WHY Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Clinic · Dr. Lee Seok-jae 분석 보고서

Clinic Overview & Key Principles

The landscape of facial bone surgery in South Korea is competitive, often blurring the lines between plastic surgery and oral and maxillofacial surgery. WHY Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Clinic (Korean: 와이구강악안면외과치과의원) positions itself as a specialized institution where functional recovery and aesthetic improvement intersect. Located in the medical hub of Gangnam, Seoul, the clinic is helmed by Dr. Lee Seok-jae, a veteran surgeon who previously led the orthognathic center at a major plastic surgery hospital. This report provides an in-depth analysis of the clinic's infrastructure, the director's professional background, clinical focus, and market reputation based on available data.

Specialized Expertise

Focuses on facial bone surgeries, including orthognathic and facial contouring, led by Dr. Lee Seok-jae, a board-certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon with over 20 years of experience.

Safety Philosophy

Distinguished by its strict "One Surgery Per Day" policy, ensuring the representative director performs the entire procedure, prioritizing patient safety and surgeon condition.

Medical Lineage

Dr. Lee Seok-jae follows in the footsteps of his father, Professor Lee Sang-chul, a pioneer in Korean oral and maxillofacial surgery, combining academic heritage with modern aesthetic sensibilities.

Transparency

Emphasizes transparency with CCTVs in operating rooms and a reputation for refusing unnecessary surgeries, rejecting 20-25% of consultation requests.

Profile of Representative Director Lee Seok-jae

Academic Background and Certification

Dr. Lee Seok-jae is a Board-Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon recognized by the Ministry of Health and Welfare. His academic foundation was established at Dankook University, where he obtained his Bachelor of Dentistry and subsequently a Master’s degree in Dentistry, specializing in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. He completed his internship and residency at the Dankook University Dental Hospital, gaining rigorous training in treating complex craniomaxillofacial deformities.

Professional Career

Dr. Lee possesses over 20 years of clinical experience, a significant portion of which was spent in high-volume surgical environments.

Before founding WHY Clinic, Dr. Lee served as the Head of the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department and Director of the Orthognathic Center at ID Hospital, one of Korea's largest plastic surgery institutions.
He served as the Dental Department Chief at the Capital Defense Command and as a Clinical Professor at Hallym University’s Graduate School of Clinical Dentistry.
He is an active regular member of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (KAOMS), the Korean Academy of Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and the Korean Academy of Oromaxillofacial Implantology.

Medical Philosophy and Lineage

A defining characteristic of Dr. Lee’s profile is his medical lineage. He is the son of Professor Lee Sang-chul, a renowned figure in the field who served as a professor at Kyung Hee University and president of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Dr. Lee cites his father as his primary inspiration, aiming to merge his father’s focus on functional recovery with his own focus on aesthetic satisfaction.

Dr. Lee advocates for the principle that "Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery is the Thoracic Surgery of Dentistry," highlighting the high-risk, high-precision nature of facial bone surgery. He emphasizes that while he learned the technical foundation from his father, his modern practice aims to address the psychological well-being of patients by resolving complex aesthetic complexes.

Clinic Information and Infrastructure

Location and Operations

Address: 3rd Floor, Brand Khan Tower, 527 Gangnam-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul (Banpo-dong). Accessible via Nonhyeon Station and Sinnonhyeon Station.
Operating Hours:
- Weekdays (Mon-Fri): 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Saturdays: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Sundays/Holidays: Closed

Facilities and Technology

WHY Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Clinic is equipped with diagnostic and surgical technologies essential for high-precision bone surgery.

3D Diagnostic Systems: Utilizes 3D CT (Computed Tomography) scanners for precise cross-sectional views crucial for surgical planning to avoid nerve damage and ensure symmetry.
Safety Infrastructure: Equipped with CCTV in operating rooms for patient trust and transparency, ensuring accountability regarding who performs the surgery.
Recovery Facilities: Dedicated recovery rooms and post-operative care systems are in place to manage the critical first 24-48 hours after major jaw surgery.

Major Clinical Procedures

The clinic specializes in "Face Bone Surgery," distinguishing itself from general plastic surgery by emphasizing the functional aspects of occlusion (bite) alongside aesthetics.

Orthognathic Surgery (Yang-ak Surgery)

This is the clinic's flagship procedure. It involves repositioning the maxilla (upper jaw) and mandible (lower jaw) to correct functional and aesthetic issues.

