Dr. Ta-Ju Liu 2026-05-13 9 min
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Why Overseas Patients Need a 3-Day Window
Patients flying in from Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, Korea, or Malaysia often ask: "What's the minimum number of days I need to plan for?" The answer is at least 3 days, 2 nights. The reason isn't surgical complexity — it's that the first post-op dressing change has to happen at the clinic, and that step cannot be done on a plane or by yourself in a hotel.
This article lays out a complete 3-day itinerary template so overseas patients can plan flights, accommodation, and time off precisely — without realizing mid-trip that they didn't budget enough time.
3-Day Overview at a Glance
| Time of day | Day 1 Arrival | Day 2 Surgery | Day 3 Return |
| Morning | Fly into Kaohsiung | Arrive clinic, prep, surgery | Arrive clinic for first dressing change |
| Midday | Airport to hotel check-in | 1 hr post-op observation | Wound check, receive aftercare sheet |
| Afternoon | Clinic evaluation (~1.5 hrs) | Aftercare guidance, return to hotel | Fly home |
| Evening | Hotel rest (fast 6 hrs pre-op) | Hotel rest (no alcohol, no shower) | — |
Below we expand each day in detail.
Day 1: Arrival Day (Evaluation + Pre-Op Confirmation)
Arrive → hotel check-in
Kaohsiung International Airport is about 20–30 minutes from the city center by car. Choose a hotel near the MRT Red Line (Sanduo Shopping District, Formosa Boulevard, Kaohsiung Main Station) for short transit time to the clinic.
Drop off your luggage and head straight to the clinic — no need to spend the whole day resting at the hotel first.
Afternoon clinic evaluation (~1.5 hrs)
Your first clinic visit covers:
Dinner and rest
After the evaluation you can have a normal dinner (Kaohsiung has plenty of night markets and restaurants). But fasting must begin 6 hours before surgery — for a 9 AM surgery the next day, no solid food after 3 AM the night before.
Get to bed early; avoid alcohol, coffee, energy drinks. Before sleeping, prepare your surgery-day outfit (loose, button-up top to avoid pulling clothing over your head after surgery).
Day 2: Surgery Day (The Core Day)
Morning arrival
Arrive at the clinic at the scheduled time, ideally 30 minutes early.
On arrival:
Surgery (~1.5 hrs)
Rotational curettage works through a 4mm incision, removing apocrine glands under direct vision. During the procedure:
- You keep your arms raised
- Each side is treated separately, ~40–45 minutes per side
- You can talk to nursing staff or listen to music
Post-op observation and return to hotel
After surgery:
After returning to the hotel:
- No alcohol, no shower
- Keep arms naturally lowered, do not raise or move them broadly
- Sleep on your back; pillows can support your arms
- A hotel with elevators and short walking distance is ideal
Most patients feel underarm tightness and mild pain on the surgery night, manageable with prescribed pain medication.
Day 3: Return Day (Dressing Change + Wound Check)
Morning clinic visit for first dressing change
Arrive at the scheduled time (typically morning). The first dressing change covers:
Afternoon return flight
Travel notes:
- Keep arms lowered, no broad raising (avoid over-stretching the wound)
- Standard airport security is fine (no implants involved with rotational curettage)
- Aisle seat recommended so bathroom trips don't require reaching over others
- During the flight do gentle foot/finger movement to avoid circulation issues from sitting still
Most overseas patients fly home same day without issues. If your flight is over 6 hours or you have special circumstances, ask the doctor whether an extra day in Kaohsiung is recommended.
Pre-Trip Checklist
Essential:- Passport, flight tickets, immigration form
- NT$ cash + credit card (some self-pay items accept cards)
- Loose, button-up tops ×2–3 (no pullovers, no tight-fitting)
- Prescription medications (e.g., daily blood pressure or diabetes meds — inform the doctor in advance)
- Personal toiletries
- Large towel (for use in the hotel)
- Charger, power bank
- Translation app or dictionary (the clinic provides 4-language support, but it's good to have a backup)
- Medical dressings (clinic provides)
- Pain meds, antibiotics (clinic prescribes)
Hotel and Dining Recommendations
Hotel selection priorities:- Close to the clinic (10-min walk or 1–2 MRT stops)
- Has elevators (arms restricted post-op; avoid stairs)
- Private bathroom in the room
- 24-hour check-in/out flexibility helps
- Day 1 evening: normal dining, but avoid alcohol and very spicy food
- Day 2 all day: fast pre-op; light meal post-op evening
- Day 3 breakfast: normal dining
Language Support and Follow-Up
In-clinic 4-language support
The clinic offers consultation in zh-TW / en / ja / ko. Overseas patients can:
- Pre-trip consult via LINE / Email in your native language
- Use translation support during in-person visits
- Receive a 4-language aftercare sheet
Remote post-op follow-up
Returning home doesn't end follow-up. The clinic schedules:
- Day 7 post-op: LINE 1-on-1 review (send wound photos)
- 1 month post-op: photo review of skin flap recovery
- 3 months post-op: another photo review confirming no recurrence signs
- Long-term follow-up: optional revisits at year 1, year 5, year 10 (most overseas patients handle this remotely via photos)
FAQ
Can I shorten this to 2 days?
Not recommended. The Day 3 first dressing change is a key post-op checkpoint — and that step cannot be done at the hotel or airport. A small number of patients choose a tight Day 2 afternoon surgery + Day 3 morning dressing schedule, but it adds discomfort to the recovery. We recommend at least 3 days, 2 nights.
Can a family member come along?
Yes, and it's recommended. Having someone with you on surgery day helps with luggage, helps you back to the hotel (arm motion is restricted post-op), and makes the whole flow much smoother. Family members don't need to enter the surgery room; they can wait in the clinic's waiting area.
Any hotel suggestions on a tight budget?
Kaohsiung business hotels run NT$2,000–4,000 per night. There are many options along the MRT Red Line (Sanduo, Central Park, Formosa Boulevard). The key isn't star rating — it's "close to the clinic + has elevators." Post-op arm restriction makes every saved 5 minutes of walking matter.
Can I go back to work right away after returning home?
Arm motion is restricted for 1–2 weeks after rotational curettage — no overhead arm motion, no weight training, no swimming. If your job is desk-based with limited arm activity, you can resume in 2–3 days after returning. If your work involves heavy lifting or large arm motion, plan 7–10 days off.
What if there's a problem after I return home?
If you notice wound redness, fever, or unusual discharge after returning home, send photos to the clinic via LINE immediately — the doctor will assess whether local care or a return visit is needed. Most situations can be guided remotely. For emergencies needing local treatment, the clinic can provide an English medical summary for your local doctor's reference.
Conclusion
For overseas patients coming to Kaohsiung for bromhidrosis surgery, 3 days, 2 nights is the recommended minimum:
- Day 1: arrival + evaluation
- Day 2: surgery + observation + hotel rest
- Day 3: first dressing change + return flight
Pre-trip essentials are loose button-up tops, prescription medications, and cash. The clinic provides 4-language support and remote post-op follow-up, so most follow-up after you return home can be handled via LINE photos.
If you're planning a trip to Kaohsiung for surgery, Dr. Ta-Ju Liu's team can help arrange the pre-op consultation, confirm a surgery slot, and provide hotel and transit suggestions. With 20 years dedicated to axillary bromhidrosis treatment and over 10,000 cases, the team is happy to help you plan a complete itinerary.
This article is educational. Individual results may vary; actual treatment requires in-person evaluation by Dr. Ta-Ju Liu.