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Keri:
Congratulations!
Bring a canvas laundry bag to carry your post-op incidentals; it will also respectfully conceal your Dr. Chettawut donut.
There are an ever flow of new arrivals, current patients, post-ops, and SOFFAs at the Baan Siri Cottages to keep you company; the other residences may have a certain amount of isolation.
Baan Siri Cottages' 'Trans Alley' provides an enjoyable comraderie of Dr. Chettawut's patients. Regardless where you stay, download a translator app to help you communicate with fellow residents who may not speak or understand English as a first language.
Everyone post- or pre- helps those recently discharged and under Dr. Chettawut's orders to stay in bed or at least remain 'confined to quarters'. They will take you on tour to see Bangkok's sights during your initial pre-op and pre-cleanse days. They will take you shopping and show you what to buy as you stock up before you go to the Chettawut Clinic. They will do your errands, shopping, and bring breakfast in bed when Dr. Chettawut approves you to resume your diet. They will share left-overs.
Partake the Thai street foods - fish roll, pork, chicken, fried eggs and banana, 'crispy critters' if you dare. 'Dragon fruit' is a great big kiwi - if you like kiwi, then you will love dragon fruit.
There are plenty of nearby banks to exchange your Dollars for Thai Bhat - current February rate is 35 THB per Dollar.
Dr. Chettawut's post-op in-patient diet plan includes miso soup, crackers, hot chocolate, and warm soy milk. They will all be quite tastey during your immediate post-op condition.
Dr. Chettawut's in-patient nurses stay with you round-the-clock. They are awake for you when you are awake and awake for you when you sleep. They will administer your meds on schedule, do vitals on schedule, and give a daily sponge bath to you to make you feel comfortable and clean.
You will quickly be restless, want to get out of bed, and want to walk mere days post-op. No no no! Dr. Chettawut forbids that. The only approved time you will get out of bed is when you walk downstairs to your ground floor recovery room and then when you are discharged to return 'home' to your recovery residence and go straight to bed.
Nurse Sri and Nurse Noi are gems. They are Dr. Chettawut's touring nurses who see every one of his patients every day - except Sunday. You will find that day off as refreshing as they. Keep the nurses aware of your condition; follow Dr. Chettawut's med schedule and request med refills if necessary. Keep a diary to help discuss your progress with Dr. Chettawut and his nursing team as well as for your own self-reflection and remembrances.
Sri will teach you correct dilation technique and supervise you until you do it correctly. Dilation is quite easy; sometimes so boring that you might fall asleep. Some start with the 'candle', others go straight to #1 and graduate to #2 before their discharge and return home. Tie a wipe tissue or string at your mark to be sure you complete your task. You'll quickly learn to do just the correct amount of lube - too little and it is tight, too much and you will dribble.
You will use the mirror to help dilation as well as watch your progress as your swelling reduces.
Dr. Chettawut requires you remain physically sedate at least your first week to 10 days post-op 'back home' at your recovery residence. Too much physical movement will disturb your sutures or cause injury. There were a spate of such un-authorised physical activity during January this year that Dr. Chettawut and his team are adamant that you follow 'doctor's orders' completely.
There are four English language TV stations on regular TV (one similar to American CBS, another similar to American NBC, British ITV, and SyFy). Some Baan Siri cottages provide satellite that includes a movie channel from China that shows un-cut American movies (go figure). Otherwise, there is wi-fi to occupy your confinement. You can watch YouTube videos or bring your Netflix or Chromecast with you; this is when your HDMI cable or dongle will come in handy.
Thailand is quite gracious. 'Ka pung kah' is 'thank you' and it will take you well to say it frequently.
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