Venue: Ryukyu Hotel & Resort Shikijoe Beach (Okinawa) 2026/11/5–6
Attending physician: Tetsu Sou
Session: President's Special Program "Naomi and Japanese Medicine"
Dr. Tetsu Sou appeared as a speaker at the 49th Japan Society of Aesthetic Surgeons (JSAPS) General Assembly President's Special Program "Naomi and Japanese Medicine." This session brought together speakers from different positions—including medical administration, private practitioners, core hospitals, and large aesthetic clinics—to discuss so-called "direct entry into aesthetic medicine" (Naomi), in which physicians enter cosmetic practice immediately after completing initial clinical training.
Dr. Tetsu Sou's presentation was titled "Choosing Direct Entry into Aesthetic Medicine and Establishing Expertise — A Career Path from General Surgery to Nasal Reconstruction Specialist." Reflecting on his own journey, he organized what he learned as a direct-entry practitioner and what should be learned going forward, and proposed three points to build a bridge between direct-entry practice and plastic surgery:
- Establish consultation and referral pathways during normal operations (arrange in advance with plastic surgery for consultation on complications and revision cases)
- Bring perspectives from both reconstruction and aesthetics (apply anatomical knowledge and tissue-preserving techniques from reconstructive surgery to the safety of aesthetic procedures)
- Share in educating the next generation (create opportunities to learn fundamentals at training sessions and conferences, and establish settings for mutual observation in clinical practice)
Following the presentation, a comprehensive discussion was held among all panelists, incorporating a live audience poll, and discussion centered on physician ethics education and patient safety.
Thursday, November 5, 13:30–15:20 Venue 2 (Grandballroom C)