2026-05-29
Plastic Surgery Blacklist - Clinics You Should Avoid
A guide on how to identify plastic surgery clinics to avoid, focusing on false credentials, misleading marketing, and the risks of excessive discounts.
I am writing this post about the so-called ‘Plastic Surgery Blacklist’ and clinics you should avoid. While I cannot necessarily recommend specific competitors—though Gangnam Seoyeon is the obvious choice!—this is a topic with a very provocative title.
I happened to see an advertisement from another plastic surgery clinic on a famous international video site... you know the one. Haha.
They were talking about ‘clinics you must never go to.’ Honestly, does such a definitive list even exist? In my view, the real problem lies with people who exhibit a ‘double standard’—those who act as if they are the only noble ones in the field.
First, clinics that lie about their credentials.
What I mean is people who pretend to be board-certified plastic surgeons in their bios or profiles when they are not. This information is based on complaints filed by the Korean Association of Plastic Surgeons to public health centers regarding other clinics’ websites.
Take the phrase ‘A doctor who teaches doctors.’ In Hanja, the word for doctor is 醫師, where 師 means ‘teacher.’ Naturally, senior doctors teach junior doctors. I also give many lectures at academic conferences, so does that make me a ‘teacher’ too? While some may learn from my lectures, I view it as a mutual exchange of opinions. I don’t think it’s right to act superior and pretend to be the only one doing so.
Under medical law, it is not illegal for doctors from other specialties, such as ENT or ophthalmology, to perform plastic surgery. Some of them are actually quite skilled. However, if someone is willing to deceive you about their own profile, would they hesitate to deceive a patient about other things?
Look at the ‘Korean Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery’ (KSAPS). Only board-certified plastic surgeons can join this. On the other hand, the ‘Korean Society of Cosmetic Surgery’ is primarily joined by general practitioners (non-specialists) who perform cosmetic procedures. About 99.999% of board-certified plastic surgeons do not join the latter because there is no need to belong to both.
Second, clinics that claim other clinics are ‘places you shouldn’t go.’
We are all doctors. We all graduated from medical school, passed the plastic surgery specialist exam, and endured rigorous residency training.
While individual opinions may vary, I don’t believe there is a definitive list of places ‘not to go.’ There is no need for one doctor to act more virtuous than the rest. Every surgeon has their own philosophy. It is most important for patients to receive a direct consultation from the surgeon who will perform the procedure before making a decision.
Third, clinics that lure patients with excessive discounts.
Of course, from a patient’s perspective, you want the highest quality at the lowest price. That’s natural. We all look for the lowest price online even when buying small items.
However, plastic surgery is different. When you buy a smartphone, it’s manufactured by Samsung or Apple regardless of the vendor, and the after-sales service is the same, so buying at the lowest price makes sense. But plastic surgery involves your own body. Every doctor has different surgical methods, and every patient has different goals.
This is a sensitive issue, so I will give just one example: Famous restaurants are crowded even without discounts. ‘You get what you pay for.’ I hope you think carefully about why something is exceptionally cheap.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I verify if a doctor is a board-certified plastic surgeon?
You can verify this by checking if they are a member of the Korean Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Only board-certified plastic surgeons can join this society, while non-specialists typically join the Korean Society for Aesthetic Surgery. Therefore, it is important to carefully review the doctor's biography and profile on the hospital's website.
Is it illegal for doctors from other specialties to perform plastic surgery?
No, it is not illegal under medical law. It is legal for specialists from other fields, such as otolaryngology or ophthalmology, or general practitioners to perform plastic surgery, and some of them are highly skilled. However, the problem arises when non-plastic surgeons deceive patients into believing they are board-certified plastic surgeons.
Why should I avoid plastic surgery clinics that offer excessive discounts?
You should avoid them because there might be issues with the quality or safety of the surgery. Plastic surgery is not like buying a standardized manufactured product; each doctor has different surgical methods, and it is a delicate process applied directly to the patient's body. Therefore, a careful choice is needed rather than simply opting for the lowest price.
What is the most important method for choosing a good plastic surgery clinic?
The most important method is to consult directly with the surgeon who will perform the operation and then make your decision. Each doctor has their own medical philosophy and surgical methods, so it is advisable for patients to visit the clinic in person, have a thorough consultation, and choose the place that best suits them.