Invited as Faculty: ISAPS Miami 2018

Invited as Faculty: ISAPS Miami 2018

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

The International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS) held its biennial world congress in Miami, USA (Oct 31–Nov 4, 2018), gathering over 3,000 participants from 98 countries. Dr. Minhee Ryu, who had previously presented at ISAPS Rio (2014) and Kyoto (2016), was once again invited to share his academic work. He presented “Dr. Ryu’s Facelift Techniques and Facial Anatomy” to a full audience in the largest venue, earning praise from session chair Dr. Knutti (Switzerland) and strong interest from global colleagues, including Dr. Mendelson, Prof. Lee Pu, and Dr. Hamdi (Belgium). The session highlighted growing recognition of Asian facelift techniques in global plastic surgery.

Beyond lectures, Dr. Ryu reconnected with international faculty and the Beijing Study Group, deepening academic collaborations. Though his schedule left little leisure time, he enjoyed brief moments at Miami South Beach and sampled Cuban cuisine at Havana 1956.

As an ISAPS faculty member since Kyoto 2016 and part of the MAFAC faculty, Dr. Ryu expressed his commitment to advancing research and education in Asian facial anatomy and rejuvenation surgery, contributing to the global  evolution of aesthetic plastic surgery.

Please enjoy the full article below:

The International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS) is an academic organization composed exclusively of board-certified plastic surgeons, focusing intensively on aesthetic plastic surgery. It holds a major scientific congress every two years, and this time it was held in Miami, USA, from October 31 to November 4. More than 3,000 participants from 98 countries attended ISAPS Miami 2018. Following participation in previous congresses held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 2014, and Kyoto, Japan in 2016, I had the opportunity to take part once again to present my academic work.

On the second day of the conference, a Faculty Dinner Party was held, where I had the pleasure of reconnecting with many familiar faces. Dr. Mendelson, a former President of ISAPS and past Editor-in-Chief of the ISAPS journal Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (an SCI-listed journal), was among them. He is a respected figure in the field, globally acknowledged for his lifelong dedication to the advancement of aesthetic plastic surgery.

I also had a wonderful time with Dr. Tim and Dr. Nina, fellow MAFAC faculty members, as well as Jilda, the MAFAC secretary. Each of them is highly recognized for their expertise in their respective fields, and it was truly inspiring and a source of pride to see how they continue to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of our discipline.

I was also pleased to reconnect with Prof. Lee Pu, who is in charge of ISAPS Asia. He has made significant contributions to the field of plastic surgery through numerous meaningful publications and has played a major role in advancing plastic surgery, particularly in Asia. His dedication to supporting his colleagues and his commitment to the field are truly admirable.

I first had the opportunity to meet him two years ago in Kyoto, and since then, we’ve shared meaningful moments at several international events — including ISAPS China in September, the TSAPS (Taiwan Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery) conference in October, and now again at ISAPS Miami 2018. I am always grateful for his warm interest and thoughtful support, and during this visit to Miami, I was especially touched by his sincere and invaluable advice.

https://rnwoodplasticsurgery.blogspot.com/2016/10/isaps-2016-in-kyoto.html 

    

    I also had the opportunity to meet Dr. Hamdi from Belgium, who is renowned not only in aesthetic surgery but also in reconstructive surgery. I remember citing his journal articles during my residency when writing my own papers, which made meeting him in person all the more meaningful. Perhaps because we’ve often seen each other on Facebook, there was a sense of familiarity that made our interaction feel very natural.

    

        I gave a panel presentation on my facelift techniques; it was titled “Dr. Ryu’s Facelift Techniques and Facial Anatomy”, and it was a true honor to be assigned to the largest venue. I felt especially grateful and encouraged seeing Dr. Mendelson and his colleagues seated in the front row, listening attentively.

I was particularly thankful for the thoughtful support of the session chair, Dr. Knutti from Switzerland. After the presentation, he approached me with a handshake and praised the talk as excellent, which was deeply encouraging. During the discussion, he also engaged actively by asking questions and offering comments, helping to generate meaningful dialogue.

