Thailand vs US surgeons?

[Paige0000]

Decisions decisions hmm. I'm having real trouble deciding on whether I should have my eventual SRS done in the USA or Thailand. (I'm an aussie girl  ) If USA it will be either Brassard or Mcginn as I feel very confident in their skills. Thailand either Saran or Suporn as they too seem to be the best in the field in Thailand (Though I'm not sure if they are as good as Brassard or Mcginn)

Cost wise the US is more expensive but you definately get what you pay for but I've always heard wonderful things about Suporn and Saran. Also considering, Saran especially that the costs are quite better I feel if I'm still getting top quality work I might as well save the money instead of paying more for basically the same result.

What do you girls think?

[Jenna Marie]

I think Brassard is in Canada.

(I used him, though, if you have any questions.)

[Vicky]

I am quite happy with what I got from Marci Bowers here in California. She does a one step surgery similar to Brassard but not exactly the same, whereas McGinn is a two step job. 

[Cindy]

I'm choosing Brassard, if I can!

The girls who have good results of course say they are happy with their surgeon, the girls who had bad/poor results generally don't say anything.

The cheapest option for you Paige would be Andrew Ives in Melbourne. I have decided against him however.

[Katie]

Well lets see here. I suppose we are talking about the comon busy surgeons here. You know the ones that do this surgery very often and have a lot of experience. Also I assume we can ignore the sales pitches. Yes you know the crap the doctors say they offer some unique way to dig a hole. I mean seriously.

Ok so in Thailand you can find doctors that are far les money for the same surgery here in the USA. The downside is a damm long airplane flight. Oh yes its a damm long flight.....

When I went one of the Thai doctors ended up being close to the same cost as in the USA when you factor in all costs. I ignorred him. No chance in hell i would fly to Thailand for something that was the same price as here in the states.

[Nicolette]

The flight time, the difference in cultures and language were big issues for me. Being forced to lay in a hospital bed for 5 days post surgery is not exactly ideal and is not necessary. Personally, the cheapest option was not an option. I chose a North American surgeon and have no regrets. The recovery was amazing!

[Katie]

The language and culture thing was not relevant. All the medical staff spoke english and they dont make a culturally different vagina, nor does it smell like curry powder.

COme to think of it I was asleep for the majority of the hospital stay and of course the surgery so talking to people really didnt make a difference.

I will give you ideal staying in the USA, but then the diff I paid was over 10000 less and thats a nice chunk of change I saved for FFS which I did get done in the states.

[Ltl89]

Honestly, I have a bias that favors doctors in North America.  There is nothing wrong with other surgeons, but it's closer and more comfortable for me.  While there may be amazing Thai surgeons, I wouldn't feel comfortable going there for such an invasive procedure.  Comfort and security is important to me, and I would feel too scared to do it there.  I've heard negative things that made me worry (mostly from people who went to a western surgeon in the end).  Then again, money is also important and I don't have much of it.  Right now, Brassard is my #1 choice, but maybe I shouldn't judge the medical standards in Thailand and consider doing some serious saving.  After all, many people had good results, so it's probably not as bad as I fear. I just don't know.  Maybe I'm being unfairly biased. 

[Catherine Sarah]

Hi Vicky,

..........., whereas McGinn is a two step job.

Just for the record, Dr McGinn does a one stage procedure.

Huggs
Catherine

[livinit]

Thailand; Suporn: I believe that any (top rated) surgeon can have a bad result, as there's so many variables, like health of the patient, and what the surgeon has to work with and others variables. For me the concept of his technique: Complete homology, is why I pick Suporn. I don't mind dilating longer. I don't mind flying overseas for it. But I want complete homology. I understand that he's not perfect, or the god of installing V's..and yes, he does plenty of (free) revisions for life. But because of the complete homology thing that he offers, great care during, his awesome 'after sales' warranty, as well as his reputation. Though he's a little cheaper than others in the states, the price is not a concern for me. Why? It's my body and I feel that I would never take a cut rate surgeon to save a few bucks.

