VG Plastic Surgery
| Republic of Korea | Turkey | Austria | |
| Gastric sleeve surgery (Sleeve gastrectomy) | from $9,800 | from $3,294 | from $15,000 |
| Gastric bypass | from $16,000 | from $5,000 | from $13,000 |
| Gastric band | from $7,200 | from $4,275 | from $14,000 |
| Gastric balloon | from $3,800 | from $2,082 | from $5,000 |
| Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) | from $9,200 | from $2,840 | from $12,000 |
Dr. Ha Heonyoung is the Director of Naeun Hospital. He is a preventive medicine specialist with 39 years of clinical experience.
Education: MD, Hanyang University College of Medicine. Master’s and Ph.D. in Preventive Medicine, Hanyang University Graduate School.
Clinical focus: Hair Loss & Obesity Clinic for hair loss prevention, weight management, liposuction, and fat grafting. Anti-Aging & Wellness Clinic for chelation therapy and anti-aging programs. Advanced biotherapy using stromal vascular fraction (SVF) for hair loss treatment and immune system enhancement.
Dr. Dae-won Kang is the Medical Director of Bbae Clinic in Seoul. He specializes in liposuction, gynecomastia surgery, and fat grafting. Dr. Kang previously led the Health Promotion Center at the Armed Forces Capital Hospital. He holds a medical degree from Inje University.
Obesity in South Korea is diagnosed using specialized criteria from the Korean Society for the Study of Obesity (KSSO). Doctors define obesity at a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25 kg/m² or higher. These thresholds are lower than Western standards to address higher metabolic risks in East Asian populations.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Korea’s leading hospitals like Severance and SNUBH integrate digital health systems into obesity screening. These centers handle over 1.5 million patients annually using AI and electronic records to track metabolic trends. This high-volume data allows for more precise, personalized bariatric or non-surgical treatment plans than smaller clinics can provide.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that even those considered average in the West are often flagged as overweight in Korea. Many appreciate getting instant BMI printouts and metabolic labs during their first visit to start treatments like GLP-1 medications quickly.
Non-surgical weight loss in Korea focuses on KMFDS-approved medical prescriptions, advanced energy-based body contouring, and traditional medicine. Common treatments include GLP-1 injectables like Saxenda and Wegovy, combined with non-invasive technologies like cryolipolysis and High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) at specialized centers in Seoul.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While many search for general weight loss, Korea’s market is uniquely segmented between systemic medical treatment and targeted sculpting. High-volume centers like Severance Hospital manage clinical obesity with multi-disciplinary teams. In contrast, specialized clinics like Bbae Clinic, which performs over 3,500 procedures annually, focus heavily on localized fat reduction through advanced technologies. Patients should confirm if a clinic specializes in metabolic health or aesthetic body shaping to ensure the treatment matches their primary goal.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that fat-dissolving injections and IV therapy are popular for quick results before major events. They emphasize checking clinic reviews on local maps to avoid unregulated shops and potential side effects like bruising.
The South Korean National Health Insurance Service covers bariatric surgery for patients with a BMI of 35 or higher. Coverage also applies to individuals with a BMI of 30 or higher when suffering from obesity-related comorbidities like type 2 diabetes or hypertension.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While many assume high BMI is the only factor, clinical volume matters for approval. Leading centers like Seoul National University Bundang Hospital handle over 30,000 operations annually. Their established electronic health records streamline the mandatory documentation of failed non-surgical weight loss attempts.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that while the surgery is covered, you should budget for a 20% to 30% copay. Expect a rigorous 3-month documentation process of diet and exercise before receiving insurance approval.
Seoul hospitals specialize in obesity treatment through JCI-accredited bariatric surgery centers and specialized liposuction clinics. Leading institutions like Severance Hospital and Seoul National University Bundang Hospital utilize robotic systems and multidisciplinary teams of endocrinologists and surgeons to treat morbid obesity and metabolic syndrome safely.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Patient volume is the strongest indicator of safety in Seoul. While large university centers like Severance handle 4,000,000 patients annually with multidisciplinary care, specialized clinics like Bbae Clinic focus exclusively on fat reduction. If you have underlying health issues like diabetes, a university hospital is the safer choice due to integrated endocrinology departments.
Patient Consensus: Patients note university hospitals provide better English-speaking coordinators and thorough psychological evaluations. Many recommend booking an interpreter if choosing mid-sized centers to ensure clear communication during dietary counseling.