Liposuction - Thighs - by Dr Arthur (Medan)

Note: below post is written for surgery in 2012.  From 2013 onwards, Doc Arthur method of charging has changed and price have gone super high since then.
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My liposuction experience with Dr Arthur Tjandra of elixir devie as my latest procedure in 2011/2012. Hope this entry is beneficial for those who are considering to do lipo in SG, Medan, or Hatyai.

Thanking blogger June Wee for introducing Dr Arthur. But his rates are no longer that advertised before at $95 per area 3 years ago. Those archives reporting of the old rates in channelnewsasia and wanbao should be updated. Thighs are now charged at $4900 - $30000 and don't you hope that you can get away with discounts by asking doc to suck out only inner or front thigh fats. (because i tried that).  So, is it worth to spend that much in Medan to do lipo?

I've had liposuction in various parts of my body, by various doctors. I'd speak about other docs I've liposuction with in other entries.   For thigh, my first liposuction was done by Dr Nara in Hatyai. He was the first sg forum rave as fees being cheap for a full qualified plastic surgeon. However, my experience with Dr Nara scared the shit outa me.

Nara had the nurses tie my hands with rope at side of the operating bed because I was really scared of needles. His liposuction works felt like that of a photoshop artist smoothing selected area of protrusion rather than overall scaling. Nara charges around SGD500 per area. When i asked if Nara would do more areas on my thigh to lipo, it came with a haughty retort "you singaporeans think you know everything..."   sipek buay tahan. i always respect service providers and am even polite to waiters, let alone to a doctor for him to make this kinda remark?

Post-op care was solely a stack of gauze given to absorb blood drainage.
I'm not discrediting Dr Nara because I've seen one sg nurse who had double eyelid done by him and its really awesome work. (Note, it was a primary double eyelid surgery. Not those complicated ones which requite epicanthoplasty and shits).

But at Nara's clinic, I definitely cannot tahan the humbling experience of hands being tied to the bed machiam kena kidnapped for a mad scientist experiment. They should do the tying only after patient is knocked out.

For those who are considering to go hatyai liposuction, one advice. Bring own towels. The cb Lee Garden hotel charged me for the towels that had the drainage blood water stains. The blood water was not thick like normal blood and could be washed off easily. Duno they think their towel made from egyptian cotton or what. The day before when my hotel room toilet flood, they throw my bath towel on the floor to soak the dirty water. How sacred can the towels be? Whats more ridiculous is Lee garden actually detained my passport through the entire stay. If Hatyai customs never detain.. why a ulu hotel can do that to tourists passports worh?

The rave about Dr Arthur on forums came probably a year or two after Nara. Of course it was another "cheap and good" message sent out by drones and clones who have nothing better to do all day. The yesteryears cheapy rates no longer apply for he is now established as King Arthur of the OT table, or rather, as the blood test centre receptionist says "the king of lipö". lol.

Like many other girls who had received Jennifer Cotto emails (elixir's mysterious administrator whom we all suspect to be Arthur himself), we were scared by the information and imagined how scary Medan might be. I thought it would be like in those hollywood movies, where you'd get mugged by some ghetto poor bastards. This lipo-trip, what i saw, was nothing like what I've imagined.

Medan is alot like Malaysia, Thailand and Cambodia. Jennifer Cotto's email make sense because alot of Singaporean are abit stupid. I.E. First time travel to Medan, think they are going to HK or Taiwan, dress loud, exposing skin and attract attention. Basically, you need to respect that it is a Muslim country and people are conservative. If play according to the rules and respect everybody, you wont kena bomb like those silly loud ang mohs in Bali.

One thing extremely true about the email is the Airport Customs. I will not elaborate here because those who have received Jennifer's email would be warned on what to look out for and it is a nation's issue. Once you get out from the airport, you will see what other forumers described as "ülu". Well, it is ulu compared to Singapore. However, I think many forumers have not seen other countries to really experience what is the real "ulu". Medan is pretty developed in that sense.

