SC301 Plastic Surgery Clinic · Shin Dong-jin Analysis Report

Key Summary

Expertise & Leadership

Representative Director Shin Dong-jin established protocols for domestic stem cell plastic surgery, serving as President of the Korea Stem Cell Plastic Surgery Association for 10 years.

Academic Achievements

Published consecutive papers in international SCI-level journals proving the high engraftment rate (approx. 75–77%) of stem cell breast augmentation.

Core Procedures

Flagship procedures include Stem Cell Breast Augmentation (SVF), alongside facial fat grafting, recycle liposuction, and anti-aging treatments.

Reputation Insights

High patient satisfaction for natural results and engraftment rates, balanced by considerations like higher cost, long waiting times, and strict post-operative care.

Hospital Information

Establishment & Location

SC301 Clinic was established around 2006–2007, operating for over 18 years with a focus on regenerative plastic surgery utilizing stem cells. The 'SC' in its name signifies 'Stem Cell'.

Address: 3rd–4th Floor, Chan & Chan Tower, 611 Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea (Samsung-dong).
Accessibility: Located near Bongeunsa Station (Subway Line 9) and Samsung Station (Line 2).
Medical Hours:
- Weekdays (Mon/Tue/Thu): 09:30–19:00
- Night Clinic (Wed/Fri): 09:30–20:30
- Saturday: 09:00–17:00
- Closed: Sundays and Public Holidays

Facility Features

Sterile Surgery System: Features a NASA-standard air purification system to minimize infection risks, ensuring a high-safety environment.
In-house Stem Cell Laboratory: Operates a dedicated Cell Laboratory with professional researchers to efficiently extract and count SVF (Stromal Vascular Fraction).
3D Analysis Room: Equipped with advanced 3D body scanners for precise measurement of breast volume changes before and after surgery, allowing for objective analysis.
Clinical Experience: Over 8,000 cumulative clinical cases of stem cell plastic surgery, utilized for building big data and predicting surgical prognosis.

Representative Director Shin Dong-jin Profile

Shin Dong-jin (신동진) M.D., Ph.D.

Pioneer in Korean Stem Cell Plastic Surgery

Education and Qualifications

Graduated from Korea University College of Medicine (MD, Ph.D.)
Regular Member and Specialist of the Korean Surgical Society
Regular Member of the Korean Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and Aesthetic Medicine

Major Career

Current Representative Director of SC301 Clinic
Former President of the Korea Stem Cell Plastic Surgery Association (10 years)
Former Representative Director of Samsung Obesity Clinic
Former President of the Korea Fat Plastic Surgery Research Society
Former Director of Apgujeong Tiara Plastic Surgery

Awards and External Activities

Received the Minister of Health and Welfare Award
Received the KFDA Commissioner Award
Appeared on various broadcasts (Dr. Shin, Good Morning Information World) providing advice on stem cell plastic surgery and breast health.

Philosophy of Practice

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Director Shin Dong-jin adheres to the principle of "limiting surgery to 2 cases per day." This ensures the quality and safety of the surgery by having the representative director perform the surgery directly, as stem cell extraction and transplantation require a high level of concentration and precision.

Core Medical Technology & Academic Achievements

SC301 Clinic differentiates itself by validating procedure effectiveness through SCI-level papers, not just marketing claims.

Aesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum (2020): Proved an average engraftment rate of approximately 73.7%–75.1% 6 months after stem cell breast augmentation.
Annals of Plastic Surgery (2023): Follow-up on 384 patients revealed an average engraftment rate of 77.48% over 18 months, with higher rates when >60 million cells are injected.
Patents & Cell Counting System: Holds 2 registered patents and employs a precise protocol to count viable cells, ensuring optimal transplantation.

Major Procedures Analysis

1. Stem Cell Breast Augmentation (SVF Breast Augmentation)

SC301's flagship procedure, mixing autologous fat and stem cells (SVF) for breast enlargement without implants.

