Invited Lecture as a Faculty in OSAPS 2024 Cebu

OSAPS Cebu 2024:

Invited Lecture on "Dr. Ryu's DEEP PLANE FACELIFT"

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

The OSAPS 2024 Conference was held at the Shangri-La Resort in Cebu, Philippines, bringing together faculty and participants from over 20 countries. Dr. Minhee Ryu of RNWOOD Plastic Surgery served as an Invited Faculty member, delivering a lecture on “Deep Plane Facelift in Asian Patients.” His presentation explored the historical evolution, anatomical foundations, and surgical nuances of the Deep Plane Facelift, emphasizing the importance of precision, safety, and adaptation to Asian facial structures.

The facelift session featured distinguished colleagues including Dr. Lee Seng Khoo, Dr. William Lao, and Dr. Jimmy Yeoh, reflecting the collaborative spirit of regional leaders in aesthetic surgery. The conference also featured an inspiring lecture by Professor Longmin Baek of Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, whose lifelong dedication to children with congenital facial deformities deeply resonated with Dr. Ryu’s own values in medicine. Beyond academic exchange, the event fostered warm professional friendships, culminating in shared discussions, dinners, and even scuba diving in Cebu’s serene waters. The next OSAPS meetings are planned for Taiwan (2026), Korea (2028), and Japan (2030), continuing to advance aesthetic surgery through East Asian leadership and collaboration.

Please enjoy the full article below:

I was invited as a faculty member to give a lecture at the OSAPS 2024 academic conference. OSAPS (Oriental Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons) is a professional society exclusively for plastic surgeons, held once every two years. This year, the conference was held over three days at the Shangri-La Resort in Cebu, Philippines. Faculty members from 16 countries participated, and about 20 countries’ plastic surgeons attended.

I gave a lecture and participated in a discussion titled “Deep Plane Facelift in Asian Patients.” Globally, there is tremendous enthusiasm for the Deep Plane Facelift, but it is true that there is considerable confusion regarding its concepts and techniques. This confusion applies not only to patients but also to physicians.

“What is a Deep Plane Facelift?”

This is a topic I often mention at the beginning of recent lectures. Reviewing its brief history and development process helps to understand it better.

Since 1973, beginning with Dr. Tord Skoog, through the 1990s with Dr. Sam Hamra, and up to today with Dr. Bryan Mendelson and Dr. Andrew Jacono, the contributions of these giants cannot be overlooked. I explained in detail the concept and surgical anatomy of the Deep Plane Facelift, and showed specific surgical techniques considering Asian facial features through operation videos.

History is constantly evolving, and so is surgical theory. If I can serve as one stepping stone in that process, it would be a great honor in itself.

This session was special.

I was the first speaker, followed by three other presenters — all of whom are my friends. I first met Dr. Lee Seng Khoo 10 years ago in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, while he was training at the world-renowned Ivo Pitanguy Institute. He later completed a fellowship at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Taiwan and is currently based in Kuala Lumpur. He is a fun-loving and quirky guy who speaks six languages, and we have co-authored several papers together.

The next speaker was Dr. William Lao, a graduate of the prestigious Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. After completing his fellowship in New York, he now practices in Manhattan. He also collaborates with me on research and is very active in the U.S.

Following him was Dr. Jimmy Yeoh, chairman of the Malaysian Society’s academic committee, who invited me earlier this April. All of us shared our techniques and experiences focused on facelift surgery, strengthening our academic bonds. 

These are friends for life.

With the superb facelifting session moderator and host, Dr. Jay Estoya, and Dr. Gene Tiongco, President of the Philippines Association of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery (PAPRAS), alongside fellow speakers on stage.

About 20 countries’ plastic surgeons participated in the OSAPS Meeting, and I have especially close friends from Singapore, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Malaysia. Although we follow each other’s news on social media, meeting face-to-face revealed more gray hairs, and I felt a deep sense of warmth and emotion. 

We enjoyed the Faculty Dinner, then moved to the beach for a second round of drinks before parting ways.

Professor Longmin Baek from Seoul National University Bundang Hospital was also invited to give a lecture. He is a world-renowned expert in craniofacial plastic surgery and the foremost authority in congenital facial deformity surgery. He has accomplished remarkable work leading the Semin Facial Deformity Aid Association, and I hold him in great respect.

One of the reasons I chose plastic surgery was that I wanted to help children with congenital deformities. However, due to factors such as the advancement of prenatal diagnosis, such patients became very rare, and it was difficult to gain experience during training. 

This was always a regret, and even now I feel a deep emptiness. This is also why I joined a medical volunteer mission to the Philippines earlier this year, where I became acquainted with the free surgery charitable organizations ACPPI (Advance Craniofacial Project Philippines Inc.) and Smile Train. 

Fortunately, I have friends among the leaders and members of these organizations, and I decided to follow and learn from them whenever possible. When I shared this, I was invited to join the next medical volunteer mission to Vietnam. Even if I only carry luggage, it would be a great honor to learn that spirit.

Professor Baek’s lecture was deeply moving and resonated with me even more. This was because I felt not only the academic leadership in congenital craniofacial deformity but also his profound love for the children. This is the foundation and pride of plastic surgery. 

Among the lecture’s contents, what impressed me most was the emphasis on “minimizing trauma.” In fact, this has been my main focus and conclusion over the past few years, so perhaps it struck a deeper chord with me. My mentor, Dr. Mendelson, also taught me this, and Picasso made a similar remark:

“The master’s surgery becomes simpler.”

 I now understand what this means.

There were times when I wanted to show off and flaunt my surgical skills, but I feel myself maturing. It is an honor to learn closely from a master, and I ask that he continue to lead this spirit and legacy.

I highly recommend reading this article!!! 

Professor Longmin Baek, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, has performed free surgery on 4,200 patients with facial deformities… "Even if they can’t remember my name, they all remember the smile." https://m.sedaily.com/NewsView/29KOTXTOEF#cb

I took a day off to go scuba diving. 

Twenty-five years ago, I went alone to Boracay and earned my PADI Scuba Diving certification—advanced level. Whenever I visit the seaside, I enjoy diving, and this time, my 35-year-old close friend flew from Korea to join me.

Amidst the busy schedule, I found a moment to heal. The underwater world is truly enchanting, frightening, exciting, and awe-inspiring!

Driving the boat with his feet, haha! 

OSAPS 2026 will be held in Taiwan, 2028 in Korea, and 2030 in Japan. I hope it will grow into an international academic conference leading theory and techniques from an East Asian perspective. I will also strive to contribute, even in a small way.

Dr. Minhee Ryu, M.D.

RNWOOD Plastic Surgery

Seoul, South Korea

(Source: https://blog.naver.com/rejuvemaster/223510355608)

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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