Above is a view of how the Medan airport look like after you come out from it. Looks really kampong la. But wait till you see Laos and Siam Reap one. Even more remote.  

The above is a picture taken in the driver's car. The driver, Mr S, doesnt speak much english but is friendly and does his job. Before the trip, I asked Jennifer for driver's photo so that he could be identified. I'm glad she did not give because if the driver's were to be identified by all, locals could conspire and we could all kena hijacked on the trip right? Buddhist Mantra is being played through the ride and Mr S could humm to it happily even though different religion. Talking about religious harmony, this is what i call, real.

I thought the clinic would be some villa like on SG Nassim hill. But upon arrival the facade is rather washed out and the cars parked outside were no Ferrari. LOL.

Continuing my story.  I was asked to fill in a form when ushered in by the clinic manager Jenny. Recept area is neat, with Dr Arthur's accolades framed up on the walls. Many parts of the reception area you can see fengshui ornaments. Interesting. Below pics of the reception area.

Jenny, the clinic manager is a Indonesian chinese, petite, reserved and smiles alot. After i filled in the form, she asked if I had brought dettol. I was like HUH? what dettol? she said it was stated in the email but i didnt see lor. Anyway that tiny bottle of dettol was charged to the bill for using it to shower one time nia.

The room in Dr Arthur's clinic is considered neat and tidy. Two things though. DVD player is spoilt and have thus have to watch dvd in the living room. Bedsheet has strong smell of detergent and abit hard to sleep with the strong perfume smell at night.

Toilet/bathroom is clean. However, please bring own toothpaste and facial cleanser as most toiletries provided are kapok from other hotels and not for the fastidious ones like me. Damn cheapo in that sense.

Most patients will have just that one shower before the operation and the few days stay will not have you shower as you'd be all bandaged up. So, if need be, wash yourself really clean and shampoo before the surgery.

Patients will be asked to makan antibiotic and painkiller before the operation. If you have a weak stomach like me, take some antacid before the painkiller.

Thereafter, have to wait for Dr Arthur to be ready for consultation. While waiting, I explored some of the rooms.

Dr Arthur showed me his gym room, huge space for a single user. Heard he used to teach salsa etc in this room but no longer does that. Would be good if the friend you get to accompany you for the liposuction is a health freak and can make use of the facilities.  Patients who go lipo are often too much in pain and stiffness to workout at the gym.

Next i went to the OT. Operating theatre important to see if the set up is hygienic. Dr Arthur's OT alone is at least 3 times more spacious that Nara's. Floor and equipment also cleaner. BTW, if any reader think I am biased, can go to both clinics yourself or bring expert witness.

The above is taken when all nurses are on holidays. To check if its not just shit sweep under the carpet, i go kaypoh the washing sink in the OT. Normally if the OT sink is dirty, it is called a kitchen, not a OT.

Buey pai. The OT basin is got pass standard.
Not long after the inspection, Dr Arthur asked me to go consultation liao. The usual of where I want fats to be removed, complications, his style of approaching liposuction works and finally, the blast that my previous operation was blotched because I went for cheap fees.   That of what many foreign doctors will say "you singaporean just want cheap cheap cheap la. thats why."

Me is really buey tahan when people say that. Tell me which country people will want pay for expensive things other than the LV/prada community. I went to Nara because he was the rave in forums as Value for money. not cos fees were cheap. If he were to be just a GP, i wouldnt even pay a single cent even if he promise to plastic me until like Angelina Jolie. The bottomline assurance was that Nara was a real plastic surgeon, not a GP.

After going to Hatyai then I realise many forummers do not update what happened to them after that lor. So I hope Dr Arthur stop having the opinion that Singaporean girls are cheapskates that will just follow anywhere cheap. Going to Arthur is also NOT because his fees are cheap or his revision skills is like Hua Tuo. But simply that he is known in forums as the Dr whose liposuction works.

