ASAPS Faculty and Presentation: Aesthetic Meeting 2018 in New York

 ASAPS Faculty and Presentation:

Aesthetic Meeting 2018 in New York

This is an original article written by Dr. Minhee Ryu from RNWOOD Plastic Surgery in Seoul, South Korea, translated in English for convenience: 

Dr. Minhee Ryu participated as faculty and presenter at The Aesthetic Meeting 2018 hosted by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) in New York. As part of the Melbourne Advanced Facial Anatomy Course (MAFAC), he assisted in facial anatomy dissections and presented “Preserving the Orbicularis Branches of the Zygomatic Nerve with the Orbicularis Oculi Muscle Elevation During Facelift Surgery,” emphasizing nerve preservation for safer facelift outcomes.

The session “Four Critical Concepts to Consider in Any Facelift Technique” featuring Drs. Foad Nahai and Daniel Baker left a lasting impression, highlighting the balance between innovation and surgical philosophy. Dr. Ryu also met with international colleagues, forming potential research collaborations.

He continues to participate annually as ASAPS faculty, contributing to advancements in facelift techniques, particularly those tailored to Asian patients.

Please enjoy the full article below:

The Aesthetic Meeting 2018, hosted by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), was held from April 26 to May 1 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York. This venue holds a special place in my memory, as I had the opportunity to present and participate in a discussion there in 2013, in front of a large audience at one of the main sessions, the Grand Ballroom.

https://rnwoodplasticsurgery.blogspot.com/2013/04/presentation-on-crows-feet-using.html 

I participated in the meeting as a faculty member for the facial anatomy workshop (MAFAC) and as a presenter. I arrived the day before the conference to help prepare for the MAFAC course, and on April 26, I spent the entire day—from early morning until late afternoon—studying and tutoring alongside the team.

My presentation was titled ‘Preserving the Orbicularis Branches of the Zygomatic Nerve with the Orbicularis Oculi Muscle Elevation During Facelift Surgery’, focusing on nerve preservation during facelift procedures. I will provide a more detailed explanation once the paper is published. One of the most impressive panel discussions was ‘Four Critical Concepts to Consider in Any Facelift Technique’, featuring presentations and discussions by Dr. Foad Nahai and Dr. Daniel Baker.

Dr. Daniel Baker’s comments, in particular, left a lasting impression on me. As the originator of the lateral SMASectomy facelift, I had long admired him—not only for his efficient surgical techniques and excellent outcomes but also for his charismatic presence and appearance reminiscent of Michael Douglas. I’ve read his papers and watched his surgical videos repeatedly over the years. Despite my admiration, I’ve always felt that his methods and theories may not be ideally suited for Asian patients, and I still hold that view. 

Although he has walked a different path from mine, it was his words that resonated with me the most—perhaps because he emphasized philosophy over technique or theory.

I felt something similar the day before during Dr. Mendelson’s lecture. Both conveyed the same message: to follow the natural course, to let things flow organically. While there are times when we must push boundaries to create something new, if that pursuit becomes routine or the ultimate goal, the inevitable burdens and consequences will grow. Hearing the voices of seasoned masters who have been through it all gave me a deep sense of reflection—and prompted me to reevaluate my own direction and position.

Academic conferences are also a great opportunity to reconnect with friends. I had the pleasure of meeting several colleagues, including Prof. Victor Moon from New York (a co-author of one of my papers); Dr. William Lao, a Johns Hopkins graduate; Dr. Haisong Xu from Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, as well as friends from the U.S., Hong Kong, and Taiwan. We enjoyed a warm get-together over Korean BBQ and makgeolli. One of them is currently training in plastic surgery at Harvard and previously completed a fellowship with Dr. Mendelson.

They all share a strong curiosity about facial anatomy and facelift surgery, and as fellow Asians, they showed great interest in my techniques and theories. I also shared some of my published work with them. One colleague even suggested that we collaborate on a new paper, and I gladly accepted.

I believe this group has the potential to develop into a meaningful academic collaboration with valuable outcomes in the future.

I also bear good news! One of my academic journals from China posted in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal has been chosen as the Best Journal Article (International) 2017. The journal, “Anatomical Study of Temporal Fat Compartment and its Clinical Application for Temporal Fat Grafting,” implemented Dr.Mendelson’s theories and discussed fat grafting in the temporal region. It is recognized as one of the best academic journals in America. As a fellow Asian, I felt truly proud to see a paper recognized in the United States—home to the world’s leading medical community—and to witness its contribution to academic advancement. Dr. Haisong Xu, who was beside me, kindly shared related materials and explained them in detail. 

This time, I traveled to New York with my family and took the opportunity to visit a few tourist spots. We stayed near Times Square and explored places like the MoMA, the United Nations, Columbia University, NYU, Wall Street, the 9/11 Memorial, and the Apple Store. 

Although I had been to New York several times before, the city once again proved to be incredibly captivating. I found myself wanting to live there as a New Yorker for an extended period. Despite the chilly weather and notorious traffic, the vibrant infrastructure and dynamic energy of the city made it seem like a place worth experiencing—even with its intense pace and fierce competition.

        Each spring, I participate as a faculty member at the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) annual meeting, where I engage in facial anatomy dissection tutoring and give presentations. These experiences offer valuable opportunities to both learn and share. I'm particularly encouraged by the increasing depth and frequency of academic exchanges with young colleagues from various countries.

 

With a shared interest in facial anatomy and facelift techniques tailored to Asian features, I hope we can continue contributing to the advancement of the field—including improving facial sagging following facial bone surgery.

Dr. Minhee Ryu, M.D.

RNWOOD Plastic Surgery

Seoul, South Korea

(Source: https://blog.naver.com/rejuvemaster)

Dr. Minhee Ryu is a World-Class FACELIFT Specialist and Global Educator, who is deeply committed to sharing his facial rejuvenation surgery and anatomy expertise. As a lecturer, tutor, and demonstrator, he is invited to deliver DEEP PLANE FACELIFT presentations and perform live surgery and cadaver dissection Demonstrations in more than 15 countries, including Korea, the US, Europe, Singapore, Australia, Japan, and beyond.

Recognized worldwide for his expertise in DEEP PLANE FACELIFT, Dr. Ryu is a Faculty Member at MAFAC since 2016, a guest Faculty Member at Mayo Clinic since 2023, and an Editorial Board Member for the Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Journal (SCI) since 2019. He is an active member of KSPRS, ASPS, ASAPS, and ISAPS. As a global top-tier leader in Facelifts, Dr. Minhee Ryu makes dedicated contributions to academic advancement and surgical education.

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