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Interview on Woody Show
Woody: Dr. Ben’s story is very interesting because she is a woman who has practically touched upon every type of work and profession imaginable. She has experienced it all. But what’s even more fascinating is that Dr. Ben has never dared—or never thought—to step into the media spotlight, to let people see her face and get to know her.
The woman sitting in front of me today has, for the past ten or twenty years, always declined media appearances, even though patients and people around her wished she would come out and be recognized. She didn’t have the courage—she was shy, afraid, and worried about being judged.
So, I must ask you: what was the main reason that kept you from appearing in the media?
Dr. Ben: The main reason was my appearance. Since childhood, I was overweight and dark-skinned. I wasn’t pretty or cute from the beginning, so I grew up lacking self-confidence. As I got older, I tried to compensate for my appearance through my abilities. Eventually, I became a doctor and earned some recognition for my work. But still, I couldn’t bring myself to appear in the media because, deep down, I remained insecure about how I looked. So, I focused on working hard, staying behind the scenes, and letting my work speak for itself.
Woody: So these feelings about your appearance—did they start from childhood?
Dr. Ben: Yes, since childhood. There were some periods when I felt prettier, slimmer, but most of the time I was slightly overweight. That made me feel insecure, constantly aware that I wasn’t beautiful. On top of that, my family wasn’t well-off, which added to my insecurity.
Woody: What was the heaviest weight you ever reached?
Dr. Ben: One hundred and twenty kilograms.
Woody: 120 kilograms is no small number. Was your weight gain due to uncontrolled eating, eating out of habit, stress, or simply lifestyle? I assume there must have been times when you lost some weight and then regained it again. Looking back, what do you think was the main cause?
Dr. Ben: I’ve always been very dedicated and determined in my work. With work comes stress, and often I used food to compensate for that stress. The harder I worked, the more stress I had, and food felt like a relief. That’s why my weight went up, at one point reaching 120 kilograms at my peak.
Woody: So, you used food to cover up the stress?
Dr. Ben: Yes. Deep down, work always came first. I had to do whatever it took to perform at my best, without worrying too much about my looks. What mattered was having enough strength—both physically and mentally—to get the job done. Food became part of how I coped with stress. I relied on it, hoping it would ease my feelings and allow me to work even better.
Woody: When you met patients or other people in your life, were there times when you thought—whether true or not—that they were judging you for your appearance?
Dr. Ben: Yes, very often. Some patients even said directly, “Why don’t you appear in the media, Doctor? You should lose some weight and step into the spotlight. Your work is well loved by patients, but you’ve never promoted yourself. You’ve always stayed behind the scenes. Why not take this chance to slim down and go public, to share your knowledge with more people?”
Woody: How did you feel when you heard that?
Dr. Ben: I thought it was interesting—but I wasn’t sure if the time was right, or if I was ready. Then one day, my daughter came to me and said, “Mom, you can’t hide behind your work forever. You should show yourself to the public.” That was the turning point that made me decide to lose weight and begin appearing in the media—like today, sitting here with you, Woody.
Woody:You’ve gone through so many different professions. I don’t know if it’s as many as a hundred, but from what I’ve heard, it’s quite a lot. Could you tell us what you’ve done—from childhood until today? Everyone, listen carefully, because it’s not just about being a doctor. She has also worked as a housekeeper and many other things. What are they?
Dr. Ben:Let me go back a bit. Since childhood, my mother was the pillar of our family. She was a strong woman, a role model—hard-working, beautiful, and skilled at earning money. But when I was twelve, she had a car accident and passed away. From that moment, my life turned upside down. What was once a comfortable life became completely uncertain. Money was scarce, and we had to live very frugally. There was no one to rely on. That made me determined to survive no matter what.As I grew up, I knew I needed side jobs to get through each day and continue my studies. My ultimate goal was to become a doctor, but I needed money to reach that goal. So I did everything: I worked as a host, a public speaker, a writer, a translator, and a tutor. When I was slimmer and prettier, I even entered local beauty contests. During heavier times, I worked as a daily maid, doing cleaning jobs—whatever it took to survive and keep moving toward my dream of becoming a doctor.
Woody:So at the time, you didn’t really think about what you were going to be—you just worked, right?
Dr. Ben:I had a goal. My goal was to graduate as a doctor. That required money—lots of money, directly or indirectly. So I had to do whatever it took to earn enough to get there. That was the only way to reach my goal of becoming a doctor.
Woody: Now I have to ask—how did you end up in the field of hair transplantation? You studied medicine, of course, but why did you choose this specialty?
Dr. Ben: To explain that, I should go back a bit. I originally specialized in obstetrics and gynecology. I trained and practiced in surgery for about two years. But after that, I felt it wasn’t the perfect fit for me. I wanted something more challenging and different. At that time—around fifteen years ago—hair transplantation was still very rare, both in Thailand and abroad. I saw it as a challenge, as hard work that would suit me, and also as a field that wasn’t yet common or widespread. That motivated me to pursue it. I sought opportunities to study and eventually went abroad for training. But just taking courses wasn’t enough. Becoming a hair-transplant surgeon requires tremendous effort, detail, and persistence. It’s not easy at all. It came from dedication, determination, knowledge, and applying multiple dimensions of medical practice. That’s how I eventually became proficient and established myself as a hair-transplant doctor.
Woody: So how many years has it been now?
Dr. Ben: It’s been about fifteen years in total.
Woody: Fifteen years in hair transplantation. And the technology from then until now—it’s very different, right?