Indications: Malocclusion, facial asymmetry, protruding mouth (bimaxillary protrusion), long face syndrome, and lantern jaw (mandibular prognathism).
Surgical Approach: Dr. Lee emphasizes a "Normalizing Surgery" approach rather than just "becoming pretty." The goal is to return the jaw to a normal functional and aesthetic position.
Technique: The clinic employs techniques like SSRO (Sagittal Split Ramus Osteotomy) and IVRO (Intraoral Vertical Ramus Osteotomy) depending on the patient's specific anatomy and nerve position.

Facial Contouring (Yungwak Surgery)

Procedures designed to smooth the facial outline without altering the dental occlusion.

Square Jaw Reduction: Resecting the angular portion of the mandible to create a slimmer profile.
Cheekbone (Zygoma) Reduction: Reducing the width of the midface.
Chin Tip Surgery (Genioplasty): Advancing, receding, or narrowing the chin bone.

Revision Surgery

Dr. Lee handles complex revision cases where previous surgeries failed to correct asymmetry or resulted in dissatisfaction. He utilizes 3D analysis to identify the causes of failure, such as non-union of bone or incorrect fixation.

Comprehensive Analysis of Reputation and Characteristics

The "One Surgery Per Day" Policy

A critical differentiator for WHY Clinic is Dr. Lee’s adherence to a 1-day-1-surgery system.

Rationale: Orthognathic surgery is physically demanding and requires high concentration. Dr. Lee states that to maintain optimal condition and ensure the best outcome, he limits himself to one major surgery per day.
Process: This policy ensures that the representative director performs the entire procedure, from the initial incision to the final suturing, eliminating the risk of "shadow doctors" (unauthorized substitute surgeons).

Patient Selection and Ethics

Dr. Lee is noted for his conservative approach to patient selection.

Refusal Rate: In interviews, he has mentioned turning away approximately 20-25% of consultation patients. He refuses surgery for patients with unrealistic expectations or those for whom surgery would yield minimal benefit.
Counseling Style: Reviews and videos suggest he spends significant time explaining why a surgery might not be necessary, rather than pushing for a sale.

Reputation and Reviews

Quantitative Ratings: On major Korean aesthetic surgery platforms like Gangnam Unni, the clinic maintains a high rating (approx. 9.7/10 based on over 1,100 reviews).
Positive Feedback: Patients frequently cite the "professionalism of the director," "detailed explanations," "safety of the CCTV system," and "kindness of the staff."
Critical Feedback: As with any major surgery, there are mentions of the difficult recovery process (swelling, sensory numbness) and waiting times due to thorough consultations.

Safety and Anesthesiology

Given the nature of bone surgery, anesthesia safety is paramount.

Anesthesiology: The clinic operates with strict anesthesia protocols typical for orthognathic procedures. The presence of CCTV adds a layer of verification regarding the medical team's presence.
Emergency Systems: The clinic is equipped to handle airway management and other intra-operative emergencies inherent to oral surgery.

Conclusion

WHY Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Clinic stands out in the crowded Gangnam medical market by adhering to the orthodox principles of oral surgery while catering to aesthetic needs. Dr. Lee Seok-jae leverages his extensive experience from a major plastic surgery hospital and his academic heritage to offer a service model prioritized around safety and precision.

The clinic's defining characteristics—the "One Surgery Per Day" limit, the refusal of unnecessary procedures, and the transparency of CCTV implementation—position it as a "safety-centric" choice for patients considering high-risk facial bone surgeries. While it may not offer the factory-like speed or volume of larger hospitals, its boutique approach appeals to patients seeking personalized care and direct accountability from the head surgeon.

Summary: Clinic & Director Profile

Category	Details
Clinic Name	WHY Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Clinic (와이구강악안면외과치과의원)
Representative Director	Dr. Lee Seok-jae (이석재)
Specialty	Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (Board Certified)
Key Procedures	Orthognathic Surgery (Yang-ak), Facial Contouring, Revision Surgery
Location	Gangnam-daero 527, Seocho-gu, Seoul (Near Nonhyeon Stn.)
Core Philosophy	1 Surgery Per Day, Functional Recovery + Aesthetic Satisfaction
Safety Features	CCTV in OR, 3D CT Diagnosis, Direct Care by Director
Reputation	High ratings (9.7/10), known for ethical patient selection