Dr. Dulayanat Aranyapala
At present, facelift surgeries using endoscopic techniques are employed by doctors to lift facial tissues that adhere to the bones and pull them backward, resulting in a firmer forehead. This method involves smaller incisions, and during the surgery, the nerves and everything else can be clearly seen by the surgeon, reducing the risk of side effects or complications. Additionally, patients will have higher eyebrows and wider-spaced eyes, giving them a youthful appearance.
As for breast augmentation surgeries, the use of laparoscopic cameras has played a significant role in minimizing incisions during the procedure. The main objective is to provide the surgeon with a clear view of the dissected muscle area, reducing unnecessary tissue trauma and the risk of cutting nerves that may cause numbness in the nipple area. This approach also helps to minimize post-surgery bleeding. However, if patients desire larger silicone implants, choosing an incision under the breast fold may be more suitable. This allows the surgeon to create a wider incision to insert the silicone without compromising its integrity. Presently, at Phyathai Sriracha Hospital, silicone implants are inserted using this technique, with the incision width ranging from 2.9 to 3.5 cm, depending on the chosen implant size.
Regarding the placement of the silicone implants in the body, it has been determined that the Dual Plane technique (placing the implant below the chest muscle in the upper breast slope and below the breast gland in the lower part of the breast) reduces the risk of capsular contracture and results in a more natural-looking breast.
As we can see, there are several techniques for breast augmentation surgeries, and the decision-making process between the doctor and the patient is crucial. Therefore, each consultation with Dr. Ping lasts about 45 to 50 minutes to ensure that the surgical outcome meets the patient’s expectations.
Dr. Dulayanat Aranyapala (Dr. Ping) completed her medical degree at Ramathibodi Hospital in 2005. She then pursued a general surgery residency at Songklanagarind Hospital and further specialized in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery at Siriraj Hospital. After working at Songklanagarind Hospital for some time, she received a scholarship from Phyathai Sriracha Hospital to further her education in facelift and breast augmentation surgeries using endoscopic techniques in Seoul, South Korea. She spent one year studying with renowned plastic surgeon, Dr. Hong Ki Lee, at Image Plastic Surgery Clinic, specializing in facial plastic and breast augmentation surgeries. During her time there, she had the opportunity to assist Dr. Lee in surgeries and learned about her motivation and experiences in this field.
From Korea to Thailand: Phyathai Sriracha Hospital
After completing advanced training in facial plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery through endoscopic procedures in Korea, Dr. Dulayanat joined the Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery Center at Phyathai Sriracha Hospital. The patients under Dr. Dulayanat’s care include those undergoing maxillofacial surgery for facial bone fractures resulting from accidents, as well as microsurgery procedures such as finger or other organ reattachments. Additionally, she has developed and improved patient care systems in the cosmetic augmentation department to ensure the highest standards of beauty, efficiency, and safety for her patients.
Dr. Dulayanat has performed over 1,000 cosmetic surgery cases, and she takes no more than 40 minutes per surgery due to meticulous planning and standardized procedures. As a result, her patients experience minimal complications or none at all.
Evolution of Breast Augmentation Surgery from the Past to the Present
In the past, breast augmentation surgery involved open incisions under the breast fold. Surgeons would use instruments similar to chisels to carve out pockets for the implants, making it difficult to see which tissues and organs were affected. As a consequence, patients had a higher risk of injury and complications.
With the advent of endoscopic breast augmentation, the primary goal shifted from creating smaller incisions to providing surgeons with clear visibility throughout the procedure. The endoscope allows the surgeon to see precisely where they are working and enables more accurate surgical maneuvers. As a result, patients experience less bleeding, bruising, and faster recovery.
Currently, the preference for large silicone implants has led to wider incisions under the breast fold to accommodate them. While this may leave visible scars when the patient stands with her arms close to the body, modern breast augmentation techniques have improved. Incisions are now hidden within the breast crease, making them nearly imperceptible when the patient stands normally. Patients can wear swimsuits and sleeveless tops with confidence.
