Surgery: Philtrum Reduction

After visiting multiple clinics and doing tons of research online, I ended up choosing AB Plastic Surgery Clinic in Seoul and honestly, it just felt right. The staff were warm and professional from the start, and the clinic itself was clean, modern, and clearly well-managed. I met with Dr. Choi Jae Ik, who made me feel comfortable right away. During our consultation, I mentioned my concerns about the elongated space between my nose and upper lip. I’d noticed that my philtrum had lengthened with age, and my upper lip had become thinner, making my mid-face look longer than I’d like. Dr. Choi thoroughly explained the benefits of a philtrum reduction, including how it can help the mid-face appear shorter, bring a more youthful balance, and restore upper lip volume. 

I was also planning to undergo other facial surgeries (like lifting and facial contouring), and Dr. Choi reassured me that doing the philtrum reduction at the same time would enhance the harmony of my overall facial proportions. I left the consultation feeling both relieved and excited, completely confident in my decision. As the surgery date approached, I was definitely nervous, especially since I was getting multiple procedures done at once. But the support from AB’s team, especially the quick responses from the consultants, gave me peace of mind. Every question I had was answered thoroughly and kindly. At two weeks post-op, the swelling was still present, but I could already see that my upper lip looked more youthful and lifted. The space between my nose and lip had shortened noticeably, and even though there was still some tightness, I loved how the shape of my lips had improved. The area was healing well with proper care, and I was following the aftercare instructions diligently. 

By the one-month mark, things were settling in nicely. The incision had healed well, and I could already see the soft, natural-looking result taking shape. I was still using scar ointment and being gentle with facial movements, but I felt much more comfortable. 

At five months, the result was exactly what I had hoped for my mid-face looked shorter, more balanced, and my overall expression felt softer and fresher. 

¤ Before

¤ After (5M)