Body Surgery in Korea by Board-Certified Specialists
From targeted and whole-body liposuction to contouring surgery that removes sagging skin, every body procedure is performed by board-certified plastic surgeons in Gangnam, Seoul.
Global Leader in Safe and Natural Plastic Surgery since 2000
26+
Years Experience
Certified
Body Contouring Surgeons
50+
Countries Served
Our Philosophy
Contouring That Follows Your Frame
Volume Judged Area by Area
Fat is removed to the depth each area can carry, not to a single fixed target across the whole body
Skin Quality Assessed First
Elasticity decides whether liposuction alone will tighten, or whether sagging skin has to be removed
Upper and Lower Body Together
Both halves are planned in one design so the finished silhouette reads as a single continuous line
A body line is a proportion, not a number on a scale. Finding yours starts with reading where fat actually sits, how well your skin will retract once it is removed, and how the upper and lower body relate to each other. Through 1:1 customised body contouring that weighs fat distribution, skin elasticity, and overall balance, we plan a result that is both proportionate and unmistakably yours. This is the key to ideal body surgery.
What's the Difference?
Smooth Lines, Not Just Less Fat
"Taking out more fat is not the goal. A line that stays smooth afterwards is."
Removing as much fat as possible can leave a body looking hollowed, uneven, or lumpy, especially where skin no longer retracts. Our approach measures how much each area can safely give up, chooses between liposuction and skin excision based on your elasticity, and treats the areas beside the target so no visible step is left where one contour meets the next.
Banobagi plans every body surgery at this level of detail, and limits the number of body cases booked in a day so that each one receives the operating time it needs.
Medical Tourism
Why Korea for Body Surgery?
Korea combines high procedure volume, deep subspecialty training, and pricing that stays accessible for international patients.
1st
A Global Hub for Cosmetic Surgery
South Korea performs one of the highest numbers of cosmetic procedures per capita in the world, and Gangnam in particular concentrates that volume into a small district. Surgeons here build experience through repetition that is difficult to match in markets where cosmetic surgery is a smaller part of practice.
20+
Years of Specialised Training
Korean plastic surgeons complete medical school, a full plastic and reconstructive surgery residency, and years of subspecialty work before operating independently. Banobagi's body-surgery team is drawn from Seoul National University-trained specialists, so liposuction and contouring are handled by surgeons who do this work continuously rather than occasionally.
50%
Lower Cost vs. Western Countries
Body surgery in Korea typically costs 30–50% less than the equivalent procedure in the United States, United Kingdom, or Australia, without a reduction in surgical standards. A competitive local market and high case volume are what keep pricing within reach for international patients.
Asian
Body Composition Expertise
Korean body contouring developed around patients who are not necessarily overweight but carry stubborn, localised fat with a thinner subcutaneous layer. That demands finer cannulas and closer attention to surface smoothness — technique that transfers well to patients of any build seeking definition rather than bulk removal.
Did You Know?
Banobagi's Korean flagship built its body programme around treating the upper and lower body in a single day, rather than staging them across separate trips. For an international patient, that means one anaesthetic, one recovery period, and one set of flights instead of two. To protect the quality of that work, the clinic caps the number of body surgeries booked per day and runs a named-surgeon system, so the surgeon you consult is the surgeon who operates.
Our Procedures
Body Surgery Procedures
Two routes to a slimmer, firmer body line — one removes fat, the other removes the skin that fat removal leaves behind.
Abdominal liposuction + abdominoplasty is the most requested combination after pregnancy, thinning the fat layer while the loose skin above it is removed in the same session. Upper-body and lower-body liposuction together is the second, correcting both halves of the silhouette at once instead of over two trips to Korea. Combining procedures means one anaesthetic and one recovery period, and your surgeon will confirm what can be safely combined based on total volume and your pre-operative screening.
Not sure whether you need liposuction or contouring?
Send us a photo and our surgeons will tell you which approach suits your fat distribution and skin quality.
