Returning Plastic Surgery · Kim Yong-woo Analysis Report

Executive Summary

Expertise & Specialization

Returning Plastic Surgery specializes in correcting side effects from facial contouring, high-difficulty eye/nose revision, and anti-aging lifting. Signature procedures include 'Witch's Chin' correction and 'Butterfly Lower Blepharoplasty'.

Medical Competence

Representative Director Kim Yong-woo is a board-certified plastic surgeon from Hanyang University, recognized for topping resident exams and receiving multiple best paper awards, ensuring precise surgery based on extensive clinical experience.

Medical Philosophy

The clinic operates on the philosophy of "treating patients like my own mother or mother-in-law," prioritizing safety and natural results over excessive, commercially driven treatments.

Market Reputation

Maintaining high ratings (9.7~9.9/10) on major platforms, the clinic receives overwhelmingly positive evaluations for its specific, professional consultations and meticulous post-operative care.

In-Depth Profile: Representative Director Kim Yong-woo

Education and Academic Achievements

**Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon:** Graduated from Hanyang University College of Medicine and trained at the same university hospital.
**Top Scorer in Resident Exam:** Achieved first place in the resident evaluation exam of the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, demonstrating profound theoretical knowledge.
**Best Paper Awards:** Received Best Paper Awards from both the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons and the Korean Wound Management Society, indicating excellence in academic research and clinical practice.
**Overseas Training:** Acquired advanced reconstructive plastic surgery techniques through training at the American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery (ASRM).

Major Career

**(Former) Director at BK Plastic Surgery:** Gained extensive clinical experience by performing various surgeries at one of Korea's leading large plastic surgery clinics.
**(Former) Director at EasyN Plastic Surgery:** Identified cosmetic surgery trends and patient needs through his experience at this institution.
**(Former) Director at Very Good Plastic Surgery:** Further developed his unique surgical know-how and experienced various hospital systems.

Society Activities

Director Kim Yong-woo is an active regular member of the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, the Korean Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, and the Korean Association of Plastic Surgeons. He reinforces his expertise through active membership in specialized sub-research groups, including the Anti-Aging Research Group, Blepharoplasty Research Group, and Rhinoplasty Research Group. He also serves as a Hidoc-Naver medical consultation doctor, actively engaging with the public.

Hospital Overview and Brand Identity

Hospital Information and Location

Returning Plastic Surgery is strategically located at the heart of plastic surgery medicine in Korea: 12th Floor, IZ Tower, 101 Teheran-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (Yeoksam-dong).

The hospital name 'Returning' embodies its brand identity, derived from the slogan "We will return your time to youth," signifying an anti-aging focus aimed at restoring a youthful and vibrant appearance.

Medical Philosophy and Operational Principles

Returning Plastic Surgery emphasizes a medical philosophy centered on treating patients with the same care and mindset as one's own family (mother, mother-in-law). This approach prioritizes patient safety and natural results over commercially driven or excessive surgeries.

The hospital operates from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM on weekdays and until 5:00 PM on Saturdays, ensuring accessibility for patients while being closed on Sundays and public holidays.

Facilities and Safety Systems

To guarantee utmost patient safety, CCTV is installed and actively operating within all operating rooms. The facility is fully equipped with advanced treatment systems for emergency situations and dedicated recovery rooms. This commitment addresses patient anxieties regarding substitute surgery (shadow doctors) and ensures the provision of transparent and secure medical services.

Major Procedures and Clinical Features (Returning Signature)

Returning Plastic Surgery excels in reconstructive-type cosmetic surgeries demanding deep anatomical knowledge, alongside general cosmetic procedures.

1. Witch's Chin Surgery (Chin Lifting)

**Definition and Cause:** Addresses sagging chin tip due to reduced bone volume post-facial contouring, or chin muscle (Mentalis muscle) ptosis from aging.
**Surgical Method:** Director Kim Yong-woo employs a core 'muscle repositioning' technique. This involves dissecting scar tissue and adhering it to the bone, repositioning the sagging Mentalis muscle upward, and firmly fixing it. Concurrent bone shaving or double chin muscle tying may be performed for a restored V-line.
**Clinical Significance:** This procedure is highly reconstructive, resolving complex side effects of contouring surgery, and requires profound anatomical understanding.