However, what all forummers can find from past posts would see the following pattern:

Thigh lipo at Nara 
SGD$500 per area(as per website checked in jan 2012), each session max 2 areas.
Over a span of 3 consecutive surgery days can lipo max 6 areas.
Dormicum Sedation, Not general anesthesia.
Machine assisted lipo.
Limited resting time at recovery area.

• Surgery fee estimated= $3000.
• medication = not provided, but can be purchased at clinic on request.  Gauze provided one stack foc. 
• bus ticket to hatyai = $120. 
• hotel stay 3 nights = $240.
• food = $150 (assuming sg girls love sharkfins soup over there which i do not advocate)

Total damage = $3510.
Service = abit like going to seven eleven
Personal opinion on post lipo results = cant see much difference.

Thigh lipo at SGH year 2012.
uses GA.
1 day surgery.
Machine assisted lipo.
Dont have to walk to recovery room. got rollers move you bed to bed.
Table fee includes compression garment, food, medication, 2 nights wards stay included in surgery fee.

• Esimated total damage = $5500 (as per checked with nurses in P ward in 2012)

Service = the fat nurse in plastic ward refuse to bring me bedpan when i was too weak to pee. Aircon in A-ward damn cold.
Personal opinion on post lipo results = dont know. as have not done for thigh at SGH. Other parts done by Dr Foo at SGH was fantastic.

Thigh lipo at Dr Arthur year 2012.
uses Dormicum sedation. No propofol or GA.
1 day surgery. 2 separate sessions required if want elephant legs to become rosie huntingtons.
Traditional syringe lipo.
Have to walk to second floor resting room by yourself.
charge at $700 per area but everyone in forums know thigh surgery a minimum of $4900 to max $30000 in total.

• silkair return ticket to medan = $250
• room stay 2 nights at Dr Arthurs = $120 - $140
• medication = $180
• food for 3 days = $50
• own purchase of garment = $80

Service = excellent nurses but dont have emergency button to press in room.
Total damage = $5580
Personal opinion on post op results = sipek pain. but definitely can see slimmer leg at less trauma because not under GA.

Thigh lipo at Dr Donald Ng Alaxis
$6000 for 2 sessions (as per flowerpod web).
Medication separately charged.
Vaser lipo/Machine assisted lipo
1 day surgery
Service = friendly nurses.
Personal opinion on post op results = dont know. never had thigh done by him.


Back to my thigh op surgery story.
During the consultation, doc Arthur pinched my very fat side of the knees and exclaimed "why previously this part never do!?" 
And im like "er.. how i know worh. i only know i want slim legs. if i know exactly how to go about it Id have used the kitchen knife and canteen straw suck out my own fats liao"

And he pinched my fats is the sipek pain.

After the consultation, I was told to go into the waiting room where Dr put the "tap" into my wrist. I already damn scared of needle liao.. Dr Arthur cannot find the vein and took in and out 3 times. At end of the op, my entire hand was more bruised lee than my thigh.   I squeeze the nurse hands damn hard and they were comforting. Really liked the nurses there.

The above is Swordsman Arthur's choice of weaponry. If you have a chance to take a close look at the needle, it is as what he said, edges blunt enough not to poke holes in intestines if patients are not in deep sedation. Heard some other patients said he will give the fats sucked out back to patients in large plastic bags to bring home as moisturisers.  I told Dr Arthur I die die dont want. Imagine all pregnant women told by doctors they can have the sai they defecate to bring home for their plants after giving birth. LOL.

Painkillers and a small round pill was given. Then i was to lie at the waiting bed. Dont know that pill was to make me sleep or what. But i stayed wide awake. Wait until buey tahan liao then walked outa room to see what they are doing.

The above is taken pre op. This fucked up camera cannot really capture how much fats i have. esp inner thigh fats.

I remember vaguely right after the op, doc told me to take a look at my own thighs. I did see legs smaller and then when i finally woke up, i was all bandaged like shown below liao.

Looks abit like superman in diapers hor? Think underwear wear wrong side also.

