Hello!     
I had V-line and cheekbone surgery at WHY Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, and I'm extremely happy with the outcome. I wanted to write a few words to express my satisfaction and recommend their services.



What motivated me to undergo surgery?

Since I was young, I was frequently teased and ridiculed because of my angular and wide face. My cheekbones were wide and prominent, and my jawline was square and broad. Others would compare my face to SpongeBob, make fun of me, and dismiss it as a joke, but it was incredibly distressing and left me feeling like crying. This went on for almost a decade, and it had a significant impact on my self-esteem, causing me to become increasingly introverted. Even when wearing a mask during the COVID-19 pandemic, people would call me a magician, and I felt like I was experiencing more unfair and painful days.

I tried different methods to improve my appearance, such as shrink, inmode, air jet, contour injection, and chin botox, but to no avail. The main reason I decided to undergo surgery was that combining all of these procedures would be more cost-effective and efficient than having each one done separately. I realized that without addressing the root cause, which was my bone structure, any other cosmetic procedure would be less effective. Even if I received 100 treatments, I wouldn't be able to achieve half the results of one surgery. It seemed that undergoing the most fundamental procedure was the wisest choice.

What made me choose WHY Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery?

To be honest, I was quite scared of undergoing the surgery due to negative news I had read about contour surgeries and the potential for doctors to be less responsible than expected. The possibility of something going wrong during the procedure, along with potential side effects and post-treatment care, added to my anxiety. Given that my self-esteem and future were on the line, I made an extra effort to research my options thoroughly.

After nearly two months of extensive research, I chose to undergo the surgery at WHY Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. I was convinced after just one consultation that WHY was the right choice for me. One of the biggest factors influencing my decision was that the clinic only took on one surgery per day, which would ensure that Dr. LEE was in top physical and mental condition. I appreciated that they provided 1:1 management with Dr. LEE from pre-surgery to post-surgery, and had an anesthesiology director on staff. Dr. LEE personally checked on my progress along with the nurses, which I found very reassuring. I also appreciated the clinic's atmosphere, including the interior, facilities, latest equipment, and accessibility.

During my first consultation with Dr. LEE, he made a great impression on me. He seemed confident in achieving the most ideal angle of my chin with safety as his top priority. He explained everything thoroughly, including showing me a CT, which helped me understand what to expect after the surgery.

What happened prior to the surgery?

Upon my arrival, I was led to the hospitalization room, and it was the first time I had seen one that day. I was pleasantly surprised by how clean and well-maintained it was. There was a bathroom for inpatients right in front of my door, which was very convenient since I needed to use the bathroom frequently after receiving intravenous fluids overnight.

Pre-surgery precautions were reviewed with me twice before and after the surgery. I was very nervous, and I couldn't hear the instructions clearly, so I appreciated the thoughtfulness of having them explained twice.

Right before the surgery, I had a final consultation with Dr. LEE. We discussed the design together, going over the image I wanted and the limits of what Dr. LEE could achieve. We had a thorough conversation to ensure the best possible outcome, with safety as Dr. LEE's top priority. Even though my request for a more rounded jawline might have seemed strange, Dr. LEE understood what I wanted and promised to do his best to deliver it. After 10 years of suffering from a square jaw, I felt relieved to be able to express what I wanted. I then went to the operating room with the hope of achieving the desired outcome.

Before entering the operating room, I gargled with a tasteless liquid that was probably the worst I have ever had. The nurse patted my shoulder, which gave me comfort. Once in the operating room, the anesthesiologist was there. When I lay down on the operating table, the director of anesthesia explained things to me, but I couldn't hear anything in my ears. (By the way, all the directors and nurses at WHY have excellent personalities.)


As shown in the picture, my side cheekbones were very wide and large, and the angles under my ears were almost at right angles. The left side of my chin tip was leaning to the left (right in the photo), which made my facial asymmetry even more noticeable. I was unsure whether I should have two-jaw surgery because my mouth was protruding a bit, but Dr. LEE said that it seemed like an excessive treatment and that we should smooth out the face shape and cover the protruding mouth. I was relieved to hear this and had complete trust in Dr. LEE.

Experience after surgery and during discharge (1st and 2nd day)?

When I woke up in my hospital room, nurses continued to check on me every 30 minutes to an hour to assess my condition and provide support. Dr. LEE also visited me several times, and I appreciated the individualized attention that WHY provided, given that they limit the number of surgeries per day. Dr. LEE assured me that the surgery had gone well, but he also encouraged me to work harder to reduce my large muscles.

