NEW YORK, Nov. 03, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As the number of cosmetic surgeries and non-invasive aesthetic procedures continues to climb, the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS) continues to grow with it. With over 3,300 board-certified plastic surgeons in 104 different countries, ISAPS holds over 30 different educational symposia, conferences and courses each year, regarding its duty to educate patients about cosmetic surgery as its most important responsibility.
“When a patient decides to change his or her life by having cosmetic surgery, it’s a very big and brave step,” says Dr. Renato Saltz, the newly elected president of ISAPS, in an announcement last week at the organization’s biennial congress in Kyoto, Japan. “What many patients don’t realize is that in most countries around the world, any physician with a valid medical license can legally perform liposuction or breast augmentation, or any cosmetic surgical procedure, with very little or even no aesthetic surgical training.”
That’s a terrifying thought for the estimated over one billion people around the globe who consider having some kind of cosmetic procedure each year. Knowing how to keep yourself safe by choosing the correct aesthetic plastic surgeon is Dr. Saltz’s core mission as ISAPS’ president. “Patient safety is a growing concern in every country,” adds Dr. Saltz. “Very sadly, we hear of doctors performing cosmetic procedures without the correct training, and the results can be catastrophic – even fatal. That’s why it’s essential that patients get educated about the right questions to ask and are able to use a trusted resource, like ISAPS.org, to learn more about a cosmetic surgical procedure and to find a physician in their country with the requisite level of aesthetic training and expertise.”
Dr. Saltz started as the USA National Secretary (2002-2004) and has served on the ISAPS Board of Directors for fourteen years. Dr. Renato Saltz accepted the presidency of ISAPS on October 26 at the Westin Miyako Hotel in Kyoto at his induction ceremony led by Susumu Takayanagi, MD, from whom he is taking the ISAPS reins.
“ISAPS is the world’s top organization of professionals in plastic surgery. This means a great deal to me and I take my assignment with pride,” states Dr. Saltz. “I look forward to collaborating with my peers to enhance the findings and practices of this important industry, and I am grateful for Dr. Takayanagi’s work and support as I grow in this role.” Dr. Saltz’s presidency term will run for two years.
About Renato Saltz, MD
Dr. Renato Saltz is one of the world’s most respected and accomplished board-certified plastic surgeons. Based in Salt Lake City, Utah, Dr. Saltz’s expertise in cosmetic surgery – specifically facial rejuvenation, body contouring, breast surgery and breast reconstruction after cancer – is highly sought after by peer and patient alike. He served as the President of the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) in 2009/2010 and is a former chair of the education Council for ISAPS, having served on its Board for the last 14 years. Dr. Saltz was appointed President for ISAPS in October 2016 and will serve through October 2018 with his Presidency concluding at the biennial meeting being held in Miami Beach in October 2018. Dr. Saltz also serves as a Visiting Professor for ISAPS and ASAPS and worked at the University of Utah for nine years as an Associate Professor of Plastic Surgery and as the Director of its Summit Plastic Surgery Center. Widely regarded as one of the pioneers in endoscopic surgery in the United States, Dr. Renato Saltz is the founder of the Image Reborn Foundation of Utah, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping women recover and reclaim their lives from breast cancer since 1988. He is widely published – having presented over 500 national and international papers including publishing over 100 articles, forty chapters and edited seven books in plastic surgery. Dr. Saltz has appeared on the television show Extra to perform the Brazilian Butt Lift as well as many other national and international media. Dr. Saltz’s core goal as ISAPS President is to increase global patient safety for cosmetic surgical procedures and empower patients to make informed decisions through education.
Based in Salt Lake City, Dr. Saltz is well known to the global plastic and aesthetic surgery community as an expert in facial rejuvenation, body contouring, breast surgery and reconstruction after cancer.
One of the pioneers in endoscopic surgery in the United States, he is the founder of the Image Reborn Foundation of Utah, a non-profit local organization dedicated to helping women with breast cancer. A former professor of plastic surgery at the University of Utah, Dr. Saltz holds many positions on medical surgery boards and continues to contribute to medical journals and research.
Dr. Saltz is the former president of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, and in 2002, opened his own plastic surgery clinic, Saltz Plastic Surgery and Spa Vittoria.
About ISAPS:
The International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery places patient safety as its highest priority, holding the highest standards for its members. Through rigorous membership screening, continued education for members and partnerships with accredited facilities, ISAPS serves as the guardian of patient safety. ISAPS is the patient’s global resource for finding qualified and experienced aesthetic plastic surgeons and serves its members to promote excellence in aesthetic surgery.