I already passed another month in Japan. This month was quite different and full of different tastes of enjoyment. I enjoyed ‘the Golden week’ in this month. At first it seems boring, but lastly my other two Bangladeshi colleagues Dr. Zakaria Jubery and Dr. Haridas Saha Protap, made a three days trip to make it awesome. We enjoyed different spots at Hitachi Seaside park, Izukyu Shimoda and Nikko. The target of exploring Japan was fantastic.

I was too happy to meet my family in Tokyo. I can’t say how time flies on these five days. The Disney Land and Disney Sea were mind blowing. My two daughters enjoyed a lot. I want to show my heartiest gratitude to Professor Hiroyuki Sakurai for his invitation and Ms. Maiko and Ms. Yumiko for making all arrangement of this fantastic tour.

In the middle of the month, our honorable Dr. Samanta Lal Sen sir visited Tokyo. It’s a great memory for me to meet him here and to enjoy the lecture he delivered on behalf of Burn and Plastic Surgery Departments of Bangladesh.

Though the hospital days of this month became short due to Golden week and my family tour, but the operation list I enjoyed was not too short. I enjoyed Liposuction technique, Nipple reconstruction (by Arrow flap, Star flap), scar revision (by Multiple Z –plasty, Dog ear correction), six DIEP Flaps for breast reconstructions ( some of them were superdrainaged), lower lid ectropion correction, removal of ruptured Breast implant, verticle Gracilis MC flap, excision of BCC lower eye lid and reconstruction, Tissue explander implantation under breast, reconstruction of Pectus Excavatum, Corrrection of secondary lip and nose deformity, reconstruction of perineum by Pudendal artery perforator flap, TFL flap for trochanteric sore, Ptosis of upper eye lid correction by Fascia lata sling and few minor operations like sebaceous cyst removal, excisional biopsy.

In last week I have joined the Annual Burn conference. Though the presentations were in Japanese but I enjoyed the international presenter’s topics. I gather new knowledge especially in inhalation burn management.

I enjoyed the outpatient management here. The team work of junior doctors with the seniors and the attitude of nursing staffs in the outpatient department is imitative. Though the modern equipments, latest dressing materials and advanced logistic supports are not available in our country, but I am inspired to improve our service by some new initiatives.

I am really grateful to Sakurai sensei for all his supports and cooperation.

Thanks Allah, at last I have reached safely to Tokyo. I believe, it is a great opportunity for me to come here to increase my knowledge and skill as a Plastic surgeon.

Last year when my honorable teacher Professor Md. Abul Kalam asked me about this training over phone, I was just speechless. I thought over night and consulted with my family about the three months training. I am grateful to my husband and my parents, they encourage me a lot and give all supports for attending the training program. My two daughters also ready to sacrifice their mother for these three months.

In last few days I was thinking to refresh my knowledge as I am working as Head of the department of Burn and Plastic Surgery Unit, Rajshahi Medical College Hospital. There I am the only plastic surgeon to serve the poor, helpless people of the community. Though there is no well equipped operation theatre, no modern instruments—I with my two general surgery trainee try heart and soul to serve the patients. Now-a-days there is increasing number of road traffic accidental injuries in our community as well as diabetic ulcer patients. And sometimes there is no option to cover the wound with local or regional flaps, needs alternate options. I feel it is the high time to make me more confident and ready for doing better for the local community patients.

At the very morning, April 1, I was waiting for Dr. Zakaria Zubery on Arrival at Narita Airport, Tokyo. I was in fear as it is the first time I starting my journey abroad alone. But after seeing Dr. Zakaria I felt tension free and happy. He guided me so nicely not only that day to reach my hotel but till now in every steps.

I am grateful to JBMA that they arrange a comfortable residence for me, secured and furnished with all necessary things for my daily living. I was so excited to see the Wi-Fi facilities. I can make audio calls as well as video calls to contact my two daughters and my family members whenever I wish and as long as I want.

Professor Hiroyuki Sakurai sensei is such a nice person, welcome me so warmly that make me enchanted. He offered me for dinner at the day of my arrival and took us to a Bangladeshi restaurant. The way of reception made me delighted. In Tokyo Women’s Medical University I introduced myself to my Japanese colleagues; they all are gentle and generous. They are so cordial that I feel native environment here. The only barrier is the Language. I should complete a Japanese Language course before I came here. As I am unable to coordinate the morning session, it deprives me from increasing my knowledge. I have easy entry to Operation theatre, but there also the same language barrier makes me embarrassed. Above all, the cordial approaches of Sakurai sensei make me easy day by day and I am learning a lot in every operative procedure. I have already enjoyed few free flaps (free LD, DIEP, SIEA, Expanded DP), breast reconstruction procedures, nipple reconstruction, facial reconstructions, mandible reconstruction by free iliac crest, LVA, limb wound coverage, sacral sore coverage, blepharoplasty, eye lid ptosis correction, excision of lipoma and inclusion cysts, Liposuction, correction of secondary lip and nose deformity, fat debulking and many others. I wish, if the operation lists were in English, I can ready myself for next day operative procedures and be more benefited.

It was a great experience for me to attend The 60th Annual Meeting of Japan Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, on April 12-14, 2017 at Osaka International Convention Center. I am very much thankful to Professor Motohiro Nozaki Sensei and Professor Sakurai Sensei for making all the arrangement of the trip for me. There my knowledge is enriched from the International lectures and also from the poster presentations. In addition, the mind blowing scenario of Cherry Blossom at Osaka Park was awesome. At alumni dinner party, I was eagerly waiting to see the Great Plastic Surgeons of Japan. I felt blessed by introducing myself to these legend plastic surgeons. I enjoyed the evening with traditional Japanese foods and the way of serving foods as well.

I enjoyed the welcome dinner at Toshimaen with all new and old Plastic Surgeons of Tokyo. The event was a different experience for me. The traditional Japanese foods were ‘oishi’. The Welcome dinner arranged by Professor Nozaki Sensei was another surprise for me. It was a Tenpura restaurant. The dishes were so tasty. I loved it. I want to say thanks to Nozaki Sensei and Sakurai Sensei for their whole-hearted attitude to me. All my senior colleagues were also present there and they all wish me for my fruitful training.

Everyone said, I am lucky enough because my training started at April. Yes, I am. I enjoyed the Cherry Blossoms a lot in different parks, gardens, riverside and also roadside. The cool air, neat and clean roads, the daily in time journey by Toei subway, all are mind blowing. Here the people are honest, sincere and over all well behaved. All of my colleagues are co-operative. The office stuffs, Ms. Maiko Kunimi and Ms. Yumiko Shionoiri are so helpful beyond my expectation. I am thankful to all. I wish, this three months stay in Japan will be one of the most memorable days in my life.