Analysis Report

Sandglass Plastic Surgery

Dr. Cho Young-ji, Representative Director: In-depth Analysis

Body Contouring Liposuction Fat Grafting

Key Highlights

Specialized Focus

Sandglass Plastic Surgery, officially *Sandglass Clinic* or *Moraesigye Ui-won*, specializes in **body contouring**, specifically liposuction and fat grafting.

Director's System

Led by **Dr. Cho Young-ji (조영지)**, the clinic operates under a "Representative Director Responsibility System," ensuring personal involvement in all stages.

Signature Techniques

Renowned for the "Sandglass Line" philosophy, utilizing **Pelvic/Hip Fat Grafting**, **360-degree Liposuction**, and the scar-minimizing **"Sumheun" (Hidden Trace) technique**.

Strong Reputation

Maintains high satisfaction ratings on major platforms like Gangnam Unni and Goodoc, praised for detailed consultations and body line design.

Director Profile: Dr. Cho Young-ji

JY

Representative Director

Sandglass Plastic Surgery

Medical Background & Qualifications

Dr. Cho Young-ji (조영지) is a licensed physician with a career focused on aesthetic medicine and body contouring. While not explicitly a "Plastic Surgery Specialist" (Board Certified), he is a member of several prestigious aesthetic academies, indicating deep specialization through extensive experience.

  • Completed **Asia International Aesthetic Medicine Forum (AFAS)**
  • Regular Member, **Korean Academy of Aesthetic Surgery (KAAS)**
  • Regular Member, **Korean Society for the Study of Obesity (DAOR)**
  • Regular Member, **Korean Academy of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and Laser Surgery (KASLS)**
  • Regular Member, **Korean Academy of Obesity and Aesthetic Treatment (KAOT)**
  • Regular Member, **Korean Society of Aesthetic Surgery (KSAS)**
  • Regular Member, **Slim Korea Lipoplasty Society**

Professional History

Dr. Cho has accumulated significant clinical experience across several well-known aesthetic clinics in Korea and abroad before establishing Sandglass Clinic. His career trajectory suggests a long-term specialization in liposuction and fat grafting.

  • Former Director: Gung Clinic (궁클리닉)
  • Former Director: Cheongdam Jeongwon Clinic (청담정원클리닉)
  • Former Director: Mi Clinic (미클리닉)
  • Former Director: Apgujeong Topline Clinic (압구정탑라인의원) (2015–2017) – *Topline is notably famous for large-volume liposuction*
  • Former Director: Hangzhou ZHEN AL MEDICAL (楨愛醫療) in China (International Experience)

Hospital Information

Location & Accessibility

Sandglass Plastic Surgery, legally registered as **Sandglass Clinic (모래시계의원)**, is strategically located in the heart of Seoul's medical district.

  • **Address:** 5th Floor, 487 Gangnam-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul (Banpo-dong 737-18)
  • **Nearest Station:** Sinnonhyeon Station (highly accessible to patients)

Operating Hours:

  • **Weekdays (Mon-Fri):** 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • **Saturdays:** 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM (Note: Verification recommended for Saturday hours, as they may vary)
  • **Sundays & Public Holidays:** Closed

Operational Philosophy & Patient Trust

The core operational philosophy of Sandglass Clinic is the **"Representative Director Responsibility System" (대표원장 책임 수술제)**, ensuring patient safety and trust.

Comprehensive Care by Dr. Cho:

  • **Initial Consultation:** Direct assessment and discussion.
  • **Design:** Custom surgical plan.
  • **Surgery:** Direct execution of the procedure.
  • **Post-operative Care:** Monitoring recovery and aftercare.

Transparency & Environment:

  • **CCTV in Operating Rooms:** Available upon patient request for full transparency.
  • **Private Recovery Environment:** Marketed as an "aromatic and calm private space" for psychological stability.

Clinical Specializations & Signature Procedures

Sandglass Clinic differentiates itself by focusing almost exclusively on **body contouring**, specifically the synergy between fat removal (liposuction) and volume addition (fat grafting). Their slogan, "In where it needs to go in, out where it needs to come out," encapsulates this approach.

The "Sandglass Line" (Hourglass Figure)

The clinic's branding revolves around creating a "Sandglass" (hourglass) silhouette by reshaping body proportions.

  • **Liposuction (Subtraction):** Abdomen, waist, arms, and thighs.
  • **Fat Grafting (Addition):** Pelvis, hips (hip dips), and buttocks.

