6 weeks and counting (Another Chettawut experience)

[SorchaC]

I have to admit I wasn't going to do this because many have done it before probably allot better than I ever could. The thing is though after so long waiting for it to happen I have a really strong desire to record what's coming somewhere that it can be seen and maybe help some others. As many of you have said we're all different so what others felt may be the same for some and not others and the same applies to how I go I think. I don't know how things will work out once I get to Bangkok but if I record it then maybe I will understand more what is happening 

So to get the story up to date I'll include some details. Back in August 2014 I contacted Dr Chett for some prices, My original plan was to get body contouring so I lose the weight that has twice prevented me from getting SRS then in a couple of years finally get my op. I also thought one day I'd need a trach shave maybe a spot of FFS and of course my SRS so being thorough I asked about them all. When Som replied she asked for my medical details as they would need them for SRS. I replied explaining I am too much overweight but if she could let me know what weight I'd need to get to then maybe in time I'll be able to get SRS. (Since arriving in Australia in November 2013 I've lost 24 kilo's which is about 52lbs) I was asked for my weight and what dates I had in mind for the surgery. This was when things started getting exciting. My partner said well you have to decide if you're ready to go for it. Still believing I was too heavy I sent an e mail to Som saying late March or April 2015 would work. These dates best fitted with my partners work schedule and I decided right then I'm not going there alone unless I had to. I had to wait 4 days for a reply but I think when I read it the initial scream of excitement was heard 1000 miles away  I think that was followed by disbelief that I'd done it, After 2 surgeons refusing me surgery to finally be approved seemed unreal. The next issue came over the hotel, I originally chose the Dusit Princess because I wanted the extra luxury and I wanted a Junior Suite rather than the standard room Som booked me but there were considerable differences between the rate quoted by the hotel and what I can book it for online so that put me off going there, I am now going to be in Bankok Rama Cottages.

The next issue for me is visa's. Being an exiled Irishwoman who's lived most of her life in UK and who doesn't yet have Permanent Residence in Australia I need a visa to leave Australia    It's true Australia has as much interest in who is leaving the country as it does on who's trying to enter.    Don't get me wrong I think it's admirable that security is taken seriously but it does complicate things for me. My current visa doesn't allow travel overseas, I have joked to friends in UK that the Aussies love me so much that they don't want me to leave or maybe the British are so relieved I left that they have asked Australia to make sure I don't try and go back.    Then we have Thailand, Because my date was moved by one day and I was too excited to realise this I will now be in Bangkok 31 days meaning I need a Tourist Visa. I know I can pay 500 baht a day as a fine instead but I don't want to be an overstayer. Because I'm not a Permanent Resident here and my Visa doesn't allow travel the Thai's won't issue a visa until I have an Australian visa that will let me return if I leave.

The current situation is I've done all the medical tests and have been given the all clear on them all. I am just waiting for the disc with my X Ray images on to arrive by post then I can put everything in a file and e mail it to Dr Chett. Now all I have to do is manage the excitement and get the 2 visa's and then get ready to finally achieve my goal in one of my favourite cities in the world The next 6 weeks are going to be wonderful but I'm not sure my nerves will stand the excitement which grows every day   I can honestly say I have no concerns over the op or anything else surrounding it. Maybe my biggest issue post op is going to be filling the void in my thinking once I've done this. I've not been one to fixate on getting the op during my transition but the last 5-6 months of planning and reading other peoples accounts of how it went for them has filled allot of my time. Maybe dilation will replace that and then building my new life here in Aus which did kind of stall once this was scheduled.

I will post anything relevant that occurs  before and during the whole trip but in the meantime feel free to ask anything that springs to mind. I know there has been a few similar threads so I am not likely to offer any earth shattering insights but who knows what will actually happen?

Hugs

Sorcha 

[SorchaC]

And already an update They issued my visa to leave Australia earlier today. I have an e mail copy of it so that's one more thing covered

Hugs

Sorcha 

[possessed]

All sounds well. I wish you a successful surgery

[SorchaC]

All sounds well. I wish you a successful surgery

Thank you Possessed Also welcome to Susan's, I see you are new

Hugs

Sorcha 

[EmmaD]

Hi Sorcha,
Thanks for starting this thread.  I am booked with Dr Chet for late November, will be staying at the Rama cottages too so you are certain of at least 1 avid reader.  I am thinking of getting a tourist visa anyway just in case something goes wrong and I go over the 30-day limit.  As an exiled Kiwi, I don't have your visa issues but I got citizenship about 13 years ago anyway.  I can just imagine Tony packing you off to Manus Island as an illegal asylum seeker on your way back!

All the very best in March and I look forward to your updates.

