Precice 2 with Dr. Dong Hoon Lee (S. Korea) 2022

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Did you know that they are much more expensive for foreign patients? It's a little unacceptable for me...

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Quote from: Jason125 on September 11, 2022, 07:25:08 AMDo you know how much does LON cost currently with him? Is the price same as 2021? How much did u spend on accomodation and helper? I am thinking of doing with him on my own and hiring a helper, but not sure how long do i need the helper for.
The first and second surgery（Lon） is about $38,000(53000000KRW) now, more expensive than 2021，but Korean won has depreciated to dollar recently. And Koreans are much cheaper than foreigners.

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Quote from: kio1165 on September 21, 2022, 10:12:03 PMThe first and second surgery（Lon） is about $38,000(53000000KRW) now, more expensive than 2021，but Korean won has depreciated to dollar recently. And Koreans are much cheaper than foreigners.
Emailed him multiple times, no response, wondering if i should look for another. He has not been responding for almost a year.

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Back with another update. I've also responded to the questions! Sorry it took a while.

I had my last appointment with Dr. Lee before I head back home. Based on my last x-rays, he told me that I don't need to get anymore x-rays until next year when I return to get the rods removed. Yay! So, I'm planning on coming back one year post surgery for the 2nd operation.

It's been about 1.5 month since I've been able to stand. I still have a few remaining PT sessions that I'm going to about 2-3x a week, but I can walk around 3.5-5 km/day without any problem. I was using crutches when going long distances for the first 2 weeks, but now I no longer need them.

I spend around 2 hours a day stretching and strength training as my hip muscles are still weak and tight. My PT therapist told me it'd take a few more months for that muscle to go back to normal as it is one of the "tougher" muscles to stretch and build.


Quote from: kio1165 on September 07, 2022, 07:40:15 PMThank you for the diary! Not many diaries about Dr. Lee here, very helpful!!! I am considering going to Korea next year. May I ask if you are staying at the hotel recommended by the hospital? (I was told that the hospital doesn't have inpatient packages anymore
). How long did you stay in Korea and did you need someone to accompany you to the rehab center after the surgery? Looking forward to your reply!

You're welcome Glad you find it helpful.

I stayed in an airbnb near the hospital (~10-15 min by taxi). I stayed in Korea longer than planned (about 5 months). Unfortunately, I didn't have anyone accompanying me so I had to do everything on my own (i.e., getting to and from the hospital, going about my day to day - groceries, laundry, cleaning, etc.). But there are companies that provide caretakers. The hospital has a list of companies that they recommend. I would recommend hiring a caretaker at least for the first few days after you leave the hospital while you establish a routine. Hope that helps!

Quote from: Jason125 on September 11, 2022, 07:25:08 AMDo you know how much does LON cost currently with him? Is the price same as 2021? How much did u spend on accomodation and helper? I am thinking of doing with him on my own and hiring a helper, but not sure how long do i need the helper for.

That I don’t know. I know they recently increased their prices due to inflation and such but I’d check with the international team for an exact quote. As for accommodation, I got a long-term airbnb near the hospital for around $1300/month including everything. This area tends to be a bit pricey though. I would recommend looking at places further outside of Seoul but within Seongnam for more affordable options. 

I hired a caretaker during the one-week I was hospitalized. It cost around $100/day.

Quote from: kio1165 on September 21, 2022, 10:04:04 PMDid you know that they are much more expensive for foreign patients? It's a little unacceptable for me...

Yup. It is more expensive for international patients. Part of the reason is that there is a separate team that handles the international patients (basically you have an interpreter who accompanies you whenever you need translation, which is pretty much every follow-up appointment, most PT sessions, etc.).

Lastly, I'd try the WhatsApp # I shared a while ago. A few months ago, I informed Dr. Lee and his international team that there were reports of people not hearing back from them and they were surprised. I don't think it's intentional. I wonder if they need to update their email address...what email address are you using?

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hey may I know how well is your surgery scars? And if I am not wrong is it correct that you can walk 3.5-5km after 4 months post surgery ?

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Hai, I'm new here. Thank you live__potato for your excellent diary. It's really help me a lot, cause now I know how to figure it out when I'll do LL coming soon.
But may I know something like exactly how your routine was during rehabilitation and therapy after 1st post op such as :
1. How do you find that airbnb ? is there any website that I should log in to be in waiting list or definitely will find it while in Korea ?
2. What criteria is when you choose that airbnb ? Like are you choose 1'st floor since you use wheelchair for almost 2 month.
2. How are you doing your activities with wheelchair ? Like sleep, shower, laundry and clean the airbnb
2. Do you cook or delivery while stay in airbnb, if you cook how you do the groceries ? are you going to the supermarket by yourself with wheelchair ?
3. May I know your financial budget while you stay in airbnb like how much you spent ? Also budget for transportation for your airbnb to the hospital for doing rehabilitation.
4. Do you use any insurrance for your treatment ?
5. And the last do you need any visa if yes what kind of the visa ?
Thank you very much sweetie. Hope you recover well

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Quote from: live_potato on September 01, 2022, 11:52:06 AMSorry for the delay!- been a while.

During the lengthening phase, you can't weightbare, at all. Period. Not sure how other doctors do it, but I was told not to weight bear during lengthening. I was able to walk and fully weightbare one month after I stopped lengthening. I was on the faster side since usually, at 4-weeks post lengthening, most patients can start to walk using a walker and gradually can start putting more weight over the next several weeks. It all depends on how fast your bone comes in. Hope that answers your question.

And yes. Being wheelchair bound for 2 months was tough!

Thank you for your answer and happy to see you fulfilling your dream. I hope some day I will do it too!!!

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Did you bring a friend and family member for the initial surgery?

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Quote from: sy1555 on September 21, 2022, 10:04:04 PMDid you know that they are much more expensive for foreign patients? It's a little unacceptable for me...

It's a bit strange because I know that one company has price list for the natives and foreigners separate and the price for the natives are much more expensive because of the currency.