Seung Ryong Lee, MD

Why I Chose V-Line Surgery I've wanted V-line surgery for years due to my square jaw and strong masseters making my face look bottom-heavy. Masseter Botox helped, but it was high-maintenance and expensive, especially in SoCal. Finding the Right Clinic I discovered Girin Plastic Surgery through forums and social media. Their natural results matched what I wanted—I didn’t want an exaggerated V-shape. They were responsive, accommodating, and smaller in size, which I preferred. After researching multiple clinics, I chose Girin and booked my procedure: V-line surgery, fat grafting (nasolabial folds), and double chin reduction. Preparing for the Trip Traveling alone was nerve-wracking, but Girin made it easier by providing airport pickup, drop-off, and four nights of hotel accommodation. I stayed for two weeks as recommended and brought essentials like protein powder, syringes for eating, arnica for swelling, and soft foods like pumpkin porridge and protein shakes from convenience stores. Consultation & Pre-Surgery Tests Upon arrival, I met Anna, my English-speaking translator, who was incredibly helpful. Pre-surgery tests (CT scan, X-ray, blood & urine tests) were done. I consulted Dr. Lee for facial contouring, bringing reference pictures. He reassured me my nerves were high enough to avoid risks and recommended jaw reduction, zygoma, and chin refinement for balance. For double chin lipo and fat grafting, Dr. Park explained fat would be taken from my thighs. Surgery & Recovery The surgery process was smooth, though I was anxious. I woke up nauseous, freezing, and in discomfort but was well cared for by the nurses. I stayed an extra night at the clinic due to pain. By day 2, my oral tubes were removed, and I moved to my hotel. The swelling peaked at 48–72 hours, making my face feel incredibly tight and puffy. Recovery Tips: Swelling Relief – Cold compresses, lymphatic massage, sleeping with head elevated, and walking help. Diet – Stick to soft foods: protein shakes, porridges, eggs, avocado, soft bread, etc. 1st Week Swelling was intense, but discomfort lessened. Some stitches were removed, and I saw my before & after CT scan—the changes were subtle yet refined, exactly what I wanted. 2nd Week - Flying Home Swelling was still significant, but I masked it with a face compression band, hat, and mask. Girin arranged airport transport, and I continued my recovery at home. 3rd Week By the third week, the swelling had been gradually decreasing each day. I started to notice tingling in my lower lip and chin—a sign that nerve regeneration had begun. My ability to chew improved, and I began incorporating slightly more solid foods like finely chopped fruits into my soft diet. However, some residual swelling was still present, and I continued to be cautious with food choices. 1st Month At the one-month mark, about 70% of the swelling had subsided. I experienced further improvement in sensation and was able to add more solid foods, such as thinly sliced chicken and sandwiches (cut into manageable pieces), to my diet. The overall appearance of my face was settling into its final shape, and the dramatic changes became more subtle, resulting in a more natural look. Can't wait to see more results as time passes by and I will update you guys again soon on my 3rd month mark! Updated on 14 Mar 2025: 2 month update, adding before and after pics. Around 90% of the swelling is down and I can eat almost normally like before. I also regained around 75% sensation back on my lower lip and chin, so I can say healing is going really well. Updated on 23 Apr 2025: 3rd month update. More than 90% of swelling is gone and my results look very natural. My face is smaller, softer in a subtle way (which is what I wanted) and no longer feel self conscious of my jawline, I definitely feel more confident and beautiful. I met with family recently and no one notice that I had surgery and just assumed that I lost some weight. My diet is back to normal, I can eat crunchy food and burgers, and I can open my mouth by 3 fingers, almost like before. The sensation on my lower lip and chin are 85% back, still some tingling as the nerves continue to regenerate and just a small portion of my left lower lip is still numb but no functional issues. Very happy with the outcome and can’t wait for even more swelling to go down! Updated on 6 May 2025: Adding a 3rd month post op pic. I feel since my face is more oval, I can tie, part and style my hair in any way and it still looks flattering. Never experienced this when my jaw was more square, so super excited about that :) Updated on 22 Jul 2025: 6th month update. No more visible swelling left and my life has resumed and diet is back to normal again. Results are so natural that almost none of my family/friends suspected anything (except one relative mentioned that I look a bit different and my face is smaller. I just said I went on a diet lol!) i’d say my biggest win is i’m no longer self conscious esp. when I look down because my face is no longer bottom heavy. Also, my expressions are softer and friendlier now, even my bf noticed this (I used to look unapproachable before lol). As for the sensation on my lower lip, about 95% is back, but I’ve gotten so used to it that I no longer notice the 5% numbness. Overall no regrets and I’m happy I did the surgery. Thank you Girin!!