Emma

[SorchaC]

Hi Emma

Firstly congratulations on the date, The wait will soon be over but I hope you have things to distract you between now and then or you may go crazy, I am close to being crazy already and I've got 6 weeks to wait Some cruel people say I've always been crazy but I ignore them 

I am thinking of getting a tourist visa anyway just in case something goes wrong and I go over the 30-day limit. 

I was always dubious about whether or not I needed a visa even before I realised my error. The thing is there are alternatives to a visa, ( Pay a fine in airport or pay for an extension ) The fine itself isn't huge at 500 baht a day but then I cannot ever answer no when Aussie Immigration ask me Have you ever overstayed a visa? That makes them nervous and as you said Manus Island or Villawood could be welcoming me  Immigration have been wonderful with me ever since I first contacted them so I'm wanting that to stay in my favour. For the extension you need to attend an office and that may not be possible if things aren't healing quickly enough so for $45 I can take away that stress and have 60 days which will be plenty. I booked a flexible return flight so if I am delayed I only have to ring Qantas and that's easily fixed.

Speaking of flying, I'm not a wealthy woman but I am only doing this once, My partner insisted that I fly home in Business Class so that I can sleep in a bed for the 10 hour trip. Economy seats don't allow allot of room and it would be a shame to destroy Chets magic by trying to save a few hundred dollars. There is also the Business lounge while you wait in the airport so if you haven't yet booked your flights I'd consider this.

I'll keep the updates coming and hope they help.

Hugs

Sorcha 

[EmmaD]

I have more work to do between now and November than I can possibly get through.  With only being full time since the beginning of the year, that novelty will take a while to wear off.  Also volunteering at a community radio station and learning all about producing and presenting radio.  So, if I end up crazy, its because I started that way!

The business class trip home is well worth it.  I did that back from Mexico last year.  16 hour flight!  Dropped all my frequent flyer points to upgrade.  Just as well as my face still felt like crap.  I don't sleep well on planes anyway but in Economy?  Nah!

Keep the updates coming.  I am pretty certain a different perspective on things will be hugely valuable.

[AnonyMs]

Congratulations. I'm looking forward to hearing so much more.

If you don't want to write the same as everyone else, do you have an unusual viewpoints or interests in things? For example, if it were me I might write about how you can plug your computer into the TV and how long the cable has to be to reach it from bed. Strange stuff, I know.

I'd not risk overstaying the visa, but then I don't risk just about anything. It almost certainly won't matter but what if it did? I'd be worrying about it until I got home again.

This site is a legal firm, not the Thai government

You may be asked to show your flight ticket on entering Thailand. If you do not possess a flight ticket to show you will be exiting Thailand within 30 or 15 days of entry you will be most likely to be refused entry.
http://www.thaiembassy.com/thailand/changes-visa-exempt.php

The Consequences of Overstaying in Thailand
http://www.thaiembassy.com/thailand/overstay-visa-thailand.php

This is the government

Visa processing time: All visa applicants are strongly advised to apply at least 4 - 5 weeks in advance of their anticipated travel, especially during holiday seasons.
http://www.thaiconsulatesydney.org/english/visa

So just enough time.

[SorchaC]

Hi Emma,

Do you mean work as in profession or work on yourself ? It's good to feel busy as long as there is time to be yourself

Being crazy is a prerequisite to transition I thought 

Aren't Frequent Flyer points brilliant? I don't have many but I know somebody who does  Those I do have I like to use for my traveling and this trip is worth a few to me My favourite pastime is travel and my favourite form of travel is a plane so this trip is full of many bonus's for me being as I love flying and Bangkok I've never managed a sleep on a plane in all my years of flying not even my 3 trips to or from Aus to UK each over 22 hours of flying. Sleeping in a bed on a plane will be a new experience

More to come I promise

Hugs

Sorcha 

[SorchaC]

Hi AnonyMs

Thank you for the links Really valuable although allot of the info I was aware of, You took time to find them so thank you for that The problem with a visa on arrival is it is subject to the whim of whichever Immigration Officer deals with you at the time, Also my return flight is booked for 31 days after arrival so if asked to produce a return ticket I would immediately encounter a problem and I am not really going to be in a fit state to undertake a visa run to get another 30 days like so many do.

I really believe that the recovery has been covered, People can find really detailed accounts of the whole Chettawut experience on this forum and elsewhere online so by re writing it again I am not going to provide any new material. I will of course post updates on my recovery but I want to offer an alternative Chettawut experience with heaps of humour thrown in. I used to listen to a radio DJ who's catchphrase was you're never fully dressed without your smile Thailand is known as The land of smiles so to be anything less than enjoying myself seems to me to be a betrayal of my hosts

If you don't want to write the same as everyone else, do you have an unusual viewpoints or interests in things? For example, if it were me I might write about how you can plug your computer into the TV and how long the cable has to be to reach it from bed. Strange stuff, I know.

