In-Depth Analysis Report

Bywon Clinic

Representative Director Lee Jae-won

Safety-Based Design Liposuction Specialist Scar Minimization

Key Insights

Expertise & Identity

Bywon Clinic specializes in liposuction and fat grafting, located in Sinsa-dong, Gangnam. Director Lee Jae-won, a Yonsei University College of Medicine graduate, founded the clinic after extensive experience at major obesity clinics (365mc, Lamar). The core philosophy emphasizes harmony between 'safety' and 'ideal body lines' over large-volume suction.

Director's Philosophy

Director Lee champions the '10,000-hour rule', rejecting factory-style systems. He prioritizes 'design' tailored to each patient's body type and uses social media like YouTube to openly discuss liposuction's side effects (biobonds) and limitations (post-op weight management), building trust through honesty.

Procedures & Technology

Key procedures include arm, abdomen, and thigh liposuction, along with hip line contouring. Notably, the 'Hidden Card' arm liposuction uses an incision inside the armpit to minimize visible scars. The clinic employs high-end devices like VASER2 and EVA to reduce tissue damage and maintain skin elasticity.

Reputation & Market

Patient feedback is largely positive, praising honest consultations and line improvements. However, long waiting times sometimes lead to a 'factory-style' perception. Opinions vary for patients seeking extreme fat removal, as the director pursues natural lines. Pricing is positioned between premium and mass market, with event prices around 1M KRW for arms and 3M KRW for thighs.

Clinic Overview

1.1 Hospital Overview

Bywon Clinic is a medical institution located at 3rd Floor, KBL Building, 110 Dosan-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (Nonhyeon-dong). Situated near Exit 1 of Sinsa Station, it boasts excellent accessibility and specializes in fat plastic surgery (liposuction, fat grafting).

The hospital's English name, 'BYWON', combines 'Won' from the last character of Director Lee Jae-won's name and 'By', implying "Trusted treatment by Director Lee Jae-won."

1.2 Founding Philosophy: The 10,000-Hour Rule

The establishment of Bywon Clinic is deeply rooted in Malcolm Gladwell's '10,000-hour rule'. Director Lee Jae-won opened the clinic under his own name after accumulating over 10 years and more than 10,000 liposuction cases since 2004.

This signifies his commitment to providing "honest and upright thinking" beyond the experiences within large hospital systems. The clinic's slogan, "Dr. Lee Jae-won, who designs fat," reflects its aim for body correction from an aesthetic perspective, not just simple fat removal.

Director Lee Jae-won: In-Depth Profile

2.1 Education & Specialist Qualifications

  • Graduated from Yonsei University College of Medicine.
  • Completed residency at Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University.
  • Specialist qualification: Family Medicine Specialist.
  • This background enables a comprehensive approach to obesity and body management.

2.2 Major Career & Activities

Career History:

  • **Former Director of 365mc Surgery Center**: Experienced large volume of surgical cases.
  • **Former Director of Gangnam Samsung Lamar Surgery Center**: Acquired various surgical techniques.
  • **Former Director of Image Up Plastic Surgery Surgery Center**: Gained aesthetic sense for body correction.

Academic & Professional Activities:

  • Director, Korean Society for Liposuction Surgery
  • Regular Member, Korean Society for the Study of Obesity
  • Member, Korean Society for the Study of Obesity and Korean Academy of Obesity & Aesthetic Body Contouring
  • Regular Member, Severance Aesthetic Research Society
  • Lipomatic EVA Key Doctor (recognized expertise in medical device operation/education)

2.3 Medical Philosophy & Communication Style

Director Lee's most significant characteristics are 'honesty' and 'realistic advice'. Through his YouTube channel and consultations, he promotes the following philosophies:

  1. Safety-Centrism: Emphasizes "doing it safely doesn't mean removing less," pursuing maximum effects within guaranteed safety rather than unreasonable surgery.
  2. Setting Realistic Expectations: Clarifies that liposuction is not a magic solution for dieting. He warns of yo-yo effects without diet/exercise and medically explains the necessity of post-op weight management.
  3. Rejecting Factory Systems: Critiques large hospital systems where consultation, surgery, and post-op care are separated. He aims for a system where he is directly involved from consultation to aftercare.