But does anyone ever consider homology here? I must admit that I rarely see that written about or discussed here. And yes, Brassard is good..and many other domestic surgeons are too..he now uses PART of Suporn's technique (I've heard), and any other surgeons who use partial homologies?..well, their methods seem to leave less to work with in terms of donor tissue.

I just want each type skin put 'back where it's supposed to be'.

And if I have a bad result, I WON'T be hiding out with my results. It's not fair. I would try to illustrate the WHOLE set of variables in my situation, hoping I could help others in making a good decision.

[Jenna Marie]

Homology was not a primary concern for me, no, although it's kind of neat in the ways that it did happen. I think it's pretty cool that my scrotum turned into my labia majora, including remaining hair-bearing on the outer portion of the lips, as it is for a cis woman. And the penile nerves are all concentrated into my clitoris, which is as close as any surgeon can get to the nature-installed version - there just aren't as many nerves in the penis to start with, alas, although the sensation is quite sufficient for me regardless.

I admit to being somewhat puzzled at Suporn's claim of complete homology, though. He uses scrotal skin for the vagina, right? And the homologous structure to the scrotum in a cis female is the labia majora, not the vagina. (Brassard actually does split the scrotum and turn it into labia majora, and also uses the extra penile urethra to form the labia minora, which is homologous to the cis vulva as well.) I also keep hearing (satisfied!) Suporn patients talk about this extra "Chonburi gland" thingie, which Suporn himself says does not exist in cis women and it's an upgrade for his trans patients over the "standard" model.

[livinit]

Homology was not a primary concern for me, no, although it's kind of neat in the ways that it did happen. I think it's pretty cool that my scrotum turned into my labia majora, including remaining hair-bearing on the outer portion of the lips, as it is for a cis woman. And the penile nerves are all concentrated into my clitoris, which is as close as any surgeon can get to the nature-installed version - there just aren't as many nerves in the penis to start with, alas, although the sensation is quite sufficient for me regardless.

I admit to being somewhat puzzled at Suporn's claim of complete homology, though. He uses scrotal skin for the vagina, right? And the homologous structure to the scrotum in a cis female is the labia majora, not the vagina. (Brassard actually does split the scrotum and turn it into labia majora, and also uses the extra penile urethra to form the labia minora, which is homologous to the cis vulva as well.) I also keep hearing (satisfied!) Suporn patients talk about this extra "Chonburi gland" thingie, which Suporn himself says does not exist in cis women and it's an upgrade for his trans patients over the "standard" model.

I really DO like Brassard (not US but on the continent). He has several very attractive techniques to me. That thing with the extra urethra tissue is great. I like that and I wish Suporn did that. Also, I understand that Brassard is doing the scrotal follicle removal (like Suporn), so there's supposedly no need for GCS electrolysis prep. I like all that.

I really like Brassard's reputation for awesome warm bedside manner. He would have been my first choice were it not Suporn. And I agree..really. I should correct that Suporn does seem to vary from a complete homology. I don't think anyone does complete homology.. . He has that extra sensate area (Chonburi Gland? I think it's really the remaining part of the glans, leftover from the clitoris, never disconnected?), just below the clitoris and above the urethra (?). I like that..but CIS females don't have that, correct. A personal friend (Suporn SRS 2005) flatly reports hers responds 'just fine and is quite sensitive'. She's a trusted friend and would never shade the truth..but as they say always..ymmv.

And interestingly, I was corrected by a poster here that Suporn, like Brassard, actually does leave the outer sides of scrotal tissue as flaps to fold down into the labia majora (then tucked and stitched to the vag canal inside?). I dunno who did it first, but I like that. I also like that "Chonburi Flap" (dorsal blood flow and main nerves never disconnected) which is then folded down in an arch over the neo-clitoris and makes the hood and labia minora.

In the end, US/continental doctors may be great, but I just don't know about that whole penile inversion technique, is all. 

[Jenna Marie]

livinit : Huh. I had no idea Suporn managed to have any scrotal tissue left over for the labia, but that's darned cool. I suspect nobody does complete homology because it's sort of impossible - there's no surviving homologous structure to the vagina. So using the penis for it is as good (or bad) as anything else, maybe. Lack of genital electrolysis is definitely good, too.

