Live Surgery Demonstration: Hangzhou MEVOS 2018

 Dr. Ryu’s DPFL Live Surgery Demonstration: 
MEVOS in Hangzhou 2019

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 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 MEVOS International Congress was held in Hangzhou from May 3 to 5, 2019. It took place at the Hangzhou International Expo Center, which was also the venue for the recent G20 Summit. The convention center was massive, and the connected hotel was clean and luxurious. The suite room provided was so impressive that it felt like a waste to stay there alone. All the expenses were covered for the round-trip business class airfare and the costs for two surgical assistants.

There’s a saying, “In heaven, there is paradise; on earth, there is Hangzhou and Suzhou,” highlighting how livable and beautiful the city is. Hangzhou is also famous as the birthplace of Jack Ma’s Alibaba, whose headquarters are located there.

The academic congress was led by Prof. Lee Pu from the United States and Prof. Yu-Ray Chen from Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Taiwan, who served as Co-Chairmen. The invited speakers were leading scholars in Asian plastic surgery, many of whom I have long admired academically. So I had high expectations even before attending.

In particular, the speakers and panelists in the same session included Prof. Yu-Ray Chen, Prof. Lee Pu, Prof. Nolan Karp from NYU in the U.S., Prof. Shuzhong Guo, Prof. Shengkang Luo, Prof. Jie Luan, as well as Dr. Su-Ben Tsao and Dr. Shyi-Gen Chen from Taiwan. Many of them are current or former presidents of major academic societies and have made significant contributions to the field. It was a true honor for me to present and engage in discussion alongside them.

I had been keeping an eye on the MEVOS Congress for quite some time, as their efforts and financial investment in branding were truly exceptional. Most academic conferences tend to promote themselves briefly before the event and often remain one-off occurrences. However, MEVOS stood out with its consistent and well-organized management.

It seemed that a significant amount of investment went into this year’s congress. The scale of the venue was substantial, and there was a large number of participating companies and attendees. What impressed me the most was the caliber of the speakers. Hosting globally respected figures like Prof. Lee Pu and Prof. Yu-Ray Chen as Co-Chairmen was particularly noteworthy. Both have made tremendous contributions to the advancement of plastic surgery, especially in the academic sphere. They are widely recognized as representatives of Asian plastic surgery and have long been dedicated to its development, a commitment I have always deeply respected. Led by these two, the faculty lineup included world-renowned experts who are leaders in their respective fields.

Successful turnout is a crucial factor for any academic congress. While it's important to offer engaging experiences for participants, I believe the most essential element is high-quality education. The higher the caliber of the speakers, the more attendees it attracts—and ultimately, the stronger the branding of the congress becomes. From that perspective, I believe the MEVOS Congress is shaping up to be an excellent model in terms of both scale and quality.

On the first day, I gave a presentation and participated in a discussion on "Dr. Ryu’s DEEP PLANE FACELIFT and Surgical Anatomy," and on the second day, I performed a facelift live surgery.

The lecture focused on Dr. Ryu’s DEEP PLANE FACELIFT and facial anatomy. Due to the unique facial characteristics of East Asians, achieving optimal results can be challenging, so I integrated historically proven techniques such as the High SMAS Facelift, Extended SMAS Facelift, and the FAME technique. The anatomical framework was based on Dr. Mendelson’s theories.

My surgical method, which consolidates these approaches, was published in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal (SCI) in 2015. Since then, I have also published several papers on facial anatomy. This was the topic of my lecture.

https://rnwoodplasticsurgery.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-surgical-correction-of-crows-feet.html

https://rnwoodplasticsurgery.blogspot.com/2015/02/dr-ryus-facelift-technique-sci-2015.html

https://rnwoodplasticsurgery.blogspot.com/2017/06/prs-global-open-sci-2017.html

There was a discussion session with the Co-Chairmen, Prof. Lee Pu and Prof. Yu-Ray Chen, as well as former and current presidents of plastic surgery societies from China and Taiwan, and Prof. Nolan Karp from NYU in the United States. It was a valuable experience to learn the latest insights on fat grafting and stem cell-based regenerative medicine, and the discussion on Asian facial rejuvenation will remain a meaningful and memorable moment for me.

