My Zygoma reduction at TFD

[Jasmine]

My experience is at The Face Dental

I would like to write a review about my zygoma reduction at TFD. excuse my grammar since English is not my mother language.

About me, I grew up with wide cheekbone. The older I get, baby fat disappeared, and the cheeks were more prominent, plus my hollow temples completely throw my face off balance. I have always lack of confidence on my face and avoid talking pictures. 
Then I started researching about Zygoma reduction, I read so many reviews about people so disappointed with the results and want the cheeks back, but I know for sure that I would never want these cheekbones whatsoever. There are so many clinics in Korea but how to find the doctor that are specialized in FC was my main concern. Initially I start looking at the big clinics, which their names are well known abroad and have staff that speak English, so I don't have to have translator. I refer to communicate with my doctor directly to avoid any missing Information.

I started contacting well known clinics to ask for quote, and surprisingly they gave my price for only Zygoma alone about 8-10k USD. Something told me it wasn't right even though I was completely new into PS. I can only take two weeks off from work, thus I must find the place to schedule my surgery prior to the day I arrived, I know it is not a good thing to do what if I don't like my doctor. Consultation with those big clinics are only with consultant, not the doctor, so I had no way to find out.

I continued to search in PF and Realself, then I realized when you travel to Korea and want to get surgery right after the consultation, the chance of being switched docs are high if you don't make deposit to secure the spot.

Through PF I get to know some of the people that also travel to Korea about the same time that I did. I created the account through Kakao talk and joined the group Facial Contouring, got to know more people and then know about The Face Dental, EverM, Namu. Even my surgery is considered minor, I still want to look at the clinics that doctors are O&M certified. I consulted with EverM and TFD at the same time, I was going to EverM but I didn't feel comfortable during online consultation. At the same time, I contacted TFD and Dr Lee response to me the next day

Before contacting Dr Lee, I already researched about him and heard many positive feedbacks from different people, he is the only Dr in the clinic, which is a relief to me since I’m always afraid of Doctor being switched right before surgery. Furthermore, TFD is well known for producing consistent results, and many people in Kakao chat recommended him for FC, 

Consultation with Dr Lee is very personal, unlike other places, where they gave me feeling of business or factory. I have no doubt about Dr Lee skills, and I like what he has to say about my case

Looking at my picture, he pointed out what he can do to improve my facial balance. Since I was so new into PS, I was afraid the post up would be hard and decided to do Zygoma alone, I regret I didn’t do my chin.

Dr Lee is super patient, he answered me all the questions that I concerned, through the conversation, I did have the feeling that Dr Lee is a very honest and trustworthy. He is serious about his job

Since I did read a lot about zygoma reduction, I do have concepts about what to expect. My gut feeling told me that I should go with him, after days bothered him all the questions,1 month before I flew to Korea, I put down the deposit to secure the day right after my arrival. It is not a good thing but I only had limited time staying in Korea

Just a bit superstitious, I have a friend, who is good at judging people by facial features, I sent her picture of Dr Lee and ask her what she thinks. She told me, he looks really kind and she think he is a really good person. I trust my friend judgement. His face leaves such a good impression to me, so I decided to look no further.

Two days before my arrival he messaged me again to remind me the time. Finally, after 20 hours flight, I arrived in Seoul really late and had a hard time locate my hotel, and the next morning I went see him at the clinic, my first impression to me that he looks much older than the picture I saw, but the look is just as kind and thoughtful. I got my blood work and Xray done before meeting dr Lee for the consultant.

I was tired at the F2F consultant, so I didn't ask much, but most of the details I already asked before the consultation. He remembered what we said before that, He knew I don't like flat cheekbones through our consultation before, so he went over details about surgery and what to expect and we are set for the surgery. I was so nervous, so he told me this was just a minor surgery compared to other surgeries that he had done made me feel a bit at ease.

The staffs were great they are sweet to me, they used Google translate to communicate with me, they got my X-ray and blood work before taking me to the recovery room to change dress and I took a chance to nap to prepare for the moments. 

Later I was taken to the operating room, after laying down in the operating bed, I got knocked out so fast before I can realize what I am getting myself into.

When I woke up from the surgery, I was laying on the operation bed still, Dr Kim and the nurses were there, and he told me please stay awake, I tried so hard to open my eyes and next thing I know I was laying in the recovery room, my throat was hurt bad after fasting for more than 10 hours. I was not allowed to drink water for another two hours, and that was the longest and toughest two hours of my life. Dr Lee came in and checked on me and told me the surgery is done safely

I couldn't not remember what he asked me since I was so tired, sleepy, and thirsty at the same time, but the fact that he came in to assure me every was fine making me relieved. After two hours I could drink water and I drank the protein shake I bought with me, I feel like I had some my strength back, I felt no pain, just discomfort. After 3 hours, the nurse made sure I got up and walk around. I stayed at the recovery for another 3 hours and went home, prepared for the worst night.

The first night, I couldn't sleep much because of the headband extremely discomforted. 

The first and second day I tried to get myself active since walking would help decrease swelling, so I went out for all three days, I always stopped by clinic, so Dr Lee could check up my wounds and the healing process. He was really caring to all patients at the clinic that I saw, he reassured all my concerns because I was swollen like a balloon even though I kept myself active.

On the fourth day I went to the clinic early to get checked up and get the medical certificate since I went to Japan for short four-day trips. I didn't feel any discomfort on the plane, and I was able to enjoy my 4 days trip across Japan.

I went back to the clinic on my 8th day to removed stitches and book a flight to leave Korea the next day since I want to be home so badly.

The nurse teams were sweet and took good care of me, even with their limited English, they always used Google translate to help the communication smoothly, I think it is cute. Later I found out one of the hot nurses was Dr Lee patient for 2 jaws surgery, her result is very amazing. You can cheek her on TFD IG page.

The thing I appreciate the most is, even at the F2F consultation, I didn't once mention that I want natural and I didn't like flat cheeks, but he remembered our conversation before that I cut down the exact amount that I like, even with all the swelling at the time, I can see it is going to be just like what I want, I am totally happy.

Dr Lee is skillful and kind doctor, I saw a lot of his works on two jaws patients at the clinic photo album and through people that are in Kakao group chat. I recommend him for those that do two jaws since that is the most dangerous surgery, and he is more capable of giving fantastic results. My surgery is small, but I want it done safely with no potential long-term affect.

Up until two weeks after surgery, I felt numb on my upper lip, but by the end of the 4 the week, everything is back to normal, I tried to avoid chewing hard food, and that is the only thing that I need to watch for. I'm happy that I found Dr Lee and have him to do my surgery, I appreciate the fact that he is conservative and give me natural results. My cheeks are good now and I am very happy with it. I am searching on Fat grafting to fill my hollow temples and that should be it.

My personal thought after doing research, and through people that I know through Kakao Chat, Dr Lee prioritizes your safety the most. Some people may say his results are not dramatic enough compared to other big clinics. To me, I don’t want dramatic change or perfect facial ratio and live with nerves damaged. If you want dramatic changes, emphasize it with him, or better photoshop picture of you to show him . He surely can do dramatic within safety zone.
 

Good lucks guys on your surgeries.

 

 

 

 

Edited July 1, 2019 by Jasmine
Adding picture

[Hong Honey]

Hello, thank you for your post. It help me a lot in making decision for my next month checkbone reduction. I just wondered if there is left with saggy skin after the surgery? 

[crystaaaal]

Thank you for your sharing. I am also thinking about finding TFD for double jaw and cheekbone. Could you share your price