What is comprehensive obesity treatment at ARTNER?
Comprehensive obesity treatment at ARTNER Cheongdam combines medical management, body contouring, and lifestyle support — directed by Dr. Hye-woo Pyeon as KSSO (Korean Society for the Study of Obesity) member. Components: (1) Medical evaluation by Internal Medicine Specialist; (2) Diet medication when appropriate; (3) Nutrition counseling; (4) Body contouring (Artner Injection or ART-FAT) for stubborn fat; (5) Body Lifting for skin laxity; (6) Long-term maintenance support.
Why choose Korea for obesity treatment?
Korean obesity treatment advantages: (1) Korean diet medications often more effective than international equivalents (Cooseamia among newer options); (2) Korean Society for the Study of Obesity (KSSO) high standards; (3) Combined surgical + non-surgical approach widely available; (4) Lower cost than US ($300-$1,500/mo vs $1,200-$2,000/mo); (5) Comprehensive Korean wellness culture supports lifestyle integration; (6) Cultural emphasis on body health enables comprehensive programs. ARTNER's Cheongdam premium foreign patient branch dedicated to international obesity treatment patients.
What are the BMI criteria for treatment?
Standard BMI criteria: BMI 25-27 — typically lifestyle + body contouring (Artner Injection or ART-FAT) without medication; BMI 27-30 — diet medication consideration if metabolic concerns; BMI 30+ (obese) — comprehensive obesity treatment (medication + lifestyle + body contouring); BMI 35+ — multidisciplinary approach including possible bariatric referral. Dr. Pyeon's KSSO membership ensures appropriate categorization and treatment planning. Internal Medicine background addresses comorbidities.
How much does comprehensive obesity treatment cost?
Cost ranges by program scope: Initial evaluation + 3-month medication only $400-$1,500; Comprehensive 6-month medical program $1,500-$3,500; Full transformation (medical + body contouring) $5,000-$15,000; Long-term maintenance $2,000-$5,000/year ongoing. Lower cost than US comprehensive obesity treatment ($10,000-$25,000+ for similar scope). Korean medical tourism makes comprehensive treatment economically accessible.
Will insurance cover obesity treatment?
Standard scenarios: (1) US insurance — usually NOT covered for cosmetic body contouring; partial coverage possible for medical obesity treatment with documented BMI/metabolic concerns; (2) HSA/FSA accounts — eligible for medical components (medication, evaluation); (3) International insurance — varies widely. ARTNER provides comprehensive English documentation suitable for insurance claims. Internal Medicine consultation documentation supports medical necessity claims when applicable.
What about cardiovascular and metabolic concerns?
Critical aspect of comprehensive obesity treatment. Dr. Pyeon's Internal Medicine training (Yeungnam Univ. + Gachon Univ. Gil Hospital) ensures comprehensive evaluation: (1) Blood pressure assessment; (2) Cardiovascular screening; (3) Metabolic panel (cholesterol, glucose, kidney function); (4) Sleep apnea evaluation if relevant; (5) Diabetes screening; (6) Hormone evaluation. Treatment plan addresses comorbidities alongside weight reduction. Patients with significant cardiovascular history may need cardiology coordination.
Is bariatric surgery offered?
ARTNER does NOT perform bariatric surgery (sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass, etc.) — these require general surgery specialty. For BMI 35+ patients seeking surgical weight loss, ARTNER provides referrals to bariatric surgery specialists in Korea. ARTNER focuses on: (1) BMI 25-35 comprehensive treatment; (2) Post-bariatric body contouring (skin laxity, residual fat); (3) Maintenance after bariatric. Combined approach with bariatric specialists supports comprehensive patient care.
How long is the obesity treatment program?
Typical timelines: (1) Initial 3-month medical phase — medication initiation, lifestyle changes, monitoring; (2) Months 3-6 — continued medication, possible body contouring (Artner Injection); (3) Months 6-12 — surgical body contouring (ART-FAT) if appropriate; (4) Months 12-24 — long-term maintenance and refinement; (5) Ongoing — annual check-ins and refresher treatments. Foreign patients often combine multiple visits with maintenance via WhatsApp + home country physicians.
What about the psychological aspect of obesity?
Important component of comprehensive treatment. Many obesity patients have related psychological factors: emotional eating, body dysmorphia, trauma history, relationship dynamics affecting weight. ARTNER acknowledges these and supports patient through: (1) Honest assessment of underlying factors; (2) Referral to mental health specialists when appropriate; (3) Realistic expectations setting; (4) Long-term support through transformation. Dr. Pyeon counsels patient mental wellbeing alongside physical treatment.
What language is the consultation?
Comprehensive obesity treatment consultations conducted in English by trained international patient coordinators with Dr. Hye-woo Pyeon. Translation in Chinese (中文) and Japanese (日本語) also available. Submit medical history, BMI, and goals via WhatsApp (+82-10-5088-8038), WeChat (artnercd), LINE (@157rmdez), or email (artnercd4@naver.com). Personalized treatment plan within 24 hours including medication options, body contouring recommendations, and long-term maintenance program.