I had a difficult time sleeping that night due to the pain and discomfort of the bone insertion, movement, and shaving. The on-call nurse checked on me regularly throughout the morning, and I needed to use the bathroom frequently. However, the nurse was always quick to assist me with my IV fluids and massage my arms and legs to alleviate my blood pressure and hyperventilation. Their words of encouragement to focus on getting better and feeling more confident in my appearance moved me deeply.

The next day, I received my first laser treatment to reduce swelling, underwent another CT scan, and listened to Dr. LEE's explanation of the results. I was thrilled to see that the bones had become smaller and were more symmetrically aligned! I carefully listened to Dr. LEE's post-surgery instructions, and then I was discharged from the clinic. I took a taxi home, and while the pain was bearable, the discomfort of wearing a hat and mask to cover my swollen face was quite frustrating.

(As a side note, my voice was barely audible due to the aftereffects of general anesthesia. I couldn't speak clearly until the first week and struggled to eat. This was especially concerning for me, as my job involves teaching children. However, I took "Minol" medicine every day, and by the second week, my voice was a little husky but okay. In the third week, I have almost fully recovered my voice, although I still cannot hit high notes. Nonetheless, this has not affected my work. Plus, Minol is available at any pharmacy.)

3 to 4 days after my discharge

On day 1, the pain was a 10 out of 10, but it improved to a 6 on day 2, 5 on day 3, and 4 on day 4. The feeling is now more of discomfort than pain. The swelling reached its peak on the 4th day, and despite thinking that it couldn't swell any more on the first and second days, it continued to swell. However, by the 4th day, the swelling had reduced significantly. My right bone was larger than the left, so it required more cutting, and I experienced more bruises and swelling than others. I also developed a subconjunctival hemorrhage, which was like a bruise on the eye. It was stressful, but not as much as the swelling or bruising.

After the surgery, Dr. LEE checked on me every morning via Kakao Talk to ask about my condition, swelling, pain, and any questions that I had.

On the 3rd day of swelling, my cheeks were not as visible when looking at my face from the front. However, it was still uncomfortable to breathe as the swelling blocked my nostrils, and I had to press my mouth tightly to breathe. The bruises on my eyes were quite ugly, and I had to cover them up.

The next day, the swelling was even worse, but I was pleased to see that the lines of my face were softer, and I did not look like a clown. The cream used to treat the bruises did not work, but steaming was helpful.


5 to 7 days after my discharge

Starting from the fifth day after the surgery, I noticed that the swelling had visibly reduced, but I would wake up with a swollen face every morning. However, the swelling would go down after I washed my face and ate breakfast. On the fifth day, I was finally able to wash my hair, which made me feel a lot better. Although I was worried about gaining weight, I walked for an hour every day and drank 3-4 packs of pumpkin juice. Until the fourth day, it took me about 30 minutes to take my medicine as it was hard to open my mouth due to the swelling.

For one meal, I had a mix of New Care, pumpkin juice, and Vita500, and ate a lot of ice cream. After the surgery, I felt very dizzy, so I needed to take vitamins and iron supplements. I used ice packs for the first four days, and then I switched to warm compresses on the fifth day.

As time passed, the swelling gradually subsided, and I began to see a cute image of myself (at least in my own eyes). To be honest, if it weren't for the bruises, I wouldn't have needed to cover up my face. However, I tend to bruise easily, so it was uncomfortable and frustrating to cover them up. Despite the swelling, I could still see my pretty jawline.
       
  In the photo I took on the fifth day, the veins in my eyes were still pretty disgusting, so I had to cover them up.

During the following week, I went to the hospital to have my sideburn stitches removed. The procedure was quick and painless, and I barely felt a thing. Now that the stitches were gone, I found it easier to wash my hair.


1 week wrap-up 

The first day was really tough, but the following days were much better. The swelling peaked on the fourth day and went down quickly. The key to reducing swelling is to stay active without overdoing it.
During the surgery, the tip of my chin was adjusted slightly to the right to improve the symmetry and proportions from the front. The right side, which had a larger bone, to begin with, had more severe swelling and bruising. However, the left side looked great, and I was pleasantly surprised at how well the line came out. The angle under my ear, which used to be wide and prominent, has disappeared. My friends think that my appearance has become more luxurious, and some of them even plan to undergo the same surgery.

To be honest, if I knew the pain would be worth the results, I would definitely do it again (but only under WHY). Now that I look back, the pain was nothing compared to the benefits, and I feel like a huge burden has been lifted off my shoulders. I'm excited to see what the future holds and eagerly counting down the days until the swelling and bruising subside.


