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One-third of S. Korea’s plastic surgery patients ‘unsatisfied’

December 4, 2014
Seen here is an advertisement for a plastic surgery clinic on the main street of Apgujeong in Seoul, the center of South Korea's plastic surgery services. Such clinics are thriving as their world-class techniques attract foreigners from throughout the world. Medical expenditure by foreign medical tourists seeking plastic surgery and checkups exceeded US$100 million in 2011, according to the Bank of Korea. (Yonhap)

Seen here is an advertisement for a plastic surgery clinic on the main street of Apgujeong in Seoul, the center of South Korea’s plastic surgery services. Such clinics may be thriving, but that doesn’t mean that all of their patients are happy with the results. (Yonhap)

By Lee Ji-hye

Korea is known for its high rate of plastic surgery as well as the accessibility of such procedures. However, a recent consumer study shows that around one-third of those who go under the knife are not satisfied with the outcome.

The Korea Consumer Agency (KCA) conducted a survey on 1,000 cosmetic surgery patients over the course of three years. Among them, 323 people (32.3 percent) replied that the results were “unsatisfactory” while 170 people (17 percent) said they ended up with asymmetrical structures, scars or infections.

Among the patients, 678 people received double-eyelid surgery, 256 people had nose jobs, and 110 people had facial contour surgeries. Some had multiple procedures.

The KCA said it had received 16,354 calls about plastic surgery and clinics over the past three years. It said the number of people seeking advice on plastic surgery has been on the rise.

Among the calls, 11,367 (69.5 percent) involved “complaints about cosmetic surgery results,” 3,612 (22.1 percent) were about “refunds and service complaints,” and 526 (3.2 percent) were regarding the clinics’ “wrongful acts.”

More than half of the plastic surgery patients were in their 20′s, and the youngest person to receive cosmetic surgery was 14 years old, KCA said.