Chett, Saran or PAI? Any advice?

[Mary81]

Hi everyone,
I was originally thinking I would have GRS where I live in the Czech Republic. However, after meeting with the surgeons who preform the operation here, I have decided to look into other options. As much as I would love to go to Suporn, I simply cannot afford it and the wait time is simply too long for me for emotional and Kafkaesque bureaucratic reasons.
So, after a lot of reading and emails to various surgeons I have narrowed my choices down to three potential surgeons: Chett, Saran an PAI with Dr. Burin.
Price is a huge factor for me, especially as I will be paying for GRS mostly with a bank loan. That said, I don't want to sacrifice my outcome to save a few 1000 dollars. Anyhow, PAI is the least expensive at $8600, but the policy on revisions is a little less than comforting. Saran recently raised his price to $10000, but revisions are covered to some extent. If there is a need for secondary vaginoplasty I would need to pay for it. Chett is the most expensive. Though that in part is because of the extended time I would need to spend in a hotel. I also have not found out much about his current policy on revisions - though I might be looking in all the wrong places.   The procedures each surgeon follows seem largely similar, but I am a little confused with all the terminology and each surgeon's use of glans material and about how each surgeon achieves a good functional depth.
Anyhow, if there is anyone out there who has found out more information on these three options, I would love some advice. Is Chett so much better than PAI to account for the difference in price? What about Saran? how does aftercare compare etc. Any information really would be greatly appreciated.
Mary

[SorchaC]

Hi Mary,

I can only comment on Dr Chettawut. As far as I understand, revisions are included in his initial surgery fee. Basically it is his personal guarantee. The depth achieved is dependent on both your internal anatomy and the amount of skin you have available. I am still in Bangkok recovering from my SRS with Dr Chett. The standard of nursing care I have received is excellent.

Hugs

Sorcha 

[possessed]

I think Thailand is far better option over Europe. I can only comment about chett. I had srs with him and revisions are free but very few patients need any. He is good in what he does and in general nobody has any complications or need for revisions. The thing with him is the additional skin graft. He seems to always require one which of course add to the price

[Mary81]

Hi Possessed and Sorcha,
Thank you for the information. I booked surgery with Dr Chettawut finally. If all goes well i will be having surgery on 1 May!! I am very excited, but also terribly nervous
Mary

[possessed]

I think you have made a good choice. I wish you a successful surgery!

[warlockmaker]

I had not thought about Dr Chet but after reading your comments I will visit him in Bangkok this week before Songkrans, which is thei biggest holiday. I have seen PIA, Suporn and some not so know thai surgeons.

[Susan T]

Since 2009 PAI have used penile skin to construct the inner labia and have adopted a very similar method of fashioning a clitoris to that used by Suporn (and I suspect Chet). Whatever penile skin is left is used to invert with the supplement of scrotal skin to increase depth. The priority being the use of  penile skin for the external structure. The presentation that they showed me before my surgery would indicate that the scrotal skin graft makes up most of the vaginal lining. However, I would suppose if somebody had an exceptionally  long penis the ratio would change.

The only drawback that I can see is that you would have to pay for revisions if you require them (I believe around $2000). However looking at the price structure of other surgeons it seems clear that revision costs are charged up front whether you a going to need them or not.

[Susan T]

I can assure you that PAI dissect the penile glans to make a "secondary organ" as Suporn calls it. The clitoris is not formed by an M shaped incision to create only a clitoral glans as you suggest but also to create 2 areas that extend from beneath the clitoral glans lining either side of the vestibule, as a corpus cavernosa similar to that of a natal female (The secondary organ). Urethral mucosa it the used to line the space in between.

The paper that you have quoted mentions this  "The lateralflaps of the M-glans are sutured in the middle, in front of the body of the glans tip

Actually its very difficult to reconcile the intrasurgical photos with the eventual outcome. I suspect that that would be the case with any surgical method.

As far as I am aware only Suporn produces a mesh from scrotal skin for lining the vagina. this allows him to provide extra depth but also requires additional time in Thailand because of the greatly increased possibility of tissue necrosis.

[vickym]

Oh dear,there's a bit of mine is better than yours going on here!

[Isabelle]

Whoever you go with, be sure to find out about their policy on revision/dissatisfaction with your result. I saw Chet, my depth is fine, sensation is fine (although it's early days and will only improve) Anatomically though, I'd only use the term "female genitals" loosely. I'm thoroughly displeased with my anatomy thus far... Barring some "magic" occurring and the tissue healing into totally different geometries and locations, I'll be seeing a surgeon for revision as soon as possible. Wether I go to Chet, or see someone else, will depend on how the clinic responds to my concerns.. I've emailed twice wanting to discuss my situation and not received any reply... Funny cause when you're booking for new surgeries, they respond lightening quick..   

