BSAPS Journal

Even though reconstructive surgeries like bum contracture and cleft lip and palate repairs were being done regularly in our country for a long time, aesthetic surgery was not practiced even in the early nineties. Liposuction was first introduced in a very isolated manner in the mid-nineties. The first breast implant surgery was done in 200 I (almost 40 years after silicone implants were first used by Cronin and Gerow in the West). Since then, various other aesthetic surgeries like Augmentation Rhinoplasty, Reduction Mammoplasty and later Dermal Fat Grafting were gradually introduced in Bangladesh. But these types of surgeries were done very infrequently, and not by many. Lipoinjection and Hair Transplant surgery was started in 2006 and 2008 respectively. Nonsurgical aesthetic procedures like Nd YAG Laser for hair removal and CO2 Laser for the treatment of warts and the use of microdermabrasion were introduced by a dermatologist and a plastic surgeon almost simultaneously in two separate centers in 2006. The Bangladesh Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BSAPS) is formed by members who are all qualified plastic surgeons, interested in the practice of aesthetic plastic surgery. We know that aesthetic plastic surgery can offer a wide range of benefits to our patients; so familiarizing aesthetic plastic surgery in the country is an important issue. BSAPS is committed to the practice of safe aesthetic plastic surgery - which can only be ensured by training qualified plastic surgeons in this field and also providing a safe environment where the surgeries should be performed.

Before the Maimi Congress in 2018, there were only four plastic surgeons from Bangladesh who were ISAPS members. But early this year, a large group of plastic surgeons from Bangladesh attended the ISAPS course in Kolkata.

During the course, they met Dr. Vakis Kontoes, who encouraged them to become ISAPS members.

The signing of Global Alliance Agreement with ISAPS in October 2019 in Belgium

Immediately after returning home, they submitted applications for fast-track group membership, which were rapidly processed. Now the number of ISAPS members in our country has started to rise.

Bangladeshi Plastic Surgeons attending an ISAPS course in India

This group of ISAPS members have already started interacting by conducting meetings and aesthetic surgery workshops in the country. Topics like Fascia Scarpa Sparing Lipoabdominoplasty, Reduction Mammoplasty, and Rhinoplasty has been covered. Nonsurgical procedures like Botox, Laser, and Micro-needling have also been included in the workshops.

Hands-on workshop on Aesthetic Rhinoplasty in Cosmetic Surgery Centre Ltd

BSAPS fully endorses the view of ISAPS Immediate past precedent, Dr. Renato Saltz, the present president, Dr. Dirk Richter, and the board of directors, that residents in plastic surgery should be allowed more exposure to aesthetic plastic surgery during their residency period. We believe that this will help young plastic surgeons to not only navigate better in the field of aesthetic surgery but also learn the tricks of the trade more efficiently. For this reason, we welcome the decision of ISAPS that plastic surgery resident can become Resident Members for free. A decision was taken to publish a BSAPS journal twice  a year, where the members will write articles in order to share their experiences in aesthetic surgery. During the ISAPS symposium in Bruges, Belgium in October 2019, BSAPS signed an agreement and became an ISAPS Global Alliance Member. Thanks to the president, Dr. Dirk Richer, who was very positive about BSAPS joining this group. This alliance will help plastic surgeons from Bangladesh join ISAPS more easily. At the same time, they would feel encouraged to uphold the global standard in the practice of safe aesthetic surgery in our country.

To promote aesthetic surgery ISAPS decided to conduct an educational Course in Dhaka. The chairman of the Education Council, Dr. Vakis Kontoes along with the board of directors approved and finalized the date on 12th - 14th March 2020.

Meeting of /SAPS members in Dhaka just before the Belgium congress

Faculties around the globe finalized their travel plans to come to Dhaka and teach our plastic surgeons and residents "tricks of the trade" in aesthetic surgery. But unfortunately, the course had to postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Now the plan is to conduct this course online, this virtual ISAPS Course will be conducted by the same faculties that were supposed to come in March. It will have the same teaching materials and video sessions as in an actual course. We are looking forward to this upcoming event in Bangladesh, and this will surely encourage more plastic surgeons from our country to include aesthetic surgery in their practice.

In the meantime, BSAPS have started webinars on Covid situation and also on academic topics with the help of faculty speakers from ISAPS. Recently BSAPS has come into Regional Alliance with Indian Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon (IAAPS) - by virtue of which our plastic surgeons can participate in their regular academic activities/webinars. We believe that by having regular interactions with ISAPS, IAAPS and other aesthetic surgical bodies we will be able to enrich our plastic surgeons in the field of aesthetic surgery.