Doctor Profile

Dr. Lee Myung-joo is a renowned Korean plastic surgeon with an international reputation, holding a medical degree from Kyungsung University. As the founder and director of VIP International Plastic Surgery Center, Dr. Lee has profound academic achievements and extensive clinical experience in autologous rhinoplasty, facial contour reshaping, and body contouring. He is not only a perfectionist surgeon but also a scholar who integrates artistic creativity into medical practice, dedicated to helping patients discover and showcase their "hidden natural beauty" through safe and natural surgical methods.

Professional Expertise and Technical Philosophy

Dr. Lee has been deeply engaged in the field of plastic surgery for many years, specializing in the following core procedures:

Comprehensive Rhinoplasty: Pioneered the use of autologous rib cartilage in Korea (1996). He developed the "Harmonious Nose" concept and the "Gold Line" rhinoplasty technique, focusing on enhancing natural facial aesthetics rather than artificial changes.
Facial Rejuvenation Surgery: Introduced High-SMAS facelift technology to Korea (2001). His approach considers overall facial bone structure to achieve natural, long-lasting rejuvenation.
Body Contouring: Includes breast augmentation, liposuction, fat grafting, and abdominoplasty. He developed techniques using 100% autologous tissue to treat mid-face depression in Asians, emphasizing material safety and biocompatibility.

Dr. Lee firmly believes that plastic surgery is not just the implementation of technique, but also the creation of art. His philosophy of "Harmonious Comprehensive Rhinoplasty" aims to enhance the patient's confidence by improving the overall natural beauty of the face, rather than making exaggerated changes to a single area.

Educational Background and Academic Positions

Born in 1960, Dr. Lee showed a strong interest in art and handicrafts from a young age, laying a unique foundation for his delicate operations in the field of plastic surgery. His academic journey was rigorous and solid:

1986: Graduated from the School of Medicine at Kyungsung University, obtaining a bachelor's degree and medical license.
1992: Graduated from Kyungsung University, obtaining a master's degree.
2000: Graduated from Chonnam National University, obtaining a doctoral degree.

Throughout his career, Dr. Lee has served as a clinical professor at several well-known medical schools, dedicated to training the next generation of doctors:

Clinical Professor, School of Medicine, Kyungsung University
Clinical Professor, School of Medicine, Inje University
Former Executive Member and Scientific Chairman, Korean Rhinoplasty Society

International Training and Cutting-Edge Vision

To continuously refine his skills, Dr. Lee served as a visiting scholar at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, USA, from 1999 to 2000, studying under several world-renowned plastic surgeons, including:

Dr. Rohrich: World-renowned plastic surgeon and editor of the *Plastic and Reconstructive Scientific Journal*.
Dr. Barton: Former President of ASAPS and creator of the High-SMAS facelift technique.
Dr. Byrd: Expert in rhinoplasty and cleft lip deformity treatment.

Additionally, he has conducted visits and exchanges at top international institutions such as Dr. Gunter's Rhinoplasty Institute and Dr. Hamra's Composite Face Lift Center, bringing these cutting-edge international technologies back to Korea for improvement and innovation.

Quality Safety Management System: 4-M and PDCA

Dr. Lee always prioritizes patient safety, establishing a strict quality management guideline to ensure high standards for every surgery:

4-M Management Principles:

Manpower: Only recruit, train, and educate the most qualified and experienced medical team.
Machine: Only purchase the safest and most modern surgical equipment.
Material: Cost is no object; only select the safest and highest-quality materials approved by the US FDA and/or Korean KFDA.
Method: Adopt proven safe surgical procedures to minimize patient risk and trauma, while continuously developing new technologies.

PDCA Quality Cycle:

Plan: Customize personalized surgical plans for each patient through high-quality consultation and physical examination.
Do: Perform surgical operations only by approved and well-trained surgeons.
Check: Strictly verify all procedural steps to ensure compliance with safety standards, and provide rigorous postoperative care until full recovery.
Act: Immediately take corrective measures for any non-conformities or unforeseen circumstances to ensure maximum safety throughout the care process.

Social Recognition and Membership

Dr. Lee's academic achievements and clinical contributions have been recognized by multiple authoritative plastic surgery associations worldwide. He is an active member or committee member of the following organizations:

American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)
American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS)
International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS)
Korean Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
Korean Association of Plastic Surgeons
Asian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Despite having successful experience in over 20,000 surgeries and numerous honors, Dr. Lee remains humble and down-to-earth. He views each patient as a unique work of art, persistently learning and perfecting his techniques to fulfill his mission—helping people regain confidence and bloom with their originally hidden natural beauty through the most natural plastic surgery methods.

Rib Cartilage Rhinoplasty

Details