K-Beauty Route

Medical Weight Loss

Weight Loss
About this procedure

Doctor-supervised weight management at internal & family-medicine clinics — assessment, medication and follow-up. Confirm services with the clinic.

What it costs

Cost depends on technique, the surgeon and your own anatomy, so clinics quote after seeing you rather than from a fixed price list. Ask for a written, itemised quote at consultation and check whether anaesthesia, aftercare visits and any revision are included — those are the line items that move the total.

Full cost breakdown →

Registered clinics offering this

View all →
Advertisement

Frequently asked questions

How much does medical weight loss cost in Korea? +

Cost depends on technique, the surgeon and your own anatomy, so clinics quote after seeing you rather than from a fixed price list. Ask for a written, itemised quote at consultation and check whether anaesthesia, aftercare visits and any revision are included — those are the line items that move the total.

Why are there no before and after photos on this site? +

Korean medical advertising law restricts before/after imagery for cosmetic procedures, so registered clinics and sites like this one do not publish it. Photos also compress badly as evidence: lighting, angle and swelling stage change a result more than most people expect. Judge a clinic on the surgeon named in writing and on what the consultation actually covers.

Is it safe to have medical weight loss done in Korea as a foreigner? +

At clinics registered to treat foreign patients it is generally safe — registration requires meeting legal conditions to accept international patients. Registration is a legal permission, not a quality rating, so still confirm the operating doctor's specialty in writing, ask who handles complications, and get the aftercare plan before you pay.

How long should I stay in Korea for medical weight loss? +

It depends on whether the procedure is surgical. Non-surgical treatments usually need no recovery window beyond the same day, while surgery often needs about 7–14 days for stitch removal and initial swelling before flying. Confirm the timing with the clinic before booking a return flight.

Do clinics have English-speaking staff? +

Many registered clinics in Gangnam, Apgujeong and Myeongdong have coordinators who speak English, Japanese or Chinese, but it varies by clinic rather than by area. Language support is noted on a clinic's page when we have it — confirm before booking, and ask whether the coordinator is present during the consultation itself.

Can I get a tax refund on medical weight loss? +

No. The VAT refund for foreigners' cosmetic medical procedures ended on 1 January 2026. Retail purchases such as cosmetics still qualify for the separate tourist tax refund.