Invited Lecture at PASM 2019 Singapore

 Invited Lecture at PASM 2019 Singapore

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

The 2019 Plastic Aesthetic Surgery Meeting (PASM) was held at Singapore General Hospital from October 18–19, hosted by the Singapore Society of Plastic Surgeons and the Academy of Medicine. Focusing on Facial Rejuvenation, the event featured global experts including Dr. Patrick Tonnard and Prof. Lin Xiaoxi.

Dr. Minhee Ryu delivered six lectures on facelift and anatomy, presenting East Asian adaptations of Dr. Mendelson’s theories and receiving a plaque of appreciation from the Academy.

The meeting also offered valuable exchanges with long-time colleagues like Dr. Chin-Ho Wong and Prof. Lin, highlighting shared efforts to refine rejuvenation techniques for Asian patients. Singapore’s professionalism and warmth made the experience both academically and personally meaningful.

Please enjoy the full article below:

The 2019 Plastic Aesthetic Surgery Meeting (PASM) was held at Singapore General Hospital from October 18 to 19. Hosted by the Singapore Society of Plastic Surgeons and the Academy of Medicine, this year marked the fourth edition of the annual event.

The main theme of the conference was Facial Rejuvenation, with a strong focus on facelift surgery, fat grafting, and dermal fillers. I was honored to be invited as a keynote speaker alongside Dr. Patrick Tonnard and Professor Lin Xiaoxi. The event saw participation from many presidents and board members of plastic surgery societies from countries including the United States, Europe, China, Brazil, Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Mongolia.

I arrived the day before the conference, where we greeted each other warmly and shared a welcome dinner. I’ve maintained close friendships with many colleagues in Singapore over the years. I was first invited to speak at the Singapore Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Meeting back in 2013. Interestingly, the current president and scientific chair are both from a younger generation, which shows how quickly leadership transitions happen here.

On the first day of the conference, Dr. Tonnard and I took turns presenting throughout most of the morning and afternoon sessions. He is well known for his MACS lift facial rejuvenation technique and nanofat grafting. His approach is characterized by its simplicity, efficiency, and consistently good outcomes.

However, I believe that these techniques may not produce equally satisfying results in Asian patients, who typically have thicker and tougher skin. While I have some differing views from his theories, it’s ultimately just a difference in surgical approach. What matters more is the ability to understand and apply a variety of techniques appropriately. I respect his contributions to the field.

I gave six lectures on facial lifting and anatomy. All of them had been previously presented at American conferences, and five were also published in U.S. academic journals. These lectures were based on Dr. Mendelson’s anatomical theories, which I have adapted and restructured from an East Asian perspective by integrating various validated techniques.

My anatomy lectures focused on deeper topics such as the orbicularis oculi muscle in the midface, the course and variations of the facial nerve, and methods for preserving it and their clinical significance. I also spoke about techniques for improving facial sagging after contouring surgeries like zygoma reduction and mandibular angle reduction—procedures that are particularly common and of high interest among East Asian patients.

To my surprise, I was honored with a plaque of appreciation from The Academy of Medicine, Singapore. It was a truly humbling and meaningful recognition. Their slogan, “Academia, Defining Tomorrow’s Medicine,” reflects both strong confidence and a deep sense of responsibility for the future of healthcare. I’ve always felt a deep academic and personal connection with my colleagues in Singapore. Their professionalism, warmth, and support continue to inspire and encourage me.

        The first day’s dinner was held at a restaurant inside the Botanic Gardens, and the surroundings were absolutely beautiful—perfect for a stroll. Though the landscaping was man-made, the scent of the trees, along with the sounds of frogs and insects, created a peaceful, almost poetic atmosphere. On the way to the second venue, I had just a small taste—just enough to enjoy the moment.

We first stopped by the luxurious business bar at the Regent Hotel, but it was full, so we ended up having another drink at a local bar in Chinatown. The conversation flowed naturally—from academic discussions to everyday life, careers, and stories about our families. It was one of those moments where professional and personal connections deepen over simple drinks.

