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Solo GRS With Chet on 07/26/2016

Started by IWentWithChet, July 24, 2016, 09:56:23 PM

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IWentWithChet

So, I don't know. This is a thing people do now, I guess. Since I'm doing this alone and not many others are, maybe it'd help???

Anyway, I arrived in Thailand a couple days ago. Have been mostly sticking to the hotel room on a clear liquids diet. Basically, juices without pulp, soda, and clear broth soup (which the Dusit Princess is very able to deliver to your room - just ask).

Overall, things have been pleasant-ish. Bit irked that Chet wouldn't accept either of my letters. I only had a copy of my letter from my therapist, since she was unwilling to provide me the original (for... reasons???), but Chet needed original ink. I took a copy, digitally removed her signature, brought it back to her, and asked her to resign it in ink - she did. Chet didn't accept that since it didn't 1:1 match the original signature I sent via pdf. Just be aware - if you go with Chet, you'll need your signature on your letter with the ORIGINAL pen ink. Not printer ink.

Ah well. What ended up happening was I had to go to the local hospital and get two random therapist people to write me Thai letters of recommendation. Asked me standard questions - was pretty quick. Very in and out. The second lady barely spoke English, so it was a bit strange, but she was a very, very kind, adorable old like 95 year old woman. I appreciated her effort with the language to help me out - as someone who professionally speaks a second language, I know how hard that is.

During my consultation with Chet, he said that he would 'do what he could' with the vaginal length, which was quite concerning since this was after he commented that my penile length was one of the smallest he's ever seen. But since he doesn't use penile inversion, this wasn't him being pessimistic. It was just him saying that he had no idea what he could accomplish since it depends on inside factors.

I asked him the odds of complications or death and he said he'd 'do his best.' I'm, uhh, hoping that's just not having the best bedside manner (as above). If I don't post that I'm okay later, I guess I died??? Bit concerned about that, but I'm too late now.

Yesterday, I had to take two pills of laxatives and do a bulb enema. Neither really did anything lol. Enema felt WEIRD, but nothing really spectacular happened after it was flushed out.


As we speak, today, I'm doing the Swiff solution. I took my first dose about 50 minutes ago - no real impact so far. Didn't taste nearly as bad as everyone says it does (I mixed it with sprite, as per Chet's recommendation). I'm a little bit concerned neither it, nor the laxatives yesterday, had any impact, but maybe that's because there's nothing in there?

I'll be taking the next dose in like 7 hours or so.
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Mariah

Hi and welcome to Susan's. Sometimes it can take more of the stuff than we think before the job is done, but you shouldn't have anything to worry about. Others should be able to chime in more. Congrats on your upcoming surgery. I look forward to seeing you around the forums. Good luck and Hugs
Mariah


Things that you should read




If you have any questions, please feel free to ask me.
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Carrie Liz

Thanks for the info, I'll be going to Chett in about a week myself, so good to know.
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SorchaC

Hey there,

Chett never commits more than he'll do his best, I was small too after  an orchi and being circumcised so all he told me was the only good skin he would have was the graft. I still got 6 inches. He is very shy with claims about depth because his technique means even with a huge penis you can end up with less than you expect. I wouldn't worry too much about not being promised a certain depth. I also doubt you'll die either. Rather than worry about his lack of grand claims I would focus on the things you can do something about like being relaxed and positive, It will help your recovery :)

I had the same concern about his laxative pills then the enema which did very little, The swiff will certainly clear you out and sprite or coke was a good call because it tastes foul. I didn't think too much for his drink to stop dehydration. I found I'd sooner drink a bottle of swiff than that rubbish. Gatorade tastes much nicer and does the same thing :)

If you have any questions today or tomorrow I'm in Bangkok and will call you if you message me and want a chat :)

Good luck with the surgery, If you need anything answered please message


Hugs

Sorcha  ;D
Full Time : July 2007,  ;D ;D
HRT : December 2007,
GRC, (Gender Changed on Birth Certificate) December 2009,  :eusa_clap:
SRS Dr Chettawut March 2015, ;D ;D
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Sharon Anne McC

*
(Bangkok, Thailand - Monday, 25 Jul 16, 1 pm hour)
(Phoenix, Arizona, USA - Sunday, 24 Jul 16, 11pm hour)

To:  IWentwithChet, Carrie Liz, and others:

You'll do well at Dr. Chettawut.  I have been corresponding with him for the past year and corresponding with others who have gone before you.