At the invitation of Prof. Lee Pu, I attended the Impression West Lake performance, one of Hangzhou’s most iconic attractions. Set against the serene, moonlit lakeside, the show featured a breathtaking blend of music, lighting, and dance, creating an enchanting atmosphere. It was more moving than most musicals I’ve seen, and I found myself wishing I could one day share it with my parents.

The gentle scent of spring and perfect weather added to the experience. If only there had been some wine—it would have been perfect. Instead, tea and bottled water were provided, which I took as a thoughtful gesture, considering we had an early morning live surgery scheduled the next day. It left a stronger impression on me than expected and is surely one of Hangzhou’s greatest charms.

On May 4th, from 9 AM to 2 PM, I performed a live face and neck lift surgery. Although my body was tired afterward, my mind felt surprisingly clear. I shared a post on Facebook and WeChat Moments at the time, which I think genuinely reflected my inner thoughts, so I’ll quote it as is:

“Performing Dr. Ryu’s DEEP PLANE FACELIFT Live Surgery in MEVOS 2019 Hangzhou. Glad to be finished all right. I had tried to share all my experiences and knowledge sincerely. Hope it would be useful for my colleagues in Asia.”​

I successfully completed Dr. Ryu’s DEEP PLANE FACELIFT live surgery demonstration without any issues. The procedure usually takes about 3.5 to 4 hours, but this time it wrapped up in 5 hours. I explained each step of the surgery and approached the Q&A with an open and enthusiastic mindset.

While mentally simulating the entire procedure beforehand was a bit tedious, it wasn’t particularly difficult since it’s something I do regularly. Honestly, it was all thanks to my exceptional surgical team, with whom I can communicate almost wordlessly. Their preparation and assistance were flawless. If there were any shortcomings, they were entirely my own.

I did my utmost to share my knowledge and experience generously. My surgery itself isn’t particularly special—it’s based on Dr. Mendelson’s theories and techniques, combined with several representative methods.

Face and neck lifts are incredibly valuable for studying facial anatomy because they allow you to see and learn about each layer and key structure vividly—things you can’t observe even in cadaver dissections.

If there is any difference in my surgery, it’s that I reinterpreted the techniques from an East Asian perspective and modified the procedures accordingly. That is a matter for discussion, and that’s how I approached it.

In fact, live surgery presentations are quite a high-pressure experience. It’s like performing a show completely exposed, with nothing to hide behind. You have to do well just to break even. Not only can you be thoroughly scrutinized and criticized, but there’s also the risk of bearing the burden of a false reputation.

So why do I do it despite all that?

As I’ve said before, I too learned from the masters. In the history of facial anti-aging, I have worked to combine the strengths of existing theories and techniques while striving to fill in their gaps. If someone is going to discover or create something new, I believe it will happen with or without me—I just happened to take that path a little earlier.

There is also the goal of growing the whole pie. Having gained more experience earlier than others, I believe reducing trial and error helps activate the market. The pie grows only when better techniques are continuously practiced and experienced—and my share grows along with it.

Moreover, I want to renew myself every day until I put down the scalpel. I have no room for complacency; I strive to maintain a mindset of constant learning and research. Though it’s difficult to put into practice, this is always my intention.

For these reasons, I share what I have without fear.

The people who presented and participated in the discussion in the same session yesterday included former, current, and incoming presidents of the plastic surgery societies of China and Taiwan, and Prof. Yu-Ray Chen and Prof. Lee Pu are globally respected figures. They also generously served as modulators during today’s live surgery, and I am deeply grateful for their warm interest and thoughtful support.

One advantage of living abroad is that there’s less unnecessary energy wasted. Even without constantly following around and flattering others, if something is needed, people reach out. This straightforward approach makes me realize how many valuable connections there are on the main path.

Professor Yu-Ray Chen just sent me a message of encouragement and thanks for today’s live surgery. Looking at the photos I received, it seems the atmosphere was quite intense. Soon there will be a VIP dinner. I think I’ll have to drink quite a bit tonight.

At the dinner, the president of the Taiwanese society requested a live surgery and lecture at the end of November. This is right before my already accepted lecture at the ISAPS Meeting, and they even said Professor Yu-Ray Chen should come as well. I heard that during my five-hour surgery, people—including the society president—skipped lunch to stay focused like that. What is going on…

On the second day, there was a VIP dinner. I made it a point to first greet Prof. Lee Pu and Prof. Yu-Ray Chen, who stayed until the end as modulators during the live surgery and sent me encouraging messages afterward. I wanted to thank them for giving me the opportunity to present my somewhat imperfect lecture and surgery, as well as for their thoughtful attention and support.

