Medical weight loss in Seoul, built around your health

What medical weight loss in Seoul involves

Medical weight loss means a doctor assesses why you are carrying extra weight, what it is doing to your health, and which treatments are both effective and safe for you. At VEI Clinic, medical weight loss in Seoul is run by Dr. HyunSung Park, a board-certified internal medicine specialist who also manages blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol and fatty liver, the conditions that weight most often affects.

There are no fixed packages. Some people need a structured plan and regular check-ins; others also benefit from medication. A few want to refine body shape once their weight is stable. The pages in this section cover each option in detail; this overview explains how the doctor puts them together.

The tools a doctor can use

• GLP-1 based medicines: semaglutide (Wegovy, a once-weekly injection approved for weight management; Ozempic is the same drug approved for type 2 diabetes) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro or Zepbound, a once-weekly injection acting on GLP-1 and GIP). These reduce appetite and slow stomach emptying.
• Other medicines: metformin, orlistat or others in selected cases, depending on your blood sugar, other conditions and tolerance
• Fat-dissolving injections: for small, stubborn areas once weight is closer to goal; they do not treat obesity
• Non-surgical body contouring: devices such as ACCENT PRIME, ACCUCURV, Endermologie and VACUMED to support shape and skin, not to replace weight loss
• A practical plan: protein and fiber targets using everyday Korean foods, strength training, daily steps, sleep and alcohol strategy

How the doctor decides what suits you

The first visit covers your weight history, previous attempts, medicines, sleep, stress and family history. Dr. Park measures your weight, waist and blood pressure and usually orders blood tests such as HbA1c, fasting lipids, liver and kidney function and thyroid tests, plus others when your history suggests them. A body composition scan can give a useful baseline.

Whether medication is offered depends on your BMI, weight-related conditions such as prediabetes, high blood pressure or sleep apnea, your other medicines and your preferences. GLP-1 medicines are started at a low dose and increased gradually to limit side effects. Supply of some brands in Korea can vary, and we discuss alternatives openly.

Who it suits, and who should not take GLP-1 medicines

A medical program suits adults whose weight is affecting their health or who have plateaued despite genuine lifestyle effort, including people with PCOS, prediabetes or medication-related weight gain. It also suits busy professionals and frequent travelers who want a structured plan in English.

GLP-1 medicines are not appropriate if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy or breastfeeding, or if you or a close relative have had medullary thyroid cancer or MEN2. A history of pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, severe reflux or an eating disorder needs careful discussion first. They are prescription medicines and are not prescribed for purely cosmetic weight loss at a healthy weight.

Side effects, safety and limits

The most common side effects of GLP-1 medicines are nausea, fullness, reflux, constipation or diarrhea, usually worst after a dose increase. Less common risks include gallstones, pancreatitis and dehydration. Weight often returns if the medicine is stopped without a maintenance plan, so we plan for the long term from the start.

Seek urgent care, or call 119 in Korea, for severe or persistent abdominal pain that spreads to the back, repeated vomiting with inability to keep fluids down, yellowing of the skin or eyes, chest pain or signs of a severe allergic reaction.

Costs, insurance and what to bring

Cost depends on the consultation, blood tests, the medicine and dose chosen, and how often you are followed up. Weight-loss medicines are generally not covered by Korean national health insurance. We explain the full cost before you start, and itemized English receipts are available.

For your first visit, bring your passport or ID, a list of medicines and supplements with exact doses, any recent blood results or sleep study reports, and, if you have them, a few days of food notes and your step counts or weight trend. If blood tests are likely, come fasting for about 8 to 12 hours, with water allowed.