Susan's Place Transgender Resources

October 29, 2015
When we arrived in Bangkok on the 29th.  We were able to bypass the long lines of people seeking a 30 day visa since we already had our tourist visas which are good for 60 days and extendable to 90.

Our driver, Dome, was waiting at door #3 to take us to The Vertical Suite hotel one of three hotels at which all of Dr. Chettawut's patients stay.  Our one bedroom suite was not ready in the morning so we left our bags at the hotel and went shopping at the huge Seacon Square shopping center just across the street.  A second shopping center, Paradise Park, is also across the street from our hotel, so we had plenty of choices for purchasing things we would need.  We stocked up on bottled water, Gatorade, fruit juices, and other things that I could eat when on my liquids-only diet ahead of surgery.

Our hotel room is on the 14th floor providing a nice view of Bangkok.  It has a fully equipped kitchen including a washing machine that also dries the clothes.  We have wifi in the room at no extra charge, and a free buffet breakfast each morning with a large selection of foods to choose from.  I was only able to eat solid food the morning of Oct 30th before having to go on the liquids-only diet.  My wife, Cheryl, had no such restriction, however.

October 30, 2015
We had a full breakfast at the hotel that was quite good.  Dome picked us up at the hotel at 9am and drove us to the Chettawut Plastic Surgery Center for my pre-surgical consultation with Dr. Chettawut.  It went well. There were a lot of documents to read and sign. Cheryl even had to give her consent -- that was a surprise. I wonder what would happen if she refused......We were able to rent a cellphone for our stay at a cost of 1000 BHT ($33).

Dr. Chet had me pull my pants down to expose my genitals, and a nurse took a picture.  His initial opinion was that I wouldn't need extra skin grafts from my groin area. The amount of scrotal tissue appeared to be sufficient.  He asked what my expectations were for the surgery, so I told him that I was hoping to end up with a depth of 5-1/2" to 6".  He said he always tries to attain that depth but it may not be possible due to the existence of scar tissue connecting the rectum and prostate gland, but he would do his best. 

The prep starts tomorrow. I'm only allowed to consume clear liquids then, so today is my last chance to taste Thai food. This morning we went grocery shopping at the big Tesco Lotus supermart in Seacon Square which is just across the street and very convenient. They take Visa, Mastercard, and several other credit cards. All the guide signs are in English as well as Thai so it's easy to do shopping here. It's amazing how many familiar US merchants have store fronts here in the mall.  Kind of takes the mystery out of coming here.

The old Thai neighborhoods are another story though. Nothing familiar about them. Our driver, Dome, took us through one of these areas on the way to the surgery center this morning.  Fascinating mix of traditional and modern Thai life.  The trip from the hotel to the clinic took 15 minutes. By taxi it costs 100 baht ($3).

Seacon Square in Bangkok is one of the largest shopping malls in Southeast Asia. It's just across the street from our hotel. We have yet to explore all of this vast shopper's paradise.....We had a nice Thai lunch today at MK Restaurants. I can't get over how inexpensive it is to eat here. Drinking, on the other hand, is expensive. A bottle of wine that costs $7 or $8 in the US runs $20 here.

October 30, 2015
As my gender transition rapidly draws to a close (at least the physical side of it), the question has been asked whether I will stay involved in the trans community.   I would certainly like to be a part of the movement to end discrimination against transgender people, but there is a personal cost to doing so openly.

Most trans women and trans men elect to go "stealth". That means that they try to conform to the binary gender conventions of society and avoid disclosing their history. Many trans people are indistinguishable from non-trans people, and by hiding their past, avoid anti-trans discrimination. There is always this fear, though, that someone will 'out' you.

Although I'm very open about my being transgender to most people I know, in other real life situations, I don't normally call attention to my gender change. There's little to be gained personally, and often much to be lost. Most cisgender people of my generation want nothing to do with us 'freaks'; some are openly hostile. It makes life much easier to simply be perceived as a 'normal' person.

I AM a normal person, and, as I see it, not mentioning my gender past is to not invite a scornful reaction based on someone's ignorance and past conditioning. I'm also not putting someone else on the spot of having to confront any lingering doubts about how they feel about trans people. I leave them to judge me on my personal character and other things that really matter, not on my medical history.

On the other hand, if I hide my history, people won't see another of the many transgender people who contradict the myths and misrepresentations of what it means to be transgender. When you think about it, my being transgender has about as much bearing on 99.9% of the people I come in contact with as, say, someone having recovered from prostate or breast cancer. That would be ZERO!

October 31, 2015
I had one last WPATH SOC hurdle to get past before I could proceed with GRS surgery.  It was obtaining a 2nd referral from a licensed psychologist.  Dome picked us up at 11:00am and drove us to the Praram 9 private hospital in central Bangkok.  After a wait of over an hour, I got in to see the psychiatrist who asked me several questions that altogether took about 10 minutes and then said he would recommend GRS surgery.  That was quick, and only cost 10,000 baht.

In the afternoon it was back to shopping.  We bought more bottled water, chicken broth, bread, peanut butter, and a few other items.   I was unable to find an HDMI cable to connect my Dell XPS 13 Ultrabook to our flat panel TV, so I ordered one through Amazon to be delivered to our hotel.  So far, watching movies and TV has not been a favorite activity.

November 1, 2015
Day 2 of clear liquids only. I'm well stocked with water, sports drink, apple juice, Jello, and Campbell's chicken broth. Tried to buy a six pack of Heineken's but it was not permitted until after 5:00pm at the Tesco Lotus supermarket.
I didn't feel like going back later just to get beer.  I felt a sore throat coming on and decided to put on my PJs and climb into bed. All I needed was to have my surgery date slip due to a virus! (sigh)

So here it is, 5am, and I'm feeling a bit better sipping on what looks and tastes like lemon-lime Gatorade, but who knows. The Thai alphabet has over 60 characters, each one beautiful in form, but impossible to sound out.
I plan to stay in today and just read a book, watch a movie, and take naps.

November 2, 2015
The sun is just up here this Nov 2nd morning (it's 5:30) and I'm just a few hours from doing my first Swiff bowel cleansing treatment.  I do a second treatment later today. Tomorrow is my big day. The surgery is scheduled from 3 to 9 pm. Yes, 6 hours, under general anesthesia. This is serious invasive surgery. I've been under nearly that long before, so I'm confident things will go smoothly tomorrow. It's a strange feeling to one second be counting backward from 100, and the next second hearing, "How are you feeling, Clara?" No sense of time having passed during the operation. I'll spend four nights in the surgical center recovery area under the watchful eyes of my beautiful Thai nurses who are friendly and attentive. Pain? Just push the morphine button or pop a pill. Nausea? Well, I'm hoping I don't experience it. Cheryl will be allowed to visit me for one hour the next day and three hours each of the next two days (kind of stingy on the visitation policy, imo).

The Swiff was no big deal.  I think my bowels were nearly empty from having been on a liquids only diet for two days.  Still I had to stay close to a toilet.  My sore throat is gone, so I don't think that will prevent me from my date with the Dr. tomorrow.

November 3, 2015
Okay, so here I am waiting for my ride to the clinic.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-wUm5ZU3eOdw/Vj4FDPAmJQI/AAAAAAAADrY/itGOULgnFdQ/w1733-h1155-no/Clara%2BPre-op.jpg)

What's going through my head at this moment? Let me organize my thoughts.....

I'm excited. I'm filled with anticipation. This is the most momentous step yet in my gender transition, and the decision to have gender reassignment surgery is obviously going to be life changing.

It marks a huge discontinuity in my life. Most of my life was spent living as a man. It was a constructed persona of a man, but to the world, I was a man. That person is no more, and later on this evening will never be again.

The finality of my decision is a testament to my confidence that I know who I am. Being true to oneself is the greatest gift anyone can hope to receive next to life itself. That's really all it is; so simple, yet so hard to achieve.

This is the final step in my rebirth, a rebirth which will correct the mistake that was made so many years ago. If my mother were here she would hear the doctor announce: "Mrs. Smith, it's a girl!"

Any links to my past identity that remain will be broken today. I will escape out from under the shadow of my former existence and face what remains of my life as a woman, sure and strong. The need to drag parts of my former life along with me will fade. I'll replace my looking back with only looking forward. Every new day will be an adventure and an opportunity.

But first, I'm going to be awfully sore.....

November 3, 2015
We arrived at the Chettawutt Plastic Surgery Center shortly after 1:00 PM.  Dome arrived to pick us up at the hotel exactly on time as is his practice.  I was hustled into a small room and told to undress and put on a robe.  I had worn my wig as well, so I also took that off, and put everything in my suitcase.  I was then taken up a flight of stairs to a room with a bed, and told to lie down on it.  A young Thai nurse came into the room and said she needed to shave me.  It became clear that the robe was just in the way, so I took it off for the duration of my four day visit.  It quickly became clear that this was no place for modesty. Having someone shave your genitals was an interesting experience.  Were I a fully T'd up man, I'm sure I would have gotten an erection.  Thankfully, that was not the case.

Nothing much happened right away after I was shaved.  Eventually I heard voices and laughter outside the room.  That lasted for another 15 minutes.   It was approaching 3:00 when someone came into my room to insert an IV in the top of my left hand.  I think it was Dr. Chettawut.  He then said a few words while the anesthesiologist connected me to whatever it is he used to knock me out.  I heard him asking me if I could hear him over and over again until I couldn't.  The operation took place.

When I awoke from surgery not long after 9 PM. I was back in the same room where I started.  Everything is rather vague at that point, but I remember Dr. Chettawut telling me the everything went very well and that he was able to achieve my anatomical goals.  He also said it was one of his best GRS surgeries, whatever that meant.  The operation took 6 hours, as was expected.  Cheryl, who was back at the hotel, was informed by phone of my coming out of surgery in good shape at about 10:00 pm that evening.

I spent that first night in the upstairs recovery room.  Cee, the young Thai nurse who was assigned to me, spent the night on a mattress on the floor next to me.  She would get up every so often to check on me – mainly to check my heart rate, BP, and temperature.  She did this in the middle of the night, too.  I don't remember much about that first night although she bathed me, had me brush my teeth, emptied my urine bag, and gave me a bunch of pills.  I think I slept pretty good that night and really had no sense of pain at the surgery site.

November 4, 2015
The next morning I was awakened rather early.  The days always started out with my nurse coming in, measuring my blood pressure, pulse, temperature and administering two antibiotic tablets.  Then, she'd have me brush my teeth and finally she would wash my body with a cool water solution of something that smelled like floor cleaner.

They helped me get out of bed and put on my robe.  I was quite shaky and dizzy, but still had no sense of pain.  Then, these three nurses, one on each arm and another in front of me, walked me down the famous Chettawut stairs, complementing my every step.  I wasn't all that sure I could do it with my legs being very weak, but I made it to cheers all around.   It was then just a short walk down to the last recovery room on the left where I would spend the next three nights.

I was fed a breakfast of cocoa and soy milk.  The cocoa had soy in it too, I think, and it tasted alright, but the taste of the plain soy milk was something I never took a liking to.  Still, I ate everything along with about eight more pills.  Yes, lots of pills every day. 

At lunch it was miso soup and more soy milk.  The miso soup was alright but had chewy stuff in it that made me think it wasn't the best quality.  They don't ask you what you'd like for a meal.  You get what they feel like giving you or what you last had.  There were three other patients at the center, so maybe they try to feed everyone the same thing. 

At supper I asked if there a choice of drink and soup.  The more senior nurse offered me miso, creamed chicken or creamed mushroom soup.  I chose the mushroom soup and plain cocoa (no soy in it).  That was a mistake.  Too watery.  All in all the food was lousy, but I was having symptoms of nausea that made eating and drinking  disagreeable, in general.  They don't want to give you normal food right away in order to avoid you having a BM before the vaginal incisions are healed up pretty well.

