Lipo & Fat Graft FAQ
Bbae Clinic | Contact for Consult
This is not medical advice and I am not a doctor. Just sharing information from my own personal experience at Bbae Clinic in Seoul, Korea. You can also see more info and pics on my lipo highlight
What clinic did you go to?
I went to BBAE Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul, which specializes only in liposuction and body fat grafting/ body contouring. They have 3 drs who speak enough English and an English coordinator helps throughout the process. The surgeon I had was Dr. Kang.
If you also choose Bbae clinic, letting them know I sent you would be so appreciated. You can also get your compression garment for free with my referral.
Why did you choose Bbae Clinic?
I consulted at 4 different clinics in Gangnam. Ultimately I chose Bbae clinic because:
- English friendly,didnt need to bring a translator
- Small hospital where I was able to consult with and meet my surgeon.
- Specialized only in lipo and fat grafting (they do not perform any other procedures)
- Felt very comfortable with my Dr, good bedside manner and gave me accurate and realistic expectations, consult with Ultrasound
- Pricing felt fair. One clinic I consulted with was a lot higher and another clinic I consulted with was lower.
- I liked the incision point/scar technique they use. Do not need to return to remove stitches, very small incision points.
- While I did have liposuction (Fat removal) I wanted also to focus on body contouring and changing the shape of my body. Bbae Clinic specializes in procedures that focus on changing the body contours. It is one of their signature surgeries.
What is the best way to contact them?
Contact to start online consult: WhatsApp
Is there a referral benefit?
Yes- If you tell them Sara sent you at your consult on What’sApp you’ll receive your compression garment (₩100,000–₩250,000 value) for Free.
What procedures did you have done?
I had:
360 abdomen liposuction
Inner thigh liposuction
Fat grafting to the hip dip area
Arm Lipo with post axillary
For specifics on what can be done together it depends on weight and bmi - best to check with the Bbae Consultant.
How much did your surgery cost?
Pricing depends on your BMI and because pricing can vary depending on personal metrics and distribution they recommend consulting directly with them for a quotation. They operate on a fixed price depending on area of body, BMI and body type. Once you consult with them they can give you the most accurate price. I paid less than $7400 (based on 2025 pricing) and my specific body- eg I didn’t need pubis lipo.
Lower back lipo starts at 1.1 million krw (~$764) and Hip dip fat grafting starts at 3.52 million krw. (~$2444)
The pricing/detailed plan largely depends on: patients BMI, their build/skeletal structure, fat volume and whether its the patient’s first lipo procedure.
Arm Lipo
For patients with a BMI of 23 or below for their first arm-only lipo it starts around 2.97 million won. (~$2025) Unless the patient is extremely slim, post -axillary lipo is usually added on. For patients with more volume in the upper back area it’s usually recommended to combine arm lipo with back lipo for a better and more balanced outcome. I did arm + post axillary lipo for about $2700 (including vat tax)
Bbae prices include the 10% VAT tax
How much fat did you have removed and grafted?
I had 5,500cc of fat removed and 460cc grafted to each hip dip.
Does Bbae do facial fat grafting?
The only facial fat grafting Bbae does is to the forehead. Another common place to graft fat is to the breast.
Did you consider LAMS?
I did. And I consulted for it too. But ultimately I felt it was higher priced and it was more focused on small fat removal and not reshaping/contouring. I also think being awake for this type of procedure would be fairly traumatizing
Are you fully out for the procedure?
They use sleep sedation, not general anesthesia.
Does Bbae offer tummy tuck?
Unfortunately no. I did not have a tummy tuck. Surprisingly I didn’t have a lot of extra saggy loose skin. I think Dr Kang removed the most appropriate amount that eliminated extra fat but avoided excess sagging skin.
How do you pay?
You can pay by cash or card. Full payment is made before the surgery on the same day.
Do you have to pay a deposit?
Yes— a deposit is required to secure your consultation or surgery appointment.
What’s included in the price?
Included: Sedation & aftercare visits. Additional costs: Prescribed medicine and compression garment (free using Sara as referral).
How long was your surgery and recovery?
My surgery took about 3 hrs, and recovery time at the clinic was around 2–2.5 hours before discharge. You’ll need to arrive 1 hour early on the day of surgery.
