Shell
Procedure : Upper Blepharoplasty, Fat injection and Repositioning on the eyelid, Epicanthoplasty, Lower blepharoplasty , Rhinoplasty, Facial contouring surgery, Facial Liposuction, Submentoplasty, Face and Neck lift
Hi everyone! My name is Shell, and I'm from the United States.
Before Surgery:
Before deciding on Braun, I spent months doing research. I watched so many of their patient videos and really appreciated how much information they shared. It wasn't just before-and-after photos, they actually explained the procedures, the recovery process, and what patients could realistically expect.
When I arrived for my consultation, everything was very organized. Before meeting any of my surgeons, I had a CT scan, X-rays, blood tests, and an ECG. I had also prepared an entire page of questions because I wanted to make sure I understood everything before moving forward.
One thing that really stood out to me, both from watching Braun's videos and then meeting the doctors in person, was how genuine they were. They're obviously incredibly busy people, but I never felt rushed. Every doctor took the time to listen to my concerns and explain things thoroughly, and I really appreciated that.
My Eye Surgery
My first procedure was my eye surgery.
I had incisional double eyelid surgery with ptosis correction, fat grafting, medial epicanthoplasty, and both upper and lower blepharoplasty.
My goal wasn't to completely change my appearance. I actually brought photos of myself when I was younger because I wanted to restore the look I used to have before aging caused some sagging around my eyes.
I was definitely nervous before surgery, but at the same time I was really excited to finally see the results.
My Rhinoplasty
I've always wanted my nose to look a little slimmer. My nostrils were quite wide, and that was something I'd always been self-conscious about.
One of my biggest questions was whether my skin thickness and bone structure would affect how close we could get to the reference photos I'd brought.
Dr. Ryu explained everything so clearly. He told me that skin flexibility plays a huge role in rhinoplasty, especially when it comes to adding height to the bridge. He said my skin wasn't particularly thick, especially over the bridge, so raising it too much could make an implant more noticeable over time.
Instead of making dramatic changes, he recommended gently raising both the bridge and the tip while slimming the width of my nose. He also mentioned that from the side, my profile was already very nice. Most of the concern came from the lower part of my nose being a little wider, including the nostrils and nasal bones.
During my final consultation, he explained the surgical plan in detail. The goal was simply to enhance what I already had, not completely change my face. He would make the bridge slightly higher, refine the tip, slim the nostrils a little, and narrow the alar width without making my nose look overly pointy. He also explained that he would use cartilage from my right ear during the surgery.
I really appreciated how conservative and natural his approach was.
My Facelift
I also met with Dr. Lee Jiwon regarding my facelift.
He explained that my mid-face, nasolabial folds, and neck had naturally begun to sag with age. His plan was to lift everything together, including my neck, while reinforcing the deeper facial structures using the SMAS layer.
One concern I had was scarring.
He carefully explained where every incision would be placed. Starting near my sideburns, continuing around the ear, and extending behind it. so that they would be as hidden as possible. Even better, the same incisions would be used for my facial contouring procedure, so there wouldn't be unnecessary additional scars. He also planned to remove some excess fat around my jawline.
My Facial Contouring
Finally, I met Dr. Kim Taegyu.
He explained that I naturally have a fairly lean face and that the area beneath my cheekbones was a little hollow. Rather than making dramatic changes, his goal was to create better balance. He planned to reduce my cheekbones slightly, advance my chin forward by a few millimeters, improve my facial symmetry, and refine the overall contour of my face. Everything was explained so clearly that I felt very confident going into surgery.
Surgery Day
When I woke up after surgery, I honestly don't remember very much.
I remember feeling incredibly cold, and I remember the nurses constantly reminding me to keep taking deep breaths while the anesthesia wore off.
About four hours later, I was finally allowed to drink water. My throat was unbelievably dry, so that first sip of water felt amazing. The nurses explained that I needed to drink slowly throughout the night to avoid feeling nauseous, which made sense. The following morning they went through all of my medications one by one. Everything was packed neatly in a bag with written instructions, so I never felt unsure about what I needed to do.
They also reminded me that the first few days would probably be the hardest because of the nasal packing. Since I couldn't breathe through my nose, I had to get used to breathing through my mouth instead.
Day 2
I returned to Braun for my first treatment. The nurse removed the drains from both sides of my face and loosened my compression bandage, which was such a relief because it had felt very tight. She then replaced it with a much lighter and more comfortable bandage before sending me home.
