Waterdrop Plastic Surgery · Lee Young-dae Analysis Report

Overview

Institution Overview

Waterdrop Plastic Surgery (or Stilla Plastic Surgery) specializes in breast surgery and anti-aging, strategically located on Gangnam-daero, Seoul.

Representative Medical Staff

Director Lee Young-dae, a Yonsei University plastic surgery specialist, boasts over 27 years of experience, known as the 'Maestro of Breast Surgery'.

Medical Philosophy

Emphasizes "surgery that should happen only once in a lifetime," prioritizing safety based on fundamentals and preventing revision surgeries.

Key Procedures

Core services include various breast augmentations, breast revision, sagging breast correction, and anti-aging/lifting procedures.

Director Lee Young-dae Profile

Education and Career

**Education:** Graduated from Yonsei University College of Medicine, Ph.D. in Medicine.
**Training:** Completed residency and board certification in Plastic Surgery at Yonsei University Gangnam Severance Hospital (Specialist License No. 1081).
**Teaching Career:** Served as a Clinical Instructor at the Department of Plastic Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine.
**Major Career:** Representative Director of the Breast Surgery Center at Mega Plastic Surgery, Advisor to Hiep Loi Plastic Surgery Hospital in Vietnam.
**Career Duration:** Over 27 years of extensive clinical experience as a plastic surgery specialist.

Academic and External Activities

**Society Activities:** Lifetime member of KSPRS (Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons) and former Director of Legal Affairs. Regular member of Korean Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and Korean Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association.
**Specialized Research:** Academic committee member of the Breast Surgery Research Society.
**Advisory Committee:** Key Opinion Leader (KOL) for Motiva, a global implant manufacturer. Conducted the first clinical presentation on Motiva Ergonomix implants in Korea.

Medical Philosophy

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Director Lee Young-dae's philosophy centers on "faithful to the basics" and "pursuit of perfection." He views breast surgery as "an important surgery that should happen only once in a lifetime," emphasizing accurate diagnosis and safe surgical methods over exaggerated information to achieve perfect results without revision. He also actively educates patients on plastic surgery side effects and solutions through his YouTube channels 'Waterdrop TV' and 'After the Rain (Biond)'.

Hospital Information

Location and Accessibility

Waterdrop Plastic Surgery is located on the 8th floor of the Seonghan Building, 557 Gangnam-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul. This prime location in the heart of Korea's aesthetic plastic surgery district offers excellent accessibility.

Very close to Exit 8 of Nonhyeon Station (Subway Line 7 and Shinbundang Line).
Within walking distance from Sinsa Station, making it highly convenient for patients.

Medical Environment and Facilities

The hospital is meticulously designed with patient privacy and safety as top priorities.

**Safety System:** CCTVs installed in operating rooms to prevent 'shadow doctor' concerns; resident anesthesiologists continuously monitor vital signs during surgery.
**Recovery Facilities:** Equipped with dedicated recovery rooms and inpatient facilities for post-operative rest and care.
**Counseling and Waiting Areas:** Features independent rooms for personalized 1:1 consultations and comfortable patient-exclusive rest areas.

Key Medical Fields and Procedure Features

Breast Surgery (Performed by Director Lee Young-dae)

Waterdrop (Teardrop) Breast Augmentation

**Concept:** Focuses on creating a natural teardrop line from any angle, moving beyond just using teardrop-shaped implants.
**Features:** Customized design considering individual thorax size, skin thickness, and mammary gland tissue. Achieves natural movement (dropping when standing, spreading when lying down).

Implant Types

Primarily uses premium implants approved by FDA and KFDA, such as Motiva, Mentor, and Sebbin, optimized for patient's body type.

Surgical Techniques

**Use of Endoscopy:** Full-HD endoscopy for precise dissection, minimizing nerve/vessel damage, reducing bleeding, and ensuring faster recovery.
**Incision Site:** Flexible options including axillary, areolar, and inframammary fold incisions, chosen based on patient preference and scar minimization.

