SRS with Chettawut Dilation/Preparation/Post-Op Questions

[Wynnflaeth64]

Hi All!

I'm rather new to Susans so please forgive me if this isn't the best place for this post.

I'm heading off to Bangkok, Thailand in a week and a bit for my SRS with Dr. Chettawut. My mom will be accompanying me as I'm too young to sign to the consent form but also because, let's be honest, it would be a really dull month if I was on my own! We've never travelled overseas and are a bit nervous about being prepared so I've prepared a few questions if anyone with experience wouldn't mind helping and answering

1. I've heard some girls complain that they wished they'd moved up to a larger dilator size sooner, even during their stay at Thailand, as apparently the scar tissue contraction makes it harder to upgrade during the 2-3 month mark. Is this a general experience/incident I should take note of? and does anyone know if/when Dr. Chettawut allows you to move up to the next size?

2. Are there any specific brands of dilators anyone can recommend we order? I hear Dr Chettawut's set is a bit short (like really, only in the 21st century do we complain about that ). We would like to have ordered them before we return home so we don't have to worry about that during recovery. Also, it would help if they're brands that might be able to be delivered to South Africa. I do have American relatives but it would cost a lot of money to courier it down

3. I understand the situation with the WiFi at the Dusit Princess has changed quite a lot over the years. Anyone got any recent experience with that? Do they charge per data bundle or do you have unlimited access and what is the speed like? Obviously packing a whole bunch of DVDs isn't practical and I hear reading can be quite exhausting in the early weeks. We could wait until we get there but it's probably better to be prepared and perhaps bring an external of movies/TV shows.

4. Now I've heard that Dr Chettawut does free labiaplasty revisions if you want them. Is there anyone here who has had those done/wanted them done? Has he specifically asked you to wait for all the post-op healing to be done before considering it? (Obviously, I'm not asking about horror stories here, just minor revisions if you were slightly dissatisfied or found things to be asymmetrical.)

5. Some of the girls on these forums have mentioned that while they went to Dr. Chettawut for the op, they practised Dr Suporn's dynamic dilation technique once back home. It's been a bit difficult to track down more info as I'm new here and I can't view profiles yet (I hope that's 'yet' lol...). Could anyone who's tried this or done this please give some feedback? Was it difficult to adjust? Did you find it more beneficial than the standard static dilation? This is the scary part, but did it perhaps not work, or you actually damaged your canal? I'm very interested in learning more as, being a University student, 2 hours a day is quite hectic...

6. I know a lot of girls have written about this before, suggesting you bring/buy baby wipes, new undies etc. but are there any specific things you'd also mention that you don't think would be very obvious/haven't been said often before? I'm just nervous I might miss something out 

Otherwise, I'm looking forward and wishing all girls still in recovery lots of luck and fun down the road  If there's anything I've missed that you think important, please feel free to share it with me. The more advice I get the better! Also, on that note, I know there's a lot of competish between Dr Suporn and Dr Chettawut, but please don't take the chance to start surgeon bashing! It's probably not the best idea 2 weeks before the op...

Much love
xx

[Laura_7]

You could have a look here:

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,190515.msg1697107.html#msg1697107

https://www.susans.org/wiki/index.php/Vaginal_dilation

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php?topic=181661.0

well... all at your own risk... talk it through with your doctor...

to help with calmness you could try to stick to mental images of a good outcome...
like sipping on your favourite fruit juice...

and a bit of exercise to work of stress hormones, like taking a walk for a few minutes... a few situps twice a day... etc...


*hugs*

[Julia-Madrid]

Hey Wynnflaeth

A big howzit to you from an old ex SAfrican, now living in Madrid   I'll be over in Thailand a couple of weeks after you, also with Dr Chett.  Different hotels, but maybe we will be able to do a coffee.

Let's see what I can answer of your questions....

Dilation is something you can do at your own speed.  Dr Chett does publish a chart on his website for when he expects you to step up to a new size, but your body must be your guide.