Dr. Ben: Yes, there’s been one major transformation: from traditional surgical strip methods to FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction), where grafts are individually harvested and transplanted. That was the big shift. After that, it’s been about refining techniques and tools. But I strongly believe it ultimately depends on the human hand—the surgeon’s skill. Patients trust this because they can see the results. Robots exist, yes, but in my belief, and based on my own work, success comes from skillful hands. Every patient’s scalp is different, every surface is unique, so it requires a human’s adaptability and technique to achieve the best outcome.
Woody: For a single case you take on, how long does the procedure usually take?
Dr. Ben: Hair transplantation is very demanding work. To do it well requires extreme patience, precision, and many hours. Yes, Woody—it’s truly intensive work.
Woody: So, can it be done in just one day, for one person?
Dr. Ben: Yes, about that. For large cases, it typically takes around five to six hours, give or take. But for very extensive cases—for example, from the hairline all the way back to the crown—it can take eight hours or more.
Woody: And your patients—are they mostly men or women? What are the main problems they face?
Dr. Ben: The majority are men, with women making up the smaller portion. Most cases are due to genetic hair loss caused by hormones.
Woody: So that means receding hairlines, bald spots—basically everything can be transplanted, right?
Dr. Ben: Yes, those are typical genetic patterns. In most cases, if the donor hair at the back is of good quality and quantity, transplantation can be done successfully.
Woody: And that’s when you move hair from the back to the front or wherever it’s needed. But for women, what are the most common problems nowadays?
Dr. Ben: For women, it’s often about the female hairline. Many women like the oval-shaped “egg-shaped” face, but genetically they may have an M-shaped hairline, similar to men, receding at the temples. This makes them feel insecure, especially when dressing formally, since they can’t always cover it with styling. That’s where female hairline transplants help.
Woody: And sometimes women have thinning down the middle too, right?
Dr. Ben: Yes, that’s called female pattern hair loss. It causes overall thinning. This too can be treated with transplantation—again, provided the donor hair at the back is sufficient and of good quality.
Woody: From what I’ve heard, your patients are very satisfied—even encouraging you to appear in the media. And today, I feel honored to have you here, because until now people rarely knew what Dr. Ben—or Dr. Benjawan of Mediren Clinic—actually looked like. So, how many cases have passed through your hands so far? Do you remember?
Dr. Ben: At this point, it should be more than 6,000 cases.
Woody: And when patients give feedback, how satisfied are they?
Dr. Ben: When it comes to reviews, I usually select cases where the difference is most evident—like those who were completely bald, with little hope, and after transplantation, their results transformed their confidence. I focus on showing these, rather than small cases, because small cases are something many doctors can do.
But there’s an important principle, Woody. Donor hair is precious. Every graft should be preserved and used wisely. So, if we do a transplant in a small area and the hair grows, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s good work. We must also consider how much donor hair was consumed compared to the outcome.
That’s why I prefer to show results from larger areas—because it proves that I managed the donor hair carefully and efficiently, producing visible, lasting results. It’s about using hair conservatively while still delivering an outcome that truly makes a difference.
Woody: I heard that at some point, someone asked you—though I don’t know if it’s true—that the professional position you hold today was obtained by paying money. Is that correct?
Dr. Ben: Most recently, I was appointed as Vice President of FUE Asia, an international hair-transplant society. People have asked me—both directly and indirectly—whether I paid for this position. Since they dared to ask, I dare to answer: No. I have never paid, I did not pay, and I never will.
I rely on only two things: dedication and ability. If these two things earn me a position, good. If not, that’s fine too. I’m not fixated on titles.
Woody: So why do you think they entrusted you with this position? Have you ever asked?
Dr. Ben: I’ve never asked. But when I joined, I gave my best through my abilities and my dedication. I believe they recognized that. They wanted the society to grow, to be more widely recognized, to expand its membership, and to be promoted internationally.
Woody: Today we are truly honored. As I mentioned, Dr. Ben has never appeared on any program before. Congratulations on your remarkable weight loss. I’m so glad to see your determination and strong commitment.
In this episode, we’re not just talking about one of the leading hair-transplant specialists—Dr. Ben of Mediren Clinic—but about a woman who has overcome tremendous challenges. Even though she once struggled with body-image issues, she has managed to overcome them. That makes her an inspiring example, and I want everyone to hear her story as motivation.
Doctor, is there anything you’d like to say to people, especially women, who may still be struggling with personal obstacles? It might not just be about weight loss—it could be about stepping out, gaining new energy, and achieving success like you have. What message would you like to share?
Dr. Ben: Effort is never wasted. Its results will always remain. So, whenever we face problems, with persistence and determination, I believe—and from my own experience—that we can overcome them.
If my story can serve as even a small source of inspiration for fellow doctors, younger colleagues, or anyone at all, then I am more than happy and truly proud.
Woody: Of course, people can learn more about you by searching your name or following the links shown on the screen. And perhaps they might even meet you at Mediren Clinic. I also know you’re preparing to host an international medical conference soon. Could you share a bit about that?
Dr. Ben: Yes. As Vice President of FUE Asia, I have been entrusted with organizing the upcoming International Conference in Thailand this August, which will bring together physicians from all over the world.
I’m truly delighted, because this is a chance to elevate Thai medical knowledge in hair transplantation to be on par with the international standard. Deep in my heart, I believe that Thai medicine is second to none.
Woody: If someone is interested in attending or following the event—especially those who are keen on hair transplantation—can they join?
Dr. Ben: This particular conference is for physicians. But we will make announcements through various channels with more details soon.
Woody: Thank you so much, Dr. Ben, for joining us on Woody FM today.
Dr. Ben: Thank you very much, Woody.
Woody: Thank you again, Doctor.
