Gangnam Seoyeon Plastic Surgery: Clearing Up Misconceptions (PART II)

I have written about this before, but since some controversies seem to have resurfaced recently, I am writing once more.

Dispelling stereotypes and ending false rumors about Gangnam Seoyeon Plastic Surgery .. : Naver Blog

‘Director, how long does the surgery take?’

I would like to state once again that our clinic does not operate on a fixed schedule. During the procedure, I have the patient sit up to check the progress and only finish once I am satisfied with the results. There is no set time limit.

However, most surgeries are completed within an hour. In cases where there is minimal bleeding, double eyelid surgery (including revision) can sometimes be finished within 30 minutes.

Most of our staff members have been with us for a long time; four of them have worked with me for over 10 years. That is more than half of our team.

In the operating room, I perform the surgery while seated, but to maintain focus, the surgical assistant stands to assist. While they could sit, doing so during a long procedure might lead to drowsiness. If a surgery drags on and the anesthesia wears off, additional anesthetic injections are required, which leads to more swelling.

To prevent this, our clinic focuses on completing surgeries efficiently in a short time. Fast progress eliminates the need for extra injections and reduces bleeding. This results in less swelling and a faster recovery.

Our surgical staff are all highly experienced, with no new recruits (as of May 11, 2025).

For the record, I rarely speak to the staff during surgery. I hardly ever need to ask for instruments because they are so experienced that they provide exactly what I need before I even ask, making the surgery incredibly fast.

Some patients misunderstand and think that a fast surgery means it is being done carelessly. But think about it: most revision patients come to our clinic—did they end up needing a revision because their first surgery was done too quickly?

Of course, the surgery is performed meticulously, but the speed is fast. Have you seen the recent drama ‘Trauma Center’ starring Ju Ji-hoon?

The character Baek Kang-hyuk performs a kidney transplant in just 24 minutes—much faster than other doctors—and shows incredible speed in liver transplants as well.

Baek Kang-hyuk’s god-like medical skills unfold in this webtoon-based drama.. : Naver Blog

Back when I was at a university hospital, I was even requested by the General Surgery department to perform hepatic artery sutures during liver transplants. I take great pride in my speed with microvascular suturing.

To summarize: after the surgery, I always have the patient sit up to check the results. If it looks good, we finish; if not, they lie back down for further adjustments. Someone on an online community claimed I don’t check after surgery, but I have video evidence of every patient sitting up post-op. It is more likely that they simply don’t remember due to the effects of sedation.

Regarding sedation, we use conscious sedation. We induce a light sleepiness at the start, administer local anesthesia, and then proceed while the patient is conscious.

2. Is the Director ‘unfriendly’?

My personality type is what people call a ‘T’ (Thinking). Many who visit our clinic are unfortunately seeking revisions because their first surgery didn’t go well. They often come with emotional wounds, hoping for improvement in scarring or functional issues like the inability to close their eyes or a pulling sensation.

Let me be clear: I do not perform surgery solely for scarring or functional issues. My primary goal is aesthetic improvement, and I perform every surgery to the best of my ability following medical principles. This is because aesthetic correction often leads to functional improvement as well.

Scarring is largely determined during the previous surgery. The more tissue that was removed previously, the harder it is to improve the scar. Specifically, if the orbicularis oculi muscle is gone and the area is sunken, I cannot recreate tissue that no longer exists.

Functional issues often improve if adhesions are properly released and tissues are repositioned correctly, but since every patient’s sensation is different, no one can guarantee the outcome. When I explain these situations objectively, I tell patients what cannot be improved. Some people find this ‘cold’ and feel despaired. However, would it not be sadder to give false hope, make promises, and then fail to meet their expectations? I have seen cases where patients went elsewhere after a consultation with me because another clinic promised to fix their scars and functional issues, only to end up with worse aesthetics and more severe scarring. I simply cannot lie.

https://blog.naver.com/medicdoctor/223580494740

I can only say that I will do my best. While most cases show significant improvement, I cannot offer a guarantee. If asked if a perfect correction is possible, I have no choice but to say, ‘I cannot guarantee it.’

https://blog.naver.com/medicdoctor/221998532131

3. ‘I’m afraid to get my first surgery there because they only do revisions.’

Primary surgeries are easier because the tissue is ‘clean.’ For the record, I have participated as an author in the ‘Aesthetic Plastic Surgery’ textbook twice in a row.

https://blog.naver.com/medicdoctor/223110777767

Naturally, I am highly proficient in primary surgeries and have performed several ‘Live Surgery’ demonstrations for other plastic surgeons. I believe my surgical skills are something I can be proud of anywhere.

I am well-versed in various techniques to minimize scarring, so please feel confident in choosing us for your first surgery.

4. ‘The Director only seems to do eyes; can I get a lifting, nose job, or laser treatment?’

What are you talking about? I have been in private practice for 10 years now, and I work diligently on all other procedures as well. In fact, at the clinic where I worked previously, rhinoplasty was my main focus alongside eye surgery. A nose job also takes about an hour. I also perform facelifts and brow lifts. Furthermore, I am proficient with the latest HIFU devices like Ulthera and RF lasers like Oligio (Celf). You can receive these treatments without any worry.

--------------------------------------------------------------- Updated May 20, 2025

Someone informed me of something just before a surgery today. Apparently, there is someone spreading groundless rumors about our clinic. I once caught another clinic doing this in the past. This person claims they ‘heard from someone else that a friend’s surgery failed’ at our clinic. I am warning you... if you defame our reputation like this, and if a specific clinic is involved, I can track you down.

This rumor is as absurd as hearing a celebrity has a disease while riding a bus. It’s not the person themselves, nor even their direct friend, but ‘someone’s friend heard from someone else’... it makes no sense. While individual dissatisfaction can exist, I have never had to use my medical malpractice insurance due to a surgical complication (as of May 20, 2025). I have been insured for 14 years and remain accident-free. Personal dissatisfaction cannot be labeled a ‘failed surgery.’