SCARED (CHETTAWUT BOOKED)

[whatever]

So I booked my srs with Chet for November this year and paid the deposit a few months ago. However, I've been feeling increasingly unsure whether this is the right surgeon for me and if I am not making a huge mistake. I want SRS 100% and there is no question in my mind on that! Nevertheless, I don't believe I was in the right state of mind when I made the booking and sent the deposit. The more I read on his technique, the more I realised that this is a huge deal and the operation is markedly riskier than the PI surgery.

My main concerns are as follows:
- operation time of 6 hrs is double that of the PI surgery. This increases the risks of infections and other complications.
- recovery time is significantly longer
- there is more pain involved due to the technique
- the graft could potentially fail and the scrotal skin is more difficult to stretch and dilate
- after care reviews, once you fly off from Thailand are pretty dismal. Seems like you're left to your own devices. What happens if something goes wrong once I'm back in the UK?
- I'm not concerned with sensation, depth or appearance so much, I'd be happy just not to have anything down there.
- long haul flight increases the risk of DVT. OR imagine if one starts bleeding on the plane?
- to top it all off I suffer from panic attacks/anxiety and hate being on planes.

I had an appointment with my doctor here in England and he pre-warned me of the risks involved with going to Thailand. He was adamant that the risk is high and that the PI technique is preferable. Reluctantly he wrote the referral because at the end of the day it's my decision.

I know this may seem like a bit of a rant but if anyone has any advice or thoughts I'd be very pleased to read them as I feel very confused at this point.

[AnonyMs]

I've read more complaints about UK surgeons than I have about Dr Chettawut and There's no way I'd go to the UK. The advantage in the UK it's free and many people are scared of travelling to a foreign country for surgery.

You can find heaps of posts online, on this site and others, about srs with Chettawut. I think it should be fairly reassuring about what it's like. There are reports of problems with Dr Chettawut, but there are with all surgeons, and personally I'd rather risk him than the UK (My personal choice would be Suporn in Thailand, but I think I have different priorities and he retiring anway).

I'm not entirely sure, but I think a the long recovery is more Suporn than Chettawut. The both do non-penile inversion, but not completely the same.

The aftercare you are concerned about, after you leave Thailand, is in the UK. At least in Thailand you're under medical care a lot longer than in the UK. I believe it's quite short there.

From another point of view women are flying from all over the world to have srs in Thailand. How many are flying to the uk to do it?

[Miss Clara]

I chose to have my GRS done by Dr. Chet.  I think he was a good choice.  Let me comment on your concerns:


- operation time of 6 hrs is double that of the PI surgery. This increases the risks of infections and other complications.

>You will be placed on a antibiotic for several days post-op to prevent infection.  Dr. Chet works out of his own surgery center so the risk of contracting an infection is less than in a general hospital.
>Dr. Chetawutt is very conservative in his practices which will minimize the chance of complications, plus you are required to stick around for 3 weeks post-op so that any complications can be addressed before returning home.

- recovery time is significantly longer

>Recover time will vary from patient to patient.  For me it was not long.  On day 6 post-op I walked from Vertical Suite to the Paradise Mall to buy a HDMI cable.  I was on my feet for an hour and a half, and felt pretty good.  I was instructed not to leave the hotel, but it gives you some idea how quickly I was recovering.

- there is more pain involved due to the technique

> I was pleasantly surprised how little pain there was when I woke up after surgery.  They gave me pain medication while in the surgery center and more to take back to the hotel.  I have say that breast augmentation was much more painful than GRS.  BTW. they provide a doughnut cushion to sit on so that pressure is not applied to the surgery site.  It works very well.  Dilations were a bit painful while inserting the stent, but only for a short time.

- the graft could potentially fail and the scrotal skin is more difficult to stretch and dilate

> This is news to me.  I'm not aware of what graft failure involves.
> The difficulty in inserting a stent is stretching the vaginal entrance (introitus) due to the contraction of the muscles the surround the opening.  Once that's stretched open the stent slides in with minimal discomfort.

- after care reviews, once you fly off from Thailand are pretty dismal. Seems like you're left to your own devices. What happens if something goes wrong once I'm back in the UK?

>As I mentioned, you are required to stay in Bangkok for 3+ weeks post-op.  You will have to be cleared to go home after Dr. Chet evaluates your recovery/healing.  It's possible that something could happen after you return home, certainly, so you are wise to have a contingency plan should medical after care becomes necessary.  My primary care physician was prepared to help with any late materializing complications.  None occurred, thankfully.

- I'm not concerned with sensation, depth or appearance so much, I'd be happy just not to have anything down there.

> That is certainly the key goal, but having a very natural looking vulva and functional vagina is really nice.

- long haul flight increases the risk of DVT. OR imagine if one starts bleeding on the plane?

> Minimal risk of this happening three weeks after surgery.  If you have a history of DVT, I would definitely take precautions like wearing compression socks and getting up and walking frequently.

- to top it all off I suffer from panic attacks/anxiety and hate being on planes.

> Well, why didn't you say so.  That changes everything.

[Rachel]

You may want to have your PCP review your anxiety and the potential for medication to assist you.

[AnonyMs]

There's a blog post about fear and anxiety that might help

https://lifesexperimentblog.wordpress.com/2016/12/05/what-i-couldve-done-differently-to-avoid-the-fear-and-anxiety-i-had/

Personally I'd go for drugs if I had uncontrollable fears. I'd just check with Dr Chettawut that any drugs you take are safe for surgery. You'll probably be given tramadol in Thailand, and if you're taking a SSRI it could kill you.

[annquance]

Hi, I am in the verticle suite now awaiting srs with dr Chettawut on the first. There is no way I would have this done back home in uk. His technique is years ahead of what we do back home. I came hear last year for breasts and forehead. I would trust no one else to do this op. I did my research a couple of years ago and decided he was one of 2 surgeons I could trust. The other was Supporn. They both use the same technique. If you have doubts only you can do decide whats best for you. Me personally, I am very confidant I have the best man for the job.
Love Ann xxx

[LiliFee]

There are other choices too... you could look into Dr. Schaff (Munich) or Dr Djinovic (Belgrade) too. They operate with a technique similar to Suporn's and Chett's, only they're in the EU so the risks with complications and long flights are reduced. Also, they don't shove you into an hotel with minimal medical care after a week and since they're in Europe, your chances of having your health insurance pay for the costs are significantly better


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[whatever]

is anyone having their surgery with Chett in early November? I'm flying direct from London in the beginning of November completely on my own None of my friends or family can take time off to be with me I'm so scared

[LucyTuring]

Hi whatever.

I'll be on Thailand on late October and I'll fly back home in November, so I think we could see there.

Do you have booked the hotel?