Actually, vaginal dilators are more common than you might think, and plenty women need them for many reasons.  You should speak to a gynaecologist in SA, and you may find a local supplier.  The American company Soul Source makes some dilators that are well considered, but they are expensive.  Mine, from Soul Source, have been stuck in customs for two months now due to some idiot thinking that they are medical devices, so be careful if you choose to import them - check in advance whether there may be problems.

As for Dr Chett doing free revisions, yes, this is perfectly correct.  A friend of mine, who is no longer on this site, went back for a labial reduction.  She paid for her flight and accommodation, and it appears that Dr Chett does not charge for any part of the surgery.  You'd probably need to wait at least 6 months in order for healing to be complete and swelling to go down before he would consider any revision.

You're going to be in excellent hands with Dr Chett.  I have been following many women here who have been fixed by him during the last year, and the level of satisfaction is very high.

Hugs
Julia

[Wynnflaeth64]

Thank you both so much for your responses and for the links Laura_7, they really helped! I do think some good relaxation is in order! I also think some of the nerves have been because of dropping the pill last week in prep for the surgery. It's the worst feeling having the fog descend into your head again!

I'm glad to hear that there have been some good experiences over the last year with Dr Chett. For some reason, it's very hard to find other transpeople in SA, I don't know a single one of my hormone doctor's patients! I've only heard from him that Chett has done some really good work but hadn't met anyone, so it's really nice to hear that he's still doing well

Hopefully we do have a chance to meet Julia, as apparently it's hard to meet other girls at the Dusit. I'm scheduled for 2 July, I still can't view profiles so if you wanna PM and organise something please do!

I seem to have found somewhere that sells dilators with an easy-grip handle which I'm sure I've seen advertised by other girls on these forums before. I'll be sure to keep shopping around! Otherwise thank you so much for your help and the positivity!
xx

[Laura_7]

Glad it helped 

Well concerning the pill you might ask  Dr Chett if it makes sense to bring a few patches along in case you have menopausal symptoms and want to start earlier...
just ask their permission then...

from another posting the stopping mostly refers to oral intake... but to switch it should probably be months before...

hugs

[SorchaC]

Hi Wynnflaeth64

I'll do my best to answer your questions as I've had my SRS with Dr Chett

My dilation routine was wrecked by not being able to locate a supply of lubricant that was suitable to make dilation comfortable. Dr Chett has you dilate using number 1 (I nicknamed Tiny Tim) for about 10 days, You'll then add number 2 (Tom) at the start of week 2. You'll go onto number 3 (Roger) in week 4 which for most people is the first week after they get home. Number 4 (Ivor) is supposed to be started in week 9. I can honestly say I couldn't have done number 3 while in Bangkok. The first week was hard for me. The lubricant you use can be a difference as well. I couldn't find one thick enough to stop the friction and the dilator sticking so I contacted Chett as I was due to move to number 4 and I couldn't even think of trying that. Chett said as long as you maintain full depth with numbers 1 & 2 the rest can be done anytime you're comfortable. I wanted a supply of Q-C gel that he supplies but he couldn't ship me any. I eventually found a supplier in Singapore willing to courier it to Australia and I have this week started number 4 without any problems. I achieved full depth first dilation which is within the 2-3 month period you mentioned as possibly being a problem. If anybody wants the name of my new supplier message me and I'll send you a link.

Chetts dilators are 8 inches, As i only got 6 inches I find Chetts dilators to be a good length but should you get more depth then there are some options. I am not 100% sure of the brand names so best not mention them and get them wrong. What allot of people seem to like is bigger sizes of width but I am not looking for a boyfriend so I think 32mm number 4 will be enough for me 

My friend Dusty stayed at the Dusit and due to a bit of a situation I spent a night in her room. I never had any issues logging either my phone or laptop to the wifi, All Chetts patients get free wifi, For entertainment I took a 3TB external Hard Drive with me which could be connected to my laptop, I also took an android TV device which when connected to the hard drive let me watch everything on the TV

