I flew to Seoul for a Donna plastic surgery and eye repair procedure, but only after the operation did I discover that no one had informed me about these hidden fees. A comprehensive guide to all the costs involved in eye repair in 2026.

To be honest, before going to Donna Plastic Surgery for my eye repair procedure, all I could think about was the cost of the surgery. On the day I received the quote, I silently converted the amount into Taiwanese dollars in my mind and decided that my budget was sufficient enough, so I booked my flight.

As a result, the real “expensive hell” began after the surgery.

Follow-up consultation fees, ointments, cold compresses, scar prevention creams, and also the “taxi fare” that I didn’t anticipate – since my eyes were too swollen three days after the surgery to take the subway, I had no choice but to take a taxi. In this article, I have listed all the expenses from the day of the surgery until three months later, including the costs incurred while in South Korea as well as any additional expenses after returning to Taiwan. This information is intended to help those who are considering undergoing eye repair surgery have a clear idea of what to expect.

Cost of Donna’s plastic eye Revision Surgery: How is the price calculated for different types of procedures, from thread embedding to full incision revision?

Donna Plastic Surgery is renowned for its eye repair services. The common procedures can be roughly divided into three categories: suture-based repair (for minor adjustments due to sagging or asymmetry), partial incisional revision (for reattaching old scars), and full incisional revision (for more complex cases). The costs vary significantly and generally fall within the following ranges:

Procedure	Cost range (Korean won)	Applicable in such circumstances
Thread repair	₩2 million to ₩40 million	Mild sagging, slight asymmetry
Partial Incisional revision	₩4 million to ₩70 million	Scar tissue and issues related to old incisions
Total resection and repair	₩7 million to ₩12 million	Severe deformation, multiple previous repairs

Converted into Taiwanese dollars, NT$97 million is approximately equivalent to NT$160,000 to NT$170,000, while NT$912 million is around NT$280,000 (subject to exchange rate fluctuations). If you come across a quote that is significantly lower than these ranges, it is advisable to inquire whether the cost includes anesthesia fees, post-operative care packages, or other related expenses.

What are the costs associated with staying in the hospital after eye repair surgery in South Korea? How much do follow-up visits, suture removal, and nursing care cost?

After the surgery fees have been paid, there are several other expenses that must be taken into account during the “stay in Seoul” period.

Post-operative follow-up fee: In most reputable plastic surgery clinics, the cost of “follow-up visits within 3 months after the surgery” is already included in the total surgical fee. However, if additional anti-inflammatory injections are required or if local infections need to be treated, these services will be charged separately, at a cost of approximately NT$930,000 to NT$9.1 million per visit. I once had to schedule an extra follow-up visit because the recovery of my left eye took longer, and this additional visit cost me NT$950,000 (about US$1,200).

Cost of suture removal: The suture removal during the follow-up visit on the 7th day after the surgery is usually free of charge (included in the surgical fee). However, if you have already returned to Taiwan, you will have to bear the transportation costs for returning to South Korea for suture removal.

Post-operative care kit: After the Dona plastic surgery, a basic care kit is provided (ice packs, anti-inflammatory eye drops, disinfectant cotton swabs). However, scar prevention ointment and special post-operative eye cream need to be purchased separately. Usually, buying them at the hospital pharmacy is more expensive than at regular cosmetic stores. In my case, after getting the recommended list from the hospital, I went to a cosmetic store in Myeongdong and bought the necessary items myself, saving approximately NT$500-800.

How much did it actually cost 3 months after the eye restoration surgery? The complete list of hidden fees is now fully disclosed.

This is an aspect that many people do not carefully consider before going to South Korea for eye surgery. I have listed all the expenses associated with the post-surgery period:

Cost items	Amount (approximate)	Remarks
Anti-inflammatory drugs (for oral use)	NT$ 0 (free gift)	Donna’s post-operative treatment includes a supply for 3 days.
Scar prevention cream (silicone-based)	NT$ 600 to 1,200	It is recommended to use it for up to 3 months after the surgery.
Anti-swelling patches (gel eye masks)	NT$ 400 to 800	The effect is better when used after being refrigerated.
Eye drops (anti-inflammatory/hydrating)	NT$ 200 to 500	Continue using it after returning to Taiwan.
After returning to Taiwan, I followed up with the outpatient clinic.	NT$ 500 to 2,000	BalGeunSeSang EYE or Plastic Surgery
Taxi fares in Seoul	NT$ 800 to 1,500	It is not advisable to take the subway within 3 days after the procedure.
Special dietary requirements after surgery (liquid/dairy-free soft food)	NT$ 1,000 to 2,000	It is not possible to chew vigorously for approximately 3 to 5 days.

Adding up all these items, the “hidden costs” three months after the procedure amount to approximately NT$3,500 to NT$8,000 – which is not too much. However, if you are unprepared for such expenses, returning to Taiwan might cause you considerable anxiety due to these unexpected additional costs.

Having the stitches removed in Seoul or going directly back to Taiwan for the procedure – which option is more cost-effective and less risky?

