ICO PLAST

Dr. Jamal and Dr. Zuhair

Dr. Jamal and Dr. Zuhair, firstly, we would like to congratulate both the local societies AASMA and EPSS on partnering together to bring this confederation of societies’ congress to Dubai along with DET and DxB Live (DWTC).

• Tell us what does it mean for you to bring this event to the ME region?

It does mean a lot for us to win and host this congress here in Dubai, where precedence is given to innovation. We are proud of this accomplishment, a dream that has turned into reality.

ICOPLAST is a premier event; it is a confederation of 60+ societies from all over the world. There has never been a gathering of such magnitude and number of organizations in the MENA region and Asia.

There were challenges faced by some plastic surgeons in this region in traveling abroad to attend and learn about the latest innovation and technological trends in plastic surgery. Hosting this congress in this region will be accessible to a more significant number of plastic surgeons regionally and also fills a vacuum that desperately needs to be filled in this part of the world.

We are proud and look forward to making it a success and improving the quality of patient's life in the region.

• What are some significant challenges faced in this region and the trends in the Plastic surgical and Aesthetic medicine industry?

The region has seen significant growth over the past decade and is an excellent receptor of technology in all fields. This has led to becoming the next medical tourism destination for plastic surgery in the region.

The challenge was to convince the international bodies (ICOPLAST) that our part of the world is equipped, has the infrastructure, and is capable of managing a considerable congress. This notion was corrected when the leaders visited Dubai and witnessed the infrastructure the region could offer and the flexibility to cater to the specific needs of the congress. There was a great support through collaboration with the Department of Economy and Tourism and DxB Live (DWTC), who were very supportive and encouraged hosting this event in Dubai.

• What are some technological trends that excite you for the future in this sector?

Evolution in technology has always excited us as surgeons, who are always vigilant to see what future innovation brings.

This evolution and advancement in science have made tools more precise for surgeons to work with and offer a more fulfilling result.

Implementing radio frequency waves in surgical and non-surgical interventions has made correcting problems resistant to standard technologies or surgical techniques much more accessible. 

There are specific procedures that can be done with minimally invasive techniques (minimal incision) or even a needle poke into the skin and delivering energy to the tissue that needs to be altered.

The second technology uses ultrasound to help delicate contour bones like nose or facial bones. Typical ways of using electromechanical instruments were quite harsh on these fragile bones, and the use of the ultrasonic scalpel or the ultrasonic saw to manage the bone contour has been implemented, and its beginning to spread widely. It will be quite interesting to see how it is done in the workshops and the demonstrations conducted in the meeting.

• In the field of Plastic surgery and Aesthetic Medicine, which are the most sought procedure? And do you have international patients traveling here to conduct their surgery?

Most sought-after procedures vary depending on the patient's age group, patient's sex, etc... For instance, men are more into having body contouring surgeries, especially with recent trends of having an athletic figure and athletic shape, go for liposculpture to define the muscles of the body, which is very common among the younger age groups. At the same time, middle-aged male patients require body lifts or hair transplant procedures.

In women, many procedures are being done on the breast and the face.

A new breast implant will be launched here for the first time outside the USA.

Quite a few international patients are traveling here to conduct their surgery. There are several reasons behind this; firstly, the region has some prominent plastic surgeons worldwide. Second, the region is keeping up with the latest trends in plastic surgery. Therefore, many patients from GCC countries prefer traveling to Dubai to get their procedures done. Lastly, we have noticed that most patients combine their procedures, along with their vacation. They visit Dubai, get their procedure done, and enjoy everything that Dubai has to offer, from the atmosphere here, entertainment, and restaurants, and relishing their stay in 5 to 7 stars luxurious hotels the city offers.

• What are the opportunities offered by the United Arab Emirates for newer companies who like to venture into this market, especially from the Americas and European markets?

The UAE has always been the pivotal location for organizations, with plans of expansion in the West or the East. The UAE's government has identified this and offers a flexible platform for businesses, either start-ups or large organizations, to establish their base in the region to operate out of. This also reduces the travel time for executives planning a meeting in various countries. In addition, the country also offers a straightforward visa application process, which makes traveling much more accessible and stress-free.

The market is constantly evolving and always ready for growth. The UAE has always attracted organizations from The Americas, Europe, and Asia needs.

• What do you expect from this year’s edition, and Which are the leading companies?

This year’s edition of the congress will be a landmark of a congress. All 50+ plastic surgical societies are gearing up and nominating the best surgeons in their region to speak at the congress.

It will be an event that will be a meaningful one and for Dubai to become a hub for plastic surgery, where surgeons from all over the world come to see, learn from, and network with others.

It also paved the way for multiple international congresses coming to the region. We have already confirmed with two international congresses for 2024 and 2025 to host their event in Dubai.

The leading companies targeted are companies usually involved in this industry, which cater to breast implants markets, prosthetics markets, laser companies, and high-end technology companies.

• What are you planning to do differently for the Dubai meeting?

The congress will add to that the benefit of utilizing the technology that will help the surgeon achieve the desired goals, in terms of the new technologies in ultrasound & radio frequency and operating new equipment.

It will also feature new technology in the use of Inert gasses while performing surgery, like tightening procedures to help achieve better results in body contouring surgeries. In addition, we have organized a track for minimally invasive procedures required for patients anxious about going under anesthesia or undergoing surgery.

Further, the societies' roles have extended to inform, educate and teach the surgeons to promote health awareness and educate the public. Thus, we will have part of the exhibition open to the public, where it is open to the public to interact with industry leaders and plastic surgeons to consult and suggest possible treatment plans.

We cordially invite all the Industry partners and fellow professionals to join us and be a part of this historic event in the making.

We look forward to meeting you all at ICOPLAST 2023!