The Advantages of a Breast Surgery x Plastic Surgery Collaborative System!

Hello.

I’m Director Shin Seung-han of Moms Breast Surgery & Plastic Surgery Clinic.

The unique feature and advantage of our hospital is that breast surgery doctors and plastic surgery doctors work together in a collaborative system throughout the entire process, from consultation to surgery and treatment.

It is not uncommon for specialists from both departments to work at the same hospital, but because there are various issues such as who takes the lead in surgery, in fact, it is unprecedented for specialists from both departments to cooperate throughout the entire process for one patient.

In a way, this is a system that is possible because we are a married couple.

Many people have shown support and encouragement for this special strength of our clinic.

Some people ask, "If a married couple fights, won’t it ruin the surgery?"

Since I have the chance, I’d like to say this: working together as married doctors is truly harmonious!

The collaborative system at Moms Breast Surgery & Plastic Surgery Clinic is broadly divided into three parts.

I’d like to explain how we cooperate in each of the three stages: consultation, surgery, and follow-up.

Consultation process

For consultations, Director Bae handles the initial consultation first.

STEP 1

We explain the overall surgical process, and after directly examining the patient while undressed, we explain the design and surgical method that are tailored to each individual.

STEP 2

After the consultation with Director Bae, the patient undergoes several tests, including X-rays and 3D virtual surgery imaging.

STEP 3

After that, based on the test results, there is a second consultation with me.

I do not conduct consultations with patients while they are undressed.

In fact, many people who come in for breast reduction surgery are shy, so we avoid repeated undressing.

So, except in special cases, we explain everything based on the test results and photos alone, so we try to hold the consultation together with family members who came with the patient whenever possible.

However, social prejudice against breast reduction surgery still exists, so we also make sure family members receive accurate information so they can understand the necessity of the procedure and support it.

Collaboration during surgery

When people hear that we perform surgery together, some think that one person operates on one side each.

Because symmetry is important for the breasts, if we did it that way, asymmetry would be unavoidable.

Director Bae, a breast surgery specialist, has extensive experience with the glandular tissue inside the breast and with blood and lymph circulation.

As a plastic surgery specialist, I (Director Shin) focus on the visible skin and scars.

To summarize:

Director Bae: tissue removal and repositioning

Director Shin: suturing and minimizing scars

That’s how I would describe it.

After Director Bae finishes tissue removal and repositioning on one side and moves to the other side, I stay and begin suturing.

Once I finish suturing one side, Director Bae has usually nearly finished the removal on the opposite side, so I then move to the other side as well and continue suturing, proceeding in sequence like that.

In other words, rather than speed of surgery, we focus on each of our own areas of expertise.

This leads to better surgical outcomes.

Lastly, collaboration also takes place during treatment and follow-up.

After surgery, patients visit for the first follow-up on day 3, and then return on day 10 and week 3.

At that time, Director Bae, the breast surgery specialist, checks for swelling and bleeding through an ultrasound examination.

Director Shin, the plastic surgery specialist, begins laser treatment from 3 weeks after surgery.

After that, for laser treatment, follow-up care is usually provided at about one-month intervals for 6 months to 1 year.

A collaborative system between breast surgery and plastic surgery specialists!

Did that make sense?

Through the cooperation of married doctors, we want to become a good hospital that is responsible for your breast concerns for a long time.

This has been Director Shin Seung-han, a plastic surgery specialist. Thank you.