Key Points
Specialized System
JW Jeongwon Plastic Surgery (established 2000) operates a "specialized center" system with board-certified surgeons focusing on specific anatomical areas like eyes, nose, and breast.
Dr. Choi Hong-rim's Expertise
Representative Director Dr. Choi Hong-rim is a renowned authority in periorbital rejuvenation, notably as a contributing author to *Neligan’s Plastic Surgery* (5th Edition) on Asian Blepharoplasty.
Signature Technique
Dr. Choi’s clinical signature is the integration of Lower Blepharoplasty with Midface Lifting (SOOF Lift), advocating for vertical midface elevation to restore a youthful lid-cheek boundary.
Safety & Ethics
The clinic strictly adheres to a "No Shadow Doctor" policy, boasts over 20 years of accident-free operations, and ensures the presence of full-time board-certified anesthesiologists.
Surgeon Profile: Dr. Choi Hong-rim
Education & Career
- Graduated from **Yonsei University College of Medicine**, obtained Ph.D. from the same institution.
- Completed residency and served as a specialist at Severance Hospital (Shinchon).
- Served as a Professor of Plastic Surgery at Gangnam Severance Hospital.
- Completed a fellowship at the Craniofacial Center of Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Taiwan.
- Completed an aesthetic surgery course at New York University (NYU).
Academic Contributions & Global Recognition
- Authored the chapter on **Asian Cosmetic Surgery** (eye surgery) in **"Neligan's Plastic Surgery" (5th Edition)**, a global standard textbook.
- Authored chapters in the Korean textbook *Aesthetic Plastic Surgery* (Vol 2, 1st and 2nd Editions).
- Published papers in *Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (PRS)* on "Pretarsal Augmented Lower Blepharoplasty" and midface lifting.
Hospital Information
History & Philosophy
Established in 2000, JW Jeongwon's philosophy is "The difference in skill is the difference in results." The clinic has maintained over 20 years without major medical accidents, emphasizing academic research and sub-specialization.
It operates on a **Specialized Center System** mimicking university hospitals, with dedicated centers for Eye, Rhinoplasty, Breast, and Anti-Aging/Lifting led by board-certified surgeons.
Location & Infrastructure
The clinic is located in the **JW Jeongwon Building** in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, near Samsung Jungang Station (Subway Line 9). It occupies floors 3 through 7, indicating a large-scale operation.
- **3rd Floor:** Reception, Waiting Area, Consultation, Treatment, Skin Care Center.
- **5th Floor:** Operating Rooms, Recovery Rooms, Inpatient Wards.
- **6th Floor:** Operating Rooms, Recovery, Inpatient Wards, Staff Cafeteria, CT/X-ray Imaging.
- **7th Floor:** Administrative and other facilities.
Safety & Medical Systems
- **Anesthesia Safety:** Employs full-time board-certified anesthesiologists and utilizes a "Safe Anesthesia Center" with pressure-sensitive equipment and real-time monitoring.
- **Emergency Protocols:** Equipped with Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS), Automated External Defibrillators (AED), and Dantrolene for critical emergencies.
- **Diagnostic Technology:** Uses 3D-CT scanners and 3D virtual surgery simulation systems for precise preoperative planning.
- **No Shadow Doctor Policy:** A strict ethical stance ensuring all surgeries are performed by the consulting surgeon.
Key Procedures & Methodology
Specialization: Midface-Lower Blepharoplasty (SOOF Lift)
Dr. Choi Hong-rim is recognized as a "Master of Eye Surgery," specializing in **Lower Blepharoplasty** and **Midface Lifting**. He argues that traditional methods focusing solely on skin excision and fat removal often lead to suboptimal results like hollowing, ectropion, and failure to address midface descent.
Anatomical Focus: The SOOF
The core of Dr. Choi's technique targets the **Sub-Orbicularis Oculi Fat (SOOF)**, a deep fat pad that descends with age, creating tear troughs and separating the eyelid from the cheek.
Surgical Technique
- **Incision:** Made just below the lower lash line (subciliary incision).
- **Release:** The tear trough ligament (orbitomalar ligament) is released.
- **Elevation (Lift):** Sagging midface tissues, especially the SOOF, are lifted vertically and anchored to the periosteum or orbital rim.
- **Fat Repositioning:** Orbital fat is repositioned, not removed, to fill hollows and create a smooth transition.
- **Muscle Suspension:** The orbicularis oculi muscle is tightened and suspended to prevent ectropion and maintain eye shape.
Expected Outcomes
- Restoration of the youthful "Ogee Curve" of the cheek.
- Shortening of the vertical length of the lower eyelid, a marker of youth.
- Minimization of ectropion risk due to upward support from the midface lift.
Revision Eye Surgery
Dr. Choi is also highly specialized in revision surgery, addressing complications from previous operations, such as:
- **"Sausage Eyes":** Thick, unnatural double eyelids.
- **Ectropion:** Eyelids turned outward due to excessive skin removal.
- **Asymmetry:** Uneven fold heights or shapes.
His revision approach involves meticulous scar tissue release and restoring disrupted anatomical planes.
Market Reputation & Patient Feedback
Positive Reputation
- **Technical Mastery:** Consistently praised for high technical skill, especially for complex revision cases and midface rejuvenation, often described as a "doctor's doctor."
- **Natural Aesthetics:** Known for natural results that restore harmony and functionality, avoiding an "overly plastic" look.
- **Detailed Consultations:** Patients report professional, academic-level explanations based on anatomy.
- **International Trust:** Strong reputation among international patients due to staff language capabilities and doctors' English communication skills.
Critiques & Considerations
- **High Cost:** Surgery fees are significantly higher than average, often justified by "university-level" care and safety systems.
- **Waiting Times:** Due to popularity, consultations can take several months to book, and surgery slots are often booked far in advance.
- **Conservative Approach:** Younger patients seeking dramatic, flashy changes might find Dr. Choi’s safety-first approach misaligned with their aesthetic desires.
- **Communication:** While Dr. Choi receives high praise, there are occasional mixed reviews regarding administrative staff efficiency or waiting experience in the busy clinic.
Conclusion
**JW Jeongwon Plastic Surgery** stands as a premier institution in the South Korean medical aesthetic market, distinguished by its adherence to principled, academic medicine over commercial trends. **Dr. Choi Hong-rim** exemplifies this ethos. His contribution to global medical textbooks (*Neligan's Plastic Surgery*) and his development of the **Midface-Lower Blepharoplasty (SOOF Lift)** technique position him not just as a surgeon, but as a thought leader in the field of periorbital rejuvenation.
For patients, JW Jeongwon represents a "safe harbor" choice—particularly for high-risk revision surgeries or complex anti-aging procedures—where the premium cost is exchanged for verified safety systems, board-certified expertise, and a philosophy deeply rooted in anatomical preservation and natural restoration. The clinic is best suited for patients prioritizing the following core values: