Dear #ISAPSFamily, Colleagues, and Friends,
Coming to the end of the year means we are getting closer to some extraordinary meetings in 2026! The upcoming year promises to be another unforgettable time to learn, network, and meet with #ISAPSFamily, and I can’t wait to see many of you soon!
I’m very excited to inform you that we are now less than three months away from our next academic event, and the first ever, ISAPS Master Face Course, which will bring together 21 of the world's best surgeons. Taking place in St. Louis, Missouri (United States) from February 27 through March 1, 2026, at the Practical Anatomy and Surgical Education facilities of the Saint Louis University School of Medicine, the program will highlight fresh cadaver dissections and demonstrate a wide range of techniques for face and neck enhancement. Space is limited and almost filled, don’t miss it!
And we are only 327 days away, and counting, until we see each other in Cancun, Mexico, for the ISAPS World Congress 2026! The Scientific Program Committee is busy accepting abstracts and preparing another extraordinary meeting, featuring the latest advancements in aesthetic plastic surgery. Remember to send us your abstracts by January 23, 2026, to be considered as a speaker.
The entire Scientific Program Committee, commanded by Drs. Andre Auersvald, Ahmad Saad, and Bertha Torres, as well as the ISAPS central office team, are working hard on another innovative five days of immersive, educational opportunities in the aesthetic field, featuring surgical/non-surgical technologies, a brand-new panel in AI, patient safety culture, and business school.
The Congress will be held at the Cancun Center, a premier convention venue strategically located in the heart of Cancun's Hotel Zone. With a variety of excellent dining options and top tourist attractions just steps away, you can effortlessly shift from work to play! Stay tuned for program updates and our “not-to-be-missed” networking events—connecting the #ISAPSFamily, making memories, and building friendships. We can’t wait to see you in Cancun! Stay informed on developments with our Weekly Updates and the Congress website for important deadlines.
Now let’s talk about Brazil, yes, the Brazilian Society of Plastic Surgery (SBCP) celebrated its 61st Brazilian Congress of Plastic Surgery from November 12-15, 2025, in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, a wonderful destination located north of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
The Brazilian Society, represented by their outstanding Board, including the organizing committee, Volney Pitombo, SBCP-RJ, President; Marcelo Moura Costa Sampaio, SBCP-SP 1st, Vice President; Ronaldo Righesso, SBCP-RS 2nd Vice President; Carlos Eduardo Guimaraes Leao, SBCP-MG, Scientific Program Chair; Nelson Fernandes De Moraes, SBCP-GO; Gisela Robson Pontes, SBCP-RJ; Fábio Xerfan Nahas, SBCP-SP; Alexandre Piassi Passos, SBCP-SP, Treasury; Alfredo Donnabella, SBCP-MG, General Secretary; and Kennedy Rossi Santos Silva, SBCP-MG, once again organized a terrific academic event and world-class, unforgettable social networking gatherings, with more than 2,500 attendees and forty-seven international faculty members, many of whom are part of the #ISAPSFamily.
During the magnificent event, we had the opportunity to see some of the most renowned Brazilian plastic surgeons, including:
Carlos Uebel (ISAPS Past President)
Farid Hakme
Raul Gonzalez
Ithamar Nogueira Stocchero
Lydia Masako Ferreira
Fabio Nahas (Co-Editor Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Journal)
Osvaldo Saldanha
Carlos Roxo
ISAPS has an extraordinary relationship with SBCP. It is not only because Brazil represents the largest community of plastic surgeons in the world, it is not only because of the great history of Brazilian surgeons and so many contributions to our specialty, it is not only because of the superb high-quality of academic events, it is not only because of the relationships forged over the years...It is because of the hard work that dozens of ISAPS members have been doing for so many years, maintaining, and building new bridges between both societies, I‘d be remiss if I didn’t mention some of them: ISAPS National Secretary of Brazil, Marcelo Maino, and ISAPS National Assistant Secretaries of Brazil, Andre Ferrao Vargas, and Alvaro Cansancao, to name a few. I extend my most profound appreciation and recognition for their hard work and all that they do to make it happen. It is not a simple coincidence; it’s pure meritocracy that our ISAPS Education Council Chair, Andre Auersvald, and our ISAPS Patient Safety Committee Chair, Andre Cervantes, are part of the Brazilian community.
The Brazilian Congress of Plastic Surgery also featured the ISAPS Symposium, and we are thankful to the SBCP for this opportunity. During the opening ceremony, SBCP awarded its prestigious international recognition award to the ISAPS Board of Director, Dr. Ozan Sozer (United States), and ISAPS Past President, Dr. Nazim Cerkes (Turkiye). Dr. Sherell J. Aston (United States) was also honored with the Comenda Internacional Ivo Pitanguy 2025 for his outstanding scientific contribution and legacy in plastic surgery worldwide. Congratulations to ALL THE recipients!
Besides the fantastic academic opportunity in Brazil, two social events will stay in my mind forever: the Churrasco Lunch, which highlighted a traditional Brazilian barbecue, and was organized by Raul Gonzalez, Carlos Uebel, Fabio Nahas, Carlos Roxo, and Andre Auersvald. And I can’t forget the international faculty dinner, organized by Carlos Eduardo Guimaraes Leao, SBCP-MG, who hosted everyone at his own home. Everybody enjoyed a fantastic dinner, surrounded by a very camaraderie mood, many thanks for such a memorable time.
With this, I leave you and look forward to celebrating the upcoming year with all our #ISAPSFamily, and those who support our society and specialty. Here’s to another year of inspiring and nurturing Aesthetic Education Worldwide® for the safety of patients.
Yours faithfully,
Arturo Ramírez-Montañana, MD
ISAPS President