Do you need to fast before surgery?
Yes —12 hours before your procedure.
How was your recovery timeline?
- Days 1–3: Hardest — soreness, stiffness, and incision leakage.
- Day 4: Big improvement — I turned a corner.
- Day 7: Felt noticeably better.
- Days 10–14: Major change; could move more comfortably again.
- 2 Weeks: Bruising mostly gone.
- 1 Month: Minor swelling remained.
- 6–12 Months: Final results become visible as swelling completely goes away.
How long do you need to stay in Korea?
Most clinics will tell you that you can leave Korea within a few days of your surgery. The ideal length of stay, I think, depends on what area you are having your procedure. For example, thighs typically have a longer recovery than arms/face.
For me personally - doing both abdomen & thighs at the same time - I would recommend staying at least 10 days in Korea before getting on a long flight. Swelling is also a factor and will vary person to person. I was most swollen day 3-4. If you are just doing arms, or abdominal - you can likely get away with a shorter stay. This is just my personal opinion from my experience!
Combining with other surgeries
If you’re combining lipo and something like lower bleph- you need to do lipo first because you cannot be lying face down after a lower bleph/fat repositioning surgery. I recommend doing your lipo surgery as soon as possible after landing in Korea so that you have more time to recover.
How were the incision points?
They’re very small (about ¼ inch), and there’s no need for stitch removal. You’ll need to take care of the incision points carefully for one month while they heal. They are all within my underwear line as well, discreet. my video and highlight showing the scars Check my Lipo Highlight on my instagram for more pictures.
What’s the aftercare for incisions?
Use Steri-Strips for 1 month — don’t peel them off; replace only when they fall off naturally. Keep the area clean and dry, avoid scratching or rubbing the incision sites. 4 months post op-super happy with how they’ve healed.
When can I shower after surgery?
3 days after surgery though waiting 1 week is best:
- Cover incision areas w/ waterproof tape/waterproof bandaid
- Remove waterproof bandaid after the shower and dry the area completely.
- Steristrips stay on- disinfect steristrip area
Can I smoke or drink after surgery?
No. Avoid smoking and alcohol for 4 weeks after surgery — they delay healing and can cause inflammation. Avoid saunas, spas, and swimming during this time.
When can I start exercising?
Light movement/walking is fine from the day after surgery. Avoid strenuous exercise for 1 month, since it can cause bleeding or swelling.
What should I expect after surgery?
It’s normal to experience:
- Fluid leakage that may look like blood (it’s mostly anesthesia solution)
- Bruising and swelling, which improve within 2–3 weeks
- Temporary weight gain (2–5kg) from swelling
- Mild numbness, tightness, or warmth around the treated areas - I also experienced some itchiness in areas where nerves are regenerating.
Swelling can last up to 6 months to a year, but it gradually fades. Final results appear around the 6–12 month mark.
How long should I wear my compression garment?
8–10 hrs a day for 1-2 months, though specific compression garment guidelines will vary patient to patient so check with your doctor! Wearing it helps your skin tighten smoothly and supports recovery.
Did your surgery get rid of cellulite?
Unfortunately no :(
Any tips from your experience?
- Stay near the clinic the first few days.
- Use taxis instead of public transport first few days.
- Wear loose clothing& underwear to surgery. If doing hips or abdominal I would bring underwear that’s 2sizes too big. Loose and comfortable.
- Bring towels for your bed in case of fluid leakage.
- Keep moving lightly (short walks help circulation).
What are good hotels nearby?
Walking distance:
- Hotel the Designers LYJ Gangnam Premier
- Novotel Ambassador Seoul Gangnam
- Best Western Premier Gangnam
Other hotels nearby more high end.
- Josun Palace
- JW Marriot Hotel Seoul (at Express bus terminal)
What subway station is closest to Bbae?
Shinnonhyeon Stn
Other things to bring?
- Arnica gel/cream for bruising
- Bromelain supplements for swelling
- Pumpkin& pineapple juice known for reducing swelling
- Gel ice pack to use when needed
- Since I did thigh lipo I found it helpful to have maxi dresses/ nightgowns to wear at home. I didn’t fit into my regular pants until a couple weeks post op. In cold weather loose/big joggers
- Extra Tylenol in case