It was also a chance to express my deep respect to these legends of Asian plastic surgery who dedicate themselves to its advancement. They kindly acknowledged my efforts and advised me to “Do more. Do more.” which encourages me to share and give more actively.

I take their precious words to heart, and their global recognition and encouragement deeply moved me.

I also had the opportunity to meet and greet the MEVOS president. This is just my personal opinion, but I believe MEVOS will become the leading academic platform representing aesthetic plastic surgery in Asia. The excellent balance between education and business related to the academic field, along with its advanced branding and clear direction, sets it apart.

I was curious about the leader driving these efforts, and we agreed to have an in-depth conversation over a meal in Beijing.

On the last day of the conference, I took some time to visit West Lake, one of Hangzhou’s most famous tourist spots. Bathed in a gentle spring breeze and surrounded by lush greenery, West Lake was truly peaceful and beautiful. I savored the moment, holding a cup of coffee while relaxing on a small rowboat.

Back in my school days, I played in a band for about four years, taking the role of drummer. I was deeply immersed in Rock, Jazz, and Blues, often hanging out with close friends, dreaming about living a carefree, bohemian life forever.

For a brief moment, I reminisced about those days and indulged in sweet, nostalgic thoughts.

Love stories always have a bittersweet quality. I visited the Leifeng Pagoda, which holds such a love story. I was told that the lakeside performance I saw the day before yesterday shared the same theme. I had only guessed it was a wistful love story, but after hearing the story here, I learned that the dancers’ varied performances in a procession represented the “White Snake transformed into a woman.” I was also told that it was a work directed by Zhang Yimou.

The pagoda once burned and collapsed, and the current structure is a reconstruction, so it doesn’t quite have the original feel. However, many relics related to the legend have been unearthed beneath the pagoda, and restoration work is still ongoing.

What impressed me the most was the storytelling reliefs on the upper floors. While the view of West Lake from the railing was beautiful, this artwork captured my attention above all else.

​The scene that moved me the most was when the woman fights to get medicine after her beloved has died. It made me wonder—if something happened to me, would there be someone willing to risk their life like that?

Another precious message is the importance of not forgetting those who helped us during hard times and continuing to nurture those bonds. I’m fortunate to have a few such people in my life, and I always carry deep gratitude for them in my heart.

Though life may seem long, time passes quickly. Among all the things we can do, love remains the most meaningful and precious.

Now, as I’m turning into a middle-aged man, I still find my heart touched and my eyes moist over this bittersweet love story. And for that, I am grateful.

Following the conference lectures and live surgery, I also had the chance to experience the beautiful West Lake—though briefly, my time in Hangzhou was truly memorable. Thank you for giving me so many meaningful memories.

Goodbye, beautiful Hangzhou! 再见，美丽的杭州！

Here is the storytelling from this place:

By the beautiful West Lake (Xihu) in Hangzhou (杭州), there is a pagoda called Leifeng Pagoda (雷峰塔). According to legend, over 700 years ago, a white snake transformed into a beautiful woman named Bai Niangzi (白娘子) and came to West Lake. There, she happened to meet a man named Xu Xian (許仙), and they fell in love. They lived happily together.

However, a monk named Fahai (法海) discovered that she was originally a white snake and trapped her beneath the base of Leifeng Pagoda. Fahai said that she could only escape if “the Leifeng Pagoda collapses and the waters of West Lake dry up.”

About 70 years ago, Leifeng Pagoda at West Lake did indeed collapse. But the beautiful Bai Niangzi could not be found there. Instead, many Buddhist scriptures dating back over a thousand years were discovered inside the pagoda. Later, people also unearthed many precious treasures beneath Leifeng Pagoda.

I expect MEVOS to establish itself as the leading academic conference representing Asia. Building meaningful connections with esteemed colleagues in the beautiful city of Hangzhou, along with the lectures and live surgery, exceeded all my expectations. This will likely be a major turning point in my life.

Dr. Minhee Ryu, M.D.

RNWOOD Plastic Surgery

Seoul, South Korea

(Source: https://blog.naver.com/rejuvemaster/221614081840)

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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