After a traumatic V Line surgery in Thailand, I ended up looking like an alien. I've consulted with over 30+ doctors all over Asia, and Dr. Lee was one of the few surgeons who understood my concern fully, and able to match my expectation with reality. He carefully explained the surgery limitations, and side effects realistically in English. There were also hospital translators to assist throughout the whole surgery process. Glad I'm over with one of the biggest headaches of my life!

I knew Korea was really famous for their plastic surgery so when I was researching some clinics online, I came across Girin Plastic Surgery on their youtube. This specific video amazed me with their face contouring so I decided to give them a call. It was difficult to find their contact because their English website was renewing at the time but luckily I found them on ig and they gave me their WhatsApp number to contact. Although their response wasn't the fastest, I could feel that they really cared to answer my questions and gave me quotes for all possible surgeries. I booked an appointment with them right away and went to the clinic a month after, in September. They helped me book a taxi from Incheon Airport to Gangnam. It was nice to have English-speaking driver, although his English wasn't all that great. I believe it was alittle cheaper than the normal korean taxi (mine was a van). And because I paid deposits, they gave me discounts on the hotel. It was nice for them to provide me with a hotel that was VERY NICE with 50% discount. Waiting time wasn't bad (about 10~20mins) and the consultation took about an hour or even more. Although the consultant looked very busy, I had their staff member keep me accompanied ;) I had my blood test and EKG (?) right after the consultation since my surgery was on the day. The coordinator helped me to get changed, wash my face and rinse my mouth before I went into the surgery room. And the last thing I remember from the surgery room is the coordinator assuring me to relax and just sleep. When I woke up, I felt very dizzy and light-headed. The swelling was horrible but there wasn't much bruising. I just had to use the garment and ice pack for the swelling to go down. The clinic also provided me with de-swelling laser treatment which was warming :) 2 weeks after the surgery, I looked somewhat "normal" and was ready to go back to my home. Because I had surgery right after I landed and the swelling was bad during my stay in Korea, I didn't get to travel and explore much but overall experience was great! My after picture is 3 months after the surgery. (Just a few days ago) My face looks a lot smaller, especially the chin. I now really enjoy looking at myself in the mirror xD If you are looking to get face contour done, then I would definitely try consulting with girin.

Because it was my third time getting nose job, I had many questions and was very anxious, however, consultant really took her time to sorted all possible surgeries out and I got to explain in detail of what I didn’t like about my nose (I wanted to have higher tip and slimmer nose without changing the bridge much.) Dr.Lee was generous in my opinion and felt really comfortable with him throughout the entire process. The consultant reached out to me after the whole consultation, that if I were to share my pictures and let them use it for their Before & After, then they would give me some discounts which wasn’t a problem for me to let them use my pictures. I’d say I’ve got my surgery done for reasonable price ? I was very bruised and swelled right after the surgery. And my nose was stuffed inside which I felt uncomfortable, however, pieces of cotton inside my nose were taken out after 3 days. (Try to bare with the cotton for a little, if they stuffed you too.) I was terrified because of the swelling I had but after a month, the overall swelling had gone down (Light exercises, ice-pack, and pumpkin juice really helped). I had to leave Korea early because of my schedule so I didn’t get to see the doctor as much as I wanted, though the clinic was SOOO NICE to keep me updated every now and then to check on the result. Dr. Lee and the staff in the clinic were such amazing people! If you have the chance to visit their office and get the surgery done, definitely ask for discounts if you are ok with sharing your pictures, it really saves your wallet.

I did leave a fire star review initially, but the fact that the surgeon has BOTCHED my liposuction of my banana rolls leaving my lower buttocks permanently deformed has made me change my review. During the consultation he mentioned that to liposuction that area was risky, but he thought he could do it. I said there was no pressure from me to treat that specific area if he thought it wasn’t a good idea. Now I have to look into getting it fixed- which will probably require another surgery. I feel as though they went ahead with doing this just because it would be more money for them.

