Key Points
Hospital Overview & Status
iLumi Plastic Surgery is a medium-sized plastic surgery clinic in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, with over 10 years of operation. Known for eyes, nose, facial contouring, and lifting, especially 'Bling Nose'.
Expertise of Director Heo Woo-jin
Board-certified plastic surgeon, graduated from Seoul National University College of Medicine, trained at Asan Medical Center. Pursues a 'Jaryeohan' style combining glamour and naturalness.
Duality of Reputation
Highly popular on platforms like Gangnam Unni (9.3+ rating), but mixed reputation on communities like Sungyesa, with 'blacklist' controversies and side effect concerns.
Safety & Post-Op Care
Emphasizes patient safety with resident board-certified anesthesiologists, CCTV in operating rooms (viewing procedures), and hyperbaric oxygen therapy for recovery.
Director Heo Woo-jin Profile
Education & Certification
- Graduated from Seoul National University College of Medicine.
- Completed plastic surgery residency and obtained board certification at Asan Medical Center.
- Graduated from the graduate school of plastic surgery at Asan Medical Center.
- Served as an advisory doctor and clinical professor at Asan Medical Center.
Major Career & Activities
- Currently, Representative Director of iLumi Plastic Surgery.
- Former director at Grand Plastic Surgery.
- Regular member of the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons.
- Regular member of the Korean Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
- Regular member of the Korean Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association.
Surgical Style & Philosophy: 'Jaryeohan' Line
Director Heo's surgical style is represented by the neologism 'Jaryeohan', a compound word of 'Natural' and 'Flashy', reflecting a trend that prefers distinct and sophisticated facial features while excluding artificial feelings.
- Values harmony fitting the patient's individual facial proportions.
- Accurately identifies patient's needs and proposes methods that complement shortcomings while saving individuality.
- Skillfully handles various materials like autologous costal cartilage and donated costal cartilage during nose surgery, focusing on minimizing side effects and increasing durability.
iLumi Plastic Surgery Information
Basic Information & Location
iLumi Plastic Surgery is located on the 6th and 8th floors of the Far East Building, 596 Gangnam-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. It is highly accessible, situated about a 2-minute walk from Exit 3 of Sinsa Station on Subway Line 3.
- Medical Hours: 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM on weekdays, until 5:00 PM on Saturdays, and closed on Sundays and public holidays.
- Established: Around 2015, currently possessing over 10 years of operating experience.
- Scale: Features a system where specialized medical staff collaborate by field, with resident anesthesiologists, characteristic of a medium-sized plastic surgery clinic.
Medical Philosophy & Systems
iLumi Plastic Surgery aims not only for external changes but also for the recovery of patients' psychological confidence. To this end, it advocates a systematic 'One-Stop System' from consultation to surgery, recovery, and post-operative care.
- Emphasizes possessing safety systems and emergency response systems at the university hospital level.
- Strives to resolve anxiety regarding substitute (ghost) surgery through a real-name system for medical staff.
Major Procedures & Specialties
iLumi Plastic Surgery covers general plastic surgery such as eyes, nose, facial contouring, breasts, and body shape, but shows particular strength in nose surgery and facial contouring.
Bling Nose Rhinoplasty (Bling-ko)
Signature procedure of Representative Director Heo Woo-jin, improving the nose bridge and nose tip to create a three-dimensional and sophisticated line.
- Technical Features: Implants (silicone, etc.) for the nose bridge for a smooth line; autologous cartilage (septal cartilage, ear cartilage, costal cartilage) for the nose tip for natural movement and a perky shape.
- Target: Applicable to various nose types such as bulbous, humped, short, and low noses, showing high satisfaction especially in revision surgery cases.
- Style: Focuses on implementing the 'Jaryeohan' style desired by the patient, such as a semi-curved line (jik-ban beoseon) or a straight line.
Facial Contouring & Double Chin Surgery
The Facial Contouring Center, led by Representative Director Hwang Chang-heon and Director Choi Sang-kyu, proceeds with surgery based on precise 3D CT analysis.
- V-fit Contouring: Includes cheekbone reduction, square jaw surgery, and chin tip surgery, maximizing frontal effect through cortical osteotomy as well as bone resection.
