Visionaries
Inside a luxe ballroom-turned-training theater in downtown Austin, five of the most respected names in endoscopic plastic surgery are gathered around a table, guiding fellow surgeons through the anatomy of the upper face. Projected onto a massive screen beside them, the video feed from a tiny endoscopic camera reveals an insider’s view beneath the skin of the forehead as the surgeon lifts and repositions tissue without the need for traditional, visible incisions.
This is Endoscopic and Minimally Invasive Techniques for Middle and Upper-Third Facial Rejuvenation, a dynamic course featured at The Aesthetic Meeting 2025. Here, attendees learn directly from leading endoscopic authorities: Dr. Grady Core, Dr. Greg Albert, Dr. Kiya Movassaghi, Dr. Chia Chi Kao, and Dr. Renato Saltz.
As the camera zooms in on a polymer anchor lifting the brow into a more youthful contour, the room falls silent — pens scribbling, eyes fixed. This is plastic surgery’s minimally invasive future, and it’s playing out live.
Derived from the Greek words “endo” (inside) and “skopein” (to look), endoscopy refers to the use of a camera-guided instrument to navigate the body’s internal structures. In plastic surgery, this approach allows for incredibly precise adjustments through very small incisions — often resulting in less scarring, quicker recovery times, and smoother results.
Dr. Grady Core, one of the original architects of endoscopic plastic surgery, co-developed the technique for aesthetic applications in 1991. Since then, he has championed its use across the face, breasts, and abdomen, traveling the globe to train the next generation of surgeons. His groundbreaking work helped lay the foundation for today’s most advanced applications in aesthetic surgery.
Now, alongside respected colleagues like Drs. Albert, Movassaghi, and Saltz, — themselves major advocates and trainers in the field for decades — Dr. Core continues to mentor up-and-coming surgeons at conferences like The Aesthetic Meeting and the American-Brazilian Aesthetic Meeting (ABAM). The goal: elevate patient outcomes while expanding what’s possible in aesthetic medicine.
As endoscopy evolves, so too does its versatility in plastic surgery. While still most commonly used for the face, the technique has broadened into procedures involving the neck, breasts, and abdomen. Here’s a look at what’s possible:
Endoscopic Facelift
This technique allows surgeons to lift the midface through tiny incisions, offering natural rejuvenation without the extensive scarring associated with traditional facelifts. Surgeons use the endoscope to visualize and reposition deeper tissues for smooth, lifted results and minimal downtime.
Endoscopic Brow Lift
Small incisions at the crown of the head allow surgeons to elevate the brow and reduce forehead wrinkles. Anchors like Endotine® hold the skin in its new position during healing, gradually dissolving to leave behind a refreshed result without large scars.
Endoscopic Neck Lift
By tightening underlying neck muscles through small incisions (sometimes even from inside the mouth) surgeons can redefine the jawline and reduce neck sagging, all with minimal external scarring and a faster return to normal life.
Endoscopic Breast Augmentation
This camera-guided technique lets surgeons place breast implants through underarm incisions (transaxillary approach), reducing scarring on the breast itself. The precision of the endoscope also minimizes tissue disruption, resulting in smoother healing.
Endoscopic Abdominoplasty
Ideal for patients with moderate abdominal laxity, this technique tightens abdominal muscles and removes small amounts of fat through tiny incisions. It avoids the long lower-abdomen scar typical of traditional tummy tucks, while still enhancing core contour.
Despite its advantages, endoscopic plastic surgery isn’t the default method for aesthetic surgery. The technique demands deep anatomical knowledge, advanced visual-spatial skills, and a strong grasp of how to translate a screen image into precise action beneath the skin. It also requires significant training, from cadaver labs to hands-on mentorship with experienced surgeons.
That’s where experts like Dr. Core step in. Dr. Core, who has been instructing surgeons globally since 1992, remains a sought-after speaker from Europe to Australia. His decades of dedication to education have helped train hundreds of surgeons on how to master this demanding but rewarding craft. His commitment to sharing that knowledge through training sessions and conferences makes him a go-to resource for surgeons looking to advance their skillsets in minimally invasive techniques.
If you stroll through conventions like ABAM or The Aesthetic Meeting today, the future of plastic surgery is already in sight. AI and robotics are beginning to support surgeons with improved precision, endurance, and planning. New robotic tools can assist with stability and micro-movements, while AI-driven body scans and camera guidance systems could soon help surgeons navigate anatomy like a GPS inside the body.
Meanwhile, visionaries like Dr. Core continue to explore how endoscopy can be applied across even more procedures. His early contributions opened the door — and his ongoing curiosity ensures that it stays open for the next wave of surgical innovation.
At a recent conference, Drs. Core, Albert, Saltz, and Movassaghi sported matching “Endo Mafia” shirts — a nod to the tight-knit, pioneering spirit of the group. But behind the humor is a serious mission: push endoscopic surgery further, make it more accessible, and ensure that patients benefit from the next generation of minimally invasive procedures.
We are happy to answer any questions you may have and get you on your way to beautiful, natural-looking results. Contact us.
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