I visited Girin plastic surgery after a lot of many good online reviews about the clinic.I went for rhinoplasty, fat injection at the nasolibial folds. but otherwise I beleive I had have beautiful face before the surgery.Dr Lee who is the only plastic surgeon working with another eye surgery advised me for many other surgeries like mentoplatsy, jaw surgery, face thread lift, fat injection, rhinoplasty. to look much better, the total cost after many negotiations were 13 thousands dollars....they didn't give details for the procedure as patients spent the time with with a consultant who is away from the medical field, of course the doctor is very busy to explain how things will go, or doesn't care how much the patient need to understand,.I agreed trusting them and paid all my saving in life ,,within 6 days after the swelling started to go down, I found horrible facial(nasolibial creases) 10 times more than mine before, with bigger nose? also some of the sutures were inside my nose then the nurse discovered them when I told her something is hurting me inside the nose and touched a thread of the suture by my fingers.1 days before leaving SK, I express my worry to the doctor about the deep creases in my face that make me more old and ugly, he agreed with me???? and told me let's go for another fat injection ??any way , here is the update within one month till now three months post surgery...I have deep nasolibial creases that I never had before makes my face very old as if I'm 60 ys old look very ugly I don't know why they did for me to have that ,, adding to a big brown burn under the skin of the tip of my nose , very obvious to all people as the first sign you may notice in me, asymmetry to my nose , inability to breath especially from the right side with still big nose.. unable to move my jaw as if it's paralysed , heavy and weak, I need effort to move it. very loose and redundant skin of the whole face. I am in a terrible situation and very very depressed as I get scarred when I see myself in the mirror,,,, ashamed to get in contact with people from my new shapeI contacted them many times and sent my photo and they always reassure... then I asked for some of the money to go for another medical advice especially for the scar of my nose but they deny responsibility and left me bare handed after I paid all the money I saved in my life ........they told me you signed a consent,,, and we don't guarantee result...... Updated on 10 Dec 2015: Updated on 10 Dec 2015: Updated on 13 Feb 2016: no I'm not able to pay for correction it's very expensive to pay more thousands I don't have this luxury Updated on 1 Mar 2016: Here is a photo to the redundant and loose skin under my neck which is another night mare following this surgery.....I uploaded photo immediately before the surgery and the my current photo after 8 month post surgery Updated on 1 Mar 2016: redundant and loose skin under my neck . Another night mare following this surgery....my photos a day before and 8 month post surgery

I am planning to have surgery this summer at Girin Clinic for V-line for entire mandible and chin, zygoma reduction, chin augmentation, fat graft to forehead and cheeks, acculift and ptosis revision for my eyes. I chose Seoul, Korea because I feel that there is a higher volume of surgical procedures in the areas that will address the issues with my features that I have. I have spoken to other doctors in the United States and the prices are exorbitant and the results varied. I feel that my chances for the results I am looking for will be better in Korea. I have a very strong jawline and chin and it gives me a masculine and harsh appearance. I have a stronger jawline than some men I have met and it really bothers me. It is like Jennifer Aniston :( and I simply do not find strong features like mine attractive. My nickname used to be butterface (nice body, ugly face) and I would cry about it. It sucked to be known as that person. I am no longer going to be bound by my own insecurities and I am going to do something about how I feel about my appearance. Some may disagree with this decision and say to me I should just accept my looks, but I chose not to. I am hoping for a dramatic change to my appearance and I want to look beautiful with soft features and feminine. I will put some before and after photos up, but I will blot my eyes out, because I do want some privacy. Since surgery will not be until a few months from now, I will return in 6 months with the results of my makeover. Please wish me luck everyone! I am very excited and optimistic about this. Updated on 24 Jun 2018: I did not go with Girin afterall, I chose Face Dental Clinic in Seoul. I had vline, genioplasty and double jaw surgery, I felt my results were somewhat subtle, and I was hoping for something more dramatic. I have a low nerve in my jaw and I was informed I could not remove any more bone. My face is shorter and my surgery was done safely. I felt that if I was going to do major surgery like double jaw, the best clinic would be a dental clinic and I am glad I chose that. I had swelling that lasted for months and I drank liquids for weeks until I was able to eat very soft foods. The recovery process with a surgery like that is quite long.