SHARES
Did you know that different stages of hemorrhoids can be treated under clinic setting? Find out more about it from the only doctor in Malaysia who does that!
GetDoc: Why did you choose to the medical field for your profession and when did you start?
Dr Zul: I actually had no intention nor did I have any ambition to become a doctor but after I finish my boarding school , I was chosen to join the Matriculation course (which is more specific for medical course). So there I was exposed to medicine. I did the medical course for 6 years. There was only one way forward – once you step into the medical field, you have to finish it. We have to treat patients, we cannot choose what to learn and what not to learn. We had to learn from A to Z of medicine in order to be a good doctor.
Dr. Zulkafperi Hanapi speaking to our GetDoc team
GetDoc: How did you choose the aesthetic field?
Dr Zul: When I was working in the general hospital in Kuala Lumpur, I started to think what specialization I wanted to get into. I had to start from the scratch and watch from afar how my juniors and peers were already ahead of me. It was quite stressful. I was posted in many departments (outpatient, neurosurgery, Nephrology and Cardiothoracic department), one of which was the dermatology department as a Registrar.
Dr. Zulkafperi Hanapi, Aesthetic Doctor in Petaling Jaya
GetDoc: Why did you start your own business?
Dr Zul: While being attached with the dermatology department, I decided to quit because of family and marital commitment. Somewhere along the way, I started a private practice, and that was 25 years ago. I got myself equipped with the knowledge required to start a business. I noticed the emergence of anti-ageing and aesthetic medicine globally. I picked up new things along the way by attending workshops in Australia, New Zealand, Europe and especially the US, which contributed towards the start up of my private clinic, Klinik Keluarga Dan Surgeri. I have 4 branches to date after selling off other 2 branches of my clinic in Rawang and Batang Berjuntai.
Dr. Zulkafperi Hanapi specialises in aesthetic procedures such as hair transplant, laser services, circumcision with non-surgical technique, hemorrhoid
GetDoc: What are the key areas of focus?
Dr Zul: My clinic focuses on Aesthetic Medicine, Hemorrhoid treatment, and Prolotherapy. I am the only doctor in Malaysia who can treat any stage of a hemorrhoid case in a clinic setting under local perianal block.
Specialized Prolotherapy treatment is also available in my clinic for the treatment of acute or chronic Musculoskeletal pain. Prolotherapy is also known as nonsurgical ligament and tendon reconstruction or regenerative injection therapy. Prolotherapy works by stimulating the body’s own natural healing mechanisms to repair injured musculoskeletal tissue. Contrary to the conventional treatments of arthritis by anti-inflammatory approach using pain killers and steroids. My treatment, on the other hand, stimulates inflammation, and encourages natural healing. I have been practicing prolotherapy successfully for the past 12 years.
My focus now is on Anti-ageing, Regenerative and Aesthetic medicine. I am fully certified by the Ministry of Health with LCP, allowing me to practice aesthetic medicine legally, including laser, botox, fillers, injection, non-surgical face lift, removing scars, skin tightening and facial rejuvenation.
GetDoc: Where do you find your motivation?
Dr Zul: Life becomes more interesting with the variety of cases I encounter every day. I do the best I can do with what I have. I just know I want to excel in my life. I have not set my retirement age. I will keep on working until I decide to quit. I am just an ordinary doctor who puts in a lot of hard work.
GetDoc: What is the biggest challenge you have faced so far? How did you overcome it?
Dr Zul: My main goal in life is to ensure my family is well fed and clothed. This is a challenge as well for me. I grew up in a ‘kampung’ with a humble upbringing. Every thing I have right now is due to my hard work, determination and perseverance. So to answer your question – hard work helps me reach my goal and overcome the challenge.
Dr. Zulkafperi Hanapi and some of the machines he use to perform treatments.
GetDoc: Doctor, you don’t look a day older than probably 30! Would you share with us your secret of how to look so young?
Dr Zul: Being in the health industry, I know the significance of embracing a healthy lifestyle so I do maintain a healthy lifestyle. I don’t encourage smoking, vaping, alcohol, or the sedentary lifestyle. I frequent the gym as many as 5 to 6 times a week to keep my heart and lungs strong.