Specialized Fat Grafting (Hip & Pelvis)

Dr. Cho is marketed as an expert in correcting "Hip Dips" and flat buttocks with a "1:1 Custom Hip-Up" design.

  • Harvests fresh fat (abdomen or thighs).
  • Injects into gluteal and pelvic regions to widen the visual appearance of the pelvis and lift the buttocks.
  • Focuses on the *ratio* between the waist and the pelvis.

"Sumheun" (Hidden Trace) Liposuction

A critical concern for liposuction patients is scarring. Sandglass Clinic promotes a proprietary branding for their incision technique.

  • Incisions are strategically placed in concealed areas.
  • Examples: bikini line, the crease of the buttocks, or deep within the armpit folds.
  • Makes scars difficult to detect even when wearing revealing clothing or swimwear.

Specialized Area Liposuction

Beyond standard areas, Dr. Cho performs liposuction on difficult/specialized areas requiring high precision.

  • **Forearm (Ha-wan) Liposuction:** Reduces wrist and forearm circumference.
  • **Trapezius & Hump:** Removal of "buffalo hump" and slimming shoulder line.
  • **Calves & Ankles:** Contouring lower legs for a straighter line.

"End Point" Liposuction

The clinic utilizes the concept of "End Point Liposuction" to achieve optimal results without compromising safety.

  • Aims for the "End Point"—the optimal ratio for fat removal.
  • Ensures the skin remains smooth, the line is aesthetically pleasing.
  • Maintains safety and avoids side effects like adhesion or unevenness.

Market Reputation & Patient Feedback Analysis

Quantitative Ratings

9.6/10

Gangnam Unni (~1,466 evaluations)

5.0/5.0

Goodoc (Overall Satisfaction)

High

Babitalk (High satisfaction for "real" results)

Qualitative Feedback (Positive Themes)

  • Detailed Consultation

    Patients frequently praise Dr. Cho for his calm demeanor, detailed explanations, and focus on realistic outcomes, without "upselling" unnecessary procedures.

  • Exceptional Design Capability

    Users report high satisfaction with the aesthetic "line" created, particularly the smooth transition from the waist to the pelvis, often noting superior "after" photos.

  • Niche Expertise: Forearm Liposuction

    Specific praise exists for forearm liposuction, a niche and technically challenging procedure, with patients noting Dr. Cho's willingness to operate on areas other clinics refused.

  • No "Shadow Doctor" Fears

    The transparency and guarantee of a 1-person surgical system (Representative Director Responsibility System) is a significant comfort factor for patients.

Critical Feedback & Areas of Concern

  • Extended Wait Times

    Due to the single-director system and personalized approach, wait times for consultation and surgery can be long, a factor acknowledged by the clinic itself.

  • Cost Considerations

    Some feedback implies the clinic is not the cheapest option compared to larger "factory" clinics, though patients generally feel the cost is justified by safety and personalization.

  • Standard Recovery Process

    As with all liposuction, patients report expected pain, bruising, and swelling (bio-bond). Reviews mention the recovery being painful but manageable with the clinic's aftercare.

  • Unverified Rumors

    An isolated forum mention questioned "medical accident rumors." However, publicly available search results contain no verified news reports or legal records of malpractice or medical accidents at Sandglass Clinic, suggesting these are unsubstantiated.

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Conclusion

Competitive Positioning

Sandglass Clinic occupies a **specialized niche** in the Gangnam aesthetic market. Rather than competing in the saturated facial surgery market (eyes/nose), it focuses entirely on **body architecture**.

Its **strengths** include high specialization in fat grafting/liposuction, strong branding ("Sandglass Line," "Sumheun"), and the trust engendered by a single-doctor system. Its **weaknesses** are limited capacity due to the single-doctor model (scalability issue) and potential reliance on the director's physical stamina for labor-intensive liposuction surgeries.

Overall Assessment

**Sandglass Clinic (Moraesigye Ui-won)**, led by **Dr. Cho Young-ji**, is a reputable establishment for patients seeking body contouring in Korea. Dr. Cho's background, particularly his tenure at high-volume liposuction centers like Topline, underpins his technical expertise. The clinic is characterized by a patient-centric, safety-focused approach (CCTV, no shadow doctors) and specific technical branding around minimizing scars ("Sumheun").

For a prospective patient or researcher, the clinic represents a "boutique" medical service—prioritizing customized design and doctor-patient rapport over high-volume, low-cost processing. While it is not a large-scale hospital, its high ratings and specific focus on pelvic and hip aesthetics make it a significant player in the Korean body contouring market.

Core Values

Specialized Expertise

Patient-Centric Care

Aesthetic Precision

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