fit-to-fly) letter, and a medical report on request.
Q8) How do I reach the clinic when I get home?
A8) Through the clinic's WhatsApp group chat.
Q9) Does the care guarantee a faster recovery?
A9) No. Recovery rate differs between individuals.
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. Patients with severe pain, rapid swelling, fever, a change in vision, or a wound that opens or drains should contact the clinical team right away using the contact details provided. 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.