Elle Plastic Surgery Clinic · Kim Heung-kyu Analysis Report

Key Summary

Specialty of Expertise

Utilizes 'Autologous Dermis', avoiding artificial implants. Unique know-how in rhinoplasty, chin, and paranasal augmentation.

Academic Authority of Medical Staff

Director Kim Heung-kyu is a board-certified plastic surgeon, published in *Journal of Craniofacial Surgery* (SCI-level).

Safety-Oriented Philosophy

Core philosophy: 'minimization of side effects' and 'naturalness', with a high reputation among patients valuing long-term safety.

Reputation & Patient Experience

High satisfaction for natural improvements. Consideration for initial overcorrection due to 20-30% tissue absorption.

Representative Director Kim Heung-kyu

Profile & Achievements

Representative Director Kim Heung-kyu is a medical professional who has followed an elite orthodox course as a plastic surgery specialist, combining extensive clinical experience with academic research.

Education & Career

Graduated from Korea University College of Medicine
Master's and Ph.D. in Medicine, Korea University Graduate School (Plastic Surgery)
Former Fellow, Dept. of Plastic Surgery, Ewha Womans University Medical Center
Former Outpatient Professor, Dept. of Plastic Surgery, Ewha Womans University Medical Center
Current Representative Director, Elle Plastic Surgery Clinic

Academic Society Activities

Regular Member, Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons
Regular Member, Korean Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
Regular Member, Korean Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association
Regular Member, International Confederation for Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (IPRAS)

Academic Achievements & SCI Paper Listing

Director Kim Heung-kyu consistently publishes research to objectively prove the effectiveness of autologous dermis plastic surgery, paralleling academic research with clinical surgery.

"His research papers have been published in **'The Journal of Craniofacial Surgery'**, a world-renowned SCI-level journal."

**Main Content:** Clinical effect and safety of Autologous Dermis Paranasal Augmentation were proven, following rhinoplasty and chin augmentation using autologous dermis.
**Significance:** Demonstrates that the autologous dermis surgical method is a medically verified technique, not just experience-based.

Academic Presentation

Shared latest knowledge on autologous dermis chin and paranasal augmentation at the Rhinoplasty Research Society in 2021.

Clinic Overview

Introduction & History

Elle Plastic Surgery Clinic, established in 2009, is a specialized plastic surgery medical institution in Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (near Apgujeong Station). For over 15 years, it has established a clear identity of 'autologous tissue plastic surgery' unlike larger franchise hospitals.

Operated under a single representative director system, Director Kim Heung-kyu is directly involved from consultation to surgery and post-operative care, fostering high patient trust.

Location & Medical Environment

**Address:** 2nd Floor, JB Miso Building, 841 Nonhyeon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (Sinsa-dong)
**Accessibility:** 5-minute walk from Apgujeong Station (Subway Line 3), excellent accessibility.
**Hours:** Weekday consultations. Verification required for Thursday closures.
**Facilities:** Clinic-level institution without inpatient rooms, but equipped with private rest spaces and emergency systems.

Medical Philosophy: "Why, Elle?"

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Safety & Naturalness

The core competitiveness of Elle Plastic Surgery lies in **'Safety'** and **'Naturalness'**. Director Kim Heung-kyu aims for surgeries with excellent biocompatibility by excluding potential risks inherent in artificial implants (inflammation, protrusion, contracture, foreign body sensation) and using dermal tissue harvested from the patient's own body.

This approach is presented as a particularly important alternative for revision surgery patients suffering from side effects of previous plastic surgeries.

Core Medical Fields & Procedure Analysis

Elle Plastic Surgery is overwhelmingly specialized in surgeries utilizing 'Autologous Dermis'.

Autologous Dermis Rhinoplasty

This is the most representative surgical item, performed for patients suffering from side effects of artificial implants (silicone) or those desiring a natural nose.

**Surgical Principle:** Dermis and fat layers are harvested from the inner side between the patient's buttocks (coccyx area), designed to fit the nose shape, and transplanted.

Advantages

**Safety:** Almost no rejection, inflammation, or contracture.
**Naturalness:** Soft nose tip, allows "pig nose" gesture, not noticeable.
**Permanent Maintenance:** Remaining tissue maintained permanently after initial 20-30% absorption.

Target: Silicone side effect patients, thin skin, natural lines preference.