Before the op the receptionist Jenny asked me what I'd want to eat. I already thought of all the penyets and murtabaks. But she suggested burbur. I thought "sure or not... Indonesia so many good food you just tell me take porridge..."
After my op, it was already 5pm when i woke. I climbed that Mt everest staircase back into my room and slept again. The burbur arrived at 6pm but it wasnt until 10pm I woke and managed to eat. 

Then again, another girl who went for breast op, she woke at 3pm and could eat a huge bowl of beef kwayteow right after.

Dr Arthur clinic has 2 menu lists.

The menu list looks very tempting. But some of the food is really pai jiak like hell.
Got one auntie order a beef rice set and it end up having just ONE pebble size beef and alot chilli with rice. xiao si wo.  
Safest from the list is the porridge and kway teow. Anything else have to go sunplaza shopping mall buy when you are ok to walk. Dont get the A&W float. You wouldnt get the nostalgic experience of that in SG but higher chance of diabetes. lol.

And ah, got duno which cb forummer said got alot fruits la, instant noodles la, cereals etc can eat when hungry in Arthur clinic. I'd say, can only see few apple, orange, banana and milo. dont have maggi mee or quaker. If think will be hungry at night, better have receptionist buy you bread or something during dinner to last for supper. Else bring gardinier from SG.

Reason to eat more after surgery is cos the painkiller and antibiotics can make one hungry. Got some weird forummers dont know recommend what yunnan baiyao, arnica and other nonsense. I tried yunnan baiyao powder once on an injured hamster. blood never clot never do anything lor. Plus so many fake yunnan baiyaos out there. Id say, better just up your protein with milk and vit E with papaya pre and post swee swee recovery.

Kitchen sink puts up a notice "please wash plate and cutleries". But really la.. patient already barely can stand... unless got bring friend.. else shower also cannot liao.. still must wash cutleries.. for those lazy ones.. bring own plastic fork n spoon easiest.

The next morning after the operation, your thighs must be massaged to drain out the water. The process can be very uncomfortable and the nurses may suddenly morph into hercules. But if dont take out the excess water... the leg will swell even longer. They hadnt managed squeeze out much water from my legs though.

Above is bandages taken out at the 3rd day of drainage. second day was too giddy to take any pics. but second day much bloodier.

The above is clips used with the orange bandage post lipo. Patients please take note of these clips during the rebandage session post drainage. sometimes the nurse will accidentally hook these onto your leg skin as the bandage layer isnt thick enough. So if experience the hook on the skin... must tell the nurses.

3rd day i shopped abit at the sunplaza before going to airport. Sunplaza and its people will make you realise the large number of chinese community makes you feel at home. Lingerie there is slightly cheaper than in sg. so is cosmetics. I didnt buy anything cos I'd still prefer contribute to SG GDP. lol.
Didnt take pics with my camera cos still got to be careful in a foreign land. People there like to "Stare".

Heard medan known for Lake Toba... but its 4 hours away from Dr Arthur clinic. Although the clinic letter says will provide transport for free to all destinations... 8 hours thru and fro will probably find it hard for the driver to fetch other patients to/from airport.

the above is taken at the departure waiting room at the airport. Some girls will tell me the airport does not announce for flight. But actually got la. Just that must listen carefully. Go there is really nothing better to do. But driver at Arthur clinic will try to send you there by evening as anything later.. it will be considered as OT paid to the driver.

The above is taken a day after I got back to Singapore. Can see that the left inner thigh is swollen until duno like what cos bandaged not put properly. got to keep massaging the hardy areas. Feet also damn swollen and cant straighten. Worst part is my back/pelvic girdle couldnt straighten. I went to office on the 6th day after op. But took one day off again to rest. Forget about being able to stand on the MRT from raffles place to jurong. Im still cabbing to work 10th day after op.

Above is my thigh 9 days after lipo. can see im still not able to really stand straight.

Parts are still swollen, but I definitely can see my knees area not so fat now.

Id be going to Arthur next month for my tummy lipo. Supposedly the more scary one since the SG CEO died from multiple punctures in one of the GP clinics. Thank you for reading this lenghty post.