Katsuya Takasu

Katsuya Takasu (高須 克弥 Takasu Katsuya, January 22, 1945 in Isshiki, Aichi, Japan) is a plastic surgeon based in Tokyo.^[1]

Takasu is a member of Japan Medical Association, Japan Society of Aesthetic Surgery, Japanese Association of Cosmetic Surgeons, Japan Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery.^[2] In January 2011, Takasu was also appointed to be a visiting professor of cosmetic surgery at Showa University School of Medicine.

Life

Takasu studied at Showa University School of Medicine in Tokyo.^[3] As a graduate student, Takasu went to Germany and Italy, where he studied plastic and cosmetic surgery.^[4]

In 1974, he established Takasu General Hospital in his hometown, and in 1976, Takasu Clinic in Nagoya.^[5] As of 2010, Takasu Clinic has its branches in Tokyo, Yokohama, and Osaka.^[6] In 1987, Takasu performed liposuction in Japan for the first time, having learned the technique from Pierre Fournier in Paris, France.^[7] Takasu has been President of Japan Society of Liposuction Surgery since 1987.^[8]

Rejuvenation Project

In 1999, at the age of 54, Takasu started to feel it strange that cosmetic surgeons looked older than their patients. He also thought it odd that surgeons actually did not know how painful each procedure was. Takasu made a resolution to experience a series of cosmetic surgeries himself and rejuvenate by 20 years. Within a year, Takasu underwent facelift, buccal fat removal, phenol peel, upper and lower blepharoplasty, hair transplantation, liposuction, and golden thread implant.^[9][10] As of 2010, at the age of 65, his rejuvenation project is still in progress. Takasu later referred to the resolution as life changing, because it brought him back to the starting point of a medical doctor, "share the pains with patients."

Philanthropy

Takasu is also a philanthropist. Immediately after the 1995 Great Hanshin earthquake, which killed 6,434 people and injured 43,792, Takasu established Organization of Cosmetic Surgery Volunteers in cooperation with surgeons from 9 other clinics. The organization offered plastic and reconstructive treatment to the earthquake victims for free.^[11][12][13]

Guinness World Record

On August 2, 2011, Dr. Takasu together with his friend Koji Ishida (aged 71) established a Guinness World Record of most golf holes played by a pair in 12 hours (cart). The pair completed 261 holes at Kyowa Country Club, Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan.

References

1. Katsuya Takasu. (2010). Encouraging Positive Thinking. Retrieved July 31, 2010, from http://katsuya.takasu.co.jp/index.html
2. Takasu Clinic. (2010). Takasu Clinic Official Website. Retrieved July 31, 2010, from http://www.takasu.co.jp
3. Showa University School of Medicine Alumni Association. (2006). Alumni List, Heisei 18, 189.
4. Takahashi, H. (2003). Nando No-to Iwaretemo (No Matter How Many Times I Am Told No). Aera, 836, 60-65.
5. Takahashi, H. (2003). Nando No-to Iwaretemo (No Matter How Many Times I Am Told No). Aera, 836, 60-65.
6. Takasu Clinic. (2010). Takasu Clinic Official Website. Retrieved July 31, 2010, from http://www.takasu.co.jp
7. Flynn, T. C., Coleman, W. P., Field, L. M., Klein, J. A., & Hanke, C. W. (2000). History of Liposuction. Dermatologic Surgery, 26(6), 515-520.
8. Aronsohn, R. B. (1991). Contributing Editors. The American Journal of Cosmetic Surgery, 8(1), iv.
9. Cullen, L. T. (2002, August 2). Changing Faces. Time, 160, 4.
10. Takasu, K. (Producer/Director). Rejuvenation of Myself [Motion Picture]. Retrieved July 31, 2010 from http://katsuya.takasu.co.jp/movie.html
11. Organization of Cosmetic Surgery Volunteers offering plastic and reconstructive treatment to the earthquake victims for free. (1995, January 31). The Asahi. p.7.
12. Offering plastic and reconstructive treatment for free. (1995, February 1). The Yomiuri. p.24.
13. Free surgical treatment for injured victims. (1995, February 10). The Mainichi. p.19.