Dr. Gyoung Park
A Sculptor With Golden Hands
by Michele Elyzabeth
The ancient Greek philosopher and scientist Aristotle once
said, “Personal beauty is a greater recommendation than any
letter of reference.” I truly agree with that statement. So,
if you were not born with the looks of Elizabeth Taylor or
Christie Brinkley and plastic surgery is available to you,
why not go for it?
While Hollywood is notorious for its obsession with beauty
and perfect shape, the U.S. is not the top plastic surgery
spot in the world. The number one position by percentage of
population goes to South Korea, according to the
International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
That’s right, Seoul, South Korea has the largest clientele
for beauty procedures according to “Trend Monitor,” an
online hub for global sites where you can find anything from
new innovations, to new product launches from top analysts
all over the world. According to “Trend Monitor,” one in
five women from Seoul have undergone some sort of plastic
surgery, the most common procedures being liposuction, nose
jobs and blepharoplasty, or double eyelid surgery.
Liposuction is an innovative and quick way to sculpt the
body into a more desirable shape by removing unwanted,
excess fat. It tones up muscles, increasing elasticity of
the skin and treats cellulite and micro fat in the body.
While you may not automatically get the post-operative care
in the U.S., most Korean doctors believe that it is as
important as the pre-operative care and make it part of the
package.
Having had liposuction in the past, I was not totally
uneducated about it, yet I did not know that Korean doctors
were number one in plastic surgery. It was during lunch with
my friend, who was vacationing in Los Angeles from Paris,
France, that the subject of liposuction came up. No matter
how closely I monitored my diet, or what exercise program I
tried, I just could not get rid of the fat. During our
conversation, she revealed that she had met with Dr. Gyoung
Park, M.D. and that she had a procedure done during a
previous visit. She could not stop raving about his
techniques and recommended that I pay him a visit.
I immediately started researching Dr. Park’s “New Body Laser
Center.” I found out that Dr. Park had received an extensive
medical education, starting with a BS from the University of
Hanyang in Seoul, South Korea, before entering the
University of Michigan where he obtained a Master of Arts,
Molecular Biology, as well as a Master of Science in
Computer Engineering. He continued on with a medical
education attending the Universidad Iberoamericana (UNIBE)
in Mexico City and later The University of Central East, in
Ada Oklahoma, where he left in 1999 as an M.D. Shortly
thereafter, he joined training programs in Internal Medicine
in Caguas, Puerto Rico. In 2002, he entered the University
of Guadalajara for two years, leaving with a Master in
Aesthetic Medicine and Antiaging Medicine. He ended his
medical training in 2010, with a Fellowship, in Aesthetic
Surgery.
Now that I had a chance to know more about him, I booked an
appointment with Dr. Park at his facility on Beverly
Boulevard in the heart of Korea Town. I must admit that the
very first thing I noticed when I entered his office was the
kindness and care exuding from the personnel at the front
desk, something that is quite rare these days, especially in
a doctor’s office. I did not have to wait long after filling
out the papers required. I was expected, and my time
respected. Entering his office, Dr. Park was sitting behind
his desk, a soft-spoken individual filled with understanding
and compassion. He explained that he was not a plastic
surgeon and that he was not interested in being one.
“I do not do noses or breasts. I like to use my hands and
reshape people’s bodies. I like to make people feel good and
look good. I do at least one, sometimes two, liposuctions
per day.”
I had a few questions for Dr. Park and wanted to know why he
preferred to administer local anesthesia, which I had,
rather than general anesthesia. I have to admit that I was a
bit apprehensive to undergo the procedure without being put
completely under, yet I know for a fact that it is better
for your heart. I also was curious to know why he spent
almost 25 years of his life studying many different
subjects. Speaking quite frankly, he revealed that he did
not know what he really wanted to do from the start.
“I studied what my father wanted me to study, but it was not
for me. I wanted to discover my passion and I found it. I
did not study in fancy Universities, I worked in Mexico and
Guadalajara, because I was given the freedom to really take
care of people and help them. Once you have the technique
you need the practice. I had an intense training. Many
plastic surgeons do not care to do what I do because
liposuction takes a long time and it is very physical. You
sweat a lot to make the body even. It is tiresome.”
I learned that we could remove up to 70% of the fat in the
body and that local anesthesia works as well. At the end of
our conversation, I was given a consultation during which
Dr. Park told me that I probably would have to do my body in
two stages so that I could have the results I expected. I
respected his honesty. I was made aware that I would have to
follow the aftercare program. Once a week minimum, and for a
three month period, I would receive a series of treatments
administered by a machine sending ultrasound into the body.
The session would help reduce and melt some of the fat cells
lingering in the body. It also tightens the skin making the
body smoother.
I have gone through the first step, and I look forward to
having the rest done. Though it takes about five months to
see the final results, I was delighted to see that I had a
defined waist a month into it. By the way, liposuction does
not necessarily mean that you will lose weight or that you
can stop exercising and watching your diet. What is does is
give you a jump start on the progress you seek while
continuing the hard work still required to attain the type
of body you want to have.
Dr. Park can reshape all parts of the body. He has great
skills and if you are one who has contemplated doing
liposuction, I recommend you go for a consultation. Unlike
many other plastic surgeons, the visit is free of charge.
His practice also offers hair implants, hair treatment,
fillers and specialized facials.