Gangnam Seoyon Plastic Surgery · Chief Director Choi Dong-il Analysis Report

Executive Summary

Clarity of Specialization

Director Choi Dong-il is a board-certified plastic surgeon with over 20 years of experience, specializing in High-difficulty Eye Revision Surgery, Two-line Method, Early Correction, and Ptosis Correction using Conjoined Fascial Sheath (CFS).

Academic Foundation

He serves as General Affairs Director of the Eye Plastic Surgery Research Council and Scientific Director of KAOS, having published numerous SCI-level papers, solidifying his position as a 'researching doctor'.

Operational Philosophy

Despite experience at large hospitals, he adheres to a 1:1 dedicated care system, free of Ghost Surgery, prioritizing patient safety and precise results with a conservative, principled approach.

Market Reputation

Evaluated highly in plastic surgery communities for re-operating on 'Extreme Eyes' and resolving 'Sausage Eyes', gaining trust for honest counseling that avoids overtreatment and explains realistic limitations.

Hospital Overview & Philosophy

Basic Hospital Information

Hospital Name: Gangnam Seoyon Plastic Surgery Clinic
Chief Director: Dr. Choi Dong-il
Location: 2nd Floor, 20, Gangnam-daero 154-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (Near Sinsa Station)
Clinic Hours: Weekdays 09:30 ~ 18:30, Saturdays 09:30 ~ 16:30 (Closed on Sundays)
Scale: A private boutique-style clinic equipped with operating rooms, recovery rooms (5 beds), and consultation rooms.

Clinical Philosophy: "Principle-Centered 1:1 Responsible Care"

The most significant feature of Gangnam Seoyon Plastic Surgery is the 'Single Representative Director Responsible Care System', which complements the shortcomings of large hospital systems.

Eradication of Surrogate Surgery: The clinic secures patient trust by specifying that the representative director performs all surgeries without Shadow Doctors or Pay Doctors.
Conservative Approach: He does not recommend unnecessary surgeries and adheres to an honest counseling style, advising against surgery if medical improvement is impossible or the risk is high.
Restoration: Beyond simple aesthetic improvement, the focus is on 'reconstructive plastic surgery' to repair tissue damage caused by previous surgical failures.

Medical Profile Analysis: Chief Director Choi Dong-il

Education & Certification

Education: Graduated from Hallym University College of Medicine and obtained a Ph.D. in Medicine from the same graduate school (2003).
Certification: Board Certified Plastic Surgeon (2008).
Professorship: Served as Adjunct Professor of Plastic Surgery at Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital and Adjunct Professor of Plastic Surgery at Korea University College of Medicine.

Professional Experience

Former Director at BK Plastic Surgery (2011~2013): Experienced various international patients and high-difficulty cases.
Former Director at Regen Plastic Surgery (2013~2015): Deepened expertise in eye surgery department.
Current Chief Director at Gangnam Seoyon Plastic Surgery (2015~Present): Practicing as representative director for nearly 10 years.

Academic Activities & Positions

Eye Plastic Surgery Research Council: Served as General Affairs Director (2016~2018) and Scientific Committee Chair.
Korean Academy of Oculoplastic Surgery (KAOS): Served as Scientific Director since 2022.
International Activities: Regular member of ICOPLAST and IPRAS.

Key Publications

"Incisional Ptosis Correction with Hidden Double Fold in Asian Patients" (Aesthetic Plast Surg, 2019): Theoretical background for male eye surgery.
"Reconstruction of Medial Epicanthal Fold Using V-Y Advancement and Turnover Flap" (J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg, 2020): Study on epicanthoplasty reconstruction.
"Reducing the Volume of Upper Eyelids in East Asians Increases Vertical Palpebral Height" (Aesthetic Plast Surg, 2023): Recent study on upper eyelid volume and eye-opening power.

Co-operating Medical Staff

In addition to Director Choi Dong-il, Director Hong Ji-hyun (Family Medicine Specialist) resides in the clinic, managing patient's overall health before and after surgery. An Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine specialist (Director Yang Myo-jin) is also specified as being responsible for anesthesia safety.