Quick comparison to help you understand the differences. Your surgeon will provide a personalised recommendation during consultation.
Procedure
Best For
Technique
Often Combined With
Upper-Body Liposuction
Arms, back, bra line, and axillary breast fullness
Micro-cannula fat extraction through micro-incisions under general anaesthesia
Lower-body liposuction, brachioplasty
Lower-Body Liposuction
Abdomen, love handles, hips, and thighs
Micro-cannula fat extraction, area-by-area design under general anaesthesia
Upper-body liposuction, abdominoplasty
Whole-Body Liposuction
Upper and lower body concerns at the same time
Large-volume extraction across multiple areas planned as one design in a single session
Body contouring, fat grafting
Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)
Loose abdominal skin after pregnancy or weight loss
Excision of sagging skin after incision, then suturing; incision sized to the extent of laxity
Abdominal liposuction
Brachioplasty (Arm Lift)
Loose upper-arm skin that liposuction alone would leave sagging
Skin excision through an incision placed along the inner arm
Arm liposuction
Thighplasty (Thigh Lift)
Inner-thigh laxity after weight loss or ageing
Skin excision through an incision placed along the inner thigh
Thigh liposuction
Operation at a Glance
Liposuction: about 1 hr 30 mins per area, general anaesthesia, stitches out at day 7, discharged the same day or after one night, 1–2 follow-up visits, daily activities in 1–3 days. Body contouring surgery: about 2 hrs 30 mins, general anaesthesia, stitches out at 7–14 days, two nights of hospitalisation, 2–3 follow-up visits, daily activities in 5–6 days.
Treatment Areas
Where Body Surgery Works
Select an area to see which procedure treats it, what it changes, and how much of a difference patients typically see.
Upper arms
Fullness along the back of the upper arm is one of the hardest areas to change with exercise, because the shape is set by the fat layer rather than the muscle beneath it. Where the skin has also lost its spring — usually after weight loss or with age — removing fat alone leaves the arm looking softer, not firmer.
Liposuction if the skin still retracts; an arm lift when loose skin, not fat, is the problem
Back & bra line
Fullness above and below the bra strap may be related to fat distribution, skin laxity, or both. Back liposuction may be an option when excess fat is the main concern; your surgeon can assess skin quality and recommend a suitable approach.
Arm and axillary contouring, so the whole upper-body line is treated together
Incisions
Liposuction uses small incisions placed at points selected by your surgeon
Abdomen
The abdomen is the most requested area and the one where the two approaches differ most. Liposuction reduces the fat layer and works when the skin will tighten over the smaller volume. Abdominoplasty removes the loose skin outright and repairs separated abdominal muscle — the reason it is the usual answer after pregnancy.
Liposuction for fat with good skin tone; abdominoplasty when skin is loose or the muscle wall has separated
Waist & flanks
Flanks — love handles — blunt the curve between the ribs and the hip, which is what makes a waist read as a waist. They are treated in the same session as the abdomen almost every time, because reducing the front alone leaves the sides looking heavier by comparison.
The abdomen, as a single upper-body or whole-body design
Why it matters
The waist-to-hip transition does more for the silhouette than total volume removed
Hips & thighs
Thighs are designed as one continuous surface — inner, outer, front and back — because treating a single face of the leg creates a step where the treated and untreated areas meet. Where weight loss has left the inner-thigh skin rubbing or folding, a thigh lift removes the skin rather than more fat.
A compression garment may be recommended to help reduce swelling and support the treated areas during recovery
Calves & ankles
Calf fullness makes the lower leg look straight-sided rather than tapered. It is a fine-detail area: the volume removed is small compared with the abdomen or thighs, but the change in how the leg reads is disproportionate, so the design is drawn to preserve the muscle line.
Small — this area is about shape rather than quantity
Recovery note
Swelling is gravity-dependent, so the final line takes longer to appear than in the upper body
Whole-body liposuction can remove a significant amount of excess fat in a single procedure. The amount removed varies depending on each patient's body composition, skin elasticity, areas treated, and the surgeon's assessment.