I recently composed a composite of experiences to my web-site that I hope supplants what you can find here at 'Susan's Place' threads from others who preceded you.

You need not go with depth.  There are lesser procedures that give you four to five inches and do not require extensive dilation schedules.  You have time to discuss this option with Dr. Chettawut.  Follow orders on his chart.  If you received it in your package, it looks daunting now but is easy once you start.  Nurse Sri and Nurse Noi are your friends.  They will teach you what you need to know post-op.

It is not so much Dr. Chettawut but the Royal Thai government that obligates all Thai surgeons to produce documentation.  That explains why he sent you to Pramram 9 Hospital (where he usually sends his patients) and you spoke with the federal counsellors.  It is usually a 'rubber stamp' - if you had no trouble passing your evaluations at home, then you are not likely to have any complication at Thailand.

Yes, you are reasonable to ask about mortality rates.  Bear in mind that Dr. Chettawut is one of Thailand's 'Big 3' and one of the world's best.  You are in his good hands.

Good for you that you are doing your cleanse.  This is critical because any bowel contents could contaminate your operation site.  Be very sure to be very clear as your big day approaches.  Drink plenty of water; that will hasten your cleanse.  Be certain not to exceed your deadline for last water - set an alarm - otherwise you will be thirsty while waiting.

Know also that when you awake on the other side that your simple meals of warm soy milk, warm chocolate, miso soup, chicken soup, and crackers will taste as good as any steak dinner or whatever is your desire.  Certain medicines must be taken on an empty stomach otherwise you might vomit; Dr. Chettawut and his nurses will instruct you.

You'll hear occasional rustling in your first recovery room just behind your left shoulder.  That is your 24-hours nursing team there with you to attend to you.  They will help you when you are awake and command you get sleep when it is time to get rest to heal.

Follow doctor's orders and all will be as best as they can be.

You will not require much to bring to the Clinic.  Maybe a change of clothes (to wear fresh clothes on your drive back to your recovery residence) and your computer (to send e-mails once you advance to the first floor recovery room).

Make arrangements with Dr. Chettawut about visitors or others who might be there while you are there.  Keep in mind that he is obligated to comply with privacy requirements.  He can not tell others you are there without your permission, nor can others know you are there without your permission.  Perhaps you two will want to connect with each other as soon as possible so that you can share permissions with Dr. Chettawut. 

You may also want to arrange adjacent rooms especially if you both will be staying at the same recovery residence (Dusit).  Companionship is important now during surgery and recovery.  If you are at different residences, perhaps agree to change so that you are together.

Keep a good diary. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you will cherish many years in the future.

My best wishes to one and all.

Thank you, too, Sorcha.
*
*

1956:  Birth (AMAB)
1974-1985:  Transition (core transition:  1977-1985)
1977:  Enrolled in Stanford University Medical Center's 'Gender Dysphoria Program'
1978:  First transition medical appointment
1978:  Corresponded with Janus Information Facility (Galveston)
1978:  Changed my SSA file to Sharon / female
1979:  First psychological evaluation - passed
1979:  Began ERT (Norinyl, DES, Premarin, estradiol, progesterone)
1980:  Arizona affirmed me legally as Sharon / female
1980:  MVD changed my licence to Sharon / female
1980:  First bank account as Sharon / female
1982:  Inter-sex exploratory:  diagnosed Inter-sex (genetically female)
1983:  Inter-sex corrective surgery
1984:  Full-blown 'male fail' phase
1985:  Transition complete to female full-time forever
2015:  Awakening from self-imposed deep stealth and isolation
2015 - 2016:  Chettawut Clinic - patient companion and revision
Today:  Happy!
Future:  I wanna return to Bangkok with other Thai experience friends