Cheryl came to visit me at 1:45 PM for an hour.  That's all the time they allowed that first day.  I always looked forward to her visits.  It was the highlight of every day.  I filled her in on all the details that I could recall.  It was not much time.  I was still feeling pretty good.  Cheryl shot this photo of me in my recovery room.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-FHVqgEaeXew/Vj4J6lQAMNI/AAAAAAAADsI/-wqGTarZfx4/w1733-h1155-no/Clara%2BPost-op.jpg)

I was fed a supper of mushroom soup again and cocoa, again, not asked if I wanted something else, but between soy milk and watery cocoa, there wasn't much of a choice.  I tried to read a little, to go on-line, and watch TV, but nothing worked out for me.  I was becoming more and more uncomfortable.  Lying in bed is not helpful for me.  I seem to get headaches if I lie in bed and try to read or chat on-line for more than a few minutes.  That's what happened.  I was plagued with a headache in the frontal lobe almost from the start and my nausea got worse.  The pain meds they gave me didn't help, and, in fact, I wondered if the meds were actually causing the headaches.

Dr. Chettawut came to see me twice during my recovery.  He is such a sweet man.  I was also experiencing itching on my upper body.  I told him about it, and he said it was a side effect of the morphine he gave during surgery.  He prescribed something to quell that itching, and shortly after the nurse administered the injection through my IV port, the itching subsided.

Evening brought a return of the data monitoring, bathing, and urine bag emptying ritual. I was then encouraged to drink more water....drink more water.  I would have if I could have, but it was hard to drink water from a bottle lying in bed and the nausea didn't help either.

Whenever meals were brought in, the nurse would always flip to the FOX Family channel which had cartoons.  She never asked me if I wanted to watch TV, it was a given, I guess.  I usually switch the TV off.  I watched very little TV programmming even though there was quite a lot to chose from and most of it in English.  When you've got a headache and feeling poorly, TV does nothing for you.

Communications with the nurses was often a problem.  They speak only a modicum of English so it's impossible to explain the simplest things to them  -- like how I was feeling.  Forget about carrying on a conversation.  Nor did my regular nurse make any attempt to ask how I was feeling or if there was something she could do for me.  I found that sometimes, it just didn't seem worth the effort to get a point across.  There were lots of smiles and nodding of the head, but no real understanding when I'd talk to them.  The nurses were sweet enough in their way, but even that seemed scripted.  I sometimes felt like my nurse was a little robot programmed to care for me but with whom I could barely communicate my needs

The senior nurse spoke better English, so I was always glad when she came around.  It surprised me, though, when twice she said, "You are a lucky man."  What?  In a transsexual clinic the nurses don't acknowledge one chosen gender?

Nov 5, 2015
I was getting more bummed out than ever today.  Cheryl visited me from 2 until 4.  She  could have stayed another hour, but she said I slept most of the time she was there.  I guess that's true, but I had a hard time recalling that being the case.  Good thing she brought a book to read.  Still, it was nice having her there in the room with me.

The headaches continued and were getting me down.  They gave me more pills for that but they didn't help much.  I think my headaches stem largely from lying in bed with my head elevated with pillows.  They are muscle tenstion headaches that only respond to my lying flat or stand up straight.  I'm writing this back at the hotel sitting upright on the sofa, and although my butt hurts sitting on the donut pillow, my head does not.  I guess I have to take my pick....LOL.

My recovery experience seemed not to have as much to do with the site of the surgery as with the condition of my to head and stomach.  Go figure.

Nov 6, 2015
Nothing much to add.  No change in my status except that I was becoming increasingly depressed by the state of affairs.  It's been reported that other trans girls have experienced depression after their surgery.  Is this what they were talking about?  If so, it has little to do with the decision to have the surgery and everything to do with the recovery from the surgery.  Maybe the two are linked.  I certainly didn't experience any of this after my FFS surgery. 

I will say, however, that during recovery, my gender issues were the furthest thing from my mind.  My presentation was forgotten.  There were times I wondered what the surgery staff though of me, but only for a fleeting second.  Pain and sickness have a way of putting things in perspective.

One thing that started to come on was a sense of claustrophobia.  There's no window in the recovery room to look out on the world, no sunshine to brighten my day, and the constant running of the lower leg massagers (to prevent DVT) was becoming an irritation.  I had not been out of bed for three days, and it was really getting to me.  Gawd, I am such a winer.  Man up, girl!

Still, there was hope.  Nov 7th was my release day.  I would cling to that rainbow in the waning hours of my stay.  When I heard that I would be released early Saturday morning, I almost yelled out for joy.  This joy was enhanced when the senior nurse came into my room that evening to remove the two drains that had been installed to drain fluid from the incisions on either side of my vulva/vagina. The pain was minimal and very short in duration, but reminded me why I had come to Thailand.

Nov 7, 2015
I was awakened at 5:45am by my nurse who did her morning ritual.  After breakfast of chicken soup and soy milk (I hope never to eat these concoctions again) and a cracker (thank god for crackers), she began to ready me for my departure.  The senior nurse reviewed all the medicines that I must take continuing my recovery at the hotel.  They gave in two bags of goodies including the dilators that would come into play once the bandages and packing have been removed.  I got dressed and walked assuredly down the hallway to the front door where Dome was waiting to take me back to my home away from home.

Today has been a pleasant day of relaxation, some logging of my week's events, eating a modest amount of  solid food (crackers) and taking a couple of short naps.  The pain at the surgery site is minimal and easily discharge with one of the pain pills in my stash.   More later.

Hi Clara!

Thanks so much for your thorough and detailed story of your experiences.  I am amazed that you barely mentioned pain and discomfort at the surgery site.  Although I might have missed it, did they remove the catheter before you were released from the clinic?  And the packing.  Will it be removed at the hotel or will you have to visit the clinic in a few days for that process?  How was the ride from the clinic to the hotel?

Most importantly, I am glad that everything went smoothly during the surgery.

Wishing you a comfortable recovery!

Hugz,

Joi

I still have all the bandages and vaginal packing in place and a catheter attached.  The bandages and packing come out on Nov 10th and the skin grafts checked using a speculum.  Dilation with be demonstrated on the 10th as well.  On Nov 13th the catheter is removed.  Regular diet and my first shower is just 6 days away!  I'm already getting out of bed and moving about the hotel room, though I'm not supposed to.  I will not have to return to the surgery center.  The stitches disolve on their own.

Thank you for the fantastic GCS account.

OMG!  No shower for that long and still no solids.  I'll probably lose 10 lbs.  Which is OK with me.
Thanks for the additional details.
Be careful navigating your suite, but I forget you've got a live in helper.

Hugz,
Joi

Hi Clara,

Thanks so much for the commentary!  It has filled a few gaps and calmed my psyched up self a bit.  I was meant to be there next weekend BUT my gall bladder intervened this week and following its removal, I have had to delay a month!  Justified really as I am a bit sore!  Christmas in Chet's clinic!! Oh well, haven't done that before!

Wishing you a speedy recovery.

Emma

Sorry to hear about your having to delay a month, Emma.  I know that when I had my surgery scheduled, I counted the days down to when it would finally happen.  A delay would have been so disappointing.

It's been a week since I had my scrotal skin graft vaginoplasty operation, and today I will have the bandages and packing removed, and a first look at results.  Some have reported that the unpacking step is very painful, so I plan to take some pain meds this morning to take some of the edge off.  I will also have my first dilation with the guidance of my nurse.  That's also a painful step, so I'm girding for a rather pain filled, but exciting morning.

It was 1:45 pm on Nov 10th here in Bangkok. The nurses had just left after removing my bandages and vaginal packing, and inspecting the progress of healing. The verdict: Everything looks very good.

I was expecting it to hurt, but I felt no pain at all, even when the dilator device was inserted to measure the depth of my new vagina. Dr. Chettawut acheived my goal of 6 inches. It was all over so quickly and so easily, and I had the biggest smile on my face knowing everything has worked out great so far.

They gave me a mirror to take a look myself. It was beautiful! Beautiful even with hundreds of stitches still visible. They will dissolve in time, of course. Friday I will have the catheter removed so that I can venture out of my hotel room.

:) :) :)

That's great news Clara!  I just hope my post op experiences will be as smooth as yours.  Perhaps all of these fears about  the pain we will encounter is unfounded.  I know we're all different and each of us will have unique experiences, but your story is encouraging.

Thanks!

Hugz,

Joi

Joi, that's something we can all agree on.  We all react to SRS/GCS in our own unique way. 

Today, the nurse will drop in to show me how to do my very first dilation.  I think the #1 dilator tool will slip in easily.  We'll see.  I had my first BM last evening without difficulty.  I take a pain tablet every 4 to 6 hours which keeps the pain down to just above comfortable.  Sitting on my donut pillow works well.  I was cleared to take a shower today, too.  I almost feel human again, so I put on some makeup and took a selfie to brightened my spirits.  The catheter is probably the source of most of my discomfort, but I'm sleeping through the night with it, so it can't be all that bad.  Just two more days of that.  Not too bad for just 8 days post-op.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1tVDteI7wCQ/VkK0o7974ZI/AAAAAAAADtA/MOsaJ9d55vA/w955-h1155-no/Clara%2B8%2Bdays%2Bpost-gcs.jpg)

You're doin great girl and you pic reflects a new kind of radiance.  I wonder why!  mmmmmmmmmmmm!

Damn!  Before you know it you'll be packing for home. 

Yes, I've heard the catheter is annoying and somewhat of a dbl. edge sword.  You want it gone, but it's departure will get quite a send off.

Hang tough!

Hugz!

Joi

I did my first dilation yesterday (Nov 11) under the supervision of my nurse, Sri, from Dr. Chettawut's surgery center.  It was not bad at all.  It helps to use lots of lubricant, relax as much as possible, and learn the curving motion that is needed to guide it all the way in.  I have 6 inches of depth and the goal is to maintain that while gradually over time increasing the diameter of the dilator that I can insert.  Here is the set of four dilators that I was given.  I work up to #4, the thickest, by week 10.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-KzEjkECiFNQ/VkPFpVCQO3I/AAAAAAAADtw/CdgIqVN4U7M/w1525-h1048-no/Dilators.jpg)

I'm healing up quickly.  The nurse said that she'll remove the catheter today (a day earlier than originally scheduled).  I have noticed no bleeding either.  I guess I'm one of the lucky ones..... :)

Hi Clara,

Well done you!

I must say that No. 5 seems a bit extreme! I mean, you have got to be kidding me! >:-)

I hope it all continues to go smoothly for you.

Emma

You made me laugh, Emma.  No, #5 is strictly for lunch.... :D

My catheter is out now, and my dilation lessons are over.  I'm on my own for the duration of my time here.  I dilated this morning with #1 for 20 minutes, will do so again twice more today.  I've got to find a good way to pass the time while dilating to distract me from the clock.  Any suggestions girls?

Do your dilation routine together with another girl.
I did, and it was the greatest time I have ever had.

Your progress is so encouraging!  Enjoy!

Hugz,

Joi

Ten days post-op out front at Dr. Chettawut Plastic Surgery Center in Bangkok, Thailand.  I'm feeling great and able to walk about without discomfort.  I'm off pain meds now, too, but I still use my doughnut cushion when sitting.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-F5EAc7R3CBU/VkVSyDWdNmI/AAAAAAAADug/uLeQCe5gmDk/w878-h1048-no/Clara%2Bat%2BChet%2527s%2BCropped%2BSmall.jpg)

Superwoman!  What more can I say!

Hugz,

Joi

Ha ha!  Don't mean to brag.  I hope my experience will help calm the fears that we all seem to have going into this kind of surgery.  I will say that I still have a lot of fluid trapped in my lower abdomen.  Weird!

Thank you for your experiences! It's sure helped calm me down and I'm even more excited. One day.

I took a walk to Seacon Square yesterday afternoon to buy some groceries at Tesco Lotus.  It was good to get out into the fresh air after so many days confined inside.  I probably over did it a bit, but it gave me confidence that I'm on the mend.  I wear my regular panties and liner without discomfort.  There's very minimal bleeding that I can tell.  What's evident probably comes from having a dilation session.  The external visible incisions look quite healed and sturdy.  I had good sensation right from day 1 post.  No numbness anywhere.

Needless to say I'm thrilled with the results so far.

:)

Keep sending us all of this good news.