Am I a Candidate?
Who Is a Good Candidate for Body Surgery?
Body surgery suits a wide range of patients. Here are the most common reasons people come to us for each procedure.
Liposuction
You want an overall slimmer body line rather than a lower number on the scale
You have specific areas that stay full no matter how carefully you diet
Exercise and dieting have stopped producing any change in shape
You are tired of repeating the same diet cycle with the same result
Body Contouring Surgery
Your abdomen has stayed loose and sagging since giving birth
Frequent weight changes have left your skin without elasticity
Ageing has caused the belly or upper arms to droop
Previous heavy liposuction or rapid dieting left the skin hanging
Whole-Body Liposuction
You are concerned about upper-body and lower-body fullness at once
You would rather have one recovery period than two separate trips
Your skin still retracts well, so fat removal alone should tighten the line
You can commit to a stable weight after surgery to hold the result
Arm & Thigh Lifts
Your upper arms remain loose even though the fat layer is now thin
Inner-thigh skin rubs or folds after significant weight loss
You accept a concealed scar in exchange for a firmer contour
When It Is Better to Wait
You are still actively losing weight and your shape is changing month to month
You are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy in the near term
You are within a few months of giving birth and the abdomen is still settling
You have an uncontrolled medical condition that needs treatment first
General Requirements
You are an adult in good general health with no uncontrolled conditions
Your weight has been broadly stable for several months
You have realistic expectations about what surgery can and cannot change
You are willing to wear a compression garment if needed and follow aftercare instructions
Watch
Liposuction Questions, Answered by Banobagi
A short briefing from our English channel on what actually happens in the weeks after liposuction — the questions patients ask us most once they are home.
The player is only loaded from YouTube once you press play.
What the video covers
Why the treated area feels hard at first
When pigmentation over the area fades
How long the incisions keep draining fluid
Why the scale often does not move after surgery
What to do — and avoid — in the weeks after liposuction
Whether the yo-yo effect returns in a treated area
Good preparation makes for a smoother procedure and a faster recovery. Here is what to do at each stage before your surgery date.
01
2–4 Weeks Before Arrival
Stop taking aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oil, vitamin E, and herbal supplements, as these increase bleeding risk
Stop weight-loss medications such as Wegovy or Mounjaro at least 2 weeks before surgery
Stop blood thinners at least 1 week before surgery (consult your prescribing doctor first)
Hold your weight steady rather than crash dieting, since the surgical design is based on your current shape
Inform the clinic of any regular medications, as some will need review by the anaesthesiology team
Avoid alcohol for at least 2 weeks and stop smoking as early as possible, as both impair wound healing
Send pre-consultation photos (front, side, and back, in fitted clothing) to your coordinator via WhatsApp or email
Arrange accommodation close to the clinic in Gangnam, Seoul, and plan a longer stay if you are having contouring surgery
02
1 Week Before Surgery
Complete pre-operative blood tests, an electrocardiogram, and body composition analysis as directed
Remove acrylic nails or nail polish, as oxygen saturation is monitored via the fingernails during surgery
Confirm your compression garment size with your coordinator so it is ready on the day
Prepare loose, front-opening clothing that does not need to be pulled over your head or hips
Confirm your surgery date, hospitalisation nights, and pre-operative consultation time
03
The Day Before Surgery
Fast for 6 to 8 hours before surgery (no food or water unless instructed otherwise by your surgeon)
Shower thoroughly and do not apply body lotion, oil, or self-tanner to the areas being treated
Get a full night of rest to support your body's healing response
Pack slip-on shoes, as bending down is uncomfortable in the first days after abdominal work
Charge your phone and download offline entertainment for the recovery period
04
What to Bring to the Clinic
Passport or government-issued photo ID
A list of any medications you currently take (prescription or over-the-counter)
Loose trousers or a wide skirt to wear home over the compression garment
An overnight bag if your procedure includes hospitalisation
Payment and any pre-arranged deposit confirmation
Your Coordinator Will Guide You
Every Banobagi patient is assigned a dedicated multilingual coordinator who provides a personalised preparation checklist ahead of your surgery date, including garment sizing, hospitalisation nights, and how long to keep your return flight open. If you have questions at any stage, before you arrive or during your stay, your coordinator is available to help.