I sensed a growing interest in Asian facelift techniques — an area that has often been overlooked — and it reminded me not only of the pride I take in my work but also of the responsibility that comes with it.

While the primary purpose of an academic conference is to share scientific knowledge and experiences, I believe that meeting colleagues I’ve long hoped to connect with carries just as much meaning.

One such person was Prof. Luo, whose impressive research and publications had made me eager to meet him. This conference gave me the opportunity to do so. We shared a mutual understanding and interest in East Asian facial anatomy, and we agreed to continue academic exchange by sharing our respective publications.

I also spent meaningful time with members of the Beijing Study Group. This group includes about ten promising young professionals from top hospitals in China—such as Peking Union, PUMC Hospital, Peking University Hospital, and the 301 PLA General Hospital. We regularly meet for academic discussions, and I believe they will play an important role in the future of plastic surgery in China. Among them are colleagues who earned their degrees in Germany or are currently doing fellowships at institutions like Harvard. Each is achieving success in their field and showing a deep commitment to both expertise and academic growth.

At ISAPS Miami 2018, they all gave excellent presentations, and I felt proud of the academic contributions being made by the Asian aesthetic plastic surgery community. I also had the pleasure of reconnecting with the Chairman of the Scientific Committee of PSPRAS as well as the National Secretary of ISAPS. We exchanged papers and agreed to continue fostering academic collaboration moving forward.

At international conferences, creating an engaging experience is a key element of success. That’s why these events are often held in popular tourist destinations—and Miami, frequently featured in TV shows and films, is well-known as a vacation hotspot.

I went there with high expectations, but to be honest, it didn’t leave as strong an impression as I had anticipated. I suspect that’s largely because I didn’t have enough free time to truly explore and experience what the city has to offer.

Still, I tried to make the most of the short visit by at least getting a taste of the beach and local food. Right after the conference ended, a friend and I headed straight to Miami South Beach. We enjoyed a seafood meal paired with a bit of daytime drinking, which lifted our spirits, and we managed to spend a brief but relaxing moment by the ocean—enough to end the trip on a refreshing note.

Still feeling a bit unsatisfied, I went back to the hotel, changed clothes, bought a pair of flip-flops, and decided to wander around on my own for a bit longer. Though it was the Atlantic Ocean, it didn’t look all that different from Korea’s East Sea. I dipped my feet in the water just once, soaking in the strong sunlight and trying to savor the moment. It was a small but personal way to connect with the place before saying goodbye.

Miami is geographically close to Cuba, and there's a popular Cuban restaurant called Havana 1956. I decided to enjoy a solo moment at the bar, sipping on an original Mojito and savoring some lobster. I can say I’ve experienced Cuban cuisine now, but the Mojito stood out—it was so refreshing and strong that it lingered in my memory long after. The perfect balance of tangy and fresh was definitely worth the experience!

Some of the people I met at the conference mentioned that they were continuing their travels through Cuba and the Dominican Republic. Since Florida is so far from Korea, it’s not somewhere I can visit often, but I do think it’s a great idea to explore the famous tourist spots nearby when the opportunity arises.

I couldn’t help but feel a bit envious of their plans, and I thought to myself, 

I hope that one day I’ll have the time and freedom to do something similar. 

It would be wonderful to have that kind of leisure in the future!

Since being invited as a faculty member at ISAPS Kyoto 2016, I’ve been honored to play even a small role in advancing the academic field of Asian facial rejuvenation surgery and anatomy.

I also feel truly privileged to be part of the MAFAC faculty, which has allowed me to connect with leading international experts and be included in the global MAFAC family. It’s been rewarding to witness the growing global interest in Asian facelift techniques and facial anatomy, and it motivates me to continue contributing to the development of this field.

Together with like-minded colleagues, I hope to keep making meaningful efforts that help shape the future and history of aesthetic plastic 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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