Although you said that you were tired after the trip to the mall, what I have read here would indicate that one could expect to be quite exhausted for a while after the surgery.  We're all different and will all have our own challenges, but I haven't read of a recovery as smooth as yours.

As I'll be at the Vaginal oops, I meant Vertical Suites as well.  any  feedback you have would be welcome. 

Hugz,

Joi

Joi, I'm happy to have chosen The Vertical Suite for my stay here in Bangkok.  As you would expect there are advantages and disadvantages depending on what you are looking for.

Advantages:
1. The rooms at actually suites, very nicely appointed, with plenty of windows, and good artificial lighting.  The suites include a full kitchen with washer and dryer, microwave, electric range top, large refrigerator/freezer, toaster, coffee maker, and, of course, a sink.
2. The bathroom includes both a tub and separate shower.  The toilet has a bidet style water sprayer.
3. There is A/C in the living room/kitchen and also in the bedroom.  It's a split unit, so it's relatively quiet.  Given the heat that is constant here in Bangkok the A/C is very important.  It runs a lot.
4. The included breakfast buffet has a variety of different foods, hot dishes, salads, fruit, juice, coffee, tea, cereals, etc.  You can almost make it the main meal of the day.
5.  Each room has it's own wifi router at no extra change.  Bandwidth seemed adequate for most uses with download speeds of 10 Mbps and uploads at 0.5 Mbps.
6.  There is a security safe for valuables.
7.  There's a flat screen TV in both the living room and bedroom.
8.  Room service happens daily with clean towels, trash removal, and beds made up.  Linens are changed weekly.
9.  The hotel is located directly across the street from the Seacon Square and Paradise Park shopping malls providing convenient access to everything you might find a need for including groceries, restaurants, banking, and, of course, all manner of shopping.
10. The hotel staff is friendly and responsive to requests of any kind.
11. I paid $52 USD/day for my one bedroom.  Not bad for a 4 star rated hotel.

Disadvantages:
1. Dr. Chettawut's patients are not located together as they are a the Dusit Princess or at Rama,  so you shouldn't expect to make friends with other trans women while here.
2. The outside A/C unit is located on the balcony which makes the balcony useless as living space while running.
3. Street noise and revelry can be heard late into the evening some nights for rooms facing Seacon Square.
4. The hotel has 24 floors with two elevators so waits can be a bit long at busy times of the day.
5. No outside local calls are allowed from your room.  You must go through the front desk.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CqffRiWllSI/VkbMsx-O8BI/AAAAAAAADvI/dhvjSQUjYvc/w1573-h1048-no/Clara%2Bin%2BKitchen.jpg)

Thanks for the Vertical Suites review.  Not many people have commented on the hotel and it is very helpful.  Not so sure it is where I want to spend Christmas and New Year but it is what it is. Actually, Christmas Day may be at the clinic!

You must be very pleased with your recovery.  You have given me something to hope for but not expect!

Enjoy the remainder of your stay in Bangkok and please don't overdo it.

Emma

The key factor in my decision about where to stay was to pick a place where my spouse wouldn't be driven crazy from boredom.  She came to Marbella, Spain with me for my FFS where we stayed in an apartment.  That worked out well. Having a place to stay that offered some of the same amenities of home was something that I knew was important especially as we would be staying in Bangkok for a month or more.

If I was coming here alone, however, I would have preferred a place where I might befriend other Chettawut patients.  I can't imagine not having others to talk to and bond with when working through the physical and emotional effects of this surgery.

OMG! I got a call from Dr. Chettawut's office this afternoon asking why I wasn't in my hotel room this morning when they showed up here at the hotel to see me.  Nor was I anywhere in the vicinity of the hotel.   Honestly, I thought that once the catheter was taken out, and I was trained to do dilations, that the nurse visits were over.  Not true.  They continue to monitor my healing process beyond that point.  That's good, I suppose.  I'll make a point of being in my room Monday morning.

It's November 15 -- day 12 post-op.  I'm feeling strong and energetic today.  We plan on taking another walk outside.  I think the walks are good for me.  I've been out on short trips to the mall twice already with no apparent difficulty.  Here I am this morning about to head down to The Vertical Suite dining room for a good breakfast.  I'm taking my doughnut cushion along to make sitting comfortable.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-u61NyTo4vT0/VkfnZETpTHI/AAAAAAAADv8/DJGbf3we_7M/w725-h1048-no/Clara%2527s%2BDoughnut%2B2.jpg)

You look super!

Thanks for all of the info on the hotel.

Hugz,
Joi

We took a walk down Srinakarin Street to the Dusit Princess hotel this morning.  Nice hotel!

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Jik-JjuXhM8/VkgS8eoLjpI/AAAAAAAADxM/pkiXt_prGCo/w1573-h1048-no/_DSC4336.JPG)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vdoCdoCN2zo/VkgS97sGrRI/AAAAAAAADxM/94ZnUHpwriE/w1573-h1048-no/_DSC4337.JPG)

November 18, 2015 and day 15 post-op.  Two of Dr. Chettawut's nurses come by every day (except Sunday) to check on my healing, and making sure that I'm taking my meds and doing daily dilations.  That routine will continue for another week.

I'm healing up very well, I'm told.  There's not much pain anymore.  I've given up carrying my doughnut cushion to the dining room for breakfast as the chairs are reasonably soft and comfortable without it.

We've been taking daily walks to Seacon Square to buy groceries.  I get a little tired after one of these 1 hour excursions but not enough to feel like taking a nap.  My red blood cell count is at the low end of normal range, so that part of the reason for the fatigue.

I'm still using the #1 dilator, and am forbidden to move up to #2 just yet.  That will happen this weekend.  I can see that dilations are going to significantly alter the way I plan daily activities for months to come.  It's easy to forget to do the one that should be done in the afternoon.  At some point I might switch over to doing the Suporn 'dynamic dilation' method for the benefits that are claimed -- less time devoted to dilation and better scar reduction/softening.

Quote from: Clara Kay on November 18, 2015, 01:25:44 AM
At some point I might switch over to doing the Suporn 'dynamic dilation' method for the benefits that are claimed -- less time devoted to dilation and better scar reduction/softening.

I'd be careful about doing that early on. Suporn does an examination before he allows the change from static to dynamic, although its typically 2 weeks post op. People have injured themselves when they try it too early. I suppose you could always ask Dr Chett.

I love the pictures of the hotel. Suporn needs to upgrade.

Quote from: Clara Kay on November 10, 2015, 01:10:21 AM
It was 1:45 pm on Nov 10th here in Bangkok. The nurses had just left after removing my bandages and vaginal packing, and inspecting the progress of healing. The verdict: Everything looks very good.

I was expecting it to hurt, but I felt no pain at all, even when the dilator device was inserted to measure the depth of my new vagina. Dr. Chettawut acheived my goal of 6 inches. It was all over so quickly and so easily, and I had the biggest smile on my face knowing everything has worked out great so far.

They gave me a mirror to take a look myself. It was beautiful! Beautiful even with hundreds of stitches still visible. They will dissolve in time, of course. Friday I will have the catheter removed so that I can venture out of my hotel room.

:) :) :)

I was also expecting pain today when the nurses came to remove the vaginal packing but it was a smooth, easy process. My depth is also 6 inches. Now I'm just ready for them to take this catheter out. Hopefully that will also be painless.

That's wonderful, Princess.  I'm glad you are feeling relatively comfortable.  It sure make for a better overall experience, doesn't it.  I know that we all react differently to this highly invasive surgery, but assuming that it will be an overly painful experience is probably not warranted.  Good luck on your recovery.  Who is your surgeon?

Quote from: Clara Kay on November 18, 2015, 03:20:21 AM
That's wonderful, Princess.  I'm glad you are feeling relatively comfortable.  It sure make for a better overall experience, doesn't it.  I know that we all react differently to this highly invasive surgery, but assuming that it will be an overly painful experience is probably not warranted.  Good luck on your recovery.  Who is your surgeon?

Chettawut also. I'm at the Dusit Princess but after reading your post I emailed Som about moving to The Vertical Suites. But recovery wise it really isn't painful just uncomfortable at times.

OMGosh!  You're here now?  Let's get together then.  When will you feel up for a visit?  I can come to Dusit.  How about Sunday the 22nd?

Quote from: Clara Kay on November 18, 2015, 09:04:49 AM
OMGosh!  You're here now?  Let's get together then.  When will you feel up for a visit?  I can come to Dusit.  How about Sunday the 22nd?

That would be great, I've been waiting to meet another girl to talk to. Sunday should be good for me. Dilation began for me today and OMG that was an experience! I don't know how I'm going to survive dilating.

Wonderful, Baby!  Sunday it will be.  No nurses to worry about on Sundays....lol.  Want to meet for lunch at the Dusit Princess?

Yes, dilation is a chore.  I always read a book to pass the time.  It makes it much more pleasant when the time goes by faster.

Quote from: Clara Kay on November 18, 2015, 11:44:12 PM
Wonderful, Baby!  Sunday it will be.  No nurses to worry about on Sundays....lol.  Want to meet for lunch at the Dusit Princess?

Yes, dilation is a chore.  I always read a book to pass the time.  It makes it much more pleasant when the time goes by faster.

Yes lunch would be great. Can't wait!

Great!  Around noon then.  I'll call up to your room from the Dusit lobby.  Let me know your room number via PM.  We can stay at the Dusit or go over to Seacon Square as you prefer.  This will be so nice!  Hugs.

Congradulations Clara.  I am very happy for you and that all went well.
I just wired my deposit to Dr. Chettawut's office for a June 16 surgery next year. 
If you don't mind sharing our thoughts, why did you select Dr. Chettawut for your surgeon?  Were the facilities clean and give you a feeling of a professional environment? 
To be honest, after all my research I just ran across a website for Victums of Dr. Chettawut.  It kind of scared me a bit.  Your experience has settled my nerves a bit.  I thank you for that.

Take care,
Stephanie

Quote from: StephanieMI on November 19, 2015, 03:51:08 PM
Congradulations Clara.  I am very happy for you and that all went well.
I just wired my deposit to Dr. Chettawut's office for a June 16 surgery next year. 
If you don't mind sharing our thoughts, why did you select Dr. Chettawut for your surgeon?  Were the facilities clean and give you a feeling of a professional environment? 
To be honest, after all my research I just ran across a website for Victums of Dr. Chettawut.  It kind of scared me a bit.  Your experience has settled my nerves a bit.  I thank you for that.

Take care,
Stephanie

here were some hints:
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,193427.msg1724551.html#msg1724551

If you are alone you might consider:
-at the rama you might make a friend who could help you during the first few days
-at the dusit the room service and service is supposed to be quite good... being more pricey but they might speak better english, and have a larger variety of meals... especially liquid ones...
and you might ask for a list of other patients so you might meet...


hugs

Quote from: Clara Kay on November 19, 2015, 03:41:44 AM
Great!  Around noon then.  I'll call up to your room from the Dusit lobby.  Let me know your room number via PM.  We can stay at the Dusit or go over to Seacon Square as you prefer.  This will be so nice!  Hugs.

I can't PM yet but my room # is 205. I will upload a profile pic so you know how I look.

I love the free breakfast buffet that is provided to guests at The Vertical Suite hotel in Bangkok.  There's plenty of variety of foods to choose from and tipping is not expected.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-RU4GziK5vG4/Vk6ngZjlCCI/AAAAAAAADxk/8hXUDf14UNQ/w1575-h1050-no/_DSC4349.JPG)

Thanks for the detailed report, Clara!

(Hopefully going to Chet myself at the end of next summer.)

You're welcome, Carrie.  I love to share for what's it's worth.   :angel:

Day 17 post-op:  I've moved up to the #2 dilator today.  I do #1 to depth of 6" for 30 minutes, then #2 to a depth of 5" for another 10 minutes.  This is done 3X a day for a total of 2 hours of dilation a day.  I don't know how someone who had to return to work could maintain this schedule.

BTW, getting #2 in the first time was quite uncomfortable.  It took me 5 minutes to reach the 5" mark.  I'm hoping it gets easier sooner rather than later.  No sign of bleeding, so that's a good sign.

BTW, clitoral sensation is so intense I can't take touching it for more than a few seconds.  I expect that will settle down in time.

