Key Insights
Specialized Focus: Only Obesity
The Skinny Clinic is a specialized medical institution focusing solely on body contouring and obesity treatment, excluding general plastic surgery or dermatology services.
Expert Medical Staff
Representative Director Kim Jin-seo is a board-certified family medicine specialist with extensive experience from Hanyang University, Yonsei Severance, and as Director of the Body Center at The Line Plastic Surgery.
Proprietary Procedure Programs
Major procedures include 'OPT Lipolysis Injection' (steroid/PPC-free), 'Calf MPT' (comprehensive muscle, fat, edema treatment), and 'Medical PT' (1:1 doctor coaching).
High Patient Satisfaction
Maintains high ratings (9+ on Gangnam Unni, 4.3+ on Sungyesa) attributed to direct director management, personalized consultation, and thorough post-care.
Representative Director Kim Jin-seo
Director Kim Jin-seo leads The Skinny Clinic, embodying a medical philosophy that combines expertise from family medicine with extensive experience in body contouring and obesity treatment.
Education & Board Certification
- Graduated from Hanyang University College of Medicine
- Completed training at Yonsei University Sinchon Severance Hospital
- Board-certified Family Medicine Specialist
Major Career & Academic Activities
- Former Director of the Liposuction Center at 'The Line Plastic Surgery'
- Regular Member of the Korean Society for the Study of Obesity
- Regular Member of the Korean Academy of Obesity & Body Shaping
- Regular Member of the Korean Academy of Obesity & Aesthetic Treatment
- Regular Member of the Korean Association of Obesity Researchers
- Regular Member of the Korean Society of Liposuction Surgery
Medical Style & Patient Communication
Patients frequently praise Director Kim for his detailed, non-pushy consultations. A distinctive feature is his close management through the 'Medical PT' program, where he provides direct feedback on daily diet and water intake via KakaoTalk, acting as a 'diet pacemaker' to help patients with mental management and adherence.
The Skinny Clinic: Philosophy & Location
Clinic Overview & Location
The Skinny Clinic is strategically located on the 9th floor of 483 Gangnam-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul (Banpo-dong, Cheongho Building), at the heart of Gangnam's aesthetic medicine district near Sinnonhyeon Station. It distinguishes itself from general beauty clinics by focusing its capabilities exclusively on obesity and body contouring, operating under the clear slogan: "Plastic surgery at a plastic surgery clinic, skin at a dermatology clinic, obesity/body shape at The Skinny Clinic."
Medical Philosophy: 'Researching Only Body Shapes'
The core philosophy of The Skinny Clinic is 'Selection and Concentration.' Director Kim Jin-seo prioritizes investing in body shape research over excessive promotion or marketing costs. This commitment translates into a 'trust-centered' treatment policy that eschews overtreatment, offering 1:1 customized solutions without unreasonable procedure recommendations. The clinic operates on a 'dedicated primary physician' system, where the representative director personally oversees the entire patient journey from consultation to procedure and progress checks, moving away from factory-style systems.
Key Clinical Programs & Procedures
1. OPT (One Point) Lipolysis Injection
The Skinny Clinic's flagship obesity treatment. It uses a proprietary drug formulation, purposefully excluding Steroids, PPC, and Hyaluronidase to ensure safety and minimize common side effects. The injection works by inducing the destruction of fat cells, leading to their discharge from the body and reducing the actual number of fat cells. The 'OPT Plus Injection' offers a higher concentration for areas with severe fibrous cellulite or rapid weight loss needs. Applicable to localized obesity areas like arms, abdomen, and thighs, it promises minimal pain and bruising, allowing immediate return to daily life.
2. Calf MPT (Muscle, Fat, Edema) Program
This signature procedure addresses calf thickening by targeting Muscle, Fat, and Edema through a comprehensive 5-step process:
- **Step 1 (Laser Management)**: Utilizes low-level laser, radiofrequency, and ESWT to improve circulation and loosen fat-edema bonds.
- **Step 2 (Design)**: Individualized design based on the calf's unique shape.
- **Step 3 (Injection Procedure)**: Injections targeting gastrocnemius and soleus muscles, blended with treatments for lower calf and ankle lines.
- **Step 4 (Drug Therapy)**: Prescription of blood circulation improvers for severe edema.
- **Step 5 (Lifestyle Correction)**: Director Kim Jin-seo provides personal lifestyle education for long-term maintenance.
3. Medical PT (Medical Personal Training)
A unique program that integrates hospital treatment with personalized lifestyle correction. The doctor provides 1:1 monitoring of the patient's diet, water intake, and overall lifestyle patterns. Through KakaoTalk, patients share their daily diet, receiving direct feedback and mental support from Director Kim, effectively preventing the yo-yo effect. This program has reported success stories, including significant weight loss and verified body fat reduction through InBody changes.
4. Other Procedures & Equipment
- **Liposuction**: Surgical liposuction is available when necessary, with specialized techniques for managing biobond and often not requiring compression garments.
- **Triple Body & Shock Wave**: Advanced equipment utilized for cellulite alleviation and elasticity improvement, employing medium-low frequency, low-level laser, and radiofrequency, alongside extracorporeal shock waves.
- **Titanium Lifting**: A face lifting device offering immediate lifting, tightening, and brightening effects without pain, featuring dual Stack mode and SHR mode.
Clinic Reputation & Patient Experience
Quantitative Evaluation
- **Gangnam Unni**: Rated 9.3/10.0 (over 110 evaluations), selected as an 'Excellent Hospital by Customer Evaluation'.
- **Sungyesa**: Rated 4.3/5.0 (33 evaluations), receiving decent recognition within the plastic surgery/procedure community.
Positive Evaluations (Pros)
- **Close Management by Representative Director**: Director Kim's direct involvement in consultation, procedures, and daily diet feedback is highly praised as a key differentiator from larger, more mechanical clinics.
- **No Overtreatment**: Many reviews commend his objective and honest explanations, avoiding recommendations for unnecessary procedures.
- **Facilities and Services**: Positive feedback for meticulous hygiene and convenient amenities, such as Aesop products and disposable underwear.
- **Systematic Data Management**: Regular InBody checks provide objective numerical changes, enhancing patient trust.
Negative Evaluations & Limitations (Cons & Limitations)
- **Difficulty in Verifying Dosage**: Some patients expressed a desire for clearer visual verification of drug dosage or product authenticity during injection procedures.
- **Efficiency vs. Number of Staff**: A subjective impression by some patients that the staff count appears high relative to customer volume, raising questions about workforce operation efficiency.
- **Individual Differences in Maintenance Period**: Reviews indicate that effects from Calf MPT may diminish after about a year, highlighting the need for continuous management rather than expecting permanent results.
- **Expectation Management for Dramatic Effects**: Realistic reviews acknowledge that while the director's honest consultation built trust, actual results might not always be dramatically transformative.
Comprehensive Conclusion
The Skinny Clinic, led by Representative Director Kim Jin-seo, has carved a distinct niche in the obesity treatment market by seamlessly integrating **'holistic management by a family medicine specialist'** with **'procedural techniques from a plastic surgery background.'** This approach positions it as an ideal clinic for patients who prioritize **private and systematic 1:1 management** over conventional, factory-style procedures.
The clinic's self-developed programs, such as OPT injection and Calf MPT, when combined with behavioral modification therapies like Medical PT, effectively address the modern trend in obesity treatment that aims for simultaneous body line improvement and lifestyle correction beyond simple weight loss. However, as with all non-surgical interventions, individual responses and the duration of effects can vary. Patients are therefore advised to approach procedures with a clear understanding of these aspects, fostering realistic expectations during consultation.