Signature Procedures & Techniques

Bywon Clinic specializes in fat plastic surgery, offering customized surgical methods for each body part, focusing on precision and aesthetic outcomes.

3.1 Arm Liposuction: 'Hidden Card' Technique

  • **Technical Features**: Utilizes an incision inside the armpit, unlike general arm liposuction which incises at the elbow. Named 'Hidden Card' to minimize visible scars.
  • **Surgical Goal**: Aims to create a 'right-angle shoulder' line from all views, covering a wide area up to the back line without an elbow incision.
  • **Equipment Utilization**: Applies a complex process: VASER2 ultrasound for fat melting and elasticity, EVA for vibrational fat suction, followed by manual line refining.

3.2 Thigh and Abdomen Liposuction

  • **Thigh 360-Degree Liposuction**: Suctions the entire thigh cylindrically for a balanced line. Integrates 'hip line reconstruction' to prevent buttock sagging and achieve a hip-up effect.
  • **Abdomen Liposuction**: 1:1 custom design considering individual body type and muscle development, adhering to the principle of minimal incision.

3.3 Hip Line Contouring and Reconstruction

  • Director Lee excels in reconstruction surgeries that restore the hip line (gluteal fold) damaged by incorrect liposuction, going beyond simple hip-ups.
  • **Hip Line Reconstruction**: Addresses side effects like sagging buttocks or lengthened creases by combining high-difficulty fat grafting and suction to fill volume and lift the line.

3.4 Anesthesia and Safety Systems

  • **Anesthesia Protocol**: Avoids sole propofol use during sleep anesthesia, equipped with thorough monitoring systems. The operating surgeon fully understands and controls the patient's condition.
  • **Sterile System**: Equipped with sterilization and disinfection systems, and air showers to prevent infection.

Patient Feedback & Market Perception

4.1 Positive Evaluations

  • Professionalism and Honesty in Consultation: Director Lee's consultations are praised for being specific and realistic, building trust by clearly outlining limitations and offering tailored advice.
  • Natural Lines: High satisfaction among patients who prefer natural, smooth lines over 'bone arms' or 'bone thighs' from excessive fat removal.
  • Post-operative Care: Positive evaluation for active post-operative care, including high-frequency management, ultrasound, and proactive management of 'biobonds'.

4.2 Negative Evaluations & Concerns

  • Waiting Time and 'Factory-Type' Controversy: Some reviews mention long waiting times, leading to a 'factory-type hospital' feeling, possibly due to the director's personal involvement in all stages.
  • Cost: Perceived as somewhat high compared to other hospitals. While a premium strategy, it can be a barrier for budget-conscious patients.
  • Conservative Suction Volume: Patients desiring extreme fat removal ('only bones') may find the director's safety-oriented, natural style leads to a perception of less fat removed.

4.3 Online Community Reputation

  • Sungyesa: "Real reviews" share high trust in the director's confidence and line design ability, alongside mentions of waiting times or costs.
  • Gangnam Unni/Babitalk: Maintains high satisfaction ratings (4.8-9.6 out of 10). Many apply for consultations driven by event prices (arms ~1M KRW, thighs ~3M KRW), acknowledging actual quotes may increase based on body type.

Conclusion & Comprehensive Analysis

Bywon Clinic and Representative Director Lee Jae-won are establishing a clear positioning of "Safety-based Customized Design" in Korea's competitive cosmetic surgery market.

Exceptional Expertise

Director Lee's extensive experience (over 10,000 cases) and independence from factory-style systems ensure personalized, high-quality care.

Advanced Technical Skills

Signature procedures like arm liposuction via axillary incision ('Hidden Card') and hip line reconstruction are strong appeals for detail-oriented patients.

Patient-Centric Approach

The clinic targets patients prioritizing safe, high-quality lines, and scar minimization, willing to invest for superior, natural results.

While honest and professional consultation is a significant advantage, managing waiting times and aligning patient expectations regarding cost and conservative suction volume remain key areas for refinement.