Quote from: Princess_baby on November 19, 2015, 09:37:25 PM
I can't PM yet but my room # is 205. I will upload a profile pic so you know how I look.

Looks like I can't upload a profile pic yet either, so here's a pic to know who I am. See you Sunday.
<Link Removed at request of poster>

Wow, Princess_baby your are a so much beautiful princess !!!

Hi Princess,

Thanks for the picture.  You are so beautiful!  See you soon!

Quote from: Clara Kay on November 20, 2015, 04:18:28 AM
Day 17 post-op:  I've moved up to the #2 dilator today.  I do #1 to depth of 6" for 30 minutes, then #2 to a depth of 5" for another 10 minutes.  This is done 3X a day for a total of 2 hours of dilation a day.  I don't know how someone who had to return to work could maintain this schedule.

I've wondered this myself. If you look at the chart he gives you it fairly quickly ramps up to having you do fifty minutes three times a day. I just don't see how that's sustainable, especially not for the couple of years he wants you to keep to that schedule.

QuoteBTW, getting #2 in the first time was quite uncomfortable.  It took me 5 minutes to reach the 5" mark.  I'm hoping it gets easier sooner rather than later.  No sign of bleeding, so that's a good sign.

FWIW I had surgery with Dr. Chettawut September 30th (wrote about it here (http://"http://forum.lauras-playground.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=68691")). Getting used to #2 did go fairly quickly for me, #3 was a lot more of a struggle. At this point it's no biggie -- pardon the pun. A bit of a push needed first time in the morning, but for the second and third session I don't have any issue. I look at the rapidly approaching time when #4 will be used with more than a bit of trepidation, though.

QuoteBTW, clitoral sensation is so intense I can't take touching it for more than a few seconds.  I expect that will settle down in time.

For the time I was in Bangkok the nurse poking around to see how healing was going caused me to jump so hard I worried I was going to end up clinging to the ceiling like a hyper-caffeinated feline. Since getting home things have calmed down some, the whole random shooting pains and such seems to be mostly done, but to be honest I avoid touching any more than I need to in order to get dilation done.

Anyway, your comment about maintaining dilation schedule is something I've been wondering a lot about since I frankly don't see it as maintainable long term and I really wonder how or if most people do it.

Still following you Clara! Glad I switched to the to the "Vertical" after your recommendation.

Still waiting on my passport.  If it's not here by the end of the 1st week in Dec., I'll likely start to get really pissed off.

The dilation routine sounds challenging. But I know you are determined.  "This too shall pass"

Hugz,

Joi

Quote from: Myria on November 20, 2015, 11:09:51 AM
Anyway, your comment about maintaining dilation schedule is something I've been wondering a lot about since I frankly don't see it as maintainable long term and I really wonder how or if most people do it.

Yes, it is a question that lingers with me too, Myria.  I'm thinking that doing a quality dilation in the morning and another in the evening is all that can be reasonably expected of a girl once she goes back to her full-time employment.  Getting to dilator #4, however, is going to require a much more thorough dilation regimen than that.  Chettawut's dilation schedule shows that taking 10 weeks.  I wonder how many girls actually get to #4 and maintain their original depth.  I've arranged my schedule to be able the follow his dilation plan for 3 months.  After that, we'll have to see.

BTW, I did my third dilation with #2 this morning.  It was a lot less painful than the first two.  Yay! 

November 21, 2015 - Day 18 post-op:  I'm healing up very well with no sign of bleeding and only slight discomfort sitting even without the doughnut pillow.  I'm wearing my skinny jeans for the first time today.  How nicely they fit now without all that 'junk' in the way..... :)

As far as I understand it, your body will tell you how much dilation you need, and its different for everyone. You can do more or less depending on how it progresses, but only time will tell.

Quote from: Clara Kay on November 20, 2015, 09:40:20 PMI'm thinking that doing a quality dilation in the morning and another in the evening is all that can be reasonably expected of a girl once she goes back to her full-time employment.

That's kinda my thought as well. Even without the complications of a full-time job at the moment, working in an hour+ in the middle of the day can be problematic. With a normal work schedule I just don't see it being reasonably sustainable.

QuoteGetting to dilator #4, however, is going to require a much more thorough dilation regimen than that.

Eh, I dunno. #4 is daunting, to be sure, but then so was #3 and yet at this point it's not any real issue. I hope that for both of us the same will be true of #4.

QuoteI wonder how many girls actually get to #4 and maintain their original depth.

I'd like to think most that want to, do, but it's impossible to say. I will say I'm rather surprised, much as I probably shouldn't be, by how quickly the whole thing becomes normal, 'just one of those things you do', and how rapidly your body adapts. The swelling and all going down helps, though the nerves coming online semi-randomly is a tad problematic for a while. Aside from a bit of a setback caused by not being able to dilate for the 30+ hours of travel back to the US and the week or so it took to get used to dealing with #3, dilation has been pretty consistent for me with variation in depth between #1 and #3 being minimal to nonexistent, depending on session.

QuoteI've arranged my schedule to be able the follow his dilation plan for 3 months.  After that, we'll have to see.

Pretty much the same. I figured I'd give myself until sometime mid-January, by which time hopefully much of the healing will be done, and figure out what to do from there.

QuoteBTW, I did my third dilation with #2 this morning.  It was a lot less painful than the first two.  Yay!

Glad to hear it :).

Clara, Your story is so inspiring!! I have followed your threads from BN to here, and just so you know, the information and details you give us are important to many of us. For me, the biggest hurdle will be the finances but I know I will find a way. Thank you again.........

Thanks for meeting me for lunch Princess Baby.  It was fun! XOXO

Day 20 post-op.  My energy level seems to be back to normal.  I'm still tender, but pain-free.  There's still evidence of swelling in the lower abdomen, but it's gradually subsiding.  Functionally, and aesthetically, Dr. Chettawut did a good job.  I have no trouble peeing, and sensation is fine.  Pubic hair is coming back with no sign of it in the vagina or the inner labia at all.  It's now just a matter of maintaining depth and expanding the width through daily dilation.

I found that a gentle stirring motion (a la Suporn dynamic dilation method) helps to prepare for the insertion of the next sized dilator.  Dilation is initially painful (during the insertion), but once it's in, it can be very boring waiting out the clock.  My solution is to read a book.  Time flies when I read.  I'm already on my third book.

Quote from: Clara Kay on November 22, 2015, 04:45:39 PM
Thanks for meeting me for lunch Princess Baby.  It was fun! XOXO

No, thank you! I had a blast with y'all! You're both such sweethearts & I really appreciated y'all coming & getting me out of that room for the first time & treating me to lunch. Thank you so much!

P.S. I'm at The Vertical Suites now. Good luck on Wednesday I pray everything goes well! See you soon.

November 27, 2015 - Day 24 post-op. 

Today would have been my departure day, but we are staying for a couple more weeks.  I decided, and Dr. Chettawut agreed, that we could go ahead with an SMAS face/neck lift while I'm here in Bangkok.  The face lift was performed two days ago, with one overnight stay at the center.  My recovery is focused on that now.  I found that it was every bit as serious as my FFS surgery.  Fortunately, my GCS surgery has healed up nicely with almost no pain, so that helps me deal with the facial surgery recovery.  It's not a walk in the park, that's for sure.  I really hate the tight bandaging that makes it hard to breath at night. 

I'm doing 40 minutes of dilation 3X per day with the #1 and #2 dilators.  On December 1st I graduate to the #3 dilator and the sessions increase to 50 minutes each.  I know that getting that #3 dilator in the first time is going to be a challenge.

Can hardly wait to see your results. You're gonna have to change your avatar after you heal up.   I've thought about the neck lift as well.  I wonder if I should consider having it done at the same time as my GCS.  Could be that he won't do it at the same time.  My problem is that I can't stay additional weeks in Bangkok.

Was or is your post op neck lift discomfort manageable? 

I plan to post a msg. on the forum next month to see if there are any other girls that will be having their surgeries in the latter part of  Jan.

Hugz,


Belated Happy Thanksgiving!  Did they serve turkey for dinner at the "Vaginal" Suites?

Hi Joi,
Having survived both GCS and an SMAS face/neck lift, I can honestly say that I'm glad I had it done, but I'm sure the 2nd procedure coming so soon after the first (3 weeks) made my recovery a lot more difficult.  At just 4 days post-op on the face lift, I'm still sore and swollen, but the worst is behind me.

I was lucky that things aligned just right for me to have it done while I'm here in Bangkok.  Doing so saved me a lot of money.  Dr. Chettawut would not schedule me for the face lift until two weeks post-op on the GRS.  His okay depended on how well I was healing.  Then, I had to have another blood test to measure my red blood cell count (hemocrit).  Since I didn't bleed a lot during the GRS, I still had a good count, though on the low side of normal.  Then, there was his surgery schedule and finding a open day that I could squeeze into.  I had to delay my flight back home (paying a hefty penalty).  And, you'll have to get an extension on your 30 day visa unless you apply for a 60 day tourist visa before hand which I did.

If you cannot extend your stay, though, I don't think it's in the cards for you, Joi.  Chettawut requires that I stay on here for 10 days post-op for stitch removal and final evaluation.   By the time we get home, we'll have been here for 6 weeks! 

It worked out for me, I'm happy to say.  I'm devoting 3 months dedicated recovery time for my GRS when I get home, so accomplishing the healing for the face/neck lift at the same time minimizes my down time overall.

This marks the last of my major surgery plans.  I'm not planning any voice or breast surgery.  Body contouring is out because I don't have enough fat to move around.  Of course, I've made these kinds of promises in the past, only to violate them later.....so don't take me too seriously. ;)

You're the real warrior princess!

I guess I should just focus on the bottom stuff right now.  No need to overload the system.  I just thought that the neck lift might be a little less intrusive.  This stuff is additive and being in recovery myself, I have learned that we have a tendency toward other forms of addiction. Plastic surgery is a fine example and it's a whole lot more expensive than a bottle of Stoly.

Heal quickly!

Hugz!

Day 27 post-op GCS.  I would be back home by now if I hadn't elected to stay longer for the SMAS face & neck lift procedure which I had done 5 days ago.  I'm still wearing the compression bandages on my head, and I'll be so glad when I can take them off for good, but I'm told they must stay on for a month if I want to get the best results from my face lift.  (Sigh.....)

I hardly think about the bottom surgery anymore except when time comes to dilate.  It's the swelling in my ears, face and neck which are causing me discomfort now.  The swelling in my ears is painful and makes it hard to hear anything.  I'm expecting in the next two or three days to see big improvements there.  I sure hope so.  Having to endure the aftermath of major surgeries for so many days does have a depressing effect on my state of mind.

A face lift is not really feminization, of course, it's rejuvenation.  But for us girls that are transitioning late in life, resurrecting a few years of a more youthful appearance to match our new rather youthful mental state is very welcome.  It's something to keep in mind when planning one's transition.  It can be major factor in determining one's mental health during and after transition to feel happy on the one hand to finally be yourself, but to realize on the other that life has passed you by.

Day 28 post-op.  I introduced Dale to my vagina today.  Dale is the name I gave dilator #3.  There's Slim, Chip, Dale, and Max.  It took quite awhile to get him in....Oh my, the stretch is painful and the fit is soooo tight.  It helped to prepare the way by doing a 10 minute dynamic dilation with Chip (#2).  I think it's really important to follow the dilation instructions to the letter in the beginning to avoid letting the scarring get the upper hand.

Hi Clara!  Almost sndz like you're havin fun. Nice touch with the names.

? Did you have to purchase a different "Sim" card for your phone after arriving in BKK?

And:  Were AC/DC converters available in the suite or did you have to purchase one or more?

Hugz,

Joi

Joi,
I rented a cellphone from Dr. Chet's office for 1000 baht and added minutes for another 1000 bahts.  I think it was a mistake, however, because the network provider is awful.  At least when we tried making calls from The Vertical Suite.  Too often we got 'Network busy', and, if not, poor quality voice.  It might be best to buy your own SIM card to go with your GSM phone.  Seacon Square has many mobile phone stores on the basement level.

