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Dr. Lee Jin-soo's Plastic Surgery Essay 38 - Is What You See Really the Truth?

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  This artwork is "Sunrise - Impression" painted by Claude Monet, a representative figure of Impressionism at the end of the 19th century. It's a famous painting that served as the archetype of Impressionism. It expresses the feeling of the sunrise, which changes every moment. However, when you look at this painting, the colors vary slightly depending on whether you see it in person, through a book, or on a monitor, or depending on the sources that introduce it. Looking at pictures with different color schemes makes you desire to fly to Paris to see this painting in person. However, upon closer reflection, is what you see when you actually see it in person the true colors of the painting? Even when you see it in person, colors may appear differently depending on conditions like lighting and viewing angle. What do people believe in? What do they trust the most? There's a saying that you should believe only what you see with your own eyes. In other words, you can only b...

Dr. Lee Jin-soo's Plastic Surgery Essay 37 - What Beauty Means to a Plastic Surgeon? (feat. Art Appreciation)

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  I am a plastic surgery specialist. I perform plastic surgeries, particularly focusing on facial bone surgeries such as facial contouring and jaw surgeries. The general process of conducting plastic surgery is as follows: A patient visits the hospital with dissatisfaction about their appearance, expresses their concerns, and I, as the surgeon, identify the issues. Subsequently, a surgical plan is devised to address these concerns, and after obtaining the patient's consent, the planned surgery is executed. During my training as a plastic surgeon, my initial emphasis was on honing surgical techniques to perform surgeries skillfully. As proficiency in surgical skills improved, I shifted my focus towards meticulous surgical planning. Just as architectural designs are crucial in construction, a well-devised surgical plan is imperative for enhancing the overall quality of the surgery. While refined surgical skills contribute to the quality within the set plan, an excellent surgical plan...

Preventing Sagging in Face Contouring Surgery

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  As the year-end approaches, it marks a crucial time for students and job seekers, engaging in numerous interviews where first impressions matter significantly. Facial features play a substantial role in forming these impressions, making facial contouring surgery a topic of high interest. Facial contouring surgery involves altering the outer lines of the face through procedures like cheekbone reduction, square jaw surgery, and V-line surgery. This surgery smoothes out protruding bones on the face, resulting in a softer appearance. However, in exploring information about facial contouring, one may come across discussions about potential side effects, with sagging being a commonly mentioned concern. Understanding the causes of sagging and learning how to avoid it is crucial when considering facial contouring surgery. Excessive Bone Removal: Sagging can occur when an excessive amount of bone is removed unnecessarily. Many individuals mistakenly believe that the more bone is removed,...

Plastic Surgery Essay 36 - My Ideal Face: The Face Altered by Selfie Editing Apps

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  With the rise of online activities and increased engagement in virtual spaces, people nowadays exhibit a heightened interest in images appearing on online videos and mobile social media. As individuals frequently share their own faces in these digital spaces, the pursuit of achieving a beautifully enhanced face through online filters and editing apps has become a common practice. In the process of posting one's face online, many resort to the power of facial editing apps. Through repetitive use of such apps, the edited selfies gradually become closer to the individual's ideal standard of beauty. [Image Source: Google] Even during consultations with plastic surgeons, the trend has shifted from presenting photos of popular celebrities to sharing edited selfies as the desired outcome. The new beauty standard is now defined by the virtual self created through filters. From the perspective of a plastic surgery specialist, aiming for surgery based on one's own edited selfie see...

Jaw Surgery and Facial Contouring: Avoiding Excessive Expectations

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  When considering jaw surgery (orthognathic surgery) or facial contouring procedures, it is crucial to refrain from having unrealistic expectations. The lower jaw (mandible) contains sensory nerves responsible for the sensation of the lower lip and chin. Individuals contemplating jaw reduction surgery (square jaw surgery) often express the following request: "Please cut everything below the jaw nerve!" Similarly, those considering jaw surgery or facial contouring procedures such as cheekbone reduction, jaw reduction, or chin surgery frequently request: "Make my face as small as possible!" Procedures that alter facial bone structure, like jaw surgery and facial contouring (cheekbone reduction, jaw reduction, chin surgery), are complex and not minor surgeries. They typically require general anesthesia, making the decision to undergo them more challenging. Most individuals deciding on facial bone surgery carefully consider their options before making a difficult dec...

Eyelid Surgery for Middle-aged Individuals: Diverse Options and Natural Results

  The interest in eyelid surgery among middle-aged individuals is increasing as the year-end approaches. Aging typically begins in the late 30s, leading to the onset of sagging eyelids. This is attributed to the decreased elasticity of the skin and the downward migration of structures like the forehead and eyebrows. Rather than the entire eyelid sagging uniformly, the outer portion tends to droop first. The muscles between the eyebrows, which contribute to furrowing, somewhat support the inner part of the eyelid, causing it to sag less. In contrast, the outer skin is more vulnerable, leading to its downward displacement. When the outer skin descends, it disrupts the balance of the double eyelid line, resulting in an aged appearance starting from the middle. Even individuals with initially thin eyelids can observe them becoming thicker and more uneven once sagging occurs. In such cases, various options are available based on individual preferences and conditions. For mild saggin...

Correcting Jaw Surgery and Protrusion Surgery: It Must Be Considered with Orthodontics

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  Nowadays, the obligation to wear masks indoors has almost disappeared. Consequently, there is a growing interest in facial shapes that were previously hidden by masks. Particularly, there has been increased interest in the mouth area, which was entirely covered by masks. Surgical procedures for improving the face can be broadly categorized into two types. First is surgery that refines the outer contour of the face, known as facial contouring surgery. This includes surgeries such as cheekbone reduction, jaw reduction (square jaw surgery), and chin surgery (V-line surgery). The second type involves surgeries performed on the upper jaw (maxilla) and lower jaw (mandible), including orthognathic surgery and protrusion surgery. Especially these days, there is significant interest in surgeries related to the mouth, such as orthognathic surgery and protrusion surgery. For those considering orthognathic or protrusion surgery to address dissatisfaction with their mouth, there are essential...