Analysis Report

Ipche Plastic Surgery

Dr. Cho Hyun-woo In-depth Analysis

Facial Contouring Safety First Natural Results

Key Summary

Expertise & Specialization

Ipche Plastic Surgery specializes in Facial Contouring with unique protocols like '230-degree 3D Zygoma Reduction' and 'Peanut-shape Face Correction'. Dr. Cho Hyun-woo is a board-certified plastic surgeon from Yonsei University Severance Hospital with nearly 20 years of experience.

Safety System

An anesthesiologist is on-site, and the clinic operates a system with CCTV in operating rooms and observation capabilities to prevent proxy surgery and prioritize patient safety.

Surgical Philosophy

The philosophy pursues improvement within a safe range while preserving individuality rather than excessive resection. Applies 'Soft Contouring' emphasizing harmony of soft tissue (fat, muscle) as well as bone resection.

Reputation & Characteristics

Based on a single representative director system (recently reinforced with medical staff), it has high reliability due to the system where the operating surgeon handles everything from consultation to post-operative checks. Preferred by patients desiring natural improvements.

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Dr. Cho Hyun-woo Profile

Education & Certification

  • Graduated from Yonsei University College of Medicine
  • Master of Medicine from Yonsei University Graduate School
  • Board-certified Plastic Surgeon (Severance Hospital)
  • UPMC (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center) Plastic Surgery International Fellowship

Professional Career

  • Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Plastic Surgery, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine
  • Former Representative Director, Eight Plastic Surgery
  • Former Director at Mega Plastic Surgery, GMC Plastic Surgery
  • Current Representative Director, Ipche Plastic Surgery

Academic Activities & Expertise

  • Regular Member of the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, the Korean Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, and the Korean Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association
  • Served as General Affairs Director of the Minimal Invasive Plastic Surgery Society
  • Major Papers and Presentations: Has a history of research on 3D printing implant production, craniofacial reconstruction, etc.

Medical Philosophy

Analyzing Director Cho Hyun-woo's interviews and columns, his medical philosophy can be summarized as **"Naturalness within Safety"** and **"Honest Treatment"**.

  • **Aesthetics based on Reconstructive Surgery:** He became a plastic surgeon inspired by the reconstruction process after oral cancer surgery, which leads to an attitude that values preserving tissue and maintaining function rather than simply cutting bone.
  • **Avoiding Overtreatment:** If CT analysis results show it is not a bone issue (but an issue of fat or muscle), he does not recommend contouring surgery but suggests diet or procedures, aiming for honest consultation.
  • **Meticulous Suturing:** Emphasizes carefulness by devoting a lot of time to the suturing process to minimize scarring and aid recovery after surgery.

Hospital Information

Location & Basic Information

  • **Hospital Name:** Ipche Plastic Surgery (입체성형외과) - 'Ipche' reflects the medical goal of improving a flat face into a 3D (3-Dimensional) structure.
  • **Representative:** Cho Hyun-woo (Dr. Cho Hyun-woo)
  • **Address:** 5th Floor, Ssangbong Building, 874 Eonju-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (Near Apgujeong Rodeo Station and Apgujeong Station)
  • **Medical Departments:** Plastic Surgery, Anesthesiology (Facial Contouring, Eye/Nose Surgery, Lifting, Fat Grafting, etc.)

Medical Safety Systems

  • **Resident Anesthesiologist:** Anesthesiology specialists, including Director Nam Seong-geun, reside in the hospital and monitor vital signs throughout the surgical process.
  • **CCTV Observation System:** To resolve social concerns about proxy surgery (ghost surgery), CCTVs are installed within the operating room, and a system is in place allowing guardians to check the surgical process if desired.
  • **Emergency Medical Equipment:** The clinic is equipped with university-hospital-level safety equipment, such as an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) that supplies power even during outages, Dantrolene for malignant hyperthermia, and defibrillators.

Medical Staff Composition

  • **Representative Director Cho Hyun-woo:** Facial Contouring, Orthognathic, Revision Surgery.
  • **Director Heo Jae-won:** Board-certified Plastic Surgeon. Face lift, Lifting, Eye/Nose Surgery. Graduated from Yonsei University College of Medicine and completed the specialist course at Severance Hospital.
  • **Director Nam Seong-geun:** Board-certified Anesthesiologist. Dedicated to surgical anesthesia and pain management.

Major Procedures & Technical Features

230-Degree 3D Zygoma Reduction

This is a surgical method designed by combining the advantages of existing Quick Zygoma surgery and traditional 3D Zygoma surgery. In particular, '230-degree 3D Zygoma Reduction' is considered the signature surgery of this hospital.

Concept:

Supplementing the limitations of existing Quick Zygoma which only pushes the side cheekbone, this surgery shaves the 45-degree cheekbone area to smoothly improve the front, side, and up to the 45-degree side (approx. 230-degree range).

Surgical Method:
  • **Incision:** Approached through a micro-incision within the scalp (behind the sideburns), so there is almost no visible scar on the exterior.
  • **Anesthesia:** Can be performed under **Sedation Anesthesia** not general anesthesia, reducing the burden of anesthesia and allowing fast recovery.
  • **Features:** There is no intraoral incision, so the risk of cheek sagging is relatively low, and dining is possible immediately. Compared to 3D Zygoma Reduction where the bone is completely osteotomized and moved, the 45-degree reduction effect is about 80% level, but it has strengths in terms of recovery speed and safety.
Indications:

Suitable for cases where side cheekbones are mainly developed and 45-degree cheekbones are not severe, or for office workers wanting fast recovery.