(And I'll admit, Suporn would have been my first choice by far if I'd been willing to brave the transatlantic flight.)

[livinit]

(And I'll admit, Suporn would have been my first choice by far if I'd been willing to brave the transatlantic flight.)

ugh..I know ~ that flight is a deal killer. As for me, I really had to get over that distance, as I'm not good at traveling or being out of the country alone. I'm just scouring this forum for advice and seriously fortunate to have a dedicated bf who won't let me go alone (though I was planning to at first).

[Catherine Sarah]

Hi livinit,

........ and seriously fortunate to have a dedicated bf who won't let me go alone (though I was planning to at first).

Fantastic. Hold on to him. Surgery is definitely not a place to be on your own, let alone in a country who's english is second language. If you can arrange to be in contact (Skype etc) with a genetic woman won't go astray either. There are soooooo many blanks that need to be filled in, once you're on the other side of the fence.

Hope everything works out or you.

Huggs
Catherine

[Tristan]

Hi livinit,
Fantastic. Hold on to him. Surgery is definitely not a place to be on your own, let alone in a country who's english is second language. If you can arrange to be in contact (Skype etc) with a genetic woman won't go astray either. There are soooooo many blanks that need to be filled in, once you're on the other side of the fence.

Hope everything works out or you.

Huggs
Catherine

Isn't that the truth. I had mine done in Thailand and I must admit it was nice having help, there was a lot of new things to learn and experience when I crossed over .

[livinit]

If you can arrange to be in contact (Skype etc) with a genetic woman won't go astray either.

Thanks Catherine, but I'm not quite getting grammatical sense out of that line, but every single tip from this board is important to me..would you please rephrase or explain that a little?

[Catherine Sarah]

Hi livinit,

In the journey from a male perspective to a woman, there are many little neuances that are like an unwritten law that are passed on to girls from the nurturing process. Genetic women are aware of these subconscious attitudes, feelings, emotions.  A woman who is prepared to share these with you both pre and post, may help you understand the mental/emotional changes you'll experience, particularly post-op.

I took my sister-in-law with me to my surgery. We arrived 28 days prior, and I recall many a night not getting to bed until 2:00-3:00 am just talking about what it's like being a woman, in relationship, society, life in general.

This bonding/nurturing time, money could never have bought. It gave me insights beyond my previous understanding, into where I am and need to be as a fully functional woman.

I hope this explains what I mean. If not let me know and I'll try from another angle.

Huggs
Catherine

[livinit]

Hi livinit,

In the journey from a male perspective to a woman, there are many little neuances that are like an unwritten law that are passed on to girls from the nurturing process. Genetic women are aware of these subconscious attitudes, feelings, emotions.  A woman who is prepared to share these with you both pre and post, may help you understand the mental/emotional changes you'll experience, particularly post-op.

I took my sister-in-law with me to my surgery. We arrived 28 days prior, and I recall many a night not getting to bed until 2:00-3:00 am just talking about what it's like being a woman, in relationship, society, life in general.

This bonding/nurturing time, money could never have bought. It gave me insights beyond my previous understanding, into where I am and need to be as a fully functional woman.

I hope this explains what I mean. If not let me know and I'll try from another angle.

Huggs
Catherine

Oh yes! No need, because that make sense now. I figured something along those lines, but there just seemed to be a few missing words.

Throughout my transition, I've talked/confided in/gone out with three close gg's all the time about this stuff. I didn't figure I'd have to wait till I was about to complete my SRS to do so, and I certainly wouldn't need to purchase extra time in Thailand for that. Here at home, I have some wonderful talks with GG's who confide in me. My mother, one. Two: my scheduler at work..a pre op transman (!), who has LOTS of female knowledge to dispense, and immense trans insight for me. The third is my bitter divorced GGF, who is often funny and wise in the jaded ways that GG's will be after marriage/kids/divorce.

Keep livinit

[livinit]

..and thanks Catherine! Any advice is welcome.