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A Good Dermatologist In Chaing Mai?


cardinalblue

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I am looking for any recommendations for a competent and honest Dermatologist in Chaing Mai. In particular, to diagnose possible skin cancer. I care less about the name of a place than actual physician name(s).

Thinking that this topic would be covered extensively, but it seems the most recent request like mine was in 2004? With all the white-skinned and older folks residing here, I would think this request would pertain to many of us.

Thanks in advance for any or all of your recommendations,

Cardinalblue

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I have been a chronic skin cancer sufferer for many years,2 melanomas and a zillion BCCS, folowing a lifetime of surfing,sport and general Oz lifetstyle. For 2 years I have been,every 3 months, seeing Dr Vachiraporn at RAM Hospital. She is very professional and attentive. That's the good news. I believe she is currently on maternity leave and will be reurning but I don't have her return date but the hospital could obviously advise. Other posters will have altertnatives but for me she is far and away the best I have encountered here.

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The male doctor at Ram, who is there on Tuesday and Wednesday only is as good as the female and older. He has removed lesions from me but seems to be referring me to Dr. Ekachai the general surgeon for the last two of my basil cells. I am do in there on Monday to see a doctor who is referred to as a plastic surgeon although on questioning, I was told she came out of dermatology. Since half my needs are removal of a sun spot, I will check her out.

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The male doctor at Ram, who is there on Tuesday and Wednesday only is as good as the female and older. He has removed lesions from me but seems to be referring me to Dr. Ekachai the general surgeon for the last two of my basil cells. I am do in there on Monday to see a doctor who is referred to as a plastic surgeon although on questioning, I was told she came out of dermatology. Since half my needs are removal of a sun spot, I will check her out.

In the UK it is quite common to be referred to a plastic surgeon for this sort of thing. Often the confer with a dermatologist and decide upon a biopsy or not. If the biopsy shows malignancy then immediate wide incision is recommended and this is where you need plastics. Because the incision is wide, about a cm either side of the melanoma it is best to graft rather than stitch. This was hit home to me when a friend was diagnosed with malignant melanoma here after a biopsy and the wide incision done by a general surgeon at the supposedly best hospital in CM. The wound was stiched and it popped open on the plane back to the UK, so he was left with a hole in his back that had to be packed daily.

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There is absolutely none better in Chiang Mai than Dr. Siri Chiewchanvit. He is a Professor at CMU and is considered one of the best Doctors in Thailand.

Hi clinic is at 199 Thannon Moon Muang - very close to Pratu Taphae and Sompet Market. He also has clinics at Sripat and Chiang Mai Ram. He speaks perfect fluent English.

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The male doctor at Ram, who is there on Tuesday and Wednesday only is as good as the female and older. He has removed lesions from me but seems to be referring me to Dr. Ekachai the general surgeon for the last two of my basil cells. I am do in there on Monday to see a doctor who is referred to as a plastic surgeon although on questioning, I was told she came out of dermatology. Since half my needs are removal of a sun spot, I will check her out.

In the UK it is quite common to be referred to a plastic surgeon for this sort of thing. Often the confer with a dermatologist and decide upon a biopsy or not. If the biopsy shows malignancy then immediate wide incision is recommended and this is where you need plastics. Because the incision is wide, about a cm either side of the melanoma it is best to graft rather than stitch. This was hit home to me when a friend was diagnosed with malignant melanoma here after a biopsy and the wide incision done by a general surgeon at the supposedly best hospital in CM. The wound was stiched and it popped open on the plane back to the UK, so he was left with a hole in his back that had to be packed daily.

The lady doctor, who was reportedly a plastic surgeon, was not, she was a dermatologist who referred me to Dr. Anan, the plastic surgeon who was present at the clinic when I was there and performed a biopsy immediately. He is quite young and took a very small amount of tissue for the biopsy, as the condition seems to be limited to the skin's surface. My guess, the biopsy was precautionary do to my history of skin cancers. The condition looks like a large red surface of skin that has not returned to the white skin which is normal. It is not painful but is not as strong as normal skin. Perhaps, a layer or two below normal skin surface. Present for about a year and resulted from an old lesion not healing properly. Biopsy result next Monday.

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The male doctor at Ram, who is there on Tuesday and Wednesday only is as good as the female and older. He has removed lesions from me but seems to be referring me to Dr. Ekachai the general surgeon for the last two of my basil cells. I am do in there on Monday to see a doctor who is referred to as a plastic surgeon although on questioning, I was told she came out of dermatology. Since half my needs are removal of a sun spot, I will check her out.

In the UK it is quite common to be referred to a plastic surgeon for this sort of thing. Often the confer with a dermatologist and decide upon a biopsy or not. If the biopsy shows malignancy then immediate wide incision is recommended and this is where you need plastics. Because the incision is wide, about a cm either side of the melanoma it is best to graft rather than stitch. This was hit home to me when a friend was diagnosed with malignant melanoma here after a biopsy and the wide incision done by a general surgeon at the supposedly best hospital in CM. The wound was stiched and it popped open on the plane back to the UK, so he was left with a hole in his back that had to be packed daily.