3D Zygoma Reduction (Traditional 3D Zygoma Reduction)

This is the traditional surgical method performed when the cheekbone is generally large and protruding.

Method:

Using both intraoral and sideburn incisions, the body and arch of the cheekbone are osteotomized (L-shaped osteotomy, etc.), then the bone is rotated inward and fixed.

Features:
  • It definitely reduces the 45-degree and side cheekbones, allowing for a significant reduction in facial width.
  • Performed under general anesthesia.
  • The bone is firmly fixed (double fixation) to prevent non-union.

Peanut Face Correction

'Peanut-shaped face' refers to a shape where temples and cheeks are sunken while cheekbones and square jaws protrude, making the facial line uneven. Ipche Plastic Surgery resolves this not simply by cutting bone but by harmonizing 'filling' and 'reducing'.

Complex Solution:
  • **Reduction:** Protruding cheekbones are trimmed with zygoma reduction, and square jaws with square jaw reduction.
  • **Volume:** Sunken temples and side cheeks are filled with volume through autologous fat grafting to create a soft egg-shaped line.
  • **Soft Tissue Organization:** Removal of buccal fat pads or facial liposuction is performed in parallel to organize unnecessary flesh.

Male Facial Contouring

Applying specialized surgical methods focusing on the fact that men's skeletal and aesthetic standards differ from women.

Features:

Rather than a sharp V-line like women, actively utilizes cortical osteotomy which reduces frontal width while leaving the mandibular angle (jaw below the ear) to some extent, creating a sophisticated line while maintaining masculine charm.

Approach:

Considering the characteristics of men with thick bones and developed muscles, 3D Zygoma Reduction allowing definite osteotomy is often recommended rather than 230-degree Zygoma.

Reputation & Reviews Analysis

Positive Feedback

  • **Safety and Trust:** Reliability is very high regarding the point that it is a hospital without Shadow Doctors (proxy surgery) and the CCTV disclosure policy. The 1:1 dedicated system where Director Cho Hyun-woo takes care of everything from consultation to surgery and progress receives good reviews.
  • **Natural Results:** Reviews saying "Not excessive" and "Natural as if it were my original face shape" are dominant. Preferred by patients who avoid the artificial 'Plastic Monster' feel.
  • **Quality of Consultation:** Many evaluations state that Director Cho Hyun-woo's consultation is meticulous, he does not recommend unnecessary surgeries (conscientious treatment), and explains objectively while looking at CT photos.
  • **Satisfaction with 230-degree Zygoma Surgery:** Satisfaction among office workers is high as it is performed under sedation anesthesia, has fast recovery, and few side effects (cheek sagging).

Considerations & Negative Feedback

  • **Conservative Approach:** For patients wanting flashy and dramatic changes (e.g., making a very small face by cutting a lot of bone), the effect may feel somewhat minimal.
  • **Wait Time:** There are points that consultation and surgery wait times can be long due to the representative director-centered treatment system.
  • **Limitations of Surgery:** Regarding 230-degree Zygoma reduction, the director himself reveals through columns that effects may be limited for patients with very large or thick bones, and there is a possibility of dissatisfaction from patients who did not recognize this.

Side Effects & Aftercare

  • Like all facial contouring surgeries, possibilities of side effects such as sensory loss, swelling, and asymmetry exist.
  • The hospital supports swelling relief through aftercare programs such as SmartLux management. Regarding nerve damage (Mental nerve, etc.), the director explains based on anatomical knowledge himself, guides that most are temporary symptoms, and shows effort to relieve patient anxiety.

Comprehensive Analysis & Conclusion

Summary of Characteristics (SWOT Analysis)

Strengths:
  • High-difficulty surgical capability of a specialist from Yonsei Severance.
  • Certain safety systems such as resident anesthesia and CCTV.
  • Possession of specialized minimally invasive surgical methods like '230-degree Zygoma'.
Weaknesses:
  • High reliance on the representative director may make reservations difficult (attempting to alleviate by recruiting medical staff recently).
  • May be unsatisfactory for patients preferring flashy styles.
Opportunities:
  • Changing trends preferring natural plastic surgery.
  • Expansion of male plastic surgery market.
  • Increasing demand for revision and reconstructive surgery.
Threats:
  • Fierce price competition and marketing overheating among plastic surgery clinics in Gangnam area.

Final Evaluation

Ipche Plastic Surgery and Representative Director Cho Hyun-woo are analyzed to adhere to **"Principlism faithful to basics"**. Unlike factory-type large hospitals, they provide customized surgery by precisely analyzing individual patient skeletal characteristics, and the system that does not compromise safety is a strength.

Recommended for:

  • Patients considering safety as the top priority.
  • Patients wanting natural facial line improvement that isn't obvious.
  • Office workers needing fast recovery (230-degree Zygoma Reduction).
  • Patients worried about peanut-shaped faces or masculine skeletons.

Not Recommended for:

  • Patients wanting unrealistic doll-like lines by cutting bone to the extreme.
  • Patients considering low cost as the top priority (Specialist's proficiency and safety costs are reflected in the price).

In conclusion, Ipche Plastic Surgery is evaluated to be solidifying its position as a **'Premium Facial Contouring' brand based on safety and expertise** in the Korean plastic surgery market.