My experience with GRS and DR Chettawut

[Keri]

So
Had surgery February 20th.
I experienced no pain post op.
A little discomfort at most.
I have 7 inch depth even with dilator #3 which is on schedule for his dilation recommendation.
I have been fortunate enough not to need a donut to sit on.
Although I feel better in a cushy chair.
I have no idea why my result is so good.
I am not recommending any doctor, that is a personal decision we must all make on our own.
To me, the trip to Thailand and surgery will forever be the most amazing experience of my life.
Anyway, just so hard to believe I am now post op.
I am continuing therapy for several more months.
Anyway, just th out I would share my experience in a short post.
Keri

[Lauren O]

Thank you for the update. How did you find his clinic? He is my choice of surgeon but the way he does it in a clinic rather than a hospital makes me nervous.

[Laura_7]

Thank you for the update. How did you find his clinic? He is my choice of surgeon but the way he does it in a clinic rather than a hospital makes me nervous.

Here were a few comments on surgeons:

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,193067.msg1721458.html#msg1721458

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,204651.msg1819020.html#msg1819020


OP congratulations on the result and wish you a speedy healing 
Some people use probiotic pessaries after three months to help install a healthy flora, for example femina flora .
You might talk that through with your doc.


*hugs*

[Keri]

Thank you for the update. How did you find his clinic? He is my choice of surgeon but the way he does it in a clinic rather than a hospital makes me nervous.

I found the clinic fine.
It really depends on your age and health but he does some surgeries in the hospital.

I had Ffs and body shaping all done at doctor facilities.
If insurance had paid for GRS I would have done this in the USA
So happy I had it done with CHETT
So far every decision I have made was perfect for me.
Dumb luck I suppose.
I am 56 and had a 7 hour surgery.
Woke up smiling
Keri

[FrancisAnn]

Great for you. It's nice to see that you are healing up OK. I'm sure you are happy with a nice 7 inch depth. My friend Pauline in England mentioned you & your success. I'm a ways off yet however I sure look forward to finally becomming a normal complete woman. Take care & good luck healing up completely.

[EmmaD]

Hi Keri,

I am very pleased for you as I am for everyone who has an easy time of it. 

As for the "Chettawut Plastic Surgery Centre", I also had no issues with it at all.  I was in a hospital bed, nurse care 24/7, TV and air conditioning, wifi, catheter and drains working properly, fed and not throwing up after the first meal.  Nothing to complain about at all.

For those reading this, my experience with my recovery has not been nearly as straightforward as Keri's but I still have no regrets.  Keri's surgery was 2 months after mine and I think she has recovered more than I have!  I have just gone to the No 3 dilator which is way slow but is right for me.  My issues are mine and have arisen due to having very little material to work with leaving Chet with a few challenges.  He succeeded though and I am very happy.

Dilation is still a challenge but Chet and I agreed that I follow my own schedule.  It is getting better every day.  Patience and perseverance are the key.  Fitting it in around working is a nuisance but I am managing.

Recovery wise, I had a large amount of nerve pain that has just gone (surgery on 22 December so it has been a while).  I also have ongoing discomfort when dilating but that too is slowly going.  What  have learnt is that as long as there isn't a crisis, wait to see what happens.  Tomorrow is usually better and the day after better still.

One thing that shouldn't be under-estimated is the effect of general anaesthesia on you afterwards.  I had an operation 5 weeks before GCS so 2 generals in that time probably wasn't ideal.  The same thing happened when I had FFS but with only 4 weeks separation.  I think I need to stop going under the knife!

Absolutely no regrets here!

Emma

[shelleyg]

I have recently contacted his office.

Very courteous and prompt reply. It really sounds like a viable option, especially since US surgeons have really long waiting list.

I will start to read up on the various experiences here. My first major concern is dilating 3x daily for *two* years....certainly for any surgeon, this is just one of the necessary hardships. But like many I suppose, Im just wondering how you pull that off when working full time, no option of privacy, and I live hour from work.

[Keri]

Hi Keri,

I am very pleased for you as I am for everyone who has an easy time of it. 

As for the "Chettawut Plastic Surgery Centre", I also had no issues with it at all.  I was in a hospital bed, nurse care 24/7, TV and air conditioning, wifi, catheter and drains working properly, fed and not throwing up after the first meal.  Nothing to complain about at all.