[SorchaC]

This is a bit of an old thread now because Mary had her SRS in May with Chett and as far as I know was happily on her way home months ago.

As for Chett, He has been away for over a week on some kind of vacation in Vietnam, I know Som is only part time also and they seem to have replaced Rose with a new very pretty lady who seemed to still be learning how things work. I'm not defending him or disagreeing with anyone but I'd like to think responses will be forthcoming very soon. I had to delay my return home by a week because of his sudden trip so I don't know anymore than I've been told by Sri.

Hugs

Sorcha 

[Isabelle]

Totes, my post wasn't intended as the beggining of a lynch..

[SorchaC]

Totes, my post wasn't intended as the beggining of a lynch..

Nope I never thought it was. I was just providing an update for those who may have thought something was wrong in Chettsville

Hugs

Sorcha 

[Bella27]

Not to derail but does anyone know anything about Thiti? Does he still work for the PAI? And had anyone gone to him here? There seems to be little info about him online.

[Laura_7]

Whoever you go with, be sure to find out about their policy on revision/dissatisfaction with your result. I saw Chet, my depth is fine, sensation is fine (although it's early days and will only improve) Anatomically though, I'd only use the term "female genitals" loosely. I'm thoroughly displeased with my anatomy thus far... Barring some "magic" occurring and the tissue healing into totally different geometries and locations, I'll be seeing a surgeon for revision as soon as possible. Wether I go to Chet, or see someone else, will depend on how the clinic responds to my concerns.. I've emailed twice wanting to discuss my situation and not received any reply... Funny cause when you're booking for new surgeries, they respond lightening quick..

You might have a look here:
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php?topic=160388.10

[Laura_7]

Concerning surgeons you could look here:
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,193067.msg1721458.html#msg1721458

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,197264.msg1755116.html#msg1755116

Kamol and Sanguan Kunaporn you might inquire about...

I'd say do your due diligence and read up a lot...

[Isabelle]

thank you for the links, If the clinic won't help remedy my situation, I have no intention of returning to Thailand for any work. The major stuff is done now, I'd rather stay closer to home. For FFS I'm looking into a surgeon much closer to home because I'd prefer a surgeon who works mainly with north Western European facial types

[warlockmaker]

My earlier post was before my Chett visit and I did like him but could not accept that the surgery was performed in his clinic. I have now seen around 5 Thai surgeons, including Suporn and Sutin at PAI. I found them to be equally as good and their aesthetics are all similar. Remember they are all students of Dr Preecha. Its a matter of how you personally liked them. I selected PAI and Dr Sutin for January 2016. 

[AnonyMs]

My earlier post was before my Chett visit and I did like him but could not accept that the surgery was performed in his clinic. I have now seen around 5 Thai surgeons, including Suporn and Sutin at PAI. I found them to be equally as good and their aesthetics are all similar. Remember they are all students of Dr Preecha. Its a matter of how you personally liked them. I selected PAI and Dr Sutin for January 2016.

Have you managed to look at results in person or are you going off photo's the surgeons show you? I wish I had the chance to see for myself, but not many people do. The results I have seen of Dr Suporn are better than the ones on his website, which I find kind of odd. You'd think it would be the other way around.

I'd be uneasy about Dr Chett not working out of a hospital, but no one seems to have died yet. If there's no special risk factors, like age, then I'd assume its not too dangerous. I also find it worrying that's he not operating out of a hospital, because it raises the question of why? Personally I'm super cautions, and I'd not choose him because of that.

I believe Dr Suporn has evolved his technique significantly since he was a student of Dr Preecha so I'm not that means much in terms of aesthetics. I don't know anything much about the others, and I've not seen any of their results. Suporn's hospital seems to be 2nd tier, but again I'm not aware of any problems. I think its some historical accident, and considering his prices and waiting list he has no reason to change.

I like Suporn so I know a lot about him; the others not so much.

[Laura_7]

Have you managed to look at results in person or are you going off photo's the surgeons show you? I wish I had the chance to see for myself, but not many people do. The results I have seen of Dr Suporn are better than the ones on his website, which I find kind of odd. You'd think it would be the other way around.

Well im it has to do with expectations.
If you show off the best cases more people are disappointed if their case is a bit less appealing.
If mostly medium cases are shown and the results are better people are thrilled.

Chett works with a similar strategy imo...