Specialized Breast Procedures

**Breast Revision:** Addresses issues like capsular contracture, implant rupture, shape dissatisfaction, and positional abnormalities, with precise analysis via ultrasound/X-ray.
**Male Gynecomastia Surgery:** Corrects gynecomastia to achieve a firm and natural chest line for men.

Anti-Aging & Lifting (Led by Director Hong Jong-wook)

Laser Lifting

Utilizes a wide array of advanced devices including Ulthera, Tune Face, Titanium Lifting, Shurink Universe, and Onda Lifting for effective skin tightening and rejuvenation.

Thread Lifting

Physically lifts sagging skin using specialized threads like Silhouette Soft and Mint Thread. Director Hong Jong-wook is highly proficient, conducting lectures on the subject.

Skin Boosters & Petit Procedures

Offers wrinkle improvement and volume enhancement through Fillers, Botox, and Rejuran Healer. Emphasizes design procedures that consider the overall facial balance, not just isolated injections.

Cooperative System

Beyond Director Lee Young-dae, the clinic features Director Hong Jong-wook for anti-aging and Director Ryu Da-hye (Plastic Surgery specialist, Yonsei alumna) for breast and female-tailored procedures, alongside resident anesthesiologists for safety.

Reputation and Patient Review Analysis

Positive Feedback

**High Satisfaction:** Consistently maintains high ratings (over 4.5/5.0) on major aesthetic medical platforms like Gangnam Unni.
**Professional Counseling:** Reviews highlight Director Lee Young-dae's specific, honest, and realistic advice, fostering trust by avoiding unnecessary surgeries.
**Natural Results:** Patients report high satisfaction with natural post-operative shapes, good texture, and improved clothing fit.
**Friendly Aftercare:** Systematic post-care, including swelling management and scar laser treatment, coupled with friendly staff, receives strong positive feedback.

Critical Considerations

**Waiting Time:** Due to the hospital's popularity and experienced specialists, patients occasionally mention longer waiting times for consultation or surgery.
**Cost:** Utilizing premium implants and advanced equipment, along with surgeries performed by experienced specialists, positions the clinic at a higher price point compared to budget clinics (breast surgery costs typically range from 5 million to 10 million KRW).
**Real Review Verification:** Despite general concerns about marketing reviews in plastic surgery communities, positive 'real reviews' for Waterdrop Plastic Surgery are confirmed even on platforms with strict broker blocking systems.

Safety Issue Review

Within the investigated data, no confirmed reports of legal medical disputes or major medical accidents (such as death) directly related to Waterdrop Plastic Surgery or Director Lee Young-dae were found. News regarding 'Gangnam plastic surgery medical accidents' often did not specify a hospital name or involved other institutions.

On the contrary, Director Lee Young-dae actively promotes safety awareness by candidly explaining breast surgery side effects (e.g., capsular contracture, rippling) and educating on prevention methods through broadcasts.

Conclusion

Comprehensively analyzed, **Waterdrop Plastic Surgery** is a medical institution that has solidified its position in the field of breast surgery based on Representative Director Lee Young-dae's over 27 years of abundant clinical experience and expertise. It values 'safety' and 'naturalness' as core values and is evaluated as having well-equipped patient safety systems such as resident anesthesiologists and CCTV installation.

**Representative Director Lee Young-dae** is a specialist combining academic authority and clinical proficiency, well-regarded for providing honest and candid counseling to patients. Additionally, through cooperation with Director Hong Jong-wook, the clinic provides comprehensive aesthetic medical services covering not only breast surgery but also skin and anti-aging areas.

Considering patient reviews and reputation, Waterdrop Plastic Surgery is analyzed as a suitable choice for patients who want high-quality, personalized surgery rather than factory-type surgery. However, factors such as surgical cost and waiting time should be considered according to individual circumstances.

Core Values & Differentiators

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Safety First System

CCTV in ORs, resident anesthesiologists, genuine product usage for utmost patient safety.

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1:1 Customized Total Care

Operating director handles entire process from consultation to surgery and follow-up, personalized plans.

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Continuous Research & Education

Medical staff are Key Doctors, actively presenting clinical results at conferences.