You won't need any power adapters at The Vertical Suite as long as your device will accept 220VAC.  All the receptacles are designed to take American three prong plugs as well as European types.

Bring a washcloth with you.  They don't supply them standard issue.

Don't expect to buy a lot of clothing here.  Thai sizes are on the small side.  I wear a size 14 dress and couldn't find styles that would fit me.

Be sure to get a room with a washer/dryer combo.  Great convenience.  They'll supply you with all the cooking utensils and dishes you need.  Range top, oven and microwave are provided.

Remember, you can't stream Netflix here so find another way to watch movies.  There's no movies on demand on the free cable TV.

You can buy just about anything you need at the two shopping malls across the street.  There are three grocery stores and a 7-Eleven next door.   Prices are good, too.  There are restrictions on the time of day when alcohol (beer, wine, etc) can be sold.

No problem with currency exchanges at the malls.  About 35 baht to the USD is obtainable.  Better than at the airport.

Mall ATMs seem to work fine with Visa and Mastercard credit cards among others.

There's an English book store in the mall called "Asia Books" (2nd Floor at Paradise Park Mall).  Reasonable selection to choose from.

Got any other questions?  Just ask.   :)

Quote from: Joi on November 30, 2015, 10:49:29 PM
Did you have to purchase a different "Sim" card for your phone after arriving in BKK?

I understand its best to buy SIM cards at the airport, as they speak good English there.

Quote from: Clara Kay on December 01, 2015, 07:17:48 AM
Remember, you can't stream Netflix here so find another way to watch movies.  There's no movies on demand on the free cable TV.

That's a common problem in Australia if you want American services. You could probably fix it with a VPN.

One month post-op for my GRS and 8 days post-op for my SMAS facelift.  I'm starting to feel good again.  I got dressed, put on some makeup and went out to have lunch at the mall followed by a bit of shopping.  About 2 hours was all I could do before tiring.  But, all-in-all a good day.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ulje3wx6Tks/VmBPYINj-2I/AAAAAAAAD0Q/LcA8vXQS6ik/w703-h1055-no/Selfie%2Bin%2Bthe%2BMirror.jpg)

Congratulations, and you look fabulous!

You look great!  It's truly amazing what these surgeons can do.
Time to ditch that old avatar pic.

Hugz,

You look happy  :)


hugs

Hi Clara
I had surgery with Dr. Marci Bowers on October 20th 2015 and my surgery went well to without hardly any pain at all. I'm so happy for you and that everything went well. Its kind of funny in a way I had my best friend that lives in Thailand Fly here to stay with me. I feel so complete now and just want to vanish into the world. I pray for happiness for all that will make this journey in life as it is a very hard road that is not understood by a lot of under educated People.   

Big Hug's
Lyndsey

Here are some pictures of our suite at The Vertical Suite hotel.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--N6mgGgiKk0/VmPRZMWJgxI/AAAAAAAAD14/H1VWd0o4MmY/w1580-h1053-no/Kitchen.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-m1XKckRZbSw/VmPRZEzUrdI/AAAAAAAAD14/gvWTwsqUiLw/w1580-h1053-no/Living%2Broom.jpg)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-I2NVJ1I5u-8/VmPRWk1BKQI/AAAAAAAAD14/Te_2g_Nym7s/w1580-h1053-no/Living%2Broom%2B2.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-I5uqL6SDt_Y/VmPRS4cwVcI/AAAAAAAAD14/ul9zFj__gWA/w703-h1053-no/Bathroom.jpg)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-M4a_Xjkzf6g/VmPRYylgnHI/AAAAAAAAD14/j6nEn4iQrz4/w1580-h1053-no/Bedroom.JPG)

It's day 37 post-op GCS and day 15 post-op SMAS Facelift.  I had my final consultation with Dr. Chettawut this morning.  I had to strip down to nothing and don the white robe.  I was then led into the operating room and instructed to lie down on the operating table.  My legs were then spread and placed into the stirrups, like for a pelvic exam, which is what I was about to receive  ^-^.  The Dr. and two nurses poked around down there, took a picture, and put something into my vagina to see how the sutures were healing (not necessarily in that order).  After that he announced that he was going to perform a douche to clean out my vagina, but stated that it was already very clean due to my regular dilation ritual.  He said that as long as I'm dilating every day, douching is not really needed unless an odor is detected.  If I elect to douche, it should not be more than twice a week.

It was all over pretty fast.  He said everything looked 'perfect', and I was cleared to return home on my flight Sunday. 

I am so pleased with the results for both the GCS and the facelift.  Dr. Chettawut does excellent work.  He impressed me as being very conscientious, quite conservative in his methods, and an overall kind and considerate person.  The after care that his practice's nursing staff performs is well beyond anything you'd experience in the US or elsewhere I'm betting.  With daily nurse visits to the hotel where I was staying, were a complication in the days following surgery to arise, it would be handled without delay, as demonstrated when I developed an ear infection following the facelift procedure.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-umyQE01IuHg/Vmq5Cw1cz9I/AAAAAAAAD3o/ycoeDAn1BJo/w1890-h1190-no/Dr.%2BChet%2Band%2BClara%2BClose.jpg)

Well clara, while i can only dream of a chettawut surgeory, I read the whole post and saw that it helped out lot's of girls and you may have even made a friend! Im so happy that everything went smoothly for you :)

Wow!  How time flies.  Seems like you just got there and now you're all done.  Thanks so much for your dialogue.  It has been so informative. I'll re-read it again before I leave next month.

You new pic. is gorgeous!

Have a safe fight home & stay in touch.

Hugz,
Joi

Hi Everyone

I just want to say that there are a lot of GREAT Doctors out there and It is getting better all the time. I think that our world is starting to get noticed and there are a lot more people coming out at a much younger age. I wish that I could of but when I was young It wasn't even heard of at least I my younger years plus I do know that my father would have KILLED me and that I do know :'( It is so much better now than it was in the past. I'm sorry to say that it took my father whom I did Love to pass on before I came out. It has still been very hard for me as I have 2 brothers that really don't have anything to do with me and it has been years now. I have one sister that loves to throw me under the bus and dose not even look back. Then last night I get a phone call and it is Her trying to act like nothing has ever happened between us. I call this Bipolar and she is crazy. I will and wil always keep my guard up with her. She is also the one that is always asking the personal questions. I will never let her it to my personal stuff. I do not trust her at all. Then I have 2 other sisters one is my twin sister and the other is my youngest sister and they are both so good to me and we hang out together all the time. I have 3 children that my oldest daughter is like my best friend in the world and my son and I are very close. But my youngest daughter has nothing to do with me but this is even before my transition. She only comes by at Christmas or her Birthday or  when she needs money. Last year I told her that the well is gone dry and she yelled at me and i haven't heard from her once and I have tried several time to get ahold of her but she just don't call me back. I have 4 grandsons and 2 granddaughters that are all close to me. So sorry for the long rant but you are the lucky one who got to see it.

Hugs and thanks for letting me vent
Lyndsey Marie :'(

Thank you all for reading and commenting on my GRS experience.  I'm glad it was helpful.  I've been helped by so many who've gone before me that it's just my way of paying it forward.

I've only been in transition for a little over two years, but it seems like forever.  The hardest hurdle was just accepting myself for who I really am.  Then, it was deciding to make amends for all the years of denial and self-hate.

I learned that the decision to transition is, as much, a decision to change your life in a very fundamental way.  Trying to preserve your old life is futile.  You have to be willing to let everything and everyone go; to start over.  Only those who are willing to transition with you will have a place in your new life.  Some will choose to journey with you, others will not.

Being true to yourself is so vital to personal growth and happiness that it shouldn't be made a second priority in one's life.  But, isn't that what we've been doing for years and years?   Having missed the boat, so to speak, on confronting my transgender nature early in life for all kinds of reasons, the possibility of doing anything after years of conditioning myself to fulfilling a male role, suffering the ravages of testosterone on my body, and building a life around my constructed male persona, always seemed to be the most unattainable goal I could ever set for myself.  The obstacles were so numerous and onerous, I couldn't image overcoming them and finding peace of mind.

It was only when the pain of gender dysphoria became so great that these practicalities no longer held me captive, was I able to start my journey to find the person I had buried so deeply in this protective male shell.  That's when I decided that nothing was worth enduring the pain any longer.  It's a point that bodes great risk for transgender people because it sometimes leads us to escaping the pain altogether through suicide.

I'm here to say that our fears always seem to exceed the reality of our situation.  I've had trans friends say, "Well, you had so much going for you.  You pass as a woman, something I'll never be able to do." Or, "You had the money for surgeries, how am I going to afford that?"

What people don't see is the story of my struggle.  There was a time in the beginning when I, too, didn't think I could pass as a woman.  I was convinced that I could never make a go of transitioning to a more satisfying life.  My lack of insight, self-confidence, and just plain fear kept me frozen in my state of angst.

It was the example of others, the courage of others, the guidance and counseling of others that got me to set out on my own path of self-discovery and a better life.   

As Daniel Burnham, the architect of master plans for the development of a number of cities, including Chicago, Manila and downtown Washington, D.C. once said, "Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men's blood and probably themselves will not be realized. Make big plans; aim high in hope and work, remembering that a noble, logical diagram once recorded will never die, but long after we are gone be a living thing, asserting itself with ever-growing insistency."

Hi Clara,

You have indeed paid it forward with your story.  Thank you so much.  You have shared much with us which I am not sure I would be able to do.  We will see!

I will be travelling to Thailand this week with less uncertainty than before and I have you and others like you to thank.  I hope you have a safe trip home.

Emma

Emma,
I'm sorry that I'll miss you here in Bangkok since I am leaving for home tomorrow (Sunday) late evening.  I hope you have a successful surgery.  I fully expect you will.  Of course, it can't be considered a pleasant experience to subsist on a liquid diet for a week, and you will feel a certain amount of pain after having GCS surgery.  It won't be that bad though.  I can't believe I'm saying this, but I leave with a certain amount of sadness.  I'll miss the morning breakfasts, the daily visits by Sri, the fun shopping trips to Seacon Square and Paradise Park, the other trans girls whom I've met in passing....I've taken a bunch of photos though to remind me of my 6 weeks here.  It's been a good trip.

Thank you Clara  :)
I'm a bit of a lurker on these forums, but I have been following your story here with so much interest, as I'll be doing the same early next year, and one of my best friends is off to Mr Chettawut in a few days now!! (We're both from New Zealand). So much great information and insight into your experiences!! Thank you :)  it has really helped reduce my own personal fears of the surgery, and given me a lot to think about too..
Thank you so much!
Claire.

Quote from: Clara Kay on December 12, 2015, 01:48:24 AM
Emma,
I'm sorry that I'll miss you here in Bangkok since I am leaving for home tomorrow (Sunday) late evening.  I hope you have a successful surgery.  I fully expect you will.  Of course, it can't be considered a pleasant experience to subsist on a liquid diet for a week, and you will feel a certain amount of pain after having GCS surgery.  It won't be that bad though.  I can't believe I'm saying this, but I leave with a certain amount of sadness.  I'll miss the morning breakfasts, the daily visits by Sri, the fun shopping trips to Seacon Square and Paradise Park, the other trans girls whom I've met in passing....I've taken a bunch of photos though to remind me of my 6 weeks here.  It's been a good trip.

Well living in a hotel is always nice... no cleanup and fresh sheets...

You might come back some day for a visit and maybe assist some people...


hugs

This is a copy of my Transition Log entry for December 14th, 40 days post-op.

I'm writing this on the plane with just 7-1/2 hours left until we land at O'Hare Airport in Chicago.  God, this is a long flight.  It seems endless, but I know it will end, and the adventure will be over.

Dome (our Chet driver) picked us up at 10:20 pm Bangkok time on Sunday the 13th and drove us to the airport.  The traffic was amazingly light and it only took about 10 minutes to get there.  He dropped us off, got a couple of baggage carts for us and said goodbye (sa wa de krap).  We gave him a $20 tip for having to work so late on a Sunday night.  Thai people don't normally give tips for services, but we felt uncomfortable not doing so in some circumstances, so we often gave tips to the delight of the recipient.

