TS Plastic Surgery · Lee Sang-kyun Analysis Report

Key Summary

Hospital Overview

TS Plastic Surgery is a large plastic surgery clinic located in Rex Tower near Sinsa Station in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, specializing in facial contouring, eye revision surgery, and rhinoplasty.

Representative Director

Representative Director Lee Sang-kyun is a board-certified plastic surgeon, Korea University graduate, holding a US medical license (USMLE) and trained at MD Anderson. He emphasizes detailed 0.2mm design and safety.

Key Procedures

Representative procedures include 'Dual Fix Zygoma Reduction', 'Sausage Eye Revision', and 'Autologous Rib Rhinoplasty', with high recognition in high-difficulty revision surgeries.

Reputation & Controversy

Positive evaluations for technical proficiency exist alongside negative issues, such as allegations of medical malpractice, ghost surgery controversies, and mentions in 'blacklists'.

Representative Director Lee Sang-kyun

Education & Career

Graduated from Korea University College of Medicine and obtained board certification in plastic surgery.
Completed a fellowship at MD Anderson Medical Center (US) and holds a US Medical License (USMLE).
Active member of prestigious societies: Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, Korean Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, IPRAS, ASAPS.

Medical Philosophy & Style

Emphasizes "adhering to basics" and "detail," with an "Aesthetics of 0.2mm" in precise design.
Reinterprets the "Golden Ratio" to suit individual patient's unique features.
Adopts a "Psychological Approach," providing sincere counseling by understanding patients' underlying motivations.

Hospital Information

Location & Scale

TS Plastic Surgery is located on the 12th and 13th floors of Rex Tower, 108 Dosan-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Situated near Exit 1 of Sinsa Station, it boasts excellent accessibility in the heart of Gangnam's plastic surgery cluster.

The hospital operates as a medium-to-large scale facility with separate floors for counseling, operating rooms, and recovery rooms, and houses multiple resident specialists.

Medical Safety System

The hospital emphasizes patient safety and has implemented a robust safety system:

CCTV Installation & Observation: Operating rooms are equipped with CCTVs, allowing guardians to monitor surgical processes to address ghost surgery concerns.
Resident Anesthesiologist: An anesthesiology and pain medicine specialist is always present to manage anesthesia safety.
Infection Control: A university-hospital-level Air Shower system maintains a sterile surgical environment.

Key Clinical Fields & Procedure Features

Facial Contouring

Dual Fix Zygoma Reduction: Utilizes a double-fixing method for the bone to prevent non-union or cheek sagging, a common concern in cheekbone reduction.
Square Jaw & Chin Surgery: Focuses on refining the jaw angle and slimming the chin with consideration for overall facial harmony, avoiding excessive bone resection.

Eye Surgery & Revision

Sausage Eye Revision (Double Line Tying): Specializes in correcting unnatural, excessively high and thick double eyelid lines ('sausage eyes') by releasing adhesions and lowering the line for a natural look.
Natural Adhesion & Canthoplasty: For first-time patients, this method creates a natural, non-unraveling double eyelid line combined with canthoplasty to extend the eye's horizontal length.

Rhinoplasty

Autologous Rib Rhinoplasty: Employs autologous rib cartilage instead of artificial implants to minimize side effects, strengthen nose tip support, primarily for high-difficulty cases like contracture nose revision.
Balance Rhinoplasty: Prioritizes balancing the overall facial line from forehead to chin tip, rather than simply increasing nose height.

Reputation Analysis

Positive Reviews

Expertise in Revision Surgery: Many patients praise successful corrections of failed surgeries from other hospitals, often referring to it as their "last revision surgery hospital."
Quality of Counseling: Director Lee Sang-kyun's counseling is frequently described as specific and professional, building trust by offering achievable results based on precise analysis.
Natural Results: The clinic is often evaluated for pursuing natural aesthetic outcomes that complement individual patient features, rather than overly flashy styles.

Negative Reviews & Limitations

Wait Times & Cost: Due to popularity, patients often report long waiting times for both consultation and surgery, and surgical costs are noted as relatively high when designating the representative director.
Post-operative Care: Some reviews mention long waiting times during post-surgery swelling management or progress checks, and occasional feedback about lacking staff responsiveness.

Controversies & Issues

Connection to Medical Accidents & Media Reports

In April 2022, MBC Newsdesk reported cases of patient death or serious side effects (e.g., nose necrosis) at a renowned Gangnam plastic surgery clinic. The report linked a death during facial contouring and a necrosis incident to the hospital, leading online communities to identify TS Plastic Surgery based on circumstantial evidence.

Allegations of Substitute Surgery (Ghost Surgery) & Nurse Suturing

Media reports and police investigations raised allegations that nurses, not doctors, performed suturing, and anesthesiologists managed multiple operating rooms concurrently. These claims led to police search and seizure and investigation for medical law violations.

'Blacklist' Inclusion & Consumer Caution

Due to the aforementioned events, TS Plastic Surgery has been mentioned in informal 'blacklists' circulated among plastic surgery community users, prompting consumers to inquire if it is a "hospital to avoid."

The hospital has responded by strengthening marketing efforts, emphasizing its CCTV observation system and implementing a real-name system to restore trust, while also managing false or slanderous posts online.

Conclusion

TS Plastic Surgery and Representative Director Lee Sang-kyun present two conflicting images: 'high-difficulty revision surgery technical prowess' and 'past safety-related controversies'.

1. Expertise Aspect: Director Lee Sang-kyun is recognized for excellent skills in facial contouring and eye revision surgery, backed by impressive credentials and extensive clinical experience. Many patients express satisfaction with his aesthetic sense and surgical results.
2. Risk Aspect: Past allegations of medical accidents and ghost surgery controversies reported in the media constitute significant risk factors that must be carefully considered when choosing the hospital.

Therefore, patients considering this hospital are strongly recommended to undertake active safety verification procedures. This includes confirming the surgical plan through direct consultation with the representative director, and re-confirming the availability of operating room CCTV observation and the presence of a resident anesthesiologist.

Core Values for Consideration

Expertise

Evaluate the director's renowned technical skills and extensive experience in complex revision surgeries.

Patient Safety Focus

Verify the hospital's implemented safety measures, including CCTV and resident anesthesiologists.

Informed Decision

Acknowledge past controversies and engage in thorough due diligence before making a choice.