DR. Chakrit Eaimkijkarn (DR. Chakrit)

─── ABOUT THE DOCTOR ───

Background and inspiration

Why did you choose to specialize in plastic surgery?
Dr. Chakrit: Let me share one case. It involved a woman in Samut Sakhon Province who worked as a shrimp farm caretaker. While she was checking the water aerator, her hair got caught and pulled, resulting in complete scalp avulsion. When the patient arrived at the hospital, I was a fifth-year medical student. I felt that this was a very unfortunate case and wondered what could be done. Her skull was exposed and needed to be covered, so I had the opportunity to participate in the case. The surgery lasted from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.
In this case, tissue from the upper back was transferred along with its blood vessels for transplantation. I was deeply impressed because it showed the remarkable capabilities of plastic surgery. We were able to transfer tissue from the patient’s back to the head to cover the exposed skull and help the patient survive.
Was there any inspiration, turning point, or event that made you passionate about this field?
Dr. Chakrit: It is a field with something special that sets it apart from others. We may spend just 2, 4, 6, or 8 hours performing surgery, but we can change someone’s life and help them become more confident.

Philosophy and approach to patient care

When a patient comes in for a consultation, what principles or approach do you prioritize when evaluating them?
Dr. Chakrit: Something I have always kept in mind is that whenever I make a decision about performing a procedure for a patient, I always think of that person as my younger sibling, father, older sibling, or relative. I would treat them the same way I would treat my own family members.
How do you define beauty or the best possible outcome from your perspective?
Dr. Chakrit: Because everyone’s perception of beauty is different, my definition of beauty is more about the patient’s satisfaction and confidence. However, the fundamental priority must always be safety.

Areas of expertise and techniques

What challenges do the procedures you currently perform present?
Dr. Chakrit: The procedures I perform can be divided into two groups: medical treatment and aesthetic surgery. In terms of medical treatment, one of the challenges in my career is performing microsurgery to connect blood vessels. I am proud that relatively few people in Thailand perform this type of procedure.
For aesthetic surgery, the challenge is that each person comes with different concerns. This is especially true for patients with breast asymmetry, such as breasts that are different in size. The challenge is finding techniques to adjust everything so that the two sides are as similar as possible, because there are two breasts.
Tummy tuck surgery is another type of challenge because many women seek this procedure after losing weight or having children. Patients who come to see me often say, “It’s because I had children that I became this way. My breasts have sagged and my abdomen has loose skin.” I never want them to think that way. Therefore, the challenge for me is to help them regain their confidence.
During surgery, are there any special techniques you commonly use to achieve the best possible results, minimize bruising, or promote faster recovery?
Dr. Chakrit: It is important to have a clear view of the surgical area. Sometimes, we need to use a camera to assist during surgery so that we can clearly see everything—for example, whether the bleeding has been properly controlled, whether the tissue has been adequately released, whether the area has been fully loosened, and whether we are working in the correct tissue plane.