Apgujeong Seoul Plastic Surgery · Lee Min-gu Analysis Report

Key Summary

History and Scale

Opened in 2000, possesses over 20 years of clinical data and established itself as a landmark hospital near Apgujeong Station.

Medical Team Expertise

Major medical staff, including Representative Director Lee Min-gu, are alumni of Seoul National University College of Medicine and specialists from Seoul National University Hospital.

Major Procedures

Shows strength in Anti-aging (Face Lift) and youth-restoring surgery for middle-aged demographics, emphasizing safety through resident anesthesiologists.

Reputation and Characteristics

Known for a surgical style that pursues 'naturalness', enhancing unique individuality. High trust due to long-term operation, though some mixed reactions exist.

Hospital Overview and Infrastructure

Hospital History & Location

Apgujeong Seoul Plastic Surgery opened in 2000 and has been operating for about 25 years. It is located at 840 Nonhyeon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (598 Sinsa-dong), near Exit 4 of Apgujeong Station, offering excellent accessibility.

The hospital has grown alongside the Korean plastic surgery market, evolving into a medical institution that performs not only simple cosmetic surgery but also reconstruction and high-difficulty surgeries.

Clinical Philosophy & Operation System

The hospital's core slogan is "The beginning of healthy and safe beauty", reflecting the will to prioritize patient safety over unreasonable surgeries.

**Customized Treatment:** Aims for minimal incision and non-incision customized plastic surgery that brings out the individual's unique image.
**Cooperation System:** Establishes a cooperative system between plastic surgery specialists and anesthesiology/pain medicine specialists to monitor safety throughout the entire surgical process.

Safety Infrastructure

Apgujeong Seoul Plastic Surgery is equipped with specific safety systems to prevent medical accidents:

**Resident Anesthesiologist:** Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine specialists (such as Director Jang Chang-ha) reside in the hospital and perform 1:1 dedicated anesthesia, providing 'Patient Controlled Analgesia (PCA)' for pain management.
**Advanced Monitoring and Equipment:** Possesses state-of-the-art medical equipment equivalent to university hospitals and ensures a transparent medical environment through CCTV in operating rooms.
**Emergency Response System:** Equipped with automated external defibrillators (AED) and emergency situation manuals, checking patients' vital signs in real-time.

In-depth Profile of Representative Director Lee Min-gu

Education and Major Career

**Education:** Graduated from Seoul National University College of Medicine and obtained a Ph.D. in Plastic Surgery from the same graduate school.
**Training and Clinical Experience:** Completed residency and fellowship in Plastic Surgery at Seoul National University Hospital.
**Major Positions:**
- Former) Head of Plastic Surgery at Seoul National University Boramae Hospital.
- Former) Director of COREA Plastic Surgery in Beijing, China (Experience in overseas expansion).
- Current) Advisory Doctor and Clinical Professor at Seoul National University Hospital Plastic Surgery (Adjunct as of 2024).

Academic Activities and Expertise

Director Lee is an active regular member of the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons and the Korean Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, and also holds regular membership in the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS).

He continues active academic activities, holding a solid position within the academia, such as serving as a chairperson or moderator at symposiums in basic medicine and plastic surgery education fields.

Medical Philosophy and Media Activities

Director Lee Min-gu has a strong attachment to clinical practice, stating his dream is "to see patients in active duty for another 20 years".

He has appeared on numerous broadcasts (KBS, Channel A, YTN, etc.) conducting interviews on topics such as preventing plastic surgery side effects, delivering correct plastic surgery information, and anti-aging surgery trends, continuing communication with the public.

He particularly emphasizes the importance of functional plastic surgery, such as ptosis correction, aiming for surgeries that improve quality of life as well as aesthetic improvement.

Key Medical Staff and Fields of Treatment

Key Medical Staff Composition

Director Choi Joong-hyuk

Head of Nose & Contour Center

Seoul National University College of Medicine alumnus.
Specializes in nose surgery and facial contouring.

Director Seon Sang-hoon

Graduate of SNU College of Medicine and specialist from Asan Medical Center.
Strengths in breast surgery and body contouring.