The second day featured several presentations by Prof. Lin Xiaoxi, along with speakers from Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and other countries. I first met Prof. Lin from Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital at a conference in Beijing in 2014. He was the speaker right after my presentation. After I finished, he came over, handed me his business card, and introduced himself. At the time, he was a member of the editorial board for the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (PRS) journal in the U.S.—and it turned out he had reviewed one of my submitted papers. Perhaps he recognized me from that and felt a sense of familiarity after seeing my talk.

Back then, most surgeons in Korea and China were more focused on eyelid surgery, rhinoplasty, and facial contouring. Interest in facial lifting and anatomy was still relatively low. In that sense, my connection with Prof. Lin began on a rather elegant note.

Since then, I’ve been invited to the Shanghai conferences he organizes, and we’ve crossed paths at least a few times a year at international meetings. It was a pleasure to see him again as a keynote speaker here in Singapore. Now, with interest in facial lifting and anatomy rapidly growing across Asia, I imagine we’ll continue to share academic exchanges like this for many years to come.

We both share a common goal: to reinterpret and refine surgical theories and techniques from an East Asian perspective. With mutual respect and continued learning, I hope we can contribute meaningfully to the advancement of the field.

For lunch, Dr. Chin-Ho Wong kindly arranged a special gathering. Along with his mentor, Dr. Leslie Kuek, Prof. Lin, and myself, we dined at a local eatery in the old building of Singapore General Hospital. I first met Chin-Ho back in 2012 in Melbourne, Australia, and we have stayed close ever since. Both of us are faculty members of MAFAC, and we’ve shared a deep academic and personal bond over the years. We even call each other “bro,” reflecting the mutual care and respect between us. Dr. Leslie Kuek, a pioneer of plastic surgery in Singapore and Chin-Ho’s mentor, warmly welcomed me and offered encouraging words about my presentation the day before.

All the official academic sessions concluded successfully. Although there are only about 70 board-certified plastic surgeons in Singapore, most have trained in top institutions across the U.S., the U.K., Australia, Taiwan, and elsewhere, making their expertise world-class. I was impressed not only by the academic rigor but also by the advanced systems and facilities in place.

        Dinner was enjoyed at Red House, famous for its chili crab. We feasted on a variety of seafood like lobster, crab, shrimp, and left completely satisfied. Afterwards, we moved on to a whiskey bar for some relaxed conversation and camaraderie.

I’ve visited Singapore many times before, often with my family, drawn by its cleanliness, safety, and delicious food. However, I used to find the city a bit dull. This recent visit changed that perspective—Singapore has now become one of the cities I’d love to live in. The reason? It’s home to wonderful friends who I deeply respect both personally and professionally, and its healthcare system and environment are very supportive of doctors.

Alongside Chin-Ho, Adrian is a very special friend to me. He has had a profoundly positive influence on both my professional and personal life. His exceptional knowledge and surgical skills reflect his intelligence and expertise, while his disciplined daily fitness routine inspires a strong sense of dedication. On top of that, his charisma and good manners show that he truly knows how to enjoy life, making it impossible not to stay close to him. Whether we meet in Taiwan, Australia, Mongolia, or Singapore, we tend to stick together, sharing deep conversations about work, family, and life.

        One of the most important missions in my life is to establish theories and techniques suited to the unique facial structure and tissue characteristics of East Asians, which differ from those of Westerners. At this conference, I met colleagues who share this journey, and the positive inspiration and learning I gained from them was the greatest reward.

When we acknowledge and respect each other, deep friendships naturally form, along with academic growth and meaningful contributions.

The warm hospitality and kindness of my friends will stay with me for a long time. I’m grateful to them and hope to see them much, much more often!

Dr. Minhee Ryu, M.D.

RNWOOD Plastic Surgery

Seoul, South Korea

(Source: https://blog.naver.com/rejuvemaster/221733882387 )

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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