It is with deep sorrow that we bid farewell to my friend, companion, and co-founder of the German Brazilian Aesthetic Meeting (GBAM), Dr. Carlos Uebel.
I first met Carlos at the turn of the millennium at a conference in Frankfurt. Even back then, his interest in Germany—to which he felt deeply connected and fondly attached—was already evident. We hit it off immediately; the personal chemistry between us was simply right. His family was of Hessian origin, and he was well known for taking great pride in his roots. This was undoubtedly one of the reasons why, years later, the GBAM came to fruition with his involvement.
But let’s take things in order: In 2005, he invited me to the national congress in São Paulo. Despite the sheer scale of such conferences—with over 1,000 attendees—being something entirely new to me, Carlos made it possible for me to meet true legends of the field, such as Ivo Pitanguy (whom I met through his nephew, Henrique Radwanski), as well as Ricardo Baroudi, who would go on to become my role model and mentor. I also had the opportunity to make the acquaintance of Fabio Nahas, with whom I share a deep personal friendship to this day. All these colleagues would later be present at the inaugural GBAM meetings and at subsequent events. Carlos Uebel was an internationally renowned figure—a reputation that ultimately led to his election as President of ISAPS. The ceremonial passing of the baton took place in Geneva in 2012, in a manner just as original as Carlos himself: inside a circus tent, where—amidst the performances in the center ring—he was officially named the successor to his predecessor, Jan Poël.
Yet he was far more than an outstanding plastic surgeon. He was a visionary, a mentor, and a person capable of inspiring others like very few. Over the course of decades, he left an indelible mark on the field of aesthetic plastic surgery internationally—through his professional excellence, his innovative spirit, and his exceptional openness in collegial exchange.
Among his many achievements, he set new standards in the field of hair transplantation starting in the early 1980s and was recognized worldwide as one of the great pioneers of modern hair transplantation techniques. But what truly distinguished him was not merely his medical expertise, but his attitude: curious, courageous, deeply human, and always brimming with new ideas. When the two of us, together with others, were deliberating on how and where to establish GBAM, I recall his reaction—a moment that captures “Carlos at his best”: “We should not talk about it—let’s do it.”
Carlos was a man of action. Whenever he was convinced by an idea, he brought it to life—with passion, energy, and an unwavering belief in the power of connecting people and disciplines.
Thus, GBAM was born. What began as an idea for a German-Brazilian exchange was transformed—thanks to Carlos’s enthusiasm—into a vibrant platform for international friendship and scientific collaboration. We will carry forward his legacy with the respect it so richly deserves.Carlos was to have been the guest of honor at GBAM 5 in Tegernsee this year. Although he will not be physically present with us, his spirit will be there—in our conversations, in our collegial interactions, and in the special bond between Brazil and Germany that he played such a pivotal role in forging.
For me personally, his loss signifies far more than merely bidding farewell to a great surgeon. I have lost a friend, an inspiring companion on my journey, and a man whose warmth, humor, and passion I shall never forget.
My deepest sympathies go out to his family—particularly to Walderez and his children, Paolo and Juliane—as well as to his friends and colleagues who had the privilege of being especially close to Carlos Uebel.
We will miss him not only this October. His life’s work will endure. And so, too, will the memory of an extraordinary human being.