Principle: Autologous fat is liposuctioned, and pure fat with stem cells (SVF) is separated. This mixture is injected into the breast to promote blood vessel formation, significantly increasing fat cell survival.
Advantages: Natural tactile feel and appearance, no foreign body sensation or implant side effects (e.g., capsular contracture), and simultaneous liposuction benefits.
Target: Patients resistant to implants, desiring natural volume, or seeking breast elasticity improvement after childbirth.

2. Facial Fat Grafting

Known as 'Baby Face Surgery', this procedure transplants stem cell-mixed fat into sunken areas of the face (forehead, cheeks, nasolabial folds).

Differentiation: Offers a higher engraftment rate than general fat grafting, reducing the need for frequent re-surgeries. Patients can also expect improvements in skin tone.

3. Recycle Liposuction

A technique utilizing a handmade method to minimize tissue damage during liposuction, ensuring high-purity fat harvesting.

Method: The suctioned fat is not discarded but can be recycled for subsequent procedures such as breast or hip-up augmentation.

4. Other Procedures

Anti-aging: Comprehensive whole-body anti-aging management through stem cell intravenous injection, exosome therapy, and other advanced treatments.
Hip-up Surgery: Procedures focused on correcting buttock volume and line for enhanced body contours.

Reputation and Characteristics Analysis

Positive Reputation (Pros)

High Reliability and Safety: An exceptional record of 18 years without accidents and engraftment data objectively proven by SCI papers instills strong confidence in patients.
Systematic Aftercare: The "Total Care System" is highly praised for its comprehensive approach to increasing engraftment rates, including post-operative oxygen therapy, radiofrequency management, and nutritional diet management.
Natural Results: Patients report high satisfaction with results that deliver a natural tactile feel and shape, closely resembling natural breasts without the artificiality of implants.
Friendly Medical Staff: Numerous reviews highlight the consultation directors and nursing staff as professional, knowledgeable, and consistently friendly.

Negative/Critical Reputation (Cons)

High Cost: The procedure cost is significantly higher than general fat grafting or implant surgery (estimated at 7 million KRW to 15 million KRW), leading some patients to question its cost-effectiveness.
Consultation Waiting and Booking Pressure: Due to its high reputation, consultation waiting times are long. Some patients have expressed feeling psychological pressure regarding same-day booking benefits (e.g., event prices).
Strict Patient Management: To optimize engraftment rates, patients are required to adhere to strict post-operative requirements for weight maintenance and diet control, which some find cumbersome.

Unique Hospital Features (Unique Selling Points)

Pre/Post Management Protocols

Pre-operative: Utilizes 3D virtual plastic surgery simulations and ultrasound examinations for precise planning.
Post-operative: Provides nutritional diet guides during the engraftment period (approx. 3–6 months) and employs hyperbaric oxygen therapy to aid fat cell settlement.

Transparency and Objective Data

SC301 Clinic strives for transparency by openly disclosing the stem cell extraction process and providing numerical evidence of volume changes through pre/post-operative 3D scan data.

Conclusion

SC301 Plastic Surgery Clinic and Representative Director Shin Dong-jin represent an exemplary case in the Korean cosmetic surgery market. They have successfully preempted the 'Stem Cell' keyword and elevated it into an Evidence-based Medicine approach, rather than merely a marketing tool.

Key Strengths

Over 18 years of accumulated know-how and clinical experience.
A remarkable 77.48% engraftment rate verified by international SCI papers.
The principle of direct operation by the representative director, ensuring quality and safety.

Considerations for Patients

Requires a significant financial investment due to high costs.
Involves a relatively long recovery and post-operative management period.
Analyzed as suitable for patients who prioritize safety, natural results, and the minimization of side effects over immediate and dramatic size changes.

This clinic offers a compelling alternative for patients concerned about the potential side effects of implant surgery (such as capsular contracture or rupture) or those who wish to achieve both liposuction and breast augmentation simultaneously.