I like the question and I'll be sure to find you an answer   Maybe you and others have questions about the hotel or other parts of the experience that haven't been answered. I cannot ask Chett about individual people or scenario's but if anyone has a burning question they want an answer to I'll try and produce an answer. Further to this, I know they charge a hire fee for the use of a Microwave, Is there anybody from here due in Bangkok Rama around the end of my stay?

I am certainly different than allot of people in my outlook. I've been in the depth of despair and I'm not going there again, I have already decided I am going to recover quickly and I am going to enjoy throwing water over the Thai's 2 weeks after my op. This is not a sign of disrespect. I love Thai people please see this link

http://www.songkran2015.com/

I am positive in my outlook and convinced this is going to be a really good experience that finalises everything I've worked for over the last 8 years

Hugs

Sorcha 

[EmmaD]

Hi Emma,

Do you mean work as in profession or work on yourself ? It's good to feel busy as long as there is time to be yourself

Being crazy is a prerequisite to transition I thought 

Profession work unfortunately.  That, transitioning and the radio stuff is probably too much at the moment and I feel a bit overwhelmed.  Just breathe....

[treeLB]

Is there anybody from here due in Bangkok Rama around the end of my stay?

My date has moved up from September to May. I arrive there on May 18th now. You will probably have been gone a couple weeks by then.

[AnonyMs]

Come to think of it, there's one thing I'd really like to know about Thailand.

What is Thai food is like?

I love Thai food, but I'm not sure I've ever actually eaten it. I've mostly had it in Australia. How does it compare?

And I like hot food as well. Really really hot. And you've lived in the UK where I've found Indian food is far hotter than in Sydney.

I could almost go to Thailand for the food and have SRS as a bonus. It's possibly my favorite food, although its a hard call with Indian. Vietnamese is wonderful too in its own way. British food I can live without. I wonder if I could go a month only eating Thai food? I'd like to give it a go.

Do restaurants do delivery when your stuck in your room? And what about the range and quality of foreign food?

Not many people mention the food, and half the time it's how they don't like it.

I can see SRS is going to be dangerous for me. I got to be careful with the weight.

I'm hoping you like hot and spicy food and can tell me all about it.

[SorchaC]

Hi AnonyMs

I think part of the reason for the lack of food info could be because you are only allowed clear liquid for 3 days before and maybe 10 days after. I do like Thai food and on previous visits to Bangkok I have sampled some but not the really hot stuff. I've tried Thai food in Australia and NZ as well as Thailand, The difference for me was the flavour seems stronger in Thailand, That could be the quality of the chef or that you're on holiday and so things seem better I love Indian food as well and have managed to learn a few recipes I can do a fairly decent job of making. My partner will be in charge of food in Bangkok so I'm sure there will be some info I can pass on for you

I think a food trip with a bit of surgery is a good reason to visit Thailand. Sadly the surgery has allot of requirements and they disrupt the eating 

Please keep the questions coming and we really will have an alternative view of Chett

Hugs

Sorcha 

[SorchaC]

My date has moved up from September to May. I arrive there on May 18th now. You will probably have been gone a couple weeks by then.

Yes I should be home and recovering, I fly home April 25th unless something goes wrong

Hugs

Sorcha 

[SorchaC]

Profession work unfortunately.  That, transitioning and the radio stuff is probably too much at the moment and I feel a bit overwhelmed.  Just breathe....

Yes great advice, I'm sure you're used to pressure and will cope well.

Hugs

Sorcha 

[AnonyMs]

I think part of the reason for the lack of food info could be because you are only allowed clear liquid for 3 days before and maybe 10 days after.

That would be really bad, but its the first I've heard of it. I'm not really following Dr Chettawut but I think there's no restrictions with Suporn except the more you eat the worse time you'll have with the enema and it can be difficult to eat much for immediately post-op.

[SorchaC]

That would be really bad, but its the first I've heard of it. I'm not really following Dr Chettawut but I think there's no restrictions with Suporn except the more you eat the worse time you'll have with the enema and it can be difficult to eat much for immediately post-op.

As I've stated before I was twice refused SRS because of my weight. Both surgeons did however tell me some of their requirements. Basically you take a substance to clear you out the day before the op, For whatever reason an enema isn't used. Post op I was told no food for 5 days by Tim Terry and Chett says clear liquids until the catheter comes out for the same reason. They want to make sure you have no bowel movements to give the surgery time to heal a bit. I don't really know what Suporn does but it obviously works for him so clearly isn't wrong

I'll definitely include food stuff as I will be eating as soon as I can

Hugs

Sorcha 

[JenJen2011]

Congrats. Wish you all the best!

Jen

[SorchaC]

Congrats. Wish you all the best!

Jen

Thanks Jen for taking time from your recovery to wish me well, Can you answer AnonyMs regarding the Suporn method of food after the op please

Hugs

Sorcha