Dr. Arif Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery

19/09/2026

Yesterday was a pretty special day.

We performed the first cleft surgery at Sunway Medical Centre Penang.

A new beginning for our team & hopefully the start of many more cleft cases being managed here.

First one done. Let’s keep going. 💪

30/08/2026

“Depa kata kalau refer plastic surgery, nanti kena buat skin graft atau flap. Luka pun jadi banyak tempat. Kalau saya tahu boleh settle dalam masa setengah jam, dah lama saya jumpa doktor.”

Itu luahan seorang bapa tentang luka tekanan anaknya.

Hampir 3 bulan, anaknya datang ke hospital 3 kali seminggu untuk cucian luka.

Luka yang berlarutan akhirnya mengalami hypergranulation tissue - tisu yang tumbuh berlebihan sehingga mengganggu proses penyembuhan.

For wound management, the first step is not always to think about a skin graft or flap.

Plastic surgeons are trained to assess the wound, identify what is preventing healing & decide on the most appropriate treatment.

11/08/2026

This is a cutaneous horn

It is more common in older people.

But the important thing is, don’t think of it as just a simple skin growth.

What matters most is what is underneath the horn.

It can sometimes be a sign of a precancerous skin lesion or even skin cancer.

24/07/2026

Can you guess which one is BCC & which one is SCC?

Both are skin cancers, but they behave differently.

BCC is usually slow-growing & rarely spreads to other parts of the body. But if left untreated, it can keep growing & damage the surrounding tissue.

SCC is generally more aggressive & has a higher chance of spreading.

The interesting part? Both can start from something that looks very ordinary - a mole, a small wound, a scab or a lump that just doesn't seem to heal.

So, if a skin lesion keeps changing or refuses to heal, don't ignore it. Get it checked.

18/07/2026

"Oh, ingatkan plastic surgeon tak buat kes ni."

Realitinya, media terlalu banyak memberi fokus kepada pembedahan kosmetik. Sebab itu, bila disebut plastic surgery, ramai yang menyangka plastic surgeon hanya melakukan pembedahan kosmetik.

Sampai ada yang terus mengatakan plastic surgery itu haram, tanpa memahami konteks sebenar.

Hakikatnya, reconstructive surgery merupakan sebahagian besar daripada bidang plastic surgery.

11/07/2026

Naevus sebaceous of Jadassohn.

Teringat satu kenangan lama....kali pertama aku jumpa lesion ni masa jadi MO Plastic Surgery di Kota Bharu.

Dgn penuh yakin, aku cakap, "Wart."

Ms Shawal pandang aku sambil tanya, "Are you sure?"

Sebenarnya itu hint yg jawapan aku tu salah. Tapi dgn yakinnya aku jawab, "Yes, I'm sure."

Kemudian dia senyum sambil cakap, "Naevus sebaceous of Jadassohn. Balik nnt baca"

Masa tu memang malu sekejap. 😅

Tapi itulah antara moment yang paling aku hargai.

Kadang-kadang kesilapan kecil yang memalukan itulah yang paling lama melekat dlm ingatan.

Sampai hari ini, setiap kali nampak lesion yang sama, terus teringat momen tersebut. Malah nama penuhnya pun terus terlintas tanpa perlu berfikir.

06/07/2026

"How long have you had this wound?"

"Almost 2 years."

I paused.

He looked completely healthy.

But a wound that doesn't heal is never normal.

We talked for a long time.

He still wasn't sure if he wanted treatment.

I just hope he comes back.

05/07/2026

25/06/2026

Last Monday was a long & challenging day in the operating room.

The patient underwent silicone filler removal from the breasts, liposuction, fat transfer to the face & breasts, ni**le reduction, labiaplasty & vaginoplasty.

Years ago, liposuction was mainly about removing unwanted fat. Today, with advances in fat grafting, that same fat is considered one of the most valuable tissues in plastic surgery.

After careful processing, it can be transferred to other areas to restore volume & improve contour. Because it comes from the patient's own body, the results often look & feel more natural.

It's fascinating how something once considered "waste" has become one of the most valuable tools in modern plastic surgery.

26/05/2026