We experienced the usual initial confusion about where to go to check in, but soon found the Qatar Airways Business Class check-in and got our two 50 lb suitcases checked through to Chicago.  Business class tickets cost double over economy class, but when the travel date actually arrives it's so nice to avoid the long lines at the airport, not to mention having 3 times as much space and great service on board the aircraft.  We coughed up the money for business class expecting a difficult time on such a long flight after just having had bottom surgery.  Although with the our extended stay in Bangkok, it's now 40 days post-op and I must say that I experience very little discomfort sitting even for long periods of time if the chair is cushioned.

Our flight took off on time.  Our bird was an Airbus A380 double-decker.  I really like that aircraft.  It's very quiet and the design of its BC seats is very practical and comfortable.  I didn't sleep much on the 6-1/2 hour flight to Doha, Qatar.  There was a modest but persistent amount of turbulence that bothered me all the way there.  It gave me restless legs.  God, I hate restless legs...

The food was good, but I can't remember what I ate.  Oh, yeah, it was some kind of breakfast consisting of yogurt and toasted granola, along with bread rolls, orange juice, and coffee.  It was enough.  I've really got to cut down on calorie intake when I get back home. I'm a bit over the weight I came at.

We arrived at Doha at around 9:00 am Bangkok time.  We made our way to the huge BC lounge area which we made use of on our way from Chicago to Bangkok back on Oct 27th.  OMG, that seems so long ago.  I was due for a dilation and wondered if there was some way to accomplish it there at the lounge. 

We looked for a woman's restroom and found one behind a rather classy restaurant deep into the lounge.  There were nice private spaces with floor to ceiling walls and lockable doors.  It was perfect.  I went into the room for handicapped patrons for the extra room and the lavatory.  I used the stool, but soon discovered that performing the dilation while sitting on the pot was not going to work.  The geometry was just not right.  Fortunately, I brought along my doughnut cushion from Dr. Chet's.  I placed it on the floor next to the wall, placed a large disposable blanket pad over it (I saved my last one for the flight back), and got out my dilation kit, K-Y lube, moist wipes, and a few paper towels.

I had no trouble inserting Chip, the #2 dilator, but then heard what sounded like cleaning people outside the door.  There were voices and sounds of mopping the floors.  There was a knock on my door.  I yelled, "Occupied" and continued to perform my usual dynamic dilation as described in Dr. Suporn's manual.  I switched over to #3, Dale, after 10 minutes while the cleaning crew continued to work.  I felt rushed, and only did Dale for 15 minutes which is actually all that's needed with dynamic dilation, but I usually go longer just to be sure.  It was a good session, though, and I knew that it's very important to do something even if it's short in duration.  I cleaned up and went out to find my companion who was sitting in the lounge waiting for me as expected. 

We each had some diet soda to drink.  I logged in to Facebook on my laptop and chatted awhile with a trans friend who lives in Florida.  Time passed quickly and we soon left  the lounge to locate Gate C5 where our Boeing 777 aircraft was being boarded for the flight to Chicago.

I don't like the 777 as well as the A380, but it does have the advantage of giving the A seat business class passenger more privacy than any comparable seat on the A380.  And it so happens that my seat number was 5A.  We still had a 14-1/2 hour flight home, and I would ideally want to squeeze in another dilation a some point on the flight.

The flight left at around 1 pm Bangkok time.  I had another breakfast meal, this time steak filet and scrambled eggs, after which I tried to get some sleep.  I did fall asleep, and when I awoke it was a little after 4 pm Bangkok time and the cabin lights had been dimmed way down.  I was overdue for another dilation so I thought I would try to perform one in my seat under a blanket.  Most everyone was sleeping, including my spouse, so it seemed like the perfect time to do it.

I got down my carry-on bag from the overhead bin and took out my dilator kit, pad, and wipes.  I spread the large pad down on the seat cushion to protect it from any dribbles.  I brought a mostly used up tube of K-Y lube which passed security inspection.  I got everything ready and settled into my seat pulling the blanket over me.  I undid my jeans and pulled them and my panties down to my ankles.  I then put a little bit of K-Y on my finger and pushed it into my vagina and worked it around to get it loosened up and ready to accept Chip.  It was rather dark in the cabin, so I took care coating the dilator with lube so as not to make a mess.  Chip went under the blanket and in a minute or so, he was at full depth and I began the stirring motion, alternating with a spell of inward pressure as described in the manual for dynamic dilation.   That lasted 12 minutes.  I then switched over to Dale for another 20 minutes of dynamic dilation.  Everything seemed perfectly normal.  I was convinced that if I had no further opportunity to dilate, I'd be fine waiting until I got back home for my next one.

Business class is the way to fly, but not just to ease the discomfort after surgery.  I hate flying coach with a passion.  But even in business class, there was a child that cried incessantly for long periods of time.  Thank heaven for head phones and music!

I was getting a bit hungry at about 5:30 pm Bangkok time so I ordered a prawn and potato cold salad and a cup of coffee followed by a tasty white chocolate mouse dessert.  I think I'll read some.  Reading is how I pass the time while dilating.  I'm on my 6th book since starting this adventure way back over six weeks ago.  It's entitled "What Happens in London"  by Julia Quinn.  Yes, I developed a liking for women's literature selections.  And why not?  I am now a woman from head to toe....  :D

An amazing story!  Thank you for sharing!

Thanks Clara!  Your pretty courageous RE: the dilation adventures.  Makes me wonder how I'll  handle my flight home.

Hopefully you're  home by now and snuggled up in you bed.  Pleasant dreams.

Hi Clara, and Merry Christmas,
I have followed your adventure for years now on CD.com and NB. Today I suddenly realized that I hadn't seen a post from you in a long time. A quick search on NB and I found your farewell post and thankfully a link to here!
Wow what an amazing life is all I can say. You are such a wonderful inspiration!
We are the same age and I keep asking myself what magic does Clara have that I dont. I guess I'm just not all the woman that you are. When ever I think of you I get a big smile, and very happy that I got to ride along on you journey.
Thanks so much!
Love
Bobbi

Hi Clara,

Well done you!  The adventure in Bangkok is over for you.  Just starting for me since I arrived yesterday afternoon.  Off to see Chet shortly. Then it will be all go to stock my wee apartment up with stuff!  I am going get Tesco to deliver and do the heavy stuff that way. 

I have so enjoyed your posts.  Have a very Merry Christmas and a safe and happy New Year.

Love Emma

Thank you, Emma, Bobbi, Joi, Tommi and all who've followed my GRS adventure.  It really was an adventure.  For me it marks the end of the beginning of my new life as a woman.  There are still a lot of challenges ahead.  The biggie is making up for not having grown up as a girl and learning what it means to be a women.  Can I do that so late in life?  I doubt it, not completely, but it will be fun giving it my best shot. 

One of the amazing things about my transition is that a good part of the old me is still here.  The authentic parts that are independent of my gender still influence my every day.  Some of those core personality traits are stereotypically male, while others, long suppressed, are now blossoming in the light of my female gender. 

My hope for the future is to be able to integrate into the world around me seamlessly as a woman.  Again, I doubt that I'll be able to pull it off to my satisfaction.  But if you ask what was the one thing that I wished for going as far back as childhood, and still wish for today, for me the answer is easy:  To be one of the girls.  Today, I'm as close to fulfilling that dream as I'll ever be. 

Here's to fulfilling my dream, and you yours in the new year.  Cheers!

It's 7 weeks post-op today and I wanted to give a progress report.

I'm not experiencing any pain or discomfort at all at the operation site.  Even applying direct pressure to my groin area does not cause pain.  I don't know what others have experienced, but I'm pretty sure this is not typical.  Comments?

Stitching has been coming out for the past couple of weeks.  It's short lengths of blue filament.

I did a short dilation with the #4 dilator last night.  It took about 5 minutes to get it in.  I did dynamic dilation with #3 for 15 minutes beforehand.  My technique was to push the #4 dilator in, then pull it back, and repeat over and over.  After 5 minutes, it just slipped in with minimal pain!

It doesn't seem to cause a problem to skip a dilation session now and then.  It's simply impossible to stay on a strict dilation schedule while living one's life.  I'm getting to know my vagina pretty well, and am able to make allowances for disruptions in the routine.  I can see that doing two dynamic dilation, one morning, the other evening, if done well, can be sufficient to maintain vaginal depth and width.  I'm thinking of trying that at some point, just for the convenience of it. 

Quote from: Clara Kay on December 16, 2015, 11:46:55 PM
This is a copy of my Transition Log entry for December 14th, 40 days post-op.

I'm writing this on the plane with just 7-1/2 hours left until we land at O'Hare Airport in Chicago.  God, this is a long flight.  It seems endless, but I know it will end, and the adventure will be over.

Dome (our Chet driver) picked us up at 10:20 pm Bangkok time on Sunday the 13th and drove us to the airport.  The traffic was amazingly light and it only took about 10 minutes to get there.  He dropped us off, got a couple of baggage carts for us and said goodbye (sa wa de krap).  We gave him a $20 tip for having to work so late on a Sunday night.  Thai people don't normally give tips for services, but we felt uncomfortable not doing so in some circumstances, so we often gave tips to the delight of the recipient.

We experienced the usual initial confusion about where to go to check in, but soon found the Qatar Airways Business Class check-in and got our two 50 lb suitcases checked through to Chicago.  Business class tickets cost double over economy class, but when the travel date actually arrives it's so nice to avoid the long lines at the airport, not to mention having 3 times as much space and great service on board the aircraft.  We coughed up the money for business class expecting a difficult time on such a long flight after just having had bottom surgery.  Although with the our extended stay in Bangkok, it's now 40 days post-op and I must say that I experience very little discomfort sitting even for long periods of time if the chair is cushioned.

Our flight took off on time.  Our bird was an Airbus A380 double-decker.  I really like that aircraft.  It's very quiet and the design of its BC seats is very practical and comfortable.  I didn't sleep much on the 6-1/2 hour flight to Doha, Qatar.  There was a modest but persistent amount of turbulence that bothered me all the way there.  It gave me restless legs.  God, I hate restless legs...

The food was good, but I can't remember what I ate.  Oh, yeah, it was some kind of breakfast consisting of yogurt and toasted granola, along with bread rolls, orange juice, and coffee.  It was enough.  I've really got to cut down on calorie intake when I get back home. I'm a bit over the weight I came at.

We arrived at Doha at around 9:00 am Bangkok time.  We made our way to the huge BC lounge area which we made use of on our way from Chicago to Bangkok back on Oct 27th.  OMG, that seems so long ago.  I was due for a dilation and wondered if there was some way to accomplish it there at the lounge. 

We looked for a woman's restroom and found one behind a rather classy restaurant deep into the lounge.  There were nice private spaces with floor to ceiling walls and lockable doors.  It was perfect.  I went into the room for handicapped patrons for the extra room and the lavatory.  I used the stool, but soon discovered that performing the dilation while sitting on the pot was not going to work.  The geometry was just not right.  Fortunately, I brought along my doughnut cushion from Dr. Chet's.  I placed it on the floor next to the wall, placed a large disposable blanket pad over it (I saved my last one for the flight back), and got out my dilation kit, K-Y lube, moist wipes, and a few paper towels.

I had no trouble inserting Chip, the #2 dilator, but then heard what sounded like cleaning people outside the door.  There were voices and sounds of mopping the floors.  There was a knock on my door.  I yelled, "Occupied" and continued to perform my usual dynamic dilation as described in Dr. Suporn's manual.  I switched over to #3, Dale, after 10 minutes while the cleaning crew continued to work.  I felt rushed, and only did Dale for 15 minutes which is actually all that's needed with dynamic dilation, but I usually go longer just to be sure.  It was a good session, though, and I knew that it's very important to do something even if it's short in duration.  I cleaned up and went out to find my companion who was sitting in the lounge waiting for me as expected. 

We each had some diet soda to drink.  I logged in to Facebook on my laptop and chatted awhile with a trans friend who lives in Florida.  Time passed quickly and we soon left  the lounge to locate Gate C5 where our Boeing 777 aircraft was being boarded for the flight to Chicago.

