My Botched Nose Journey at Braun Plastic Surgery | Tips For Visitors

Hey everyone! Finally ready to share my rhinoplasty revision story at Braun Plastic Surgery at Seoul, Korea. If you're considering revision surgery in Korea, especially after a botched primary surgery, please read this. It might save you the stress and mistakes I made during my first solo attempt.

The Backstory: How My First Korean Nose Job Went Wrong

So here's what happened ☕ - I got my primary rhinoplasty in Seoul back in 2021 at a clinic in Gangnam (won't name names, but let's just say it wasn't a good experience). I was 24, fresh out of college, and thought I had done my research. Spoiler alert: I definitely hadn't done enough research, and going solo was a HUGE mistake.

The surgery itself was standard Asian rhinoplasty - silicone bridge implant, ear cartilage for tip projection, and some alar reduction. The clinic seemed professional enough, and the initial results looked okay. I was like "not exactly what I envisioned, but decent enough." Famous last words, right?

Fast forward about 18 months, and everything started going downhill. The silicone implant shifted slightly to the left, creating this really noticeable asymmetry that got worse over time. My nose tip started looking pinched and unnatural, especially when I smiled. Worst part? I developed this weird indentation on one side of my bridge that created shadows in photos. I basically looked like I had a permanently crooked nose.

When I tried going back to the original clinic, they basically dismissed my concerns with "it looks fine" and "healing takes time." Um, it had been over two years! I knew something was seriously wrong, but being a solo medical tourist with limited Korean language skills, I felt completely helpless and brushed off.

Research Mode: Planning My Revision Surgery

Cue me going into full research obsession mode. I spent MONTHS on PurseForum, Reddit, Gangnam Unni, YouTube - you name it. I made Excel spreadsheets comparing revision rhinoplasty specialists, read every single botched nose story I could find (traumatizing but necessary), and basically became a revision rhinoplasty expert.

This time, I wasn't going to make the same mistakes. I researched the top revision specialists in Seoul and narrowed it down to about 5 clinics for consultations: Braun Plastic Surgery, plus a few others that had good reputations for fixing complicated cases. I wasn't going to commit to just one clinic - I wanted to meet multiple surgeons and compare their approaches.

What kept coming up in my research was how much harder revision rhinoplasty is compared to primary surgery. The scar tissue, the limited cartilage options, the unpredictable healing - it's basically plastic surgery on expert mode. I needed someone who specialized specifically in revision cases, not just any plastic surgeon.

First Consultation Trip: Going Solo (Again)

In September 2024, I flew back to Seoul for my consultation marathon. I had appointments booked at 5 different clinics over 4 days. I stayed at a hotel near Sinnonhyeon Station since several of the clinics were in that area.

The consultation process was... overwhelming. Each clinic had different approaches, different recommendations, and honestly, some conflicting advice. A couple of the consultations felt rushed, like I was just another nose in a factory line. But when I got to Braun Plastic Surgery, something was different.

Dr. Ryu at Braun took one look at my 3D CT scan and immediately identified EXACTLY what had gone wrong with my primary surgery. He didn't just say "we can fix it" - he explained the specific technical issues: how the implant placement was off, why my tip cartilage had contracted, and what approach he would take to correct each problem.

What impressed me most was that Dr. Ryu was conservative but confident. He didn't promise me a completely new nose or try to upsell me on additional procedures. He focused purely on fixing the specific problems from my botched surgery while maintaining my natural ethnic features. That's exactly what I wanted to hear.

The consultation at Braun was thorough - probably 50 minutes with Dr. Ryu, plus time with their consultation team. They used 3D imaging to show me realistic expectations, and I felt like they actually listened to my concerns instead of just pushing their standard approach.

By the end of my consultation week, it was clear that Braun Plastic Surgery was my choice. But even with that decision made, I still felt anxious about managing everything solo again - the logistics, the language barriers, the recovery period in a foreign country. I knew I needed help this time.

The language barriers, cultural differences, and logistical stress had really impacted me during consultation marathon. I started looking into whether there were services that could help international patients navigate Korean medical tourism more smoothly.

The Game Changer: Discovering ChatDoc

One morning at my hotel's breakfast restaurant, I met another American girl, Sarah. We struck up a conversation (you know how it is when you meet another American abroad), and it turned out she was also in Seoul for plastic surgery. Coincidentally, she was planning revision rhinoplasty at other Plastic Surgery in Gangnam, but she seemed incredibly calm and prepared compared to how stressed I was feeling.

When I mentioned my anxiety about managing everything alone again, she told me about ChatDoc - a medical tourism coordination service she'd found. She explained that they specialized in helping international patients navigate Korean plastic surgery, handling everything from pre-surgery planning to post-operative care coordination.

What really caught my attention was how organized Sarah seemed. She had detailed recovery schedules, knew exactly which Korean pharmacies to visit for specific medications, had restaurant recommendations that were recovery-friendly, and even cultural tips for communicating with Korean medical staff. She understood the nuances of Korean medical culture that I had completely missed during my first surgery.

