Why Snu Plastic Surgery Recommends In-Person Consultations Over Online: A Reality Check

Hello.

This is Snu Plastic Surgery.

Lately, we receive many inquiries from patients overseas

asking whether online consultations are available,

or if they can discuss their concerns via video first.

Thanks to advances in telecommunications technology,

this kind of connection has become possible,

and that's certainly welcome and appreciated.

However, to be honest with you,

for those considering surgery or procedures,

online consultation is ultimately

only a 'supplementary' tool

and in reality, it's rarely truly helpful

in most cases.

I'd like to break down the reasons

realistically into about three main points.

1. The Face on Screen May Not Be 'Real'

Online consultations ultimately take place

through a camera.

However, the video quality of webcams and equipment

used in hospitals isn't as good as expected,

so details often get lost in the image.

An even bigger problem is the smartphone photos

that patients take and send themselves.

Modern smartphones, with their wide-angle lenses and

automatic correction features, easily create

images that differ from what you actually see

with the naked eye.

Many people firmly believe that their appearance

in smartphone photos is their 'real face'

and say things like,

"This part visible in the photo

absolutely must be improved."

But when viewed with the naked eye in the clinic,

it appears much less pronounced than in photos

in the vast majority of cases.

Setting surgical goals while equating smartphone photos with your actual appearance

is like putting a scalpel to a distorted image—

very dangerous.

2. Time Zones, Language, and the Possibility of Not Speaking with the Actual Doctor

I'm in Korea,

and my patients are all over the world.

Korea's daytime hours differ

from those in other countries,

and when trying to coordinate available consultation times,

one of us inevitably ends up sitting

in front of the camera in an exhausted state,

outside our normal active hours.

When consulting while fatigued,

the other party's concentration also drops,

and the patient's face appears puffy

with dark circles under the eyes, etc.—

and can be evaluated as looking

much worse than reality.

Adding the reality of being a surgeon to this:

Most surgeons spend a significant portion

of their daytime hours in the operating room

and with direct patient consultations.

Even wanting to conduct online consultations sincerely,

it's physically difficult in most cases;

in a busy hospital environment,

it's realistic that non-physician consultation staff

may respond instead.

I'm sure almost no one wants that.

3. In Most Countries, Online Consultation is Regarded as a 'Medical Procedure'

This is an easily overlooked fact:

Many countries' regulations view

medical consultation itself as part of the medical treatment process.

Therefore, even if I'm a Korean doctor,

the moment I make medical judgments

or offer advice to patients in other countries,

I may become subject to that country's medical licensing regulations,

and legal issues may arise.

Because of this, many hospitals tend to avoid

physicians directly handling online consultations,

and must necessarily be cautious.

Of course, "what's good is good"

and "simpler is better" are truths

that apply to many things in the world.

But when it comes to surgery and procedures

where a scalpel touches your body

or medications are injected,

it's a bit different.

Meeting medical staff in person,

having face-to-face consultations,

conducting physical examinations,

making eye contact, and honestly aligning

expectations with reality—

that process is the safe approach.

Only by going through these steps and preparation

can we truly achieve good results for each other—

I really hope you remember this! 😊

I hope what I've shared today has been

of some practical help to those deliberating overseas.

For any questions, I recommend visiting the hospital in person,

or scheduling an in-person consultation

through a trustworthy channel.

Instagram

Website

📌 KakaoTalk Channel (Click the image below)

Snu Plastic Surgery Clinic
4F, 26 Apgujeong-ro 60-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea
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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get online cosmetic surgery consultations from overseas?

While technically possible, online consultations often remain supplementary. Due to practical limitations such as screen quality, time zones, and legal restrictions, Snu Plastic Surgery recommends in-person consultations for the actual surgery decision stage.

Why are consultations based on smartphone photos inaccurate?

Modern smartphone wide-angle lenses and automatic correction features easily create images that differ from what you actually see with the naked eye. Setting surgical goals based on distorted photos can be risky, so direct consultation is necessary.

Why is time zone difference a problem in video consultations?

As daytime hours differ between Korea and overseas locations, consultations often proceed with one party in a fatigued state. The face can be evaluated as appearing worse than it actually is, with puffiness or dark circles under the eyes.

Will a doctor directly conduct the online consultation?

Surgeons spend most of their daytime in the operating room and seeing patients, so it's often difficult for them to directly conduct online consultations. In a busy hospital, consultation staff may handle your inquiry instead.

Are there legal issues with online consultations for overseas patients?

Many countries' regulations regard medical consultation itself as a medical procedure. The moment a Korean doctor makes medical judgments or gives advice to a patient in another country, there's potential conflict with that country's medical licensing regulations.

Where is Snu Plastic Surgery located?

Snu Plastic Surgery Clinic is located at 4F, 26 Apgujeong-ro 60-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. You can book detailed consultations by visiting the clinic, contacting our official KakaoTalk channel, or visiting our website.