2. Fox Eye Lifting (Eye Corner Lifting)

**Features:** Corrects congenitally drooping eye corners or those lowered due to excessive lateral/lower canthoplasty.
**Technical Distinction:** Utilizes a lifting technique that fixes tissue to the periosteum or deep tissue without damaging surrounding eye structures, creating a clear and refreshed eye shape. Focuses on minimizing scarring and achieving a natural 'Cat-eye' or 'Fox-eye' look.

3. Butterfly Lower Blepharoplasty

**Concept:** Extends beyond general lower blepharoplasty by simultaneously achieving a lifting effect for the mid-face area (front cheek, butterfly zone).
**Surgical Effect:** Repositions bulging under-eye fat and organizes loose skin, while vertically pulling up sagging front cheek tissue using Endotine or threads. This maximizes nasolabial fold improvement and anti-aging effects, expanding the scope of lower blepharoplasty.

4. 3D Custom Implant Rhinoplasty

**Approach:** Overcomes limitations of ready-made implants by creating 3D printed custom implants (e.g., Fit-me) based on the patient's CT data, perfectly matching bone curvature and asymmetry.
**Advantages:** Prevents implant floating, minimizes side effects like migration or warping, and precisely implements the patient's desired nasal line.

5. Other Anti-aging Procedures

**Face Lift:** Performs authentic lifting surgery that dissects and pulls up to the SMAS (Superficial Musculo-Aponeurotic System) layer, offering various options including quick-recovery lifting tailored to the patient's recovery period.
**Double Chin Muscle Tying:** Involves tying the platysma muscle to effectively improve submental fullness and sharpen the jawline.

Market Reputation and Patient Analysis

Positive Evaluation Elements

**Professionalism in Consultation:** Patients highly praise Director Kim Yong-woo's specific and detailed explanations, often utilizing photos and CT scans during consultations. Reviews frequently highlight "High expertise," "Trustworthy," and "Clear answers to questions."
**Satisfaction with Results:** Exceptional satisfaction is reported for complex cases difficult for other hospitals, such as 'Witch's Chin' or 'Droopy Eye Corners.' Positive feedback also notes significant post-operative scar improvement and resolution of functional problems like dry eye.
**High Ratings:** The clinic consistently maintains high ratings, including 9.9 points on Gangnam Unni (134 reviews), and has been recognized as an 'Excellent Customer Evaluation Hospital' on Yeoshin Ticket.

Considerations and Feedback

**Waiting Time:** Due to the hospital's popularity, patients occasionally mention potential waiting times for consultations or surgeries. This is understood to stem from the medical team's meticulous and thorough consultation style.
**Cost:** For high-difficulty revision surgeries or specialized procedures (e.g., Witch's Chin, 3D Rhinoplasty), the price range is generally higher than for standard, low-cost procedures. For instance, the event price for Witch's Chin surgery is approximately 2.49 million KRW.

Comprehensive Analysis and Conclusion

**Returning Plastic Surgery Clinic** and **Representative Director Kim Yong-woo** are analyzed to be aiming for premium medical services centered on 'technical perfection' and 'safety' in the Korean plastic surgery market.

1. Technical Differentiation

Based on abundant experience at large hospitals and academic excellence, Director Kim Yong-woo has built a unique territory in fields difficult for general plastic surgery clinics, such as **'Witch's Chin (Chin Ptosis)'** and **'Simultaneous Mid-face Lifting (Butterfly Lower Blepharoplasty)'**. This demonstrates competence encompassing the realm of reconstructive plastic surgery requiring anatomical structure restoration beyond simple beauty.

2. Trust-based Operation

The philosophy of "mindset of operating on family" is practiced through specific consultations and safety devices such as CCTV installation, which leads to high patient trust and positive reputation.

3. Target Patient Group

It is judged to be a suitable hospital not only for first-time surgery patients but also for patients concerned about sagging after contouring surgery or eye/nose revision surgery, and middle-aged patients wanting natural but certain anti-aging effects.

In conclusion, Returning Plastic Surgery can be evaluated as a medical institution equipped with professionalism suitable for patients wishing to resolve high-difficulty cases under the responsible treatment of the representative director, avoiding factory-style hospital systems.