Surgery to realign bones can cause pain, complications and even death   June 03, 2011

A woman’s face demonstrates a different jawline, before (left) and after (right) jaw realignment surgery. Because of the drastic change, jaw surgery has become popular despite serious risks with the surgery.

A facial reconstruction surgery that realigns the jaw bones is becoming popular in Korea but experts caution that the procedure is a risky one. There can be serious side effects, even death.

And, according to experts, the “yangak” surgery is different from jaw-shaving surgery, another popular cosmetic surgery, as the bones are only realigned. In both cases, the goal is to minimize a protruding jawline.

In Korea, there are about 60 Web sites related to the booming cosmetic surgery business, such as “The Beauty Bean” (http://cafe.naver.com/ofbyfor), a Web site with about 120,000 members who exchange information on the new type of jaw surgery.

The surgery doesn’t come cheap - it costs at least 15 million won ($13,953). And, since health insurance does not cover the procedure, women say they desperately save money for the surgery.

“For my entire life, I have suffered from my lantern jaw,” a female university student, identified as Gang, 21, said. “I spent seven hours every day working in a convenience store since last year to pay for the surgery. Although the work is tough, my mind is full of expectation.”

Beyond the cost is the risk. Experts say the jaw-moving surgery is much more dangerous and complicated than jaw-shaving surgery because the procedure involves the tooth structure as well.

“The surgery is one of the most difficult facial contour surgeries,” said Bang Rong-min, a plastic surgeon at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital. “Patients are subject to general anesthesia and the surgery takes from two to eight hours.”

An 18-year-old high school girl, who was preparing for the university entrance test, died after suffering respiratory problems.

“I have heard of two or three patients who died or had brain damage,” said Park Jae-eok, a surgeon at St. Mary’s Hospital in Seoul. “Most side effects of the surgery are breathing difficulties, excessive bleeding and paresthesia (numbness or tingling of the skin). Some patients have trouble chewing after surgery.”

Another female university student surnamed Yu, 23, who saved her pay from part-time jobs for three years for the surgery, is now suffering from side effects.

Yu said the left corner of her mouth became paralyzed after the surgery. And when she smiles, she can’t use some the muscles in her mouth, making her look awkward.

A food-stylist, Kim, 28, also is full of regret. Kim said she didn’t like her square jaw and chose the jaw-moving surgery, not jaw-shaving. The surgery, however, made her jaw look even more square.

“Chasing the latest trend or following celebrities’ faces should be avoided,” said Hyon Won-sok, a senior doctor at ID Hospital. “After the trend passes, you won’t be satisfied with your changed face any more.”


By Park Tae-kyun [heejin@joongang.co.kr]