Doctor Of Urology's View On The Trend Of Penis Operations In South Korea

Trends of penis enlargement in South Korea (Photo: Freepik/krakenimages.com)

JAKARTA - In the midst of the changing onslaught of physical standards, a new trend emerged among South Korean men, namely penis enlargement operations. Procedures that were once considered taboo are now in demand, along with increased self-awareness of sexual appearance and performance.

Lim, an office employee aged 30, admitted that she was shocked when she first found out that her boyfriend had undergone penis surgery known as Sunflower Surgery or T-Ring Surgery.

The procedure involves installing a bead-shaped silicon implant or ring under the penis's head skin.

"I was surprised, but it was a nice surprise. I didn't expect it, but the results actually made the experience more enjoyable," Lim said, quoted from The Korea Herald page.

According to a number of urological clinics in Seoul, the main goal of this procedure is to increase penis thickness and increase stimulation during intimate intercourse. The implant provides additional friction on the vaginal walls, which is claimed to increase the pleasure of the couple.

Although history records not all cultures glorify large sizes, such as the ancient Greek people who actually idealized small penises as a symbol of intelligence. But today suggests that for many Korean men, the size of large penises remains important.

Ha, a 35-year-old man who is also a former military officer, shared his experience of undergoing the Sunflower Surgery about a decade ago.

"When in the military, friends of one unit, both senior and junior, many have done it. So I went along," he said.

The cost of this operation varies depending on the chosen procedure. For basic procedures, the rates start from around 500 thousand won or almost Rp. 6 million. If added with additional implants or advanced techniques, the price could reach millions of won.

"My girlfriends are satisfied. Friends who also had surgery said their wives and partners also felt the same," added Ha.

Even so, he admitted that sometimes he felt uncomfortable because the implant felt like a foreign object in the body.

This trend also spread to students. Kim Min-jae (the pseudonym), 25, decided to have an expansion operation after experiencing a crisis of confidence due to comments from his ex-girlfriend.

"I accidentally saw my girlfriend's conversation with her friend on Instagram. They compared me to her ex-girlfriend, and she said I was much smaller and less satisfying in bed. It really hurts," said Kim.

After realizing that the circumference of the penis is below average, Kim chooses to undergo a fat graphing or fat transfer procedure. This procedure moves fats from body parts such as the stomach or thighs to the penis trunk to increase thickness.

After surgery, my penis ring increased by about 1.5 to 2 cm. After six months, the result was stable around 1 cm bigger. It really hurts when I just wake up from the anesthetic, but now I am much more confident," he explained.

Dr. Lee Haeng-nam, an urologist in Seoul, stated that the fat graphing method is one of the most popular procedures for using fat from the body itself, so the risk of allergies or complications is lower

The four of the five patients who came, both young and old, preferred this procedure. Their level of satisfaction is also high," he explained.

Based on research published in the journal Aesthetic Plastic Surgery in 2011, the patient's level of satisfaction with shape and size after the graphing fat reached 90%, with an average increase in circumference of 2.3 cm.

However, not all stories end sweetly. An anonymous user shares his story in the DC Gallery online forum after undergoing an enlargement procedure with dermal ingredients (substitutional skin tissue).

"I spent 4 to 5 million won, but the results made me sad. There was an infection, it was constantly sick, and in the end it had to be picked up again," he wrote.

"Think carefully. Not everyone will be satisfied," he continued.

Even the American Urology Association (AUA) warns that most of the outstanding penis enlargement techniques are ineffective and have a high risk, including injections of fat that fail to spread evenly, ligament cuts are harmful, to side effects that interfere with sexual functions.