I don't like the 777 as well as the A380, but it does have the advantage of giving the A seat business class passenger more privacy than any comparable seat on the A380.  And it so happens that my seat number was 5A.  We still had a 14-1/2 hour flight home, and I would ideally want to squeeze in another dilation a some point on the flight.

The flight left at around 1 pm Bangkok time.  I had another breakfast meal, this time steak filet and scrambled eggs, after which I tried to get some sleep.  I did fall asleep, and when I awoke it was a little after 4 pm Bangkok time and the cabin lights had been dimmed way down.  I was overdue for another dilation so I thought I would try to perform one in my seat under a blanket.  Most everyone was sleeping, including my spouse, so it seemed like the perfect time to do it.

I got down my carry-on bag from the overhead bin and took out my dilator kit, pad, and wipes.  I spread the large pad down on the seat cushion to protect it from any dribbles.  I brought a mostly used up tube of K-Y lube which passed security inspection.  I got everything ready and settled into my seat pulling the blanket over me.  I undid my jeans and pulled them and my panties down to my ankles.  I then put a little bit of K-Y on my finger and pushed it into my vagina and worked it around to get it loosened up and ready to accept Chip.  It was rather dark in the cabin, so I took care coating the dilator with lube so as not to make a mess.  Chip went under the blanket and in a minute or so, he was at full depth and I began the stirring motion, alternating with a spell of inward pressure as described in the manual for dynamic dilation.   That lasted 12 minutes.  I then switched over to Dale for another 20 minutes of dynamic dilation.  Everything seemed perfectly normal.  I was convinced that if I had no further opportunity to dilate, I'd be fine waiting until I got back home for my next one.

Business class is the way to fly, but not just to ease the discomfort after surgery.  I hate flying coach with a passion.  But even in business class, there was a child that cried incessantly for long periods of time.  Thank heaven for head phones and music!

I was getting a bit hungry at about 5:30 pm Bangkok time so I ordered a prawn and potato cold salad and a cup of coffee followed by a tasty white chocolate mouse dessert.  I think I'll read some.  Reading is how I pass the time while dilating.  I'm on my 6th book since starting this adventure way back over six weeks ago.  It's entitled "What Happens in London"  by Julia Quinn.  Yes, I developed a liking for women's literature selections.  And why not?  I am now a woman from head to toe....  :D

Hi Clara
It sounds to me that you had a great experience and that is sweet to hear. I don't know if I could take a fight that long without going Stir crazy. God bless you for that.

Hug's to you It feels so good to be a full women from head to toe.
Lyndsey

Thank you, Lyndsey.  Yes, I had a good experience having my GRS done in Thailand, and I love the results so far.  The rate of healing is a very personal thing, so no one should assume they will experience recovery the way I did.  Even the surgical results can vary from person to person depending on all kinds of variables that come into play.  I was fortunate to have adequate donor tissue to allow for an uncompromised result.

I was made aware beforehand, but still surprised to see how technologically out-of-date Dr. Chettawut's surgery center is compared to what I see here in the US.  The latest and greatest high tech equipment is just not the thing, but despite that, he is producing beautiful results.  I guess that's part of how he keeps his prices as low as they are while maintaining a high degree of surgical competency.

I don't wish to complain, but I so wish that the recovery room had a window.  I remember how nice it was to have a window in my recovery room in Marbella, Spain where I had my FFS with Facial Team.  It's just something personal with me, as I do get a touch of claustrophobia when I feel too confined.

I loved my nurses at the surgery center.  Every one of them spoke English, although to varying levels of fluency.  I never felt neglected, and all my calls for help were quickly responded to.  After the four night stay at the surgery center, when I was released to my hotel, my nurses came every morning to the hotel to check on me, answer my questions, make sure I was following recovery protocol, and just reassuring me that all was proceeding well. 

What a marvelous year it has been for me.  I am so grateful for all the support I've received from so many people.

I am so happy for you

Sent from my SM-P555 using Tapatalk

Coming up on 2 months since having my GRS with Dr. Chettawut.  I seem to be healed to the point of being free of any discomfort.  I dilate twice a day (every 12 hours -  morning and evening) with no sign that I'm compromising either depth or width.  I've been using the 1-1/2" dilator (#4) for a couple of weeks now with only a little discomfort during the initial penetration when the pelvic muscles have tightened up and have to be physically stretched to a more relaxed state.

Speaking of pelvic muscles....The musculature of the pelvic floor of males and females are anatomically different because a female's muscles must allow for birthing.  Because of these differences, I'm thinking that the entrance to my vagina will always be relatively closed up compared to that of a natal female.  Sex will require some dilation preparation to accommodate a normal to large male penis.  Can anyone confirm or dispel that thought?

Quote from: Clara Kay on December 30, 2015, 10:20:03 AM
Coming up on 2 months since having my GRS with Dr. Chettawut.  I seem to be healed to the point of being free of any discomfort.  I dilate twice a day (every 12 hours -  morning and evening) with no sign that I'm compromising either depth or width.  I've been using the 1-1/2" dilator (#4) for a couple of weeks now with only a little discomfort during the initial penetration when the pelvic muscles have tightened up and have to be physically stretched to a more relaxed state.

Speaking of pelvic muscles....The musculature of the pelvic floor of males and females are anatomically different because a female's muscles must allow for birthing.  Because of these differences, I'm thinking that the entrance to my vagina will always be relatively closed up compared to that of a natal female.  Sex will require some dilation preparation to accommodate a normal to large male penis.  Can anyone confirm or dispel that thought?

Hi Clara

They say that us girls are always tighter than a cis girl because of that. So your man will always be HAPPY!! I know that mine is. LOL

Hug's
Lyndsey

Quote from: Clara Kay on December 30, 2015, 10:20:03 AM
Coming up on 2 months since having my GRS with Dr. Chettawut.  I seem to be healed to the point of being free of any discomfort.  I dilate twice a day (every 12 hours -  morning and evening) with no sign that I'm compromising either depth or width.  I've been using the 1-1/2" dilator (#4) for a couple of weeks now with only a little discomfort during the initial penetration when the pelvic muscles have tightened up and have to be physically stretched to a more relaxed state.

Speaking of pelvic muscles....The musculature of the pelvic floor of males and females are anatomically different because a female's muscles must allow for birthing.  Because of these differences, I'm thinking that the entrance to my vagina will always be relatively closed up compared to that of a natal female.  Sex will require some dilation preparation to accommodate a normal to large male penis.  Can anyone confirm or dispel that thought?

It simply depends on the size and girth of the male member. Usually when having sex frequently its not much necessary to dilate.
It may be of advantage if they are really big, but there might be an effect of the tissue remaining stretched for a few days.
Same for the muscles.

Its possoble the tissue stretches not as much as a cis female making for a nice effect of being a bit tight, which guys should like.

Also important is lubrication.
You might wait till you are really wet and aroused.
Not holding in might help, and maybe using the toilet beforehand.
Many people report a very slippery substance coming from the urethra, helping with lubrication.


hugs

Quote from: Laura_7 on December 30, 2015, 01:04:48 PM
It simply depends on the size and girth of the male member. Usually when having sex frequently its not much necessary to dilate.
It may be of advantage if they are really big, but there might be an effect of the tissue remaining stretched for a few days.
Same for the muscles.

Its possoble the tissue stretches not as much as a cis female making for a nice effect of being a bit tight, which guys should like.

Also important is lubrication.
You might wait till you are really wet and aroused.
Not holding in might help, and maybe using the toilet beforehand.
Many people report a very slippery substance coming from the urethra, helping with lubrication.


hugs

Hi All
It seam like most men are soft at this time in my life. So I will still dilate! LOL

Lyndsey

I noticed that the largest dilators for sale commercially top out at 1-1/2" in diameter.  I'm able to take this size with no difficulty (just a few minutes to relax the pelvic muscles that constrict the vaginal entrance).  Have any of you gone to larger sizes?   Like with a sex toy or something?  Is there any advantage to going beyond the 1-1/2" (38mm) size dilator?

Quote from: Clara Kay on January 02, 2016, 02:40:22 PM
I noticed that the largest dilators for sale commercially top out at 1-1/2" in diameter.  I'm able to take this size with no difficulty (just a few minutes to relax the pelvic muscles that constrict the vaginal entrance).  Have any of you gone to larger sizes?   Like with a sex toy or something?  Is there any advantage to going beyond the 1-1/2" (38mm) size dilator?

Hi Clara


Oh My God I would not think that going bigger would help. Plus the pain of getting it started like you said. Maybe If we didn't dilate every day it would help you stay open more but other than that I'm not going for that. OUCH!!


Hug's
Lyndsey

Quote from: Clara Kay on January 02, 2016, 02:40:22 PM
I noticed that the largest dilators for sale commercially top out at 1-1/2" in diameter.  I'm able to take this size with no difficulty (just a few minutes to relax the pelvic muscles that constrict the vaginal entrance).  Have any of you gone to larger sizes?   Like with a sex toy or something?  Is there any advantage to going beyond the 1-1/2" (38mm) size dilator?

I am on 35mm with no trouble. Not quite 38mm but close....

Quote from: Clara Kay on January 02, 2016, 02:40:22 PM
I noticed that the largest dilators for sale commercially top out at 1-1/2" in diameter.  I'm able to take this size with no difficulty (just a few minutes to relax the pelvic muscles that constrict the vaginal entrance).  Have any of you gone to larger sizes?   Like with a sex toy or something?  Is there any advantage to going beyond the 1-1/2" (38mm) size dilator?

here are larger ones :
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,193587.msg1726705.html#msg1726705

Some people in the thread there said they like larger ones...

well its up to you.. I'd say all at your own risk :)
be careful and watch how the tissue reacts... how long it remains stretched... etc...


*hugs*

Hmmmm....that link (to larger dilators) is no longer valid.

My experience with dilation to date (I'm 2 months post-op) is that it's the stretching of the entrance to my vagina which resists the dilator.  Once past these pelvic muscles, the dilator slips in with no problem all the way to full depth (6").  I've noticed that as I've progressed to the largest dilator (Dr. Chet's #4 at 1-1/2" diameter), penetration with the smaller dilators is a lot easier.  The #2 slides right in with no resistance at all.  I don't bother using #1 and #2 anymore for that reason.  So, my thought was the stretching the entrance as much as possible will result over time in reduced initial penetration resistance for dilators #3 and #4, and also for the average to above average male erect penis.  Thoughts?

Dr. Suporn suggests using a stirring action to widen the vaginal entrance.  I assume that he is concerned about stretching the stitching around the entrance though, not so much training the muscles to give way more easily.

Quote from: Clara Kay on January 03, 2016, 10:15:29 AM
Hmmmm....that link (to larger dilators) is no longer valid.

The links are valid... just without www so they need to be copied...

www.rpdinc.com/rounded-nylon-dilator-4743.html
www.phoenixsurgical.co.uk/shop/4-0-charing-cross-dilators-40mm-dia-ph810086


hugs

Got it!  Thanks, Laura.  Wow! Up to 50mm = ~2"

Quote from: Clara Kay on January 04, 2016, 09:32:00 AM
Got it!  Thanks, Laura.  Wow! Up to 50mm = ~2"

Hi Girls

NOW that is Scary OUCH not for me.

Lyndsey

My GRS recovery has been surprisingly easy.  At week 10 post-op, I'd swear I was completely healed already.  I take long walks, go bowling, feel no discomfort, and don't even experience pain when dilating.  As you would expect, I am very delighted and thankful for the way things have gone.  The only really consequence of having had GRS recently is the need to dilate twice a day.  Even that's not a hardship.  I actually enjoy it.  It's a chance to get away to my room, relax, enjoy my finally having a vagina, and read a good book.  The only discomfort, if I can call it that, is the initial insertion of the stent (dilator).  The strong muscles at the entrance to my vagina have to be encouraged to relax by placing the stent at a 45 deg angle and pressing down on the taut muscle at the floor of my vagina (between the vagina and anus).  Firm pressure will eventually cause the muscle to stretch and relax allowing the stent to be inserted.  Once past this muscular restriction, the stent slips in easily with feelings of pressure that border on pleasure.  I don't have any sense of having to stretch the vaginal lining, and full depth is quickly achieved.  I have not achieved orgasm yet, but I'm exploring my capacity for it with gentle massage. 