Director Kim Dae-young

Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine and Samsung Medical Center alumnus.
In charge of eye surgery and anti-aging.

Director Bae Nam-seok

Yonsei University College of Medicine and Severance Hospital alumnus.
Training experience at MD Anderson Cancer Center in the USA.

Director Jang Chang-ha

Anesthesiology & Pain Management

Kyung Hee University College of Medicine alumnus.
Exclusively in charge of surgical anesthesia and pain management.

Signature Procedures

While the hospital performs various surgeries as a comprehensive plastic surgery clinic, it shows particular strength in the following areas:

1. Anti-aging & Face Lift

Director Lee Min-gu's main field, including face lifts, forehead lifts, and lower blepharoplasty.
Focuses on solving the fundamental causes of aging and maintaining natural expressions beyond simply smoothing wrinkles.

2. Eye Surgery (Blepharoplasty)

Rich clinical experience not only in double eyelid surgery but also in ptosis correction and middle-aged eye surgery.
Improves satisfaction after surgery by addressing functional problems (e.g., lack of eye-opening strength).

3. Nose Surgery (Rhinoplasty)

Centered around Director Choi Joong-hyuk, professionally performs deviated nose correction, hump nose surgery, and nose revision.
Prefers methods that minimize the use of implants or utilize autologous tissues to reduce side effects.

4. Breast and Body Contouring

Performs breast augmentation, reduction, and liposuction, proceeding safely under the presence of an anesthesiologist.

Reputation and Patient Review Analysis

Positive Evaluation

**Natural Results:** Many patient reviews highlight "natural and not excessive" and "harmonious like my original face," with Director Lee Min-gu known for avoiding artificial-looking results.
**Stability and Trust:** High trust due to 20+ years of operation and its reputation as a Seoul National University alumni hospital. Patients also appreciate the kindness of consultants and directors, and the non-coercive atmosphere.
**Aftercare:** Numerous reviews mention meticulous post-operative swelling management and progress checks, with the possibility of long-term observation contributing positively.

Negative Evaluation and Considerations

**Waiting Time and Reservations:** As a popular hospital, some opinions suggest long waiting times or difficulty in making reservations.
**Conservative Approach:** For patients seeking flashy and dramatic changes, the hospital's 'naturalism' philosophy might be perceived as too conservative. Some reviews mention "the change is not significant" or "it became like an inner double eyelid."
**Post-op Dissatisfaction Cases:** Like all plastic surgery clinics, there are cases of dissatisfaction regarding persistent swelling, asymmetry, or differences from expectations. However, these often stem from individual recovery speeds or differences in aesthetic standards rather than medical malpractice.

Medical Accidents and Safety Issues

When medical accidents at plastic surgery clinics in the Apgujeong area became social issues, this hospital also received questions regarding safety. In response, the hospital communicated transparently through website Q&As, stating, "We are always striving to prevent accidents that can occur probabilistically, and we are equipped with an attitude to take responsibility for any eventuality." They particularly relieve patients' anxiety by emphasizing the resident anesthesiologist system.

Comprehensive Analysis and Conclusion

**Apgujeong Seoul Plastic Surgery** is a resilient hospital that has maintained its reputation for nearly 25 years in the Gangnam plastic surgery market, where trends change rapidly. The expertise of the medical staff from Seoul National University, led by **Representative Director Lee Min-gu**, and the clinical philosophy that prioritizes safety—though conservative—are the hospital's core competencies.

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Authenticity

Academic background as a Seoul National University College of Medicine alumni hospital and extensive clinical experience.

Safety

Resident anesthesiologist and establishment of university-hospital level safety systems.

Naturalism

Specialization in anti-aging and eye/nose surgery that avoids excessive plastic surgery and enhances inherent individuality.

In conclusion, Apgujeong Seoul Plastic Surgery is analyzed as a medical institution suitable for patients who want safe and natural improvements through proven surgical methods rather than pursuing rapid appearance changes following the latest trends. It possesses high competitiveness, especially in fields requiring high-level skills and stability, such as anti-aging surgery for the middle-aged or revision surgeries.