Aftercare
Body Surgery Recovery & Aftercare
What to expect after your procedure and how to ensure the best possible results.
Day 1–3
Immediate Recovery
Compression garment on from day two or day three. Soreness, bruising, and tightness peak in the first 72 hours. Liposuction patients are discharged the same day or after one night and can usually manage light daily activities from day 1–3. Contouring patients stay two nights and move slowly, with the abdomen kept slightly flexed.
Day 5–10
Stitches & First Review
Liposuction stitches come out around day 7 and your surgeon reviews contour and swelling. Contouring patients are typically back to daily activities by day 5–6, though their stitches stay in longer. Keep wearing the compression garment and walk regularly to reduce swelling.
Week 2–6
Gradual Improvement
Contouring stitches are removed at 14 days. Bruising fades, firmness under the skin softens, and the new line starts to show. Light exercise usually resumes from around week 3–4 and heavier training later, on your surgeon's clearance. Avoid saunas, swimming, and sun on the incision.
Month 3–6
Final Results
Residual swelling has fully resolved and the skin has finished retracting over the new contour. The body line has settled into its permanent shape. Incision scars continue to soften and pale over the first 12 months. Holding a stable weight is what keeps the result looking the same.
Travel Tip
Plan at least 10 days in Seoul for liposuction, and around 2 weeks for body contouring surgery. Liposuction needs time for consultation, surgery, and stitch removal at day 7. Contouring surgery includes two nights of hospitalisation and stitches that stay in for 14 days, so a longer stay avoids flying with sutures still in place. Book an aisle seat and walk the cabin on the flight home, since long periods of sitting are uncomfortable after abdominal and thigh work.
Why Banobagi
Why Patients Choose Banobagi for Body Surgery
Board-Certified Specialists
Body surgery is performed by board-certified plastic surgeons with extensive clinical experience, drawn from a team trained at Seoul National University.
Real-Name Surgeon System
Your named surgeon performs the entire procedure from start to finish. No ghost surgeries, ever.
Full-Time Anesthesiologist Team
Body surgery is performed under general anaesthesia, and dedicated in-house anaesthesiologists monitor every procedure from start to finish.
Multilingual Coordinators
1:1 patient coordinators guide you through consultation, accommodation, and transport, then stay with you through aftercare.
In-Depth Pre-Operative Testing
Blood tests, an electrocardiogram, and body composition analysis are completed for every patient so the surgical plan is built on measured data.
Large-Volume, Smooth-Result Technique
Experienced surgeons remove large volumes through micro-incisions with minimal bleeding, working for a surface that stays smooth rather than lumpy.
Our Surgeons
Body Surgery Specialists
Board-certified plastic surgeons with decades of dedicated experience in Korean liposuction and body contouring techniques.
Board Certified
Dr. Jaesang Barn
Representative Director
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Jaesang Barn
Representative Director
Specialized plastic surgeon of Banobagi Plastic Surgery Clinic
Seoul National University College of Medicine
Residency, Dept of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital
Invited Professor, Dept of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital
Executive Director, Korean Association of SVF and Tissue Regeneration
Active member, Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons
Recovery depends on the procedure. After liposuction, most patients resume daily activities within 1–3 days and have stitches removed on day 7. After body contouring surgery, daily activities resume around 5–6 days, with stitches removed at 14 days and two nights of hospitalisation. Swelling settles over 4–8 weeks, and the final body line is usually visible at 3–6 months.
