Analysis Report

Sandglass Plastic Surgery

Dr. Cho Young-ji, Representative Director Deep Dive

Body Contouring Liposuction & Fat Grafting Personalized Care

Key Insights

Specialized Focus

Sandglass Plastic Surgery, also known as Sandglass Clinic, specializes in body contouring, focusing on liposuction and fat grafting to achieve aesthetic body lines.

Dedicated Leadership

Led by Dr. Cho Young-ji, the clinic operates under a "Representative Director Responsibility System," ensuring personal involvement in all stages from consultation to aftercare.

Signature Techniques

Renowned for the "Sandglass Line" philosophy (hourglass figure) achieved through Pelvic/Hip Fat Grafting and 360-degree Liposuction, featuring the "Sumheun" (Hidden Trace) scarring technique.

Strong Reputation

Patients consistently report high satisfaction with body line design and Dr. Cho's detailed consultations, reflected in high ratings on major Korean aesthetic platforms.

Profile of Dr. Cho Young-ji

Dr. Cho Young-ji

Medical Background and Qualifications

Dr. Cho Young-ji serves as the Representative Director. His career is heavily focused on aesthetic medicine and body contouring. While not explicitly a "Plastic Surgery Specialist," he is a licensed physician with extensive experience and membership in several prestigious aesthetic academies.

  • Completed the Asia International Aesthetic Medicine Forum (AFAS)
  • Regular Member, Korean Academy of Aesthetic Surgery (KAAS)
  • Regular Member, Korean Society for the Study of Obesity (DAOR)
  • Regular Member, Korean Academy of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and Laser Surgery (KASLS)
  • Regular Member, Korean Academy of Obesity and Aesthetic Treatment (KAOT)
  • Regular Member, Korean Society of Aesthetic Surgery (KSAS)
  • Regular Member, Slim Korea Lipoplasty Society

Professional History

Dr. Cho has accumulated significant clinical experience across several well-known aesthetic clinics in Korea and abroad, specializing in liposuction and fat grafting.

  • Former Director: Gung Clinic (궁클리닉)
  • Former Director: Cheongdam Jeongwon Clinic (청담정원클리닉)
  • Former Director: Mi Clinic (미클리닉)
  • Former Director: Apgujeong Topline Clinic (압구정탑라인의원) (2015–2017) – *gained significant high-volume experience here*
  • International Experience: Former Director at Hangzhou ZHEN AL MEDICAL (楨愛醫療) in China

Hospital Information

General Information and Location

Sandglass Plastic Surgery (Sandglass Clinic / 모래시계의원) is located in Seoul's medical district, easily accessible near Sinnonhyeon Station.

  • Address: 5th Floor, 487 Gangnam-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul (Banpo-dong 737-18)
  • Weekdays (Mon-Fri): 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Saturdays: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM (Verification recommended for exact Saturday hours)
  • Sundays & Public Holidays: Closed

Operational Philosophy and System

The clinic operates on the **"Representative Director Responsibility System"**, ensuring Dr. Cho Young-ji personally handles the entire patient journey.

  1. Initial Consultation: Direct assessment of body type.
  2. Design: Customizing the surgical plan.
  3. Surgery: Direct execution of the procedure.
  4. Post-operative Care: Monitoring recovery and managing aftercare.

To ensure transparency and patient safety, operating rooms are equipped with **CCTV**. The clinic also provides a private, calming environment for patient comfort.

Clinical Specializations & Signature Procedures

Sandglass Clinic differentiates itself by focusing almost exclusively on body contouring, emphasizing the synergy between fat removal and volume addition to sculpt the ideal silhouette.

The "Sandglass Line" (Hourglass Figure)

The clinic's core branding revolves around creating an hourglass silhouette through a balanced approach:

  • Liposuction (Subtraction): To abdomen, waist, arms, and thighs for a slender frame.
  • Fat Grafting (Addition): To pelvis, hips (hip dips), and buttocks for curvature and volume.

Specialized Fat Grafting (Hip & Pelvis)

Dr. Cho is an expert in addressing "Hip Dips" and flat buttocks with a "1:1 Custom Hip-Up" design.

  • Harvests fresh fat (abdomen/thighs) and injects into gluteal and pelvic regions.
  • Focuses on the optimal waist-to-pelvis ratio for enhanced visual effect and longer legs.

"Sumheun" (Hidden Trace) Liposuction

A proprietary technique to minimize visible scarring:

  • Incision placement in concealed areas like bikini line, buttock crease, or deep armpit folds.
  • Aims for scars difficult to detect even with revealing clothing.

Specialized Area & "End Point" Liposuction

Dr. Cho performs high-precision liposuction on challenging areas:

  • Forearm (Ha-wan) Liposuction (thin fat layers, proximity to nerves).
  • Trapezius & Hump, Calves & Ankles contouring.
  • "End Point" Philosophy: Optimal fat removal for smooth skin and aesthetic line, avoiding excessive removal.

Market Reputation and Patient Feedback

Quantitative Ratings

Sandglass Clinic consistently receives high ratings on prominent Korean aesthetic surgery platforms:

  • Gangnam Unni: 9.6/10 (based on ~1,466 evaluations/events)
  • Goodoc: 5.0/5.0 (Satisfaction), with high marks for Kindness (4.8) and Facilities (4.9)
  • Babitalk: Reviews indicate high satisfaction with "real" results.

Qualitative Feedback: Positive Themes

  • Detailed Consultation: Dr. Cho is praised for his calm demeanor and realistic explanations, avoiding "upselling."
  • Design Capability: High satisfaction with the aesthetic "line" created, especially waist-to-pelvis transitions.
  • Forearm Liposuction: Specific acclaim for willingness to operate on niche, challenging areas.
  • No "Shadow Doctor" Fears: Transparency of the single-doctor system is a significant comfort factor.

Critical Feedback and Areas of Concern

Strategic Analysis & Conclusion

Competitive Positioning

Sandglass Clinic occupies a **specialized niche** in the Gangnam aesthetic market, focusing entirely on body architecture rather than facial surgery.

Strengths: High specialization in fat grafting/liposuction, strong branding ("Sandglass Line," "Sumheun"), and trust from its single-doctor system.

Weaknesses: Limited capacity due to the single-doctor model (scalability) and potential reliance on the director's physical stamina.

Conclusion

Sandglass Clinic (Moraesigye Ui-won), led by Dr. Cho Young-ji, is a reputable establishment for patients seeking body contouring in Korea. Dr. Cho's extensive background, particularly his tenure at high-volume liposuction centers, underpins his technical expertise. The clinic is characterized by a patient-centric, safety-focused approach (CCTV, no shadow doctors) and specific technical branding around minimizing scars ("Sumheun").

It represents a "boutique" medical service—prioritizing customized design and doctor-patient rapport over high-volume, low-cost processing. Its high ratings and specific focus on pelvic and hip aesthetics make it a significant player in the Korean body contouring market.

Disclaimer

This report is based on publicly available data, clinic websites, and patient review platforms as of late 2024/early 2025. Medical decisions should not be based solely on this report; direct consultation with the clinic and verification of the doctor's current medical license status through official Korean government channels is recommended.