Day 4
The weekend was definitely the most uncomfortable part of recovery, but I never felt like I was on my own. The clinic gave me detailed instructions and emergency contact numbers in case I had any concerns, which was very reassuring. During treatment, my eye stitches and ear bandages were removed, and I also received de-swelling laser treatment. I met with Dr. Kim for my first follow-up appointment, and he explained exactly what had been done during surgery. He told me my cheekbones had been reduced by around 6–7 mm and my chin had been advanced by about 7 mm. Everything had gone according to plan, which was wonderful to hear.
Day 5
This was a really exciting day. The nasal packing came out, my cast was removed, and my nose stitches were taken out. Being able to breathe normally again felt amazing. I also saw Dr. Lee for my eye follow-up. He reassured me that the swelling was completely normal and would continue improving. Even after just a couple of days, I could already see the difference. After treatment, they washed my hair, which honestly felt like the greatest luxury after surgery.
Day 6
I finally had a proper night's sleep after the packing came out. Being able to breathe through my nose again made such a huge difference. I only needed to wear my compression bandage during the day, so I was even able to get out and explore Seoul a little. Walking actually helped with the swelling, so it felt good to get some fresh air.
Day 7
I met with Dr. Kim and Dr. Lee again for my follow-up appointments. I had actually brought a small gift for Dr. Kim because I was so grateful for everything he had done. Dr. Lee reassured me that my swelling and bruising would continue improving over time. The only thing I was worried about was the numbness around my cheeks, but he explained that this is completely normal after a facelift and simply takes time to recover.
My lips had also been extremely swollen because I'd had several facial procedures done at once. They were still a little numb, but they were already improving. I could finally pronounce letters like "B" and "M" properly again, which made me laugh. The clinic had given me lip balm, and I used it constantly because my lips were incredibly dry.
I was also really loving the shape of my new nose. The only thing I noticed was that I became tired much more easily while walking around Seoul, but I suppose that's completely understandable after major surgery.
Day 12
I had my rhinoplasty follow-up with Dr. Ryu. Everything had healed beautifully. I asked him whether it was normal that one nostril looked slightly different from the other. He explained that swelling often makes the nose appear uneven during the healing process, and he even showed me photos from before surgery to point out that I already had some natural asymmetry beforehand. That really reassured me. He also explained that as the swelling continued to settle, the tip would gradually soften and lower slightly. During that appointment, they also removed the stitches inside my mouth and my facelift stitches.
One Month
Three Months
Five Months
Everything has continued healing beautifully. The feeling along my jawline has gradually returned, although Dr. Kim reminded me that nerve recovery can take anywhere from six months to a year. My scars have healed incredibly well. I've been using scar gel consistently, and they're becoming harder and harder to see. My eyes have become one of my favorite changes. They look brighter and fresher, even without eyeliner or mascara. That was honestly one of my biggest goals..to feel confident leaving the house without needing much makeup. My nose looks exactly how I'd hoped: natural, balanced, and still like my own face. I'm also getting more definition through my cheeks, and I can smile much more comfortably now.
Nine Months
Looking back, I honestly couldn't be happier. Everything looks soft, natural, and harmonious. The scars have faded so much that they're barely noticeable. My nose has the higher bridge I always wanted, but it still looks like it belongs on my face. That balance was so important to me. More than anything, I feel confident even without makeup now.
Ten Months
I'm still seeing little improvements every month. One thing I learned from this experience is that healing really does continue for a full year. You see most of the results within the first few months, but everything keeps softening and refining over time. My eyes continue to look smoother and more open, my nose keeps becoming more defined, and my scars continue fading. I'm genuinely so pleased with how everything has turned out.
Final Thoughts
Before choosing Braun, I looked at a lot of different clinics. There are so many talented surgeons out there, but for me, choosing a clinic wasn't just about before-and-after photos. It was about finding a team I trusted.
These procedures are permanent. Someone is operating on your face, and that's not a decision I take lightly. From the very beginning, I felt comfortable with the doctors at Braun. They took the time to answer my questions, explain every detail, and make sure my expectations were realistic. I know Braun is well known and has a large online presence, but after going through the experience myself, I understand why.
It's not just because of social media. It's because they consistently produce beautiful, natural results while genuinely taking care of their patients throughout the entire journey. Looking back, I'm incredibly grateful that I chose them.
XOXO Shell
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