Part 1/3 - Consultation Hey everyone, I will be writing a 3 parts review about my entire surgery experience with The Face Dental. I mainly wanted something done to correct my slightly recessed chin and also to correct my square jaw. I found out about The Face Dental from a friend of mine who’ve done the surgery with Dr Lee a few years back. I must say, her results is amazing. I’ve been to The Face Dental to fetch my friend after her surgery previously so I was able to experience first hand the aftercare of The Face Dental. There was 1 particular nurse who left me a great impression. She was patient, caring and attentive to my friend after her surgery. I had an online consultation with Dr Lee before I flew over to South Korea. Dr Lee was patient with answering my queries and telling me about my recessed chin. I mentioned other surgical procedures and he said I could do it if I want it, but he was never insistent I should get any surgery. I placed my deposit shortly after researching a little here and there online. A few weeks later, I flew to South Korea and did a face to face consultation with Dr Lee. He told me the same things face to face, as when we had an online consultation. During the consultation, Dr Lee touched my jaw bones and felt my muscles. He told me which side of my face was bigger etc. My personal opinion is that I prefer a doctor who’s more hands on. I have been to consultations where the doctor will just look at my face and list down the surgeries I need to do instead of feeling my facial structures/features. Dr Lee was never pushy throughout the consultation. He made me feel heard. He was also extremely patient and knowledgeable (duh) going through the entire surgery process and where is he going to incise. There’s something really comforting about his demeanour. Dr Lee is also fluent in English so it was easy to communicate with him. I think I decided there and then I was gonna proceed with Dr Lee. The communication with the staff, however, was not as easy, but they were patient and occasionally called for a translator via a phone call to understand what I’m trying to say. It took a little back and forth but this one staff, seemingly the manager of TFD, was patient throughout so I really appreciated that. I did a blood test after my consultation but it wasn’t a pleasant experience. The nurse tried to untie the rubber at my arm WHILE REMOVING the needle that was in me. It caused the needle (that was still in me!) to slant and I started bleeding profusely. Blood was trickling down my arm and onto the chair. It was a nightmare. No apology from the nurse, nothing. She just quietly wiped my blood away. I have an incomprehensible fear of needle and that experience made it worse. II’m not sure why I always have tough luck with nurses in South Korea. Alas, the ordeal didn’t impact my decision to go with TFD because I chose TFD for Dr Lee. Truth be told, I’ve found a cheaper option for facial contouring, a price that is considerably lower but because my consultations with Dr Lee always made me feel comfortable and heard, I decided to cancel my consultation with the other clinic. I eventually decided on Zygoma reduction and V Line (including Genioplasty). Part 2/3 - Surgery 1 day before the surgery, i had one last consultation with Dr Lee who confirmed with me the results I want. He also told me I could send the pictures to him so he could bring it into the operating theatre for reference. I was also briefed on the post-surgery care and had to sign an agreement with regard to the risks associated with the surgery. I advise everyone to read through it thoroughly and only sign if you’re comfortable and understand what you’re getting yourself into. On the day of my surgery, I reached an hour before to change into the clinic gown, wash my face and gargle my mouth with this weird tasting mouth wash. The staff who guided me throughout was really sweet. I feel bad for not knowing her name. I had my surgery at 10am. I fell asleep shortly after entering the operating theatre. I vaguely remember waking up after the surgery in a wheelchair and was supported onto the bed where I sat there for the next few hours trying not to sleep. I was advised by the nurses to stay awake. By this time, my mouth was dry after not having access to water for more than 12 hours (fasting is required 8 hours before surgery). I was spitting a lot of blood out but to be honest I didn’t feel much pain, only some discomfort in my throat. The nurses came in from time to time to check my blood pressure and instructed me on the post surgery care. They were attentive and prompt whenever I rang the alarm for them. I had my first sip of water around 3pm if my memory serves me well. As soon as I felt fine to walk, I had my x-ray pictures taken. It was tough trying to bite on this plastic mouth piece for the x-ray because I couldn’t really open my mouth. I was also having short walks around the clinic (on the same level). I’m glad I didn’t feel nauseous or giddy after the surgery. Before the surgery, I mentioned to Dr Lee I wanted to stay longer in the ward so my condition can be observed, but to my surprise, I was feeling great after the surgery and was excited to head home. Thankful that my body is strong enough. Dr Lee came to check on me and showed me the before and after x-ray pictures and telling me that the surgery went well. He also checked if I was feeling okay, t They discharged me at 4pm. I stay really close the clinic so the short walk home was not an issue. I was feeling great until I reached home and the general anaesthesia started wearing off around late evening. That’s when I started feeling more discomfort and spitting out more blood. It was still bearable with extreme discomfort. The next day after surgery, I went back for de-swelling treatment and Dr Lee popped by for a quick minute to look at me. He told me my swelling is better than expected. After the treatment, I tried to get as much walks as I can because Dr Lee advised me to. It was hard walking for long as I felt nauseous and light-headed very quickly. I cheated a little and stopped wearing the compression bands 1 day after the surgery as it was hard to sleep in them. Dr Lee did told me to wear them longer as they would help with the swelling, but it was hard sleeping with them on so I stopped wearing them after 2 days. I couldn’t sleep well for the following 2 nights, waking up every 1 hour of sleep, no joke. It was hard sleeping because my whole throat was constantly filled with blood and phlegm. It was also hard talking from the 4th day onwards as my whole throat was constantly filled with phlegm and blood. But, I was walking a lot for the first 1 week. I must say it helped with my recovery and swelling. All in all, the recovery process is the hardest for the 1st 3 days. Afterwards, it’s pretty much a breeze. Also, something to take note of, is to get neck pillow for sleeping. It would help tremendously to stay upright when you sleep. I went back for another 2 rounds of de-swelling treatment and each time I was comforted by Dr Lee’s presence. He felt like a fatherly figure, giving me moral support after the surgery. He was still as patient as ever, asking me if I have any other questions and telling me I can text him on Kakao if I have further enquiries 🥺 The staff that was helping me with the de-swelling treatment each time I went back were so patient and nice too. Attached in this review is my before and after pictures. I am loving my results thus far. It’s still pretty swollen now 2 weeks post op. Chewing on food is not the easiest for me, so I have been eating soft foods like tofu, porridge, fish etc. I can’t wait to see the results 1 month post op. I am grateful for the help given to me throughout this surgery experience. From Dr Lee, to the clinic staff, to Olivia who was always helping me with the scheduling and other miscellaneous issues. She also reassured me before the surgery and made me feel better. Really thankful and happy knowing I was in good hands ❤️ In my next review, I will be sharing the final part to my 3 part review on my recovery and final results and thoughts after surgery.