The lady doctor, who was reportedly a plastic surgeon, was not, she was a dermatologist who referred me to Dr. Anan, the plastic surgeon who was present at the clinic when I was there and performed a biopsy immediately. He is quite young and took a very small amount of tissue for the biopsy, as the condition seems to be limited to the skin's surface. My guess, the biopsy was precautionary do to my history of skin cancers. The condition looks like a large red surface of skin that has not returned to the white skin which is normal. It is not painful but is not as strong as normal skin. Perhaps, a layer or two below normal skin surface. Present for about a year and resulted from an old lesion not healing properly. Biopsy result next Monday.

If there's any sign of malignancy you will be given two readings, Breslow's Scale and Clark's Level and these readings will be the determining factor of the severity. I sincerely hope there's no sign of malignancy, but if there is ask for the slides and have them read at another lab for confirmation. You can even take them to your home country for reading if you want.

All the very best for Monday. smile.gif

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There is absolutely none better in Chiang Mai than Dr. Siri Chiewchanvit. He is a Professor at CMU and is considered one of the best Doctors in Thailand.

Hi clinic is at 199 Thannon Moon Muang - very close to Pratu Taphae and Sompet Market. He also has clinics at Sripat and Chiang Mai Ram. He speaks perfect fluent English.

Agree. You can also see him on Thursdays at 2 pm in the Siripat Hospital or any other day after 5 pm in his clinic. Having been treated by the Lady dermatologist at RAM and by Dr. Siri, I give clear preference to the last.

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There is absolutely none better in Chiang Mai than Dr. Siri Chiewchanvit. He is a Professor at CMU and is considered one of the best Doctors in Thailand.

Hi clinic is at 199 Thannon Moon Muang - very close to Pratu Taphae and Sompet Market. He also has clinics at Sripat and Chiang Mai Ram. He speaks perfect fluent English.

Agree. You can also see him on Thursdays at 2 pm in the Siripat Hospital or any other day after 5 pm in his clinic. Having been treated by the Lady dermatologist at RAM and by Dr. Siri, I give clear preference to the last.

I agree too, he really knows his stuff.

The only problem with his Thapae Gate clinic, is that it's usually jam packed with teenage girls rolleyes.gif

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There is absolutely none better in Chiang Mai than Dr. Siri Chiewchanvit. He is a Professor at CMU and is considered one of the best Doctors in Thailand.

Hi clinic is at 199 Thannon Moon Muang - very close to Pratu Taphae and Sompet Market. He also has clinics at Sripat and Chiang Mai Ram. He speaks perfect fluent English.

Agree. You can also see him on Thursdays at 2 pm in the Siripat Hospital or any other day after 5 pm in his clinic. Having been treated by the Lady dermatologist at RAM and by Dr. Siri, I give clear preference to the last.

I agree too, he really knows his stuff.

The only problem with his Thapae Gate clinic, is that it's usually jam packed with teenage girls rolleyes.gif

And the problem with that is.........

B)

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That's a tough post to follow, but I'm looking for someone who could do a simple mole removal near the ear that my US doctor has inspected annually and pronounced an uncomplicated shave job. Because it's on the face, though, he wanted to refer me to a dermatologist and I just didn't have time to wait for an appointment as I was heading home to CM. This is a good time on my calendar to have it done. Is it likely that I could see any of the physicians recommended above (or others) on a walk-in or same-day basis?

Edited by justmaybe
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That's a tough post to follow, but I'm looking for someone who could do a simple mole removal near the ear that my US doctor has inspected annually and pronounced an uncomplicated shave job. Because it's on the face, though, he wanted to refer me to a dermatologist and I just didn't have time to wait for an appointment as I was heading home to CM. This is a good time on my calendar to have it done. Is it likely that I could see any of the physicians recommended above (or others) on a walk-in or same-day basis?

Monday, this week I saw the lady dermatologist at RAM with no appointment and she immediately referred me to the Plastic Surgeon who removed the lesion within the hour. The plastic surgeons name was Anan.

I would suggest you call the specialty clinic desk, your routed to it by main switchboard, and ask what dates Dr. Anan is present and his clinic hours. Then pop in to confirm with dermatologist your removal idea and I am sure she will refer you to Dr. Anan who doesn't seem too busy. He usually can do it immediately.

You can bypass the dermatologist visit and save 300 baht if you wish. They have an array of lasers available there.

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Thanks for some good info in this thread. I will contact Dr. Siri to get a second opinion...

I did see the lady derm at Ram and not impressed in how she handles things. based on my experience and now others in this thread, all she seems to do is schedule the plastic surgeon to remove anything that is presented to her. Seems to be a racket to me!

She doesn't do a good job of presenting the various options nor explaining. She seems to treat her patients as not knowing anything (adult-child relationship). Not every case should be referred to treatment. if that was the case, then every single mole, sun spot, etc should be removed. Quite a money-maker indeed!

Also, laser and liquid nitrogen are best treatment options in certain situations but she solely relies on referring everything to the platic surgeon to cut...Not good medicine! She should present the range of options to every patient on their particular situation

I wonder if anyone on this board dealt with this lady doc and she said, no need to do anything. That is also a treament option.