I have been struggling with this issue for a long time. On the 7th day after the eye repair surgery, the stitches need to be removed. If you have already returned to Taiwan, you will need to find a plastic surgery clinic in Taiwan to handle this procedure. The cost ranges approximately from NT$500 to NT$1,500, as it can vary significantly depending on the clinic and location. If you go to a BalGeunSeSang EYE clinic for the stitch removal, the doctor may not be familiar with plastic surgery wounds, so it is recommended to consult a plastic surgeon instead.

If you choose to “wait until the stitches are removed before going home” in Seoul, you will need to stay for about 7 more days and incur additional accommodation costs (the cost per night in Gangnam District ranges from NT$1,500 to NT$3,500). I did the calculations at that time, and the additional accommodation expenses would amount to approximately NT$10,000 to NT$15,000, but you would save on one round-trip air ticket. If the air tickets are not expensive, going back to Taiwan for the stitches to be removed and then flying back would actually be more costly than waiting in Seoul.

In the end, my decision was to wait in Seoul until the 7th day to have the stitches removed and ensure that the wound had stabilized before returning to Taiwan. During that period, I took some care of my skin, which I considered a way to make the most of this trip.

Cost comparison between eye repair treatments in South Korea and Taiwan – Is it still worth flying after taking all hidden costs into account?

This is probably the question that the most people want to ask. I calculated the total costs of plastic surgery procedures in South Korea (taking Donna Plastic Surgery as an example) and those at similar clinics in Taiwan:

Cost items	South Korea (Donna Plastic Surgery)	Tertiary medical institutions of the same level in Taiwan
Surgical fees	NT$ 160,000 to 280,000	NT$ 120,000 to 300,000
Round-trip airfare	NT$ 6,000 to 15,000	—
Accommodation in Seoul (for 10 days)	NT$ 15,000 to 35,000	—
Postoperative care products	NT$ 2,000 to 4,000	NT$ 2,000 to 4,000
Incidental expenses (transportation/food)	NT$ 5,000 to 10,000	NT$ 1,000 to 2,000
Total estimated amount	NT$ 200,000 to 370,000	NT$ 150,000 to 370,000

After doing the calculations, you will find that, purely from the perspective of costs, eye surgery in South Korea is not actually any cheaper than in Taiwan—in fact, with the additional expenses for airfare and accommodation, the total cost may even be higher. So why do so many people still choose to go to South Korea for this procedure?

The reasons are usually the following: The number of cosmetic surgery cases in South Korea is significantly higher than that in Taiwan, especially for complex cases that require multiple revisions; certain surgical techniques and equipment are difficult to find in Taiwan; moreover, the exchange rate advantage due to the depreciation of the South Korean won gives South Korea a competitive edge in terms of the absolute cost of such surgeries, especially for high-end cases.

Before going to Seoul for eye restoration surgery, I hope someone would tell me about these things sooner.

After reviewing all my experiences, there are a few things I would like to emphasize particularly:

• Allow yourself an additional 5 days of flexibility: The swelling after the procedure lasts longer than expected, with the most severe swelling occurring on the third day after the operation, making it very difficult to go out. It is recommended to stay in Seoul for at least 7 to 10 days.
• Prepare a post-treatment checklist in advance: scar prevention ointment, anti-swelling gel eye masks, and cold compress eye patches. These products are usually much cheaper to purchase at pharmacies in Taiwan or Hong Kong than in hospitals.
• Before the surgery, make sure to find a follow-up doctor in South Korea in advance: Not all plastic surgeons in South Korea are willing to assist patients who have undergone surgery in South Korea with follow-up care. It is recommended to find such a doctor before traveling, rather than waiting until after your return.
• Don’t forget about tax refunds: In South Korea, if the cost of surgery exceeds a certain amount, foreign tourists are eligible for a tax refund on medical expenses. You can get back approximately 10% of the amount spent, so don’t let this opportunity go to waste.
• Please confirm whether the surgery fee includes the cost of anesthesia: In some cases, the cost of anesthesia is listed separately in the quotation, ranging approximately from 9.3 million to 9.8 million yuan. It is important to clarify this in advance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: How long does it take for the swelling to subside after eye repair surgery?

Generally speaking, the swelling is most noticeable on the 3rd day after the procedure and begins to subside significantly by the 7th to 10th day. However, it takes most people about 1 month to achieve a “natural-looking” result, and it takes 3 to 6 months for the effects to fully stabilize.

Q2: How soon after eye repair surgery can one start wearing makeup?

After the stitches are removed (on the 7th day after the surgery), you can use regular skincare products. However, it is recommended to wait until 2–3 weeks after the surgery, once the wounds have fully healed, before using makeup for the eyes. It is also advisable to wait until one month has passed before using mascara and eyeliner.

Q3: Can I come to Taiwan for a follow-up visit after undergoing eye repair surgery in South Korea?

Yes, but you will need to find a plastic surgeon from Taiwan on your own. It is recommended that you call the clinic in advance to inquire whether they accept follow-up consultations for patients who have undergone surgery elsewhere, and bring along the surgical records and medication list from the South Korea hospital so that the Taiwanese doctor can have a full understanding of your surgical history.

Q4: Does Donna Plastic Surgery offer Chinese-language services?

Donna Plastic Surgery offers Chinese translation services (which usually require prior notice), but it is recommended to make appointments through BeautsGO. The platform provides professional Chinese-speaking customer service to assist with communication, eliminating the hassle of language barriers.