Clinical Specializations

Advanced Eye Revision Surgery

Sausage Eye Correction: Lowering and naturalizing excessively high and thick double eyelid lines.
Two-line Method (Line Lowering): Releases existing high double eyelid adhesions and creates a new line below.
Scar and Adhesion Removal: Precisely dissects severe scars or tissue adhesions from previous surgeries.

Ptosis Correction using Conjoined Fascial Sheath (CFS)

Indications: Used for severe ptosis difficult to correct with standard methods, or where levator muscle is damaged.
Technical Characteristics: Strengthens eye-opening power by connecting common fascia, requiring deep anatomical knowledge.

Early Revision

Golden Time: Intervenes within 2 weeks for severe functional problems (lagophthalmos, asymmetry) before tissue hardens.
Cases: Early correction of pulling symptoms or multiple folds from overcorrection.

Male Eye Surgery

Characteristics: Applies the 'Hidden Double Fold' method to increase pupil exposure without a visible double eyelid line, creating clear, defined, natural eyes.

Other Major Procedures

Rhinoplasty: Performs nose surgery and revision using autologous tissues, emphasizing facial harmony.
Anti-aging/Lifting: Provides anti-aging procedures linked with middle-aged eye surgery (Upper/Lower Blepharoplasty).

Market Reputation & Feedback Analysis

Positive Evaluations (Strengths)

Expertise and Technical Skills: Perceived as the clinic for "Extreme Eyes" cases rejected by others, highly trusted for restoring eyes ruined multiple times.
Honest and Objective Counseling: Clearly states "what can't be done, can't be done," explaining limitations without exaggeration to prevent post-operative dissatisfaction.
Responsibility: Many reviews note intraoperative checks and thorough personal post-operative progress checks by the director.
Low Reliance on Marketing: Image of a hospital operating on word-of-mouth and skill rather than flashy advertisements.

Negative/Mixed Evaluations (Weaknesses/Mixed Reviews)

Counseling Style Preferences: Concise and firm (bluntness) style may be perceived as "cold" or "lacking empathy" by some, suitable for those who prefer a clinical diagnosis.
Conservative Aesthetic Standards: Preference for natural and restoration-focused results over flashy, 'Dolly eyes' may not align with all patient desires for trendy styles.
Wait Times: As a single-director system, prolonged surgeries or consultation backlogs may lead to wait times.

Standing within Communities

In plastic surgery communities like 'Sungyesa,' Director Choi Dong-il is frequently mentioned as one of the 'Authorities on Eye Revision Surgery.' He is often included in recommended lists for keywords like "Sausage eye two-line method" or "Early revision surgery."

Comprehensive Analysis & Conclusion

Gangnam Seoyon Plastic Surgery and Chief Director Choi Dong-il are analyzed as a clinic focusing on 'Medical Essence' rather than flashy marketing.

Expertise: Director Choi Dong-il has built a unique domain, particularly in the fields of Eye Revision Surgery and High-difficulty Ptosis Correction, by combining vast clinical data accumulated through large hospitals like BK and Regen with continuous academic research (papers, society activities).
Trust: Through a single representative director system, the risk of surrogate surgery is fundamentally blocked, and trust is formed with patients by providing consistent care from consultation to surgery and post-operative management.
Target Patient:
- Revision surgery patients suffering from previous eye surgery failures (Sausage eyes, scars, asymmetry, functional side effects).
- Patients wanting natural restoration and functional recovery rather than flashiness.
- Patients wanting objective and cool-headed medical opinions.

In conclusion, Gangnam Seoyon Plastic Surgery can be evaluated as an optimized medical institution for patients needing 'Plastic Surgery from a Therapeutic Perspective' and 'Reconstructive Plastic Surgery' rather than trendy cosmetic surgery. Director Choi's academic background and conservative surgical tendency serve as key factors enhancing the safety of surgery and predictability of results.