[The Korea Daily] “13 Years on a Single Path of ‘Stem Cell Fat Grafting’ Regardless of Trends” – Shin Dong-jin, Chief Director of SC301 Clinic

Dr. Shin Dong-jin, the representative director of SC301 Clinic, is regarded as a special figure in many ways within the private practice scene in Gangnam. 

This is because, although the Gangnam plastic surgery industry is characterized by active alliances among doctors and frequent changes in hospitals' flagship products to keep up with ever-changing trends, Director Shin has been 'stubbornly' performing only one procedure—breast and facial stem cell fat grafting, which takes 3 to 4 hours per surgery—at a rate of 2 to 3 cases a day for 13 years since he started the first stem cell breast augmentation in Korea in 2007. 

SC301 Clinic is a one-man doctor clinic run by Director Shin, and from a hospital management perspective, seeing only two or three patients a day is consistent with the intention not to be fixated on expanding revenue. As a result, while other clinics started small and aggressively expanded their offerings to build buildings one after another, SC301 Clinic has only relocated once, and the size of the hospital has remained unchanged.

However, that does not mean he lacks 'skill.' Director Shin holds the title of having performed the first stem cell breast augmentation in Korea in 2007, and he also boasts the 'highest' track record in the country for stem cell fat grafting, having performed over 6000 procedures over 13 years. 

Dr. Shin is the only physician in Korea to have proven the clinical efficacy of stem cell fat grafting through three international papers. He also holds two related patents that enhance the efficiency of stem cell fat grafting. 

While many clinics have followed Director Shin's lead in introducing stem cell fat grafting to the chest and face, numerous industry insiders assess that SC301 Clinic is virtually the only place recognized for its unrivaled brand value based on various "facts" regarding stem cell fat grafting. At this point, it appears there is a sufficient chance of success even if the clinic were to engage in aggressive management like other hospitals by leveraging its own brand; however, the fact that it is content with "maintaining the status quo" is considered quite unusual among private clinics in Gangnam.

◆ “Trust over revenue… I perform every surgery myself.” Steadfastly adhering to strict principles, he has walked a solitary path of 'stem cell fat grafting.'

The industry speculates that Director Shin's reserved demeanor stems from his personal style and craftsmanship. Director Shin is known for providing minimal guidance and consultation on feasible solutions, rather than resorting to tricks to unconditionally turn visiting patients into revenue for the hospital. 

A counseling manager who worked with Director Shin stated, “He conducts consultations in such a straightforward manner that some patients even say he feels blunt. Regardless of the patient’s wishes, he coldly and flatly refuses a procedure if he determines that surgery is physically difficult or would yield poor results,” adding, “He also continuously educates his staff on the philosophy that they must provide the most objective consultations possible to visiting patients.”

Director Shin's philosophy is also evident in the way he performs stem cell fat grafting. Many other places often complete liposuction using an automated extraction method to extract fat cells and stem cells in a short period of time. 

However, Director Shin determined that doing so could damage the fat cells and stem cells to be re-transplanted, potentially compromising the efficiency of the surgery and posing a risk to the patient. Therefore, he steadfastly adheres to a method of slowly suctioning fat manually over one to two hours, relying on his arm strength and personal know-how. 

In this regard, Director Shin stated, “Through three international papers submitted to institutions such as Shandong University in China, we have revealed that the engraftment rate of fat cells in stem cell breast augmentation averages 76%, which is about seven times higher than the existing 10–20%, but this is only possible under the premise that high-quality cells are injected.” He added, “I have performed over 6000 clinical cases and mastered automated extraction equipment used in other hospitals, but I believe it is impossible to properly perform stem cell fat grafting without damaging cells using methods other than manual liposuction.”

In addition, he insists on personally performing all surgeries, even if it means working nearly 12 hours a day and only being able to operate on 2 or 3 patients. 

Director Shin stated, “Patients entrust their bodies to the doctor they wish to have operated on, so it is not the duty of a doctor to disregard that trust by using associate doctors, shadow doctors, or surrogate surgeries like other hospitals do.” He added, “Even if it means operating until midnight, I can only feel at ease myself if I personally operate on every patient and monitor their prognosis.” Director Shin has installed a recovery room for patients right next to his office to personally monitor their progress until discharge.

◆ Director Shin’s steadfastness finally shining through… “I have absolutely no intention of deviating from my principles”

It appears that only recently has Director Shin's 'steadfastness' begun to shine little by little within the medical industry and among patients. 

"As recently as 2010, stem cell breast and facial surgery was an unfamiliar concept to both patients and the industry," an industry official noted. "However, as Director Shin steadfastly pushed forward with the procedure for 13 years and established surgical standards, it is now rapidly gaining popularity in the market as many clinics benchmark stem cell fat grafting."

Understanding of stem cell fat grafting is also increasing among patients. Patient Ms. Park, who decided to undergo surgery after consulting with Director Shin, stated, “I had no reason to hesitate knowing that transplanting fat cells combined with extracted and blended stem cells can prevent the fat cells from being reabsorbed into the body, and that the healing and activating capabilities of stem cells aid in post-operative recovery and overcoming complications.” In addition to Ms. Park, there is a growing trend on online forums and social media among patients considering fat grafting to prioritize inquiries about stem cell fat grafting.

Recently, domestic and international marketing firms for hospitals and clinics have been successively reaching out to Director Shin. An official from one firm commented, "While interest in stem cells continues to rise overseas, there are not many clinics in Korea—known as a powerhouse of plastic surgery—that perform stem cell fat grafting based on proven expertise." The official added, "The brand value Director Shin has built at SC301 Clinic is an attractive asset for appealing to the global market." 

In this regard, SC301 Clinic recently signed a business agreement with the organizers of the Ningbo Asia-Pacific Beauty & Health Expo, known as the second-largest beauty expo in China, and participated as a major beauty and anti-aging company.

However, Director Shin appears to have no intention of deviating from his principles. "I could create plenty of opportunities to increase revenue, but changing my principles would render the past 13 years I have built in the field of stem cell breast and facial fat grafting meaningless," Director Shin stated. "I will continue to personally perform surgeries on patients for 20, 30 years, or even longer, and devote myself solely to researching more effective surgical techniques, equipment, and know-how."