Banobagi Plastic Surgery Clinic · Ban Jae-sang Analysis Report

Executive Summary

Foundation & Growth

Established in 2000 as 'Ye Plastic Surgery', renamed Banobagi in 2007. Founded by Seoul National University alumni specialists, becoming a leading clinic.

Director Ban's Evolution

Director Ban Jae-sang, a SNU plastic surgery specialist, expanded from body/breast surgery to anti-aging and stem cell treatments.

Core Philosophy & Safety

Upholds 'Humanism' and 'Detailism', emphasizing patient safety with resident anesthesiologists and a real-name surgery system.

Challenges & Reputation

Faced a 2021 personal information leakage incident and receives mixed patient evaluations regarding large-hospital systems.

Representative Director Ban Jae-sang

An Elite Path in Plastic Surgery

Education:

Graduated from Seoul National University College of Medicine
Ph.D. in Medicine from Seoul National University Graduate School
Completed residency at the Department of Plastic Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital

Major Career:

Clinical Consultant and Adjunct Professor at SNU Hospital
Former Chief of Plastic Surgery at Korea Cancer Center Hospital
Executive Director of the Korean Society for Stem Cell and Tissue Regeneration
Regular Member of relevant Korean Societies for Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery
Appeared as a doctor on the TV program 'Let Me In' Season 2

Evolution of Specialized Fields:

Early & Mid-term: Specialized in liposuction, body correction, and breast surgery (augmentation/reconstruction).
Current Focus: Anti-aging (facelifts, forehead lifts) and stem cell-based skin regeneration/anti-aging procedures, emphasizing "natural beauty."

Banobagi Clinic Information

Location and Scale

Located at 517 Nonhyeon-ro (Yeoksam-dong), Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Operates a 6-story standalone building and an annex, totaling approximately 600 pyeong (1,983㎡).

Equipped with specialized centers for Facial Contouring, Liposuction & Body, Breast Surgery, and Anti-aging, along with inpatient rooms and recovery areas.

Medical Philosophy & System

Humanism: Avoids unnecessary or excessive surgeries, recommending only essential procedures for the patient.

Detailist: Focuses on perfecting results through minute differences, a key marketing point.

Real-Name Surgery System: Implemented to ensure transparency and accountability, countering ghost surgery concerns.

Advanced Safety System: Features four resident anesthesiology specialists, university hospital-level uninterruptible power supply (UPS), and comprehensive emergency equipment.

Major Procedures & Competencies

Anti-aging & Stem Cell Therapy

Primarily led by Director Ban Jae-sang, focusing on rejuvenation and regenerative medicine.

Stem Cell Procedures: Utilizes adipose-derived stem cells for skin regeneration, elasticity, and anti-aging.
Lifts: Facelifts, forehead lifts, and neck lifts to address sagging skin, emphasizing natural results.
Artecoll Filler: Petit procedures using semi-permanent fillers.

Breast & Body Contouring

Another key area of expertise for Director Ban Jae-sang.

Breast Surgery: Augmentation with advanced implants (e.g., Motiva) and breast reconstruction.
Liposuction/Fat Grafting: Full-body liposuction and fat grafting for body line correction, including hospital-specific techniques like Dual Slim Liposuction.

Facial Contouring

Dedicated to Director Oh Chang-hyun, a core competency of Banobagi.

Procedures include cheekbone reduction, square jaw surgery, and orthognathic (two-jaw) surgery.
Known for expertise in facial reconstruction and restoration.

Eye & Nose Surgery

Managed by Director Park Sun-jae and others, focusing on both functional and aesthetic improvements.

Eye Surgery: Non-incisional eye correction and natural adhesion double eyelid surgery.
Nose Surgery: Currently handled by Director Yoo Gi-hyun and others.

Reputation & Risk Analysis

Positive Reputation

Expertise and Specialization: High reliability due to 20+ years of partnership among Seoul National University alumni, specializing in distinct fields. "One doctor does not perform all surgeries" is a strong point.
Global Awareness: Attracts international patients with well-equipped interpretation and accommodation support systems.
Safety Orientation: Investment in resident anesthesiologists and emergency systems provides psychological stability to patients.

Considerations & Complaints

Limitations of Large Hospitals: Some patients describe it as a "factory-style hospital," citing short doctor consultation times and perceived negligence in post-operative care.
Subjective Dissatisfaction: Due to the nature of plastic surgery, cases of subjective dissatisfaction with surgical results exist, with reviews mentioning unmet expectations.

Major Controversy: Personal Information Leakage Incident (2021)

In 2021, Banobagi Plastic Surgery Clinic faced a significant controversy due to a large-scale personal information leakage caused by a ransomware infection.

Incident Overview: Personal information of 6,251 customers was leaked from the customer management system, followed by blackmail attempts by hackers.
Violations: The clinic delayed notifying victims and violated security protocols, such as multiple employees sharing a single administrator account.
Disposition: Received administrative fines and corrective orders from the Personal Information Protection Commission, highlighting the importance of information security in medical institutions.

Conclusion

Banobagi Plastic Surgery Clinic and Representative Director Ban Jae-sang have been integral to the growth of the Korean plastic surgery market for over two decades. Director Ban has led the clinic's success through a strong academic background from Seoul National University and a flexible expansion of expertise from body contouring to anti-aging. The clinic's distinct "specialized medical staff system by field" remains its paramount strength and brand identity.

However, challenges such as criticisms regarding patient care within a large-scale system and the 2021 personal information leakage incident highlight areas for improvement. Prospective patients should carefully weigh the clinic's verifiable expertise and robust safety systems against potential concerns related to the large hospital environment and past security issues.

Verified Medical Expertise

Solid background from SNU and continuous expansion of specialized knowledge.

Specialized System by Field

Collaboration of specialists, each excelling in their respective areas.

Commitment to Patient Safety

Ensured through resident anesthesiologists and advanced emergency protocols.