*
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TinaVane

Um at "I asked him the odds of complications or death and he said he'd 'do his best.'" Yes i know every surgery has its risks but has this man caused anybody to hit 6 feet under with grs ? did he say this in a joking manner or what
C'est Si Bon
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IWentWithChet

So the Swiff did end up working, though it took like an hour or two. And the second dose was much more potent than the first. It's not the horrible experience people seem to think it is, at least it wasn't for me. It means, generally speaking, every half hour or hour or so, you'll feel like your bowels are 'loose' and end up in the bathroom for a couple minutes. At least that was my experience. It's an annoyance, but not much more.

Gotta say though - I'm getting REAL sick of apple juice and plain chicken broth.

Quote from: TinaVane on July 25, 2016, 09:11:29 AM
Um at "I asked him the odds of complications or death and he said he'd 'do his best.'" Yes i know every surgery has its risks but has this man caused anybody to hit 6 feet under with grs ? did he say this in a joking manner or what

I have read one report online that he has done so, but there's no verification and it was on one of those suspicious "anti-Chet" blogs (that all seem to be run by a single person?), so I'm a little dubious of it. Other sites I've been on have said that there's no recorded instance of a death from SRS.

As he certainly wasn't joking, my guess is that it was just his having kind of a bad bedside manner. Since he doesn't know what will happen, he says he'll do his best. That sort of thing. I could be wrong, but that's what I suspect, given he said the same thing for depth.

Still, it wasn't really the comfort I needed haha. As I'm quite overweight/obese (above his recommended BMI, but he was willing to help me anyway, partially because I'm young [mid-late 20's] and otherwise healthy), I'm a bit worried. That said, if diabetic patients 40-50 years older than I am can do it, I don't see why I can't...
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debbiinpink

Hey girls I will be arriving in Bangkok on the 7th of August, staying at the Dussit Princess and having my srs on the 12th.
Hit me up!

Deb
Writer/Director & 4 time Emmy® winner
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SorchaC

Hope it all went well and you have a speedy recovery, You'll have already met the wonderful nursing staff by the time you read this so here's hoping that all the pre op confusion has cleared and you have a great result

Hugs

Sorcha  ;D
Full Time : July 2007,  ;D ;D
HRT : December 2007,
GRC, (Gender Changed on Birth Certificate) December 2009,  :eusa_clap:
SRS Dr Chettawut March 2015, ;D ;D
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IWentWithChet

Well THAT sucked.

Went well, but my right hand has been numb for the last 14 hours with no improvement. Kinda concerned. Did this happen to anyone else?
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Dena

#11
I can think of several reasons you hand is numb but normally that doesn't happen. I would suggest you talk to the nursing staff or doctor so they are aware of it and possible they might explain what happened.
Rebirth Date 1982 - PMs are welcome - Use [email]dena@susans.org[/email] or Discord if your unable to PM - Skype is available - My Transition
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  •  

Jessika

Please keep us updated, hope they figure out what the numbness is and remedy it.
Get well soon.
My Fantasy is having Two Men at once...

One Cooking, One Cleaning.  ;D 








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jujubes1986

Quote from: IWentWithChet on July 27, 2016, 09:52:39 AM
Well THAT sucked.

Went well, but my right hand has been numb for the last 14 hours with no improvement. Kinda concerned. Did this happen to anyone else?

i hope they find what is wrong...





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IWentWithChet

One of the more troubling things is that one of the nurses literally doesn't know the word "pain" or "medication" or "hurt" or "painkiller." Whenever I need them, I have to struggle with her for minutes before she goes to get another nurse who speaks English. This has happened several times now. It's... A bit disconcerting. Considering what I've heard of the pain of FFS, I'd genuinely be a bit scared to do that.

