Key Insights
Specialized Institution
Sage Clinic (세이지의원) in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, specializes in non-surgical lower body contouring, focusing on calves and thighs.
Visionary Leadership
Led by Representative Director Lee Kyung-soo (Dr. Rodeo Lee), the clinic is known for proprietary injection techniques and distinct branding.
Signature Procedures
Features "Jjong-al Injection" (calf) and "Buck-jji Injection" (thigh), utilizing "Nerve Design" for muscle volume reduction without surgery.
Premium Market Position
Operates in the ultra-premium non-invasive market segment, offering semi-permanent results and patented methodologies at a high price point.
Representative Director Lee Kyung-soo
Medical Credentials & Specialization
- Official Title: Representative Director (대표원장) of Sage Clinic.
- Specialty Status: Practicing aesthetic medicine as a General Practitioner or a specialist in a field other than plastic surgery (clinic registered as "Sage Clinic," not "Plastic Surgery").
- Clinical Focus: Specializes in Body Contouring, Lifting, Fillers, and Botox, with primary expertise in non-surgical calf muscle and thigh contouring.
Professional Activities & Media
Dr. Lee Kyung-soo (Dr. Rodeo Lee) is highly active in medical broadcasting and online education, leveraging platforms like YouTube to discuss:
- Side effects of liposuction and calf reduction errors.
- The science of muscle hypertrophy.
- His approach to correcting "failed" surgeries and treating "drug-resistant" muscle types.
He positions himself as a leading expert in complex body aesthetics.
Institutional Overview: Sage Clinic
Location and Accessibility
Sage Clinic is strategically located in the heart of Seoul's medical and business district, ensuring high accessibility.
- Address: 10th Floor, Superior Tower, 528 Teheran-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul.
- Transport: Easily accessible via major subway lines, near Samsung, Seolleung, and Yeoksam Stations, within Gangnam's medical tourism belt.
Operational Structure
The clinic emphasizes a personalized, reservation-based 1:1 consultation system.
- Operating Hours: Weekdays 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM, Saturdays 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM. Closed Sundays/Public Holidays. Lunch Break 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
- Contact: Available via telephone (02-565-3326) and KakaoTalk.
Branding Philosophy: "SAGE"
The brand "SAGE" embodies a philosophy of providing "wise" solutions to complex body aesthetic problems.
- Emphasis: "Originality" and "Patented Solutions" to differentiate from generic clinics.
- Approach: Markets its interventions as a "Solution" rather than a simple "Procedure," targeting intricate cases like muscular calves or fibrous thighs.
- Distinction: Positions its methods as superior to standard botulinum toxin (Botox) injections.
"We offer wise solutions to aesthetic challenges, focusing on originality and patented techniques."
Clinical Methodologies & Key Procedures
Sage Clinic's reputation is built on proprietary procedures, backed by trademarks and patents (e.g., LEGISH) in various countries, designed to overcome limitations of standard aesthetic treatments.
The "Jjong-al" Injection (Calf)
The clinic's flagship procedure, targeting the calf muscle.
- Concept: "Nerve Design" to reduce medial, lateral gastrocnemius, and soleus muscle bulk.
- Mechanism: Claims to target the "cause" of hypertrophy with semi-permanent results (2-3+ years), surpassing standard Botox duration.
- Indications: Muscular/sports calves, mixed fat/muscle calves, asymmetrical legs, Botox-resistant calves.
The "Buck-jji" Injection (Thigh)
Addresses localized fat and muscle bulk in the thighs.
- Variants: V-Buckjji (front), P-Buckjji (saddlebags), Q-Buckjji (inner), D-Buckjji (posterior).
- Methodology: Combines lipolysis with muscle reduction agents for a smoother thigh line, targeting overdeveloped quadriceps.
"Nerve Design" & "Al-Point"
Proprietary mapping techniques developed by Dr. Lee.
- Nerve Design: Uses ultrasound or electrical stimulation for precise targeting of nerve branches to hypertrophic muscle sectors, optimizing dose and preserving function.
- Al-Point: Refers to specific trigger points or motor endplates identified for concentrated injection to maximize efficacy.
Other Procedures
- Ppae-ppae Injection: A systemic or localized fat-dissolving injection for general slimming.
- Hip-Tae Injection: A volumizing or lifting injection designed to improve hip dips or sagging in the buttocks.
Reputation and Patient Sentiment
Patient feedback, particularly from platforms like Sungyesa and Gangnam Unni, reveals a polarized but generally robust reputation.
Positive Feedback: Efficacy & Professionalism
- Visible Results: Many users report significant calf circumference reduction not achieved with standard Botox or diet, praising "silhouette change" and "leg line slimming."
- Professionalism: Consultations are often described as thorough, with Dr. Lee and staff meticulously measuring and photographing legs for accurate diagnosis.
- Last Resort Success: The clinic is frequently praised by patients who had "given up" after failed liposuction or multiple ineffective Botox treatments.
Considerations: Pain, Cost & Upselling
- Pain & Recovery: Procedures are described as painful, with significant post-procedure discomfort, difficulty walking, or "legs giving out" temporarily.
- High Cost: The most consistent complaint is the price, with comprehensive treatments ranging from 2.5 million to over 5.8 million KRW, often compared to invasive surgery costs.
- Upselling Concerns: Some reviews mention pressure to add supplementary treatments (e.g., soleus muscle treatment) which substantially increase the final bill.
- Staff Attitude: Historical mentions of "rude" staff exist, though recent reviews suggest improvement or variability.
Conclusion: Critical Analysis & Verdict
Medical Context of "Nerve Design"
The term "Nerve Design" likely refers to advanced techniques such as Chemical Neurolysis or High-Dose Targeted Botulinum Toxin. If neurolysis, effects are longer-lasting but carry higher risks. If high-dose Botox, "semi-permanent" relies on prolonged disuse atrophy. The clinic's "LEGISH" patents suggest a proprietary mixture or protocol.
Final Verdict
Sage Clinic and Dr. Lee Kyung-soo occupy a specialized, high-end niche in the Korean aesthetic market, focusing on lower body contouring.
Specialized Efficacy
Offers highly effective solutions for difficult cases of muscular hypertrophy, often succeeding where other treatments fail.
Strong Brand Identity
The "Sage" brand is robust, recognized for originality and patented solutions, sustaining its position for over a decade.
Premium Investment
Patients must consider the high financial cost and potential temporary mobility issues versus significant aesthetic improvement.
Recommendation for Patients:
Thorough due diligence regarding the specific agents used in "Jjong-al Injection" and a realistic financial assessment are advised, as advertised "event prices" may not reflect the final cost.