I have stuck to Chetts dilation routine partly because I am used to it and also because if doing Suporns caused me damage Chett would just say well you didn't follow my advice and so I'm not responsible. While I love Chett for the wonderful job he did on me I will add he is quite strict and if he doesn't think you're doing it his way he will just refuse to help. As for revisions, I do need one which we knew about in Bangkok, He won't do it until I am 6 months post op and even then he said not to make a special trip because it's no serious, To me it is and I will make a special trip but then I love Bangkok so I'll have a nice holiday as well

I'm sure Suporns dynamic dilations work equally well and he is also a great surgeon I just chose Chett and so I figure to do what I'm told, This is something we've all wanted desperately and so while I agree 2 hours is allot each day whether you do it in 2 or 3 goes the benefits of it are what we all want. From listening to others who have been post op longer than me you only tend to be dilating every day for a few months. Dilation is something we all choose to do our own way after a while.

I hope it all goes well for you as it did for me. It's a wonderful month if maybe a bit wet at this time of year.

Hugs

Sorcha 

[Wynnflaeth64]

Hi, thank you both!

Unfortunately, Sorcha is absolutely correct, the guy can't be persuaded to let anything past him! I begged him to let me at least stay on Androcur and avoid having T come back but *all* hormonal medications needed to be stopped. I've considered patch forms but my body is exceptionally sensitive to hormone changes so my doc and I stuck with tablets as it was far easier to maintain a steady level. I may also be pessimistic, but I don't think patches would fly with Dr Chett either 

I'm glad to hear you move up in sizes quite quickly, I was under the impression things went way too slowly! I had heard someone suggest to bring a supply of Astroglide as it's more gentle on your tissue and Chett approved so perhaps I might do that if lubing up becomes a problem.

I'm glad to hear they're 8 inches. Someone had been complaining that their fingers were right up to their vulva during dilation which made it difficult, so I had this impression (as I couldn't find their lengths mentioned anywhere) that they were ridiculously short! Good to hear it's not so, though the dilators with handles still sound pretty useful!

Thanks for the info about the net. I assume you had to use a login to access the WiFi. Was it an issue sharing a login, or do you think it might be best to ask for two?

That's a very good point about the you-break-it-you-bought-it stance. I can understand that if something went wrong during dilation, you'd probably be on your own. I don't know, I guess that's something I'll have to feel out when the time comes. It's good to hear you can start to adapt the schedule later on though! Guess we all have to find what works for us and is safe

Thanks for all the advice! Yeah, I hear it's also going to be quite hot this next month, but that's what air-conditioned hotel rooms are for 
xx

[SorchaC]

Hey Wynnflaeth64

You could take a supply of hormones with you and then if you're struggling to cope without them he will agree to allowing you to take them. Being in a distressed state is worse for recovery than the potential DVT risks associated with taking E before a long flight.

I've tried 4 or 5 different lubes even sweet almond oil that I use for massage but none had the same lubricating effect as the Q-C Chett supplies and will sell you for 60 baht a tube once the 6 he gives you run out. If you have heard astroglide is as good then pack 15 tubes with your stuff. When dilating 3 times a day you will soon go through it. The baby wipes Chett gives you in your pack can be bought in Tesco Lotus cheaper than you can buy them from Chett. You can also get the mats he gives you for under your backside while dilating and initially for sleeping on. I'm sure someone will be there who is fit enough to walk that far. If not Chett will sell you whatever you need.

My friend gave me the room log in and we were both on our laptops at the same time. The net is as fast as most places have. It's more than 10mbps but the exact number escapes me.

It's always warm in BKK but can be wet in the rainy season and when it rains it's a sight to see. I want to go now you've gone and got me all excited about the place 

Please excuse the chopping board underneath, I just wanted something white so the numbers were clear to see. This is my number 4. As you can see the numbers are clearly marked and unless you get 7+ inches of depth you can easily hold on to it.



Hope that helps

Hugs

Sorcha