Umnagumo Plastic Surgery · Dr. Um Soon-chan Analysis Report

Key Insights

Specialization

Umnagumo Plastic Surgery focuses almost exclusively on **breast augmentation and reconstruction**, renowned for its adherence to the "Nagumo Method."

Leadership

Led by **Dr. Um Soon-chan**, a plastic surgeon with extensive training and leadership roles in Japan (Kyoto University, Nagumo Clinic Tokyo).

Surgical Philosophy

Distinct for its strong preference for the **transaxillary (armpit) incision** using endoscopy and rapid surgery (approx. 40–50 minutes).

Market Position

Maintains a **"fixed-price" policy** with no discounts, cultivating an image of an "artisan" or "master" clinic.

Medical Staff and Leadership

Representative Director

Dr. Um Soon-chan

Education and Early Training

Graduated from **Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine** (Korea)
Residency in Plastic Surgery at **Kyoto University Hospital** (Japan)
Ph.D. in Surgery (Medical Science) from **Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine**

Professional Experience

**Chief Physician** at **Nagumo Clinic** in Tokyo, Japan (specialized breast clinic)
Board-certified Plastic Surgery Specialist in Korea
Member of the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons
Member of the Korean Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Surgical Style and Persona

Described as "professor-like" – professional, authoritative, diagnosis-focused.
Viewed as a "master" or "artisan" confident in specific techniques, sometimes perceived as inflexible.

Associate Doctor

Dr. Nam Jeong-hyun

Credentials

Graduate of Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine
Board-certified Plastic Surgeon
Master's degree in Plastic Surgery from Soonchunhyang University

Specialization

Breast augmentation, re-operation, breast reduction, mastopexy (lift), and correction of accessory breast tissue/inverted nipples.

Patient Interaction

Offers a complementary dynamic to Dr. Um, with detailed and supportive preliminary consultations.

Institutional Overview & Brand Philosophy

Location and Niche

Umnagumo Plastic Surgery is located in the **Gangnam-gu district of Seoul**, near Gangnam-gu Office Station. It occupies a unique niche in the competitive Korean plastic surgery market, deeply rooted in surgical tradition rather than mass-market trends.

The "Nagumo" Lineage

The clinic's name is a portmanteau of "Um" (representative director's surname) and "Nagumo" (referring to Dr. Nagumo Yoshinori, a renowned Japanese breast surgeon). It positions itself as sharing the "spirit and pulse" of Dr. Nagumo, representing a transfer of surgical philosophy, technique, and ethical standards. The clinic explicitly states it does not compromise with commercialism, aiming to uphold the pride of a "master" (Jang-in).

Core Medical Philosophy

Artisan Spirit

The clinic promotes the concept of the "Master of Breast Surgery" (Breast Artisan), suggesting a focus on perfectionism over high-volume patient turnover.

Patient-Centric Efficiency

A key tenet is that shorter operation times lead to faster recovery. The clinic highlights that anesthesia should be short to allow for a quick return to daily life.

Lifetime Responsibility

The clinic markets a commitment to "lifetime care," suggesting the surgeon takes responsibility for the patient's results indefinitely, appealing to concerns about long-term implant maintenance.

Clinical Methodology & Key Procedures

The "30-Minute" Breast Augmentation

**Duration:** Surgery takes approximately 40 to 50 minutes.
**Rationale:** Shorter surgical time reduces anesthesia duration, minimizes tissue exposure, and leads to less bleeding, swelling, and faster recovery.
**Technique:** Achieved through "precise dissection" (dry pocket) techniques honed via the Nagumo method, avoiding unnecessary tissue trauma.

Transaxillary (Armpit) Incision Focus

**Preference:** Dr. Um strongly recommends the axillary incision approach using endoscopy, often dissuading patients from inframammary fold incisions.
**Justification:** Avoids scarring on the breast itself, preserving aesthetic integrity. Dr. Um is considered a "number one expert" in endoscopic axillary incision.
**Patient Reaction:** Appreciated for the scarless breast look, though some patients desiring inframammary incisions may feel their preferences are overridden.

Aesthetic Goals: The "UU" Shape

**Naturalness:** Focuses on a natural, teardrop-like fullness ("UU" shape) rather than an artificially round upper pole.
**Cleavage:** Aims for an "I-line" cleavage, creating a natural and harmonious appearance.
**Design:** Emphasizes individual design based on body type, aiming for symmetry and a beautiful inframammary fold line through precise internal dissection.

Anesthesia and Safety

**Anesthesia:** Utilizes total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) or general anesthesia, managed by a resident anesthesiologist. Short surgery duration is leveraged as a safety factor.
**Hemostasis:** The "dry pocket" technique ensures dissection with minimal bleeding, reducing the risk of capsular contracture and post-operative pain.
**Consultation Process:** Patients are required to watch a 30-minute surgical education video to ensure a baseline understanding before meeting the surgeon.

Reputation and Market Analysis

Positive Reputation (Pros)

**Surgical Expertise:** Strong consensus on high technical skill, creating natural shapes and minimizing recovery.
**Safety Record:** Actively promotes a "zero accident" history, perceived as a safe, conservative choice.
**Honesty:** Highly valued for refusing to upsell unnecessary procedures or offer gimmick discounts.
**Post-Op Care:** Offers lifetime check-ups, ultrasound screenings, and scar management as part of the package, providing significant reassurance.

Negative Reputation and Criticisms (Cons)

**Rigidity:** Most common critique is lack of flexibility regarding surgical methods; patients desiring alternative incisions may feel dismissed.
**Consultation Atmosphere:** Some patients describe the atmosphere as cold or intimidating due to strict protocols (video viewing) and the doctor's reserved personality.
**Aesthetic Disagreements:** While "natural" is the goal, some isolated reviews report dissatisfaction with size (too small) or asymmetry.
**Scarring:** Despite expertise in axillary incisions, isolated reports of visible scarring or sensation loss in the armpit area exist for specific cases.

Controversy Check

While general news reports mention medical accidents in Gangnam plastic surgery clinics, research **does not definitively link Umnagumo Plastic Surgery to severe fatalities or criminal negligence cases.** Patient-reported side effects for Umnagumo include standard surgical risks like asymmetry, sensory loss, and dissatisfaction with scar healing, consistent with breast augmentation procedures generally.

Conclusion

Umnagumo Plastic Surgery stands as a distinct entity in the Korean medical landscape, defined by its Japanese medical lineage, artisan philosophy, and specialized focus on endoscopic axillary breast augmentation.

Summary of Characteristics

Feature	Description
Representative Director	Um Soon-chan (PhD, Kyoto Univ., ex-Nagumo Clinic Tokyo Chief)
Primary Procedure	Breast Augmentation (Motiva, Mentor, etc.)
Preferred Technique	Endoscopic Transaxillary Incision (Armpit)
Surgical Time	Fast (approx. 40–50 mins)
Pricing Model	Fixed Price (No bargaining, no review discounts)
Consultation	Requires viewing educational video; Professional/Academic tone
Key Differentiator	"Nagumo Method" (Minimal bleeding, fast recovery, lifetime care)

Final Verdict

For patients seeking a highly experienced surgeon who adheres to a strict, time-tested protocol with a focus on safety and speed, Umnagumo is a top-tier candidate. It is particularly well-suited for those who prioritize a "scarless breast" (via armpit incision) and appreciate a no-nonsense, fixed-price medical environment.

However, patients who desire a highly collaborative decision-making process regarding incision location (e.g., preferring under-breast incision) or who seek a warm, service-oriented "customer is king" experience may find the clinic's rigid academic style less accommodating.