For those reading this, my experience with my recovery has not been nearly as straightforward as Keri's but I still have no regrets.  Keri's surgery was 2 months after mine and I think she has recovered more than I have!  I have just gone to the No 3 dilator which is way slow but is right for me.  My issues are mine and have arisen due to having very little material to work with leaving Chet with a few challenges.  He succeeded though and I am very happy.

Dilation is still a challenge but Chet and I agreed that I follow my own schedule.  It is getting better every day.  Patience and perseverance are the key.  Fitting it in around working is a nuisance but I am managing.

Recovery wise, I had a large amount of nerve pain that has just gone (surgery on 22 December so it has been a while).  I also have ongoing discomfort when dilating but that too is slowly going.  What  have learnt is that as long as there isn't a crisis, wait to see what happens.  Tomorrow is usually better and the day after better still.

One thing that shouldn't be under-estimated is the effect of general anaesthesia on you afterwards.  I had an operation 5 weeks before GCS so 2 generals in that time probably wasn't ideal.  The same thing happened when I had FFS but with only 4 weeks separation.  I think I need to stop going under the knife!

Absolutely no regrets here!

Emma


Emma

I feel the same about dilation
What a hassle but it's getting easier.
Lucky for me I office at home.
I was prepared for post op depression but still does not help much when we get down
I am sensitive and emotional today.
I am not one to be depressed but wow I sure have a battle to fight.
Some other things in my life I am dealing with could be making it worse.
Anyway good luck with continued dilation.
I doubt we will have to go two years 3 times a day❤️❤️❤️

[Vii]

I have recently contacted his office.

Very courteous and prompt reply. It really sounds like a viable option, especially since US surgeons have really long waiting list.

I will start to read up on the various experiences here. My first major concern is dilating 3x daily for *two* years....certainly for any surgeon, this is just one of the necessary hardships. But like many I suppose, Im just wondering how you pull that off when working full time, no option of privacy, and I live hour from work.

The dilation routine with Chett is pretty rigorous, I'm also not sure how I feel about that. On the other hand I'm not bothered by the fact he's using a clinic rather than a hospital. I've already had better experience in the clinic I had FFS with than some hospitals I've been to.

His secretary on the other hand is a godsend... I booked my flight on a too late date and they just moved my surgery to a weekend day, no questions asked. I apologized and said I'd reschedule since I can do that free of cost anyway... That is to say I've had a lot of contact with her so far and the professionalism with which she handles things isn't something I've seen before. Even though it's all just business, I love writing mails with her. She answered questions I really should have asked but would never have thought of. Very much looking forward to meeting his team this summer 

[TinaVane]

Congrats honey ... I heard when dr chest is done with you he put you in like a small room with not that much space...


P.S
a lil off topic but I always wanted to ask have you ever did injections or do you have cheek implants ? I have myself back in the 90's ....

[TinaVane]

I found the clinic fine.
It really depends on your age and health but he does some surgeries in the hospital.

I had Ffs and body shaping all done at doctor facilities.
If insurance had paid for GRS I would have done this in the USA
So happy I had it done with CHETT
So far every decision I have made was perfect for me.
Dumb luck I suppose.
I am 56 and had a 7 hour surgery.
Woke up smiling
Keri

wow you look good for 56
i thought you was my age like 41

[Keri]

Congrats honey ... I heard when dr chest is done with you he put you in like a small room with not that much space...


P.S
a lil off topic but I always wanted to ask have you ever did injections or do you have cheek implants ? I have myself back in the 90's ....

Hi Tina,
I found the room nice enough cozy .... and nice tv on the wall.. I was great for the recovery.. nice and quiet too.

i had fairly nice cheeks already.. I did have a little fat transfer there.  I thought it was almost too much but you lose about 30 percent and rest stays ..
So it worked out pretty good.

The other thing I like about Dr. Z is the revisions if you are unhappy with anything.. He is amazingly kind. I love him
I accidentally called him today thinking I was calling the clinic.. he answered the phone sitting in an airplane getting ready to have to go to airplane mode..  And he took a lot of time to chat and catch up with me..
Keri