Plan Your Bariatric Surgery Trip to Korea

Start with a preliminary medical review

Do not book surgery or non-refundable flights before your case has been reviewed.

A preliminary review does not confirm that you are eligible for surgery. It helps the hospital identify the records, tests and consultations that may be required when you arrive in Korea.

• Current height, weight and recent weight history
• Previous abdominal or bariatric surgery
• Medical conditions related to obesity
• Type 2 diabetes, hypertension or high cholesterol
• Obstructive sleep apnea and current CPAP use
• Gastro-esophageal reflux or other digestive symptoms
• Current prescription medicines and supplements
• Previous GLP-1 or other weight-management treatment
• Recent laboratory, health-screening or endoscopy results
• Allergies and previous anaesthesia problems

The treating hospital may request additional information depending on your medical history.

Prepare your medical records

Send available records before travel so the hospital can identify missing information and reduce avoidable delays.

• A medical summary or referral letter
• Recent blood-test results
• Current medication names, doses and schedules
• Reports from previous operations
• Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy reports
• Sleep-study reports
• CPAP prescription or settings
• Diabetes and cardiovascular records
• Imaging or other specialist reports relevant to your condition

Use generic medication names where possible, as brand names vary between countries.

Records in English are usually easiest for preliminary review. Translation, document format and the need for original copies should be confirmed with the receiving hospital.

Review all medicines before surgery

Tell the hospital about every prescription medicine, injection, non-prescription medicine, vitamin, herbal product and supplement you use.

Do not stop GLP-1 medicines, diabetes treatment, blood thinners, blood-pressure medicines or any other prescribed treatment on your own.

GLP-1 medicines can delay gastric emptying in some patients. Current perioperative guidance supports an individualised decision based on symptoms, dose escalation, treatment indication, anaesthesia risk and the hospital's protocol.

Your medication plan should be confirmed by the prescribing clinician, the bariatric surgeon, the anaesthesia team and the clinicians managing diabetes or other medical conditions.

The hospital will provide instructions on which medicines to continue, pause or adjust and when they should be restarted.

Bring CPAP and essential medical equipment

Tell the hospital if you have obstructive sleep apnea or use CPAP, BiPAP or another breathing device.

• The model of your device
• Battery type and capacity
• Your mask and tubing
• Your prescribed pressure settings
• Whether it will be used during the flight

Keep essential medication and medically necessary equipment in your cabin baggage whenever permitted. Confirm airline requirements before departure.

Plan enough time in Korea

The length of stay varies according to the operation being considered, the hospital's preoperative assessment, your medical risk, additional tests, inpatient recovery, ability to drink and mobilise, postoperative reviews, return-flight duration and any symptoms or complications.

International bariatric patients commonly need substantially more time than the hospital admission alone. As general orientation, many patients plan approximately one to three weeks in Korea.

This is not a guaranteed schedule. Do not book your return flight until the hospital has provided an estimated treatment plan. A longer stay may be required after revisional, open or complex surgery or if recovery is slower than expected.

Choose recovery-friendly accommodation

After discharge, accommodation should support hydration, mobility and access to follow-up care.

• Short travel time to the treating hospital
• Lift access and minimal stairs
• A refrigerator for prescribed drinks and food
• A kettle or simple kitchenette
• Easy access to drinking water
• Space for a companion
• Nearby pharmacy and convenience store
• Reliable taxi access
• Flexible booking if the stay must be extended

A hotel marketed as luxurious is not necessarily suitable for postoperative recovery. Location and practical facilities usually matter more.

Decide whether to travel with a companion

A companion is strongly worth considering for major surgery.

• Hospital admission and discharge
• Transport to accommodation
• Communication when you are tired or medicated
• Obtaining medicines and supplies
• Monitoring fluid intake and symptoms
• Attending follow-up visits
• Managing luggage during the return journey

Whether a companion is required depends on hospital policy, anaesthesia, mobility and medical condition. Patients travelling alone should confirm whether professional escort, interpretation or short-term support is available.

Prepare for postoperative nutrition

Bariatric surgery requires a staged eating plan. The exact stages and timing differ by procedure, hospital and individual recovery.

• Which fluids are permitted
• How much and how often to drink
• When protein-containing liquids begin
• When to progress to pureed or soft food
• Which foods and drinks to avoid
• What to do if nausea or vomiting prevents intake
• Vitamin and mineral supplementation

Do not use a generic online timetable instead of the plan issued by your surgical and dietetic team.

Patients needing halal, vegetarian, vegan or allergy-sensitive nutrition should inform NextWeight and the hospital before travel. Availability must be confirmed individually.

Plan your return flight safely

Recent surgery, obesity, reduced mobility and long-distance travel can increase the risk of venous thromboembolism.

The date of return should be decided after postoperative assessment.

• Type and date of surgery
• Absence of suspected leakage or bleeding
• Stable vital signs and wounds
• Ability to drink without persistent vomiting
• Adequate mobility
• Individual blood-clot risk
• Length of the flight
• Need for airline medical clearance

Your doctor may advise measures such as regular movement, prescribed compression garments or medication. These are individual medical decisions and should not be started without instruction.

Ask the airline whether it requires a medical information form, fit-to-fly letter, wheelchair request or advance notice.

Know when to seek urgent help

Before discharge, obtain written instructions explaining which symptoms are expected and which require urgent assessment.

• New difficulty breathing
• Chest pain
• Fainting or severe weakness
• Coughing up blood
• New one-sided leg swelling or pain
• Severe or worsening abdominal pain
• Persistent vomiting or inability to keep fluids down
• Fever with worsening pain or general illness
• Rapid deterioration or any symptom described as urgent by your surgical team

Take these documents home

Before leaving Korea, request the documents appropriate to your case.

• English discharge summary
• Operation record or procedure summary
• Current medication and supplementation list
• Postoperative diet instructions
• Follow-up and blood-test schedule
• Warning-sign instructions
• Relevant laboratory and imaging results
• Contact route for non-emergency follow-up
• Fit-to-fly or airline medical document if required
• Itemised bill and receipts

Keep digital copies and provide relevant records to the healthcare professional who will follow you at home.

Continue follow-up after returning home

Bariatric surgery is not complete when you leave Korea.

• Weight and metabolic monitoring
• Protein and fluid intake review
• Vitamin and mineral blood tests
• Diabetes and blood-pressure medication review
• Evaluation of digestive symptoms
• Psychological and behavioural support
• Monitoring for gallstones and other late complications
• Review of weight regain or inadequate response

The Korean hospital should clarify which reviews it can provide remotely and which tests or examinations must be completed locally.

Travel essentials for Korea

Before departure, confirm the items below. Entry, airline, tax and insurance rules can change, so verify them through the relevant official authority immediately before travel.

• Passport and entry requirements
• K-ETA or visa requirements for your nationality
• Any electronic arrival declaration
• Rules for bringing prescription and controlled medicines
• International card limits and alternative payment methods
• Mobile data, eSIM or a Korean telephone number
• Airport-to-hospital transport
• Seasonal clothing
• Dietary, religious and accessibility needs
• Travel-insurance exclusions for planned treatment

Official information sources

Verify these through the official authority immediately before travel. Airline medical rules are carrier-specific — always check the airline operating your actual flight.

• Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) (opens in a new tab)
• Korea e-Arrival Card (opens in a new tab)
• Korea Customs Service - Arriving Passengers (opens in a new tab)
• MFDS - Self-Treatment Controlled Medicines Permit (opens in a new tab)
• Korean Air - Passengers Requiring Medical Services (opens in a new tab)

Official information last reviewed on 27 July 2026.