CB

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OK, a little historical perspective is needed to clear up some confusion, mostly mine as I have great difficulty with the names of the Thai physicians at Ram.

Going back five years or more, the only dermatologist at RAM, as far as I know, was Sathorn Chiewpanich, who split his time between the old Ram II and Ram I, now the only RAM.

I believe his is on duty Tuesday and Wednesday only at Ram now, although I haven't seen him as I haven't been in on those days.

About 4 years ago, a new young lady dermatologist joined him at Ram and worked, it seemed three days a week and he two. I was impressed with her and saw her once about two months ago and she was mighty pregnant. She is presently on pregnancy leave and nurses report she is due back in a month.

It was only while she was away, that the new lady dermatologist showed up and I have seen her twice. Once for multiple nitrogen freezes which she did competently, and once for the referral to the plastic guy, Dr. Anan who seems to be part of her team. Only two months ago, as for years previously, surgical lesion removals were referred to Dr. Ekachai Paiboonworschat who is an excellent general surgeon. He operates out of the general surgery service while Dr. Anan the plastic man is operating out of the specialty clinic.

Who knows if Dr. Anan is referred to as a matter of convenience or if the specialty clinic has a separate accounting or profitability system encouraging internal referrals.

The bottom line is, I got a definite negative impression of the new lady Dermatologist and her quickie referral to Dr. Anan the last time.

Since she earns her consultation fee for just looking at your lesion before referral, I can see that the safe approach for her is to not have to make a decision or diagnosis prior to referral. I have no idea what she wrote in my chart.

I am do back to have my stitches removed today by Dr. Anan and I will see if I can find out what the lady dermatologist noted regarding her impression of my unusual lesion and see if Anan concurs in that evaluation. I will report further.

If Dr. Siri is ever at Ram, I would appreciate knowing that.

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Dr Vicharporn at CM Ram is really good! Can anyone confirm if she is actually still there?

The good Dr is probably still on maternity leave, will return soon, then next year at some time will be going to the US.I intend to confirm with customer service at some time, maybe good if you try that as your needs might might be more urgent.

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Thanks for some good info in this thread. I will contact Dr. Siri to get a second opinion...

I did see the lady derm at Ram and not impressed in how she handles things. based on my experience and now others in this thread, all she seems to do is schedule the plastic surgeon to remove anything that is presented to her. Seems to be a racket to me!

Fully agree.

Also, I wasn't very impressed to pay 900 BHT for the 2 minutes of attention I received and the appointment to get it surgically removed.

Also, not impressive at all to give me a hard time to get the 100 BHT change for the bill of 1000 I gave. :huh:

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  • 2 months later...

Thanks for some good info in this thread. I will contact Dr. Siri to get a second opinion...

I did see the lady derm at Ram and not impressed in how she handles things. based on my experience and now others in this thread, all she seems to do is schedule the plastic surgeon to remove anything that is presented to her. Seems to be a racket to me!

Fully agree.

Also, I wasn't very impressed to pay 900 BHT for the 2 minutes of attention I received and the appointment to get it surgically removed.

Also, not impressive at all to give me a hard time to get the 100 BHT change for the bill of 1000 I gave. :huh:

Yep, same for me at Rajavej. 3,500Baht for biopsy x 2, 2 small tubes of Terramycin ointment, an appointment with inhouse Plastic Surgeon and Dermatologist fees. Back next week for removal of biopsy sutures and no doubt a few more add-ons. Dreading the big one!

YOS

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Dr Vicharporn at CM Ram is really good! Can anyone confirm if she is actually still there?

The good Dr is probably still on maternity leave, will return soon, then next year at some time will be going to the US.I intend to confirm with customer service at some time, maybe good if you try that as your needs might might be more urgent.

Dr Vicharporn is leaving for California this month,she will be away 2 years . She has surgically removed some minor cancers from my body but it appears when it comes to anything on the face its hospital policy to utilise the plastic surgeon who is excellent.

On my recent appointment, last week, Dr Vicharapon recommended three dermatologits in her absence, Dr Siri,Dr Chatchai both Sripat building and Dr Sathorn, RAM (Tues,Wed on alternate weeks) As a chronic skin canceer sufferer I have found her ,over the last 2 years, to be thoroughly professional and effective.However each to his own.

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Thanks for some good info in this thread. I will contact Dr. Siri to get a second opinion...

"Also, I wasn't very impressed to pay 900 BHT for the 2 minutes of attention I received and the appointment to get it surgically removed.

Also, not impressive at all to give me a hard time to get the 100 BHT change for the bill of 1000 I gave. huh.gif"

Ah, how easy it is to lose perspective--the same 2 minute job in America would run about 5-8x the price.

Some might be interested in seeing my recent post about Bcc's, see:

http://www.thaivisa....93#entry4154393

Note: this does not relate to Melanoma or Squamous Cell Carcinoma, but does to basal cell carcinomas which are probably 99.9% of the diagnoses.

I won't say that the doctors here are backward, but I might say that the doctors just about everywhere on the globe often are not up to snuff on current options for us white-skinned folk. Often there are very good alternatives other than surgery for "some" BCC's

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