Liposuction removes fat through micro-incisions using a micro-cannula, and works best when skin still has good elasticity. Body contouring surgery removes loose, sagging skin through an excision, which is what liposuction alone cannot treat. Patients with significant skin laxity from pregnancy, ageing, or large weight changes usually need contouring rather than, or in addition to, liposuction.
Yes. Liposuction is frequently combined with abdominoplasty, brachioplasty, or thighplasty so that fat volume and skin laxity are treated in the same session. Banobagi also performs upper-body and lower-body liposuction together as a single whole-body procedure. Your surgeon decides what can be safely combined based on the total volume to be removed and your health screening results.
Commonly treated areas include the abdomen, love handles (flanks), thighs, arms, back, and the axillary breast area. Operation time is about 1 hour and 30 minutes per area under general anaesthesia, and multiple areas can be treated in one session as part of a whole-body plan.
For liposuction, plan a stay of at least 10 days: consultation, surgery, discharge on the day or after one night, and stitch removal on day 7. For body contouring surgery, plan around 2 weeks, because stitches are removed at 14 days and two nights of hospitalisation are required. Your coordinator will confirm the exact dates once your surgical plan is set.
No. Liposuction is a body-contouring procedure, not a weight-loss treatment. It reduces the density of fat cells in specific areas that resist diet and exercise, which changes your shape and proportions rather than the number on the scale. Patients who are closest to a stable weight generally get the most predictable result.
The fat cells removed during liposuction do not grow back. However, the fat cells that remain in the treated area, and those elsewhere in the body, can still enlarge if you gain significant weight. Maintaining a stable weight after surgery is what keeps the result looking the same over time.
Body contouring surgery requires an incision in order to remove sagging skin, so a scar is unavoidable. Banobagi places incisions where they are easiest to conceal: along the bikini line for abdominoplasty, the inner arm for brachioplasty, and the inner thigh for thighplasty. The incision is planned to be as short as the amount of loose skin allows, and scars fade considerably over the first 12 months. Liposuction, by contrast, leaves only micro-incisions that become very difficult to see.
Both liposuction and body contouring surgery are performed under general anaesthesia. Banobagi operates with a team of full-time, board-certified anaesthesiologists who monitor every procedure from start to finish. Pre-operative testing includes blood tests, an electrocardiogram, and body composition analysis, and the clinic limits the number of body surgeries booked per day so each case receives full operating time.
Yes. Banobagi assigns international patients a 1:1 multilingual coordinator who handles pre-surgery consultation by WhatsApp or email, accommodation and transport guidance, and aftercare scheduling. Photo-based pre-assessment means most of the planning is completed before you arrive in Seoul.
The deciding factor is skin elasticity, not fat volume. If your skin still retracts well, liposuction alone usually produces a smooth result. If skin is already loose from pregnancy, ageing, repeated weight changes, or previous over-aggressive liposuction, removing more fat will only make the sagging more visible, and body contouring surgery is the appropriate procedure. Send photographs to your coordinator and the surgeon will assess both fat distribution and skin quality before recommending an approach.
Medical notice. Complications including bleeding, infection, and inflammation are possible after surgery, and individual satisfaction varies from person to person. Operation times, recovery periods, and hospitalisation shown on this page are typical values and are adjusted to each patient's condition. This page is general information, not medical advice — please discuss your case with a qualified surgeon before deciding on any procedure.
Get Started
Begin Your Body Surgery Journey
Send us a message with your photos and goals. Our surgeons will review your fat distribution and skin quality and recommend the right procedure, all before you arrive in Seoul.
01
Send Your Photos
Message us on WhatsApp or Instagram with front, side, and back photos in fitted clothing, plus your goals.
02
Surgeon Review
Our body-surgery specialist assesses fat distribution and skin elasticity, then recommends liposuction, contouring, or both.
03
Book & Travel
Your coordinator arranges everything: surgery date, hospitalisation nights, accommodation guidance, and aftercare plan.
Free Consultation
Reach out through your preferred channel. We typically respond within 2 hours.
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