After surgery, Phyathai Sriracha Hospital provides continuous care for patients with a Scar Care Program, which includes step-by-step instructions and treatment methods to reduce swelling and speed up the healing process. Following these instructions correctly, most surgical scars fade away within six months.
Cosmetic Surgery and Patient Care
Currently, the patients under the care of Dr. Dulayanat are mostly those seeking cosmetic surgery, accounting for around 60-70% of cases. However, it should be noted that Dr. Dulayanat also prioritizes providing urgent assistance and performing surgeries for accident victims.
“As a doctor, it feels fulfilling to help people. Being able to perform surgery and reattach a severed finger, or fix a broken leg bone allows the patient to regain functionality as before. When a patient comes in with a fractured leg or a broken bone, and we, as doctors, play a role in assisting and helping them, it brings pride and joy to see them return to a better life, using their organs just like before.”
In the cosmetic surgery department, effective communication and rapid response to patients’ inquiries are emphasized. This is facilitated through various applications like LINE or Messenger, which enable quick answers to questions and doubts. Additionally, post-surgery patients often have questions about wound care, and when they receive accurate advice and instructions, they tend to recover well, leading to favorable treatment outcomes. Patients also feel comforted knowing that they are being closely cared for by knowledgeable medical staff.
Testimonials on Care and Treatment
The majority of Dr. Dulayanat’s patients come from word-of-mouth referrals, where satisfied individuals who have undergone cosmetic and augmentation procedures share their experiences, reviews, and recommendations through various online social platforms.
“The strong point of the cosmetic surgery performed here is breast augmentation. Those who have received treatment here speak highly of Dr. Dulayanat’s expertise and receive advice from those who have undergone the procedures. Current patients tend to assess whether we are skilled in breast augmentation and inquire about the institutions where we received our training. This is because breast augmentation, especially in the Dual Plane system, requires medical expertise in administering anesthesia. Patients seek confidence in the care they receive, and they also want assurance that there is a specialized medical team ready to handle any unexpected occurrences, providing a sense of safety and security. Moreover, when comparing surgical prices, there isn’t much difference.”
Surgery that Restores Normalcy to Patients and Enhances Beauty
In patients suffering from severe illnesses, fevers, or accidents, the primary goal of Dr. Dulayanat is to treat them so that their organs can return to normal as much as possible. For instance, for pediatric patients born with cleft lips or palatal defects, Dr. Dulayanat will treat them to achieve a normal appearance similar to other children. Similarly, for individuals who have experienced accidents resulting in missing fingers, efforts are made to restore their fingers to function as close to their original state as possible. This differs from patients seeking cosmetic surgery, as Dr. Dulayanat explains:
“In the case of patients seeking cosmetic surgery, what I want to see is an increase in their confidence and self-love. Typically, those who come for aesthetic consultations and desire surgical procedures have aspects of themselves that they are dissatisfied with. Once the surgery corrects these aspects, I want them to be happy, proud of themselves, and see the beauty they admire when they look in the mirror. I want them to be happier and love themselves more.”
Currently, cosmetic surgery is no longer a distant concept. The idea of enhancing ourselves to boost self-confidence is not embarrassing anymore. We do it to eliminate the features we don’t like, and it has become a normal thing to do. Dr. Dulayanat provides some advice before making the decision to undergo surgery:
- Know the surgeon: Gather information about the surgeon and find out if they are specialists in the field of service you require. You can verify or find additional information directly from the Medical Council’s website.
- Research the hospital: Choose a reputable hospital with high standards and credibility.
- Consult and decide together with the surgeon: Determine the appropriate surgical procedure for you, whether it is suitable for your body, the cost, and possible side effects. Have a discussion with the doctor and make the decision together. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and seek clarification before making any decisions related to surgery; it is a crucial step. Therefore, before undergoing any surgical procedure, patients should educate themselves on what they want to achieve in every aspect.