Sarah showed me her comprehensive care plan from ChatDoc - it wasn't just translation services, but actual cultural mediation and logistical support. They had prepared her for everything from Korean medical consultation styles to post-operative recovery expectations. I felt like an idiot for not knowing this kind of support existed.

I was honestly blown away. Here I was, stressed about navigating Seoul medical tourism solo AGAIN, and there was this whole support system designed specifically for people like me. Sarah's experience was going to be completely different from mine, and it was all because she had professional coordination.

Round Two: Coming Back to Braun Plastic Surgery with ChatDoc 

I ended up postponing my surgery and returning to the States to process everything and research ChatDoc more thoroughly. After several consultations with their team and seeing their comprehensive approach, I decided to move forward with their service for my revision surgery.

The difference was immediately apparent. From my first conversation with my ChatDoc coordinator, I felt like I had an experienced local guide who understood both the medical and cultural aspects of my journey. They didn't just book my surgery - they created a complete experience plan tailored specifically to revision rhinoplasty recovery.

Before I even left for Seoul in September 2024, ChatDoc had coordinated everything with Braun Plastic Surgery. They handled the appointment scheduling, pre-surgery preparation (accommodation was given by the clinic). More importantly, they prepared me culturally for what to expect during consultations, surgery, and recovery in Korea.

ChatDoc explained Korean medical culture nuances that I had completely missed the first time. Like how Korean doctors tend to be more thorough and systematic in their approach (which I had mistakenly interpreted as being cold or rushed), and why certain post-operative care practices that seem different from Western medicine are actually beneficial for Asian patients.

When I arrived for my surgery, my ChatDoc coordinator was there to facilitate communication between me and the Braun team. This wasn't just translation - it was cultural interpretation. They ensured that my aesthetic goals were properly communicated within Korean beauty standards and surgical practices, so there would be no miscommunication about my desired results.

The Surgery and Recovery: Night and Day Difference

Dr. Ryu's surgical skill is absolutely phenomenal. The revision surgery involved removing my old silicone implant, correcting the asymmetry, using my own rib cartilage for more natural tip projection, and refining my overall nose shape. The precision was incredible - he literally fixed every single issue from my botched primary surgery.

But where having ChatDoc support became absolutely crucial was during the recovery period. Instead of feeling lost and anxious like my first time, I had a structured, culturally-informed recovery plan. My coordinator had arranged everything from recovery-appropriate accommodation near Braun Plastic Surgery to a detailed day-by-day recovery schedule. They recommended staying at a hotel rather than an Airbnb for medical tourism - hotels provide better service, privacy, and assistance when needed during recovery.

ChatDoc also helped me understand Korean recovery culture, which is quite different from Western expectations. They explained why Korean doctors emphasize certain dietary restrictions during healing, why they use specific post-operative treatments that might seem unfamiliar, and how to properly communicate with Korean medical staff during follow-up appointments.

The coordination service handled practical things I hadn't even thought about: which convenience store medications were safe to take with my prescriptions, how to navigate Seoul transportation while recovering, which foods would be appropriate for my healing process, and even cultural etiquette for interacting with other patients and staff at Braun.

Most importantly, my coordinator served as a cultural bridge for my aesthetic goals. When I described wanting "natural enhancement that looks balanced," ChatDoc helped translate this concept within Korean beauty standards and medical practices. This cultural mediation ensured that my results aligned perfectly with my expectations - something that can be challenging when navigating aesthetic preferences across cultures alone.

Results and Final Thoughts

I'm now 6 months post-op, and the difference is absolutely life-changing. Dr. Ryu Dong-Wan's work is phenomenal - my nose looks natural, balanced, and exactly what I hoped for. The asymmetry is completely gone, my tip looks refined but not overdone, and everything flows harmoniously with my face. The revision surgery accomplished everything I had dreamed of.

But beyond the amazing surgical results from Braun Plastic Surgery, what I want to emphasize is how dramatically the coordinated care experience impacted my entire journey. My first solo medical tourism attempt was medically successful but emotionally traumatic. This time, with ChatDoc coordination, I could actually focus on healing and enjoy the experience.

I'm writing this review because I wish someone had told me about medical tourism coordination services before my first disaster. If you're considering revision rhinoplasty in Korea, please seriously consider professional coordination support. It transformed my medical tourism experience from a stressful ordeal into a genuinely positive life experience.

Braun Plastic Surgery will give you exceptional surgical results regardless of how you approach your visit. Dr. Ryu's surgical expertise is truly world-class, and their facilities and technology are among the best anywhere. But your overall experience and stress levels can be dramatically improved with proper coordination support.

If you're on the fence about professional coordination, just remember: you're already investing significant money and time for this procedure. Why not ensure the entire experience is as smooth and stress-free as possible? You deserve to focus on healing and enjoying your results, not worrying about logistics and cultural navigation.

Hope this helps anyone going through a similar journey! Feel free to ask questions - I'm happy to share more details about either my surgical experience at Braun Plastic Surgery or my coordination experience with ChatDoc. Good luck to everyone on their own plastic surgery journeys! 💕

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