GetDoc: Do you have any message to share with your patients?
Dr Zul: It is very important for patients to know which clinic they are committing themselves to because of the existence of uncertified clinics and unqualified practitioners. Simple fillers to the nose can cause blindness if not done properly.
So far, I have not come across any cases of blindness as result of mismanagement by clinics. However, I believe they would be more prevalent in hospitals.
GetDoc: What would you advice if I had an unsuccessful Botox and I come to see you?
Dr Zul: If by failing you meant an ineffective Botox, I would advise the patient to receive heavier dosage of Botox. However, if complications arose, I would refer the patient to the hospital.
GetDoc: Some patients are cautious of aesthetic medicine even though they are interested in it. What would you advice them?
Dr Zul: What is there to be scared of? (Laughs) If the patients are scared of injections, we could offer treatments that do not require injections, i.e radio frequency or Laser treatment. Once the patients are more aware of the procedure, they would feel more comfortable and become more open to other treatments.
GetDoc: When did you set up your clinic?
Dr. Zulkafperi Hanapi and his clinic nurses
Dr Zul: I have been around for 23 years since 1992.
GetDoc: What is your biggest satisfaction as a doctor?
Dr Zul: I am most satisfied when my patients are happy with the treatment outcome, especially with my joint pain patients. To see my joint pain patient living their life more comfortably is very satisfying. As for my aesthetic patients, they are already healthy (laughs) and are just seeing me for enhancement.
GetDoc: What is the most difficult case you have encountered till date?
Dr Zul: A patient from Penang who had been living with a shoulder pain for 7 years was able to lift his arm up after three visits to my clinic. In fact, there are many such similar cases.
GetDoc: Could you please elaborate on the hair analyzer treatment?
Dr Zul: 3 to 4 hair strands of the patient would be extracted and analyzed by a machine. The machine will send the data to a lab in Germany for analysis. A comprehensive report of 27 pages on the hair analysis will be returned to us within 16 to 20 minutes. This hair analysis will give the patients information on a wide range of indicators such as Amino Acids Indicators, Essential Fatty Acids Indicators, Antioxidants Indicators, EMF/ELF Indicators, Dietary Environment Indicators, Microbiology Indicators and Minerals Indicators.
GetDoc: How accurate are the results of the hair analyzer treatment?
Dr Zul: The accuracy is about 80 to 90%. As opposed to a blood test that details your health at that point in time, a hair analysis will provide you a summary of your health in the last 3 months.
Dr. Zulkafperi Hanapi showing us the circumcision equipment
GetDoc: What other services do you provide in your clinic?
A: We also do hair transplant through Follicle Unit Extraction (FUE), taking the hair from the back of the head and transplant to the bald area. We also can adjust your hairline and eyelashes. We do hair implants for those who have had failed hair transplants, that are using artificial biofiber hair, and implant them to the bald area. Hair implants is instantaneous, and is a popular option for those who are getting married soon. They do not need to wait for their hair to grow.
We do have complete range of laser services, including tattoo removal, permanent hair removal, pigmentation removal, birth marks removal, facial rejuvenation, skin tightening, acne scars treatment and laser Vaginal tightening.
I also do circumcision using a non-surgical technique with a specialized ‘Alisklamp or Activeklamp’ circumcision device. The patient will have to wear the clamp device for three days. I will then cut off the excess skin, which has become dead skin. Since I am cutting off dead skin, it is pain-free.
I also specialize in treating various stages of hemorrhoid as an out patient basis under local anaesthesia using laser Safute BEIM technique. Some patients came to me after having years of hemorrhoid, I just perform a simple procedure on them, and the patient can go home straight after the procedure. This advanced technique offers a less painful procedure with minimal risk of bleeding and less complications with a faster recovery period.
To know more about Dr Zulkafperi Hanapi, kindly check here
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by Qian
Qian's interest in healthcare industry came about after her father was diagnosed with bladder cancer. This experience has led her to become a strong believer in empowering individuals to take charge of their own health. View all articles by Qian.