Autologous Dermis Paranasal Augmentation (Noble Surgery)

'Noble Surgery' improves the impression of a protruding mouth or looking aged due to sunken nasolabial folds.

**Limitations of Existing Methods:** Silicone implants may move, feel foreign, or cause gum bone erosion.
**Elle Plastic Surgery's Method:** Dermis from the buttocks is rolled and grafted into the area.

Features

Absolutely no foreign body sensation.
Looks natural with facial expressions.
No concern about implant displacement.

Director Kim Heung-kyu's SCI paper supports expertise in this field.

Autologous Dermis Chin Augmentation

Autologous dermis is used to correct receding chins or short chin symptoms.

**Surgical Method:** Instead of cutting bone or inserting silicone, thick dermal tissue is grafted onto the tip of the chin to provide volume.

Advantages

No pain from bone cutting.
No tension in chin muscles.
No bone erosion caused by implants.

Other Procedures

**Nasolabial Fold Dermis Generation:** A procedure that allows new flesh to fill in directly beneath deep wrinkles is also performed in parallel.
**Eye Surgery and Fat Grafting:** Basic double eyelid surgery, ptosis correction, and full-face fat grafting are also performed, pursuing natural results.

Reputation & Patient Experience Analysis

Data from various platforms (Sungyesa, Gangnam Unni, DC Inside, etc.) was synthesized to analyze the clinic's reputation.

Positive Evaluations (Pros)

1. Trust in Safety

Many patients cite "being able to live without worrying about side effects" as the greatest advantage. High psychological satisfaction for revision surgery patients after implant removal.

2. Director's Expertise and Attitude

Director Kim Heung-kyu is praised for honest consultations, not making excessive recommendations, and explaining limitations. Described as "kind 'T' (rational) personality."

3. Natural Results

Dominant reactions like "It looks like my original nose" and "I became pretty without it being obvious." Well-received by those avoiding the artificial 'Gangnam Beauty' style.

4. Systematic Post-operative Care

Meticulous care for buttock scar management and swelling management is frequently mentioned.

Points to Consider (Cons & Considerations)

1. Absorption Rate and Unpredictability

Varies person to person (about 20-30%), making it hard to predict final height. Some express regret that "it became much lower than expected."

2. Burden of Initial Overcorrection

Nose or chin is excessively raised immediately after surgery ("Avatar period") to prepare for absorption, which can cause appearance-related stress.

3. Buttock Scars

Scars may remain at the dermis harvest site (buttock crease), and initial discomfort when sitting.

4. Waiting Time

As a single representative director system, waiting times for consultation or surgery may occur.

Status Within Communities

**Sungyesa/DC Inside:** Frequently mentioned as a 'Tier 1' or 'Named Clinic' in autologous dermis, strong perception of being maintained by actual reviews rather than viral marketing.
**Gangnam Unni:** Secures public recognition with over 900 reviews and a high rating (9.1/10).

Comprehensive Analysis & Conclusion

Summary of Elle Plastic Surgery Clinic's Characteristics

Category	Content
Core Competitiveness	No-implant plastic surgery utilizing Autologous Dermis
Representative Director	Kim Heung-kyu (Korea Univ. Med School, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, SCI Paper Listed)
Main Target	Patients concerned about side effects, revision surgery patients, patients pursuing naturalness
Surgical Philosophy	Safety-first principle, minimization of artificial implants
Location	Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (Near Apgujeong Station)

Final Assessment

Elle Plastic Surgery Clinic and Representative Director Kim Heung-kyu are a medical institution that prioritizes **'Healthy Beauty'** and **'Medical Safety'** over flashy and dramatic changes. Director Kim Heung-kyu has established academic grounds through SCI papers in the field of autologous dermis plastic surgery and built a unique position through long clinical experience.

Recommended for:

Patients who have strong rejection of artificial implants such as silicone or have experienced side effects (inflammation, contracture).
Patients who want natural results where surgery is not noticeable.
Patients who value the texture of their own flesh without foreign body sensation.

Not Recommended for:

Patients who want perfect and sharp lines immediately after surgery and find it difficult to wait for the absorption process.
Cases where the support of an implant is absolutely necessary because a very high and flashy nose line is preferred.

#AutologousTissuePlasticSurgery #HealthyBeauty #MedicalSafety