2 week after my discharge 

For the first 7 days, I was anxious every day, constantly recording and monitoring changes in my face and body that I couldn't quite adapt to.

In terms of meals, I mostly ate regular foods like bread and noodle dishes (nothing too spicy) after having my stitches removed. Noodles were much easier to eat than rice since rice tended to get stuck in the threads of my mouth, making it very difficult to chew.

I spent my days going back and forth to a cafe near my house, taking walks, and frequently applying hot compresses to relieve any discomfort or swelling.

Although I experienced occasional symptoms like intermittent tingling, throbbing pain, and sore lower teeth, I was told that these were natural sensations as my nerves recovered. WHY's manager continued to check on my condition, so I didn't have to worry about where I was feeling pain. I could ask for help directly via KakaoTalk at any time.

During the second week, I had to have the threads in my mouth removed, which was quite painful... I never realized how well my lips could stretch! (laughs)


18 days after my discharge

After having my stitches removed, I can definitely say that things are much better. Although eating is still a bit challenging, it's easier to brush my teeth now. It feels like something has been removed from my mouth, even though there's still a residual feeling of clay-like substance. Nevertheless, it's definitely better than having the stitches in.

The swelling still comes back in the morning, but this was the case even before the surgery. Dr. LEE had assured me that once the stitches were removed, the swelling would go away, and it seems to be true. I ordered a lifting pack and am doing it at the same time, so I'm excited to see the results.

The bruises are slowly fading away, and I'm starting to cover them up with makeup. I'm really looking forward to taking selfies again, but I do hope that the blood vessels in my eyes disappear soon. According to the pharmacist at my local pharmacy, trivial things like this don't really go away, but I think they'll be gone in about a week.

Even though I've done some contouring, the swelling and bruises are subsiding quickly, but I'm still concerned about the blood vessels in my eyes. I can't help but think that contouring surgery is a big deal. Humans are strange creatures, aren't we? Haha.


24 days after my discharge 
We're approaching the end of the month already! Time has really flown by, and it's hard to believe that it's been a month already.

After the initial swelling went down, I've noticed some small swelling that has been lingering. It's hard to tell if it's just swelling, if there was less surgery done, or if I've gained weight. The areas that were trimmed down are still swollen, and I'm not sure if there's any difference from before. I've been trying to maintain my weight, so it's not because of my weight. The worst part is when I wake up in the morning and look in the mirror - it's like seeing my past self again. The swelling usually goes down throughout the day, but it's still a bit frustrating to see it come back.

Thankfully, the bruises are no longer visible, and the ones in my eyes are almost gone, so I decided to treat myself to an eyelash perm. It's fun to be able to experiment with different ways to decorate my face without worrying about the shape. I'm excited to try dying my hair next!

The food restrictions have been lifted a bit, so I don't have to worry about what I can eat as much anymore. Now I can focus on what's delicious and browse food delivery apps to my heart's content. I still prefer to eat noodles as much as possible, though.

I can't wait to see what the next month brings - hopefully less swelling and the ability to eat meat with a pretty face! Oh, and I discovered that if I cool the lifting packs and put them on my ears and chin at the same time, it really defines my jawline, even temporarily. It's perfect for taking selfies or going out!


1.5 months after my discharge 
It's been a month and a half since the surgery, and the most noticeable change is that my face no longer swells up as much in the morning. In the first few weeks, my face would swell up as if I had just undergone surgery, but now it's not as bad as before.

I don't have much trouble eating, but I still avoid eating tough meats, seafood, and nuts. I can easily eat crispy snacks, and it takes about two fingers to open my mouth. Brushing my teeth is comfortable, but I have a bit of a crisis when I yawn.

I try to avoid lying on my side as much as possible, and about 70% of my facial sensations have returned. The cheekbones are still a bit wide, and there are some cheek pits, but they said it's natural and will disappear over time.

A friend I met after a long time asked if I had lost a lot of weight, and was surprised at how small my face had become. They had only seen me with a mask on, so they had never seen my face before the surgery, but the difference is noticeable even with the mask on.

According to the reviews, some people say that they become so comfortable that they forget they had surgery, but every time I look in the mirror, I'm reminded of how pretty my new face shape is.


3 months after my discharge 

We're getting closer to the third-month mark now!
I'd say I'm about 95% recovered at this point. It feels like I'm almost back to my normal self.
My senses are about 90% restored, which is a huge relief. I'm so happy to be able to take selfies again without feeling self-conscious.
I feel confident from every angle now, and there's no embarrassment or discomfort anymore.