The other nurses are better and one speaks English quite well. But it's random who you get.

Numbness is apparently because they were using that arm for blood pressure monitoring. Still not recovered, but I think I'm barely starting to get feeling again?
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IWentWithChet

So that nurse is the only one in staff this morning. I'm trying to ask for pain medication, but again she doesn't understand. She said I can ask the doctor when he arrives. I asked when that was and she said she doesn't know. I don't know if she didn't understand the word "when" or if she didn't know when he was arriving.

Normally you get painkillers after meals - so I asked when lunch was to try to get around this language problem. She said 6pm, not knowing the difference between lunch and dinner. So much for that plan.

I really want to stress that the other nurses are quite good - but it's kind of amazing that they assign a nurse who can't really speak English enough to know the word "pain" to look after English speaking patients... This is getting to be a problem. Hopefully she's just new and will improve with time. I know English is a really difficult language, but I don't really feel confident with her looking after me.

Thankfully SRS pain isn't TOO bad (mostly just very uncomfortable), but... If I was getting FFS...


Edit: NEVERMIND. The really fluent nurse IS here. But the first nurse didn't understand "other nurse please" so she didn't know what to do. Thankfully the other nurse checked up on me on her own so I am getting my pain meds. Oof.
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IWentWithChet

Just had the "drain" removed. The second of three tube things in me. The first was the IV and the catheter is still in me. That'll be removed in a couple days alongside the vaginal packing.

Idk exactly what it was "draining" but that was the first thing that had a piercing, stabbing pain when it was removed. It lasted for a bit too, but it's fine now. Definitely tolerable. Tomorrow morning, I head back to the hotel. And it shall be glorious.

Though i should say - the food here at the clinic has been pretty good. First day or so you got warm soy milk and hot chocolate. Then, after that, it's hot chocolate, some kinda creamy corn soup, and cheese crackers. Even so... To be able to control my own meals (within limits) is the ultimate dream.
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EmmaD

Hi,
I was where you are now in late December. Everything seems to be going well for you.  I didn't need pain relief outside of what they gave me so there wasn't much communicating required.

Drain removal wasn't painless but I really didn't like the epidural being removed. Still, no mishaps so all good.

Take it easy when you are back at the hotel tomorrow. You need lots of time to get going again so relax and take it easy. 

Thinking of you up there in the warmth of Bangkok rather than winter in Melbourne!

Hugs
Emma


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
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confused_very

are you able to help the nurse out by trying to understand at least some rudimentary words that they can interpret in  their language (no matter how bad you pronounce them) rather than relying on them to understand english?
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SorchaC

On my 3rd day post op I'd progressed to Miso soup the soy milk and hot chocolate and all was fine to me but the previous night I hadn't slept so well because I was on my back, I was half way through the miso when I vomited into the bin then again a few minutes later. When I told Noi she banned me from miso soup. I was progressed onto biscuits and chocolate  ;D

Quote from: EmmaD on July 29, 2016, 05:30:55 AM

Take it easy when you are back at the hotel tomorrow. You need lots of time to get going again so relax and take it easy. 

Thinking of you up there in the warmth of Bangkok rather than winter in Melbourne!

Hugs
Emma


Emma is right, Don't overdo things for a few days and you'll get the benefits in how well you recover :)

Emma I've been in Bangkok for the last month, It's way too hot and humid, I was caught in a storm a few days back trying to get a taxi for 30 minutes and the rain was a relief to cool me down  ;D Give me a Sydney winter anytime  :D

Hugs

Sorcha  ;D
Full Time : July 2007,  ;D ;D
HRT : December 2007,
GRC, (Gender Changed on Birth Certificate) December 2009,  :eusa_clap:
SRS Dr Chettawut March 2015, ;D ;D
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