- Double Chin Muscle Tying: To improve double chins not resolved by simple liposuction, surgery to tie the muscles under the chin is performed in parallel to create a sharper jawline.
Eye Surgery and Middle-Aged Plastic Surgery
- Eye Surgery: Performs natural adhesion double eyelids, canthoplasty (epicanthoplasty, lateral, lowers, upper), and ptosis correction, enabling various designs from flashy in-out lines to natural in-lines.
- Middle-Aged Surgery: Improves sagging due to aging and resolves functional problems (obstructed vision, etc.) through upper blepharoplasty, lower blepharoplasty, and brow lifts.
Post-Operative Care System
To prevent side effects and ensure quick recovery after surgery, a hyperbaric oxygen therapy chamber has been introduced and is in operation.
- Effective in increasing oxygen concentration in the body to promote cell regeneration and reduce swelling.
- Receives positive responses especially from nose revision or facial contouring patients.
Reputation & Characteristics Analysis
The reputation of iLumi Plastic Surgery shows distinct differences depending on the platform, with positive evaluations and negative issues coexisting.
Positive Feedback
- High Ratings and Numerous Reviews: On the aesthetic medical information app 'Gangnam Unni', iLumi Plastic Surgery records a high score of 9.3 (out of 10) and holds over 8,000 cumulative reviews. The individual rating for Representative Director Heo Woo-jin is very high at 9.8.
- Aesthetic Satisfaction: Patients mainly express high satisfaction with the aesthetic results of the surgery, with dominant evaluations such as "He captures the flashy yet natural nose line I wanted well" and "There is little bruising and swelling even though it is a revision surgery".
- Systematic Consultation: It is cited as an advantage that they do not recommend unnecessary surgeries during consultation and explain the patient's condition objectively and honestly.
Negative Feedback & Controversies
- Blacklist and Search Restriction Controversies: In plastic surgery communities like 'Sungyesa', rumors that iLumi Plastic Surgery is included in a 'blacklist' or suspicions that searches were restricted at the hospital's request have been raised. This is often interpreted as backlash generated during reputation management.
- Concerns Regarding Past History: Director Heo Woo-jin's past employment at 'Grand Plastic Surgery' (known for past substitute surgery issues) acts as a concern for some patients. However, iLumi Plastic Surgery emphasizes transparency through a real-name system and CCTV.
- Side Effects and Complaints about Post-Response: Some reviews complain of side effects (inflammation, contracture, asymmetry) or dissatisfaction with the hospital's response (refusal of refund, avoidance of responsibility). Issues regarding reservation deposit refunds or the attitude of consultation managers are also noted.
Safety Systems
- Resident Anesthesiologist: For safe surgery, a board-certified anesthesiologist resides in the hospital and monitors the patient's anesthesia status in real-time.
- CCTV Installation and Viewing: CCTVs are installed in the operating rooms, and viewing is possible according to set procedures upon the request of the patient or guardian, acting as an important device to dispel suspicions of substitute surgery.
Comprehensive Analysis & Conclusion
iLumi Plastic Surgery is a hospital that has built a distinct brand identity in the Gangnam plastic surgery market with 'Jaryeohan' style nose surgery and facial contouring surgery. Representative Director Heo Woo-jin is a specialist who followed the elite course from Seoul National University Medical School and Asan Medical Center, drawing high patient satisfaction based on rich experience and trendy senses.
Points to Consider:
- Polarization of Reputation: Unlike high ratings in popular apps, critical views exist in professional communities regarding past history or marketing methods.
- Risk Management: There are concerns about 'ghost surgery' due to association with past workplaces, but the current hospital is actively clarifying this and strengthening safety through CCTV installation, a real-name system, and resident anesthesiologists.
- Importance of Post-Op Care: Although it has differentiated management systems such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy, there are some negative reviews regarding responses when side effects occur, so clear confirmation of this part is necessary during consultation.
In conclusion, iLumi Plastic Surgery can be a suitable option for patients who value aesthetic perfection and want the latest trend in plastic surgery. However, before deciding on surgery, it is recommended to accurately understand one's condition through sufficient consultation with the medical staff and carefully check the hospital's safety system and post-operative care policies (CCTV viewing, AS regulations, etc.).