Is my experience atypical?  I don't what to set an expectation which is unlikely to happen.  I know that some girls have had horrendously difficult recoveries, but I have to assume they, too, were atypical.

I just wanted to update my status at 11 months since my GRS with Dr. Chettawut.  In general, recovery has gone exceedingly well.  I have experience no complications to speak of.   I did contract a UTI three months ago that required going on an antibiotic for a week, but that's it. 

I recently started dilating once in the evening every other day which is much less than Dr. Chettawut's dilation schedule chart which calls for 3 dilations each day for 50 minutes each at this point.  Why would there be such a large disparity between his recommendation vs. my needs?  I really don't know, unless his recommendation is purposely conservative in order to cover a worst case recovery scenario.  Might I be making a mistake reducing my dilation frequency so much?  Really, I don't see how.   I have maintained my original depth of 6 inches, and have no pain or difficulty inserting the largest (1-1/4") dilator with only a short two finger warmup beforehand.  It's true that my vaginal opening contracts to being almost closed between dilations, but that's always been the case.  It stretches open painlessly with a little coaxing.  The scar around the vaginal opening (characteristic of the non-penile inversion GRS method that Chettawut does) is still evident.  I was anticipating that the scar would soften and become smooth over time, but that has not happened. 

BTW, I use Dr. Suporn's dynamic dilation technique when I dilate.  It appears to achieve the needed stretch in much less time than simply inserting the stent and leaving it there (with some inward pressure) for a longer period. 

Comments anyone? 

Quote from: Clara Kay on October 01, 2016, 09:18:29 AM
I just wanted to update my status at 11 months since my GRS with Dr. Chettawut.  In general, recovery has gone exceedingly well.  I have experience no complications to speak of.   I did contract a UTI three months ago that required going on an antibiotic for a week, but that's it. 

I recently started dilating once in the evening every other day which is much less than Dr. Chettawut's dilation schedule chart which calls for 3 dilations each day for 50 minutes each at this point.  Why would there be such a large disparity between his recommendation vs. my needs?  I really don't know, unless his recommendation is purposely conservative in order to cover a worst case recovery scenario.  Might I be making a mistake reducing my dilation frequency so much?  Really, I don't see how.   I have maintained my original depth of 6 inches, and have no pain or difficulty inserting the largest (1-1/4") dilator with only a short two finger warmup beforehand.  It's true that my vaginal opening contracts to being almost closed between dilations, but that's always been the case.  It stretches open painlessly with a little coaxing.  The scar around the vaginal opening (characteristic of the non-penile inversion GRS method that Chettawut does) is still evident.  I was anticipating that the scar would soften and become smooth over time, but that has not happened. 

BTW, I use Dr. Suporn's dynamic dilation technique when I dilate.  It appears to achieve the needed stretch in much less time than simply inserting the stent and leaving it there (with some inward pressure) for a longer period. 

Comments anyone?

I'm really happy to hear that you've recovered well. I'm having srs with Chet in November of this year, on my birthday actually lol, and your experience has been a wonderful insight, truly.

Quote from: Aria94 on October 03, 2016, 07:40:58 PM
I'm really happy to hear that you've recovered well. I'm having srs with Chet in November of this year, on my birthday actually lol, and your experience has been a wonderful insight, truly.

I'm glad my experience was helpful to you, Aria.  Having your surgery on your birthday is awesome!  My re-birthday is in the same month, but a different day.  PM me if you have any questions.  Good luck, hon.

I'm approaching my 1 year post-op GRS anniversary,  and I wanted to say something about my results.  If it wasn't against the rules here, I'd just post a photo of my neo-vulva, but I'll have to make due with words.  First, I want to say that in the first few months after surgery, I wasn't completely satisfied with the way things looked down there.  The clitoris, clitoral hood and vestibule were fine, imo.  My labia majora, however, looked too loose -- like more skin should have been removed.  The labia minora, on the other hand, were not at all prominent.  I was also not expecting  the vaginal introitus (entrance to of the vagina) to be so far in. 

None of this was a real concern to me.  I was basically happy with the results.  I wasn't planning to star in a porno film, after all.  I was convinced, however, that any gynecologist would realize right away that mine is not the genitalia of a natal woman, and that was a bit disappointing.  That's probably still be true, but over the course of time things have come to look much more 'normal'.   

The surface surgical scars are barely visible.  The labia majora look more normal, and the labia minora more apparent although not altogether obvious.  The vaginal introitus is still where is always was, but with the shrinkage of the labia majora, it's position doesn't seems so deep.  Speaking of the vagina, the opening of mine still closes up between dilations.  I can't insert the largest stent without a couple of minutes of digital warmup.  But, on the positive side, dilations are completely painless, I've maintained full depth (6"), and I now dilate every other day for about 30 minutes.

Thank you Clara for this update. What about the "functional" side ?

Quote from: Clara Kay on October 09, 2016, 06:20:19 PM
I'm approaching my 1 year post-op GRS anniversary,  and I wanted to say something about my results.  If it wasn't against the rules here, I'd just post a photo of my neo-vulva, but I'll have to make due with words.  First, I want to say that in the first few months after surgery, I wasn't completely satisfied with the way things looked down there.  The clitoris, clitoral hood and vestibule were fine, imo.  My labia majora, however, looked too loose -- like more skin should have been removed.  The labia minora, on the other hand, were not at all prominent.  I was also not expecting  the vaginal introitus (entrance to of the vagina) to be so far in. 

None of this was a real concern to me.  I was basically happy with the results.  I wasn't planning to star in a porno film, after all.  I was convinced, however, that any gynecologist would realize right away that mine is not the genitalia of a natal woman, and that was a bit disappointing.  That's probably still be true, but over the course of time things have come to look much more 'normal'. 

REALLY good to know, because I had the exact same aesthetic concerns immediately post-op. Outside was really really loose, inside was really tight, vagina was way back deep. Good to know that it gets better. :)

Quote from: Lucie on October 10, 2016, 12:54:58 AM
Thank you Clara for this update. What about the "functional" side ?

Well, I'm in a same-sex relationship so the functional aspects are of minor importance.  I can say that if I was having male-female sex, I would need lubrication and a warmup before penetration.  I'm not quite 1 year post-op, so I expect that the vaginal opening will become easier to stretch open a year from now.  I've tried using a dildo  (1-1/2" width at the base by 6" length).  It offers a different feeling than the hard, smooth stents that Dr. Chettawut provides for dilation, the largest being 1-1/4" in diameter.  My vagina isn't that sensate really, the sensations are due mainly to pressure, and there is strong feeling when the dildo presses on my prostate gland which is very small now, but still serves as a kind of G spot.

Quote from: Clara Kay on October 15, 2016, 12:21:13 PM
Well, I'm in a same-sex relationship so the functional aspects are of minor importance.  I can say that if I was having male-female sex, I would need lubrication and a warmup before penetration.  I'm not quite 1 year post-op, so I expect that the vaginal opening will become easier to stretch open a year from now.  I've tried using a dildo  (1-1/2" width at the base by 6" length).  It offers a different feeling than the hard, smooth stents that Dr. Chettawut provides for dilation, the largest being 1-1/4" in diameter.  My vagina isn't that sensate really, the sensations are due mainly to pressure, and there is strong feeling when the dildo presses on my prostate gland which is very small now, but still serves as a kind of G spot.

I thank you a lot Clara for giving these "technical details". It's a bit embarrassing to ask about such a subject, but for my part it's a point which is at least as important as the aesthetic one, though I am also in a lesbian relationship (being a lesbian do not preclude loving penetration...).

Hi Clara
so I'm planning on having surgery with Chett some time next year. would you feel comfortable sharing a picture of your results? and have you been able to orgasm yet?

thanks

Hi Clara,

Am really happy for your results. I have visited Dr. Chettawut last year and had planned to get operated by him in the month of Feb 2017. He is a wonderful doctor. So patient and caring. I however stay in India and was a little concerned about dilating every day to maintain the depth. Will mostly get sigmoid colon vaginoplasty by Dr. Narendra Kaushik, an experienced surgeon in sigmoid vaginoplasty. But given the results you have had will keep my option with Dr. Chettawut open.

Thank you so much for this post. Very helpful!

Yashika

Quote from: jenn90210 on October 24, 2016, 01:00:07 AM
Hi Clara
so I'm planning on having surgery with Chett some time next year. would you feel comfortable sharing a picture of your results? and have you been able to orgasm yet?

thanks

I'd be curious on an initial, few months out, and year out picture myself as I'm stuck between Suporn and Chett, however Chett draws me in for some reason no matter how many horror stories I read between each one. I understand my post count is low, though that's due to me not having too much to talk about as I'm not that far on the transgender scale. No transition for me or hormones for example.

There's independant photo posted for both Chett and Suporn if you search for them.

Quote from: AnonyMs on November 03, 2016, 09:46:59 PM
There's independant photo posted for both Chett and Suporn if you search for them.

it's hard to find any pictures of their results besides whatever is posted on their websites.
do you have links you can share?

Quote from: jenn90210 on November 04, 2016, 12:37:02 AM
it's hard to find any pictures of their results besides whatever is posted on their websites.
do you have links you can share?

I sent you a pm. Can't post that kind of thing here.

Quote from: AnonyMs on November 04, 2016, 01:28:51 AM
I sent you a pm. Can't post that kind of thing here.

Can you pm me the link also please?

Can I please get a PM for the link as well. Desperate for some 'actual' results images and not just the CIS ones they all use on their websites.

Quote from: Lauren O on November 06, 2016, 05:08:16 AM
Can I please get a PM for the link as well. Desperate for some 'actual' results images and not just the CIS ones they all use on their websites.

I second what Lauren has said and would love to see them too since I'm deciding between Suporn, Brassard, or Chett. It's extremely hard to come by post-op pictures that are not cherry picked.

I sent them all.

Hi, can i be really cheeky and ask for pictures as well as I am there the end of March for surgery with Chett. many thanks
Kind regards
Ann Quance

Quote from: Clara Kay on December 18, 2015, 01:02:17 AM
Thank you, Emma, Bobbi, Joi, Tommi and all who've followed my GRS adventure.  It really was an adventure.  For me it marks the end of the beginning of my new life as a woman.  There are still a lot of challenges ahead.  The biggie is making up for not having grown up as a girl and learning what it means to be a women.  Can I do that so late in life?  I doubt it, not completely, but it will be fun giving it my best shot. 

One of the amazing things about my transition is that a good part of the old me is still here.  The authentic parts that are independent of my gender still influence my every day.  Some of those core personality traits are stereotypically male, while others, long suppressed, are now blossoming in the light of my female gender. 

My hope for the future is to be able to integrate into the world around me seamlessly as a woman.  Again, I doubt that I'll be able to pull it off to my satisfaction.  But if you ask what was the one thing that I wished for going as far back as childhood, and still wish for today, for me the answer is easy:  To be one of the girls.  Today, I'm as close to fulfilling that dream as I'll ever be. 

Here's to fulfilling my dream, and you yours in the new year.  Cheers!

I love this post. You managed to pen my feelings and dreams exactly...congratulations on your transition, I expect you'll continue to blossom and your future will be so bright that your past will just fade away. :)

It's one year and a week since my GRS with Dr. Chet.  I'm happy to report that I've experienced my first orgasm!  I was beginning to wonder if it would ever happen, but it's not like I've been trying that hard to get there.  I don't have a strong sex drive like I did before I started HRT. 

I've been more interested in pursuing sexual pleasure lately.  I don't know why the change.  I guess my body has finally adjusted to all the changes in chemistry and neural restructuring that transition involves.  I'm fully healed now for all I can tell, so I'm not worried about doing any damage to myself while experimenting.  I'm in a same-sex relationship, and my partner and I are intimate, but this first ever female orgasm was accomplished alone.  I look forward to having a shared experience with her in the future.

I can see now how important it is to achieve a mental state of sexual arousal; something that was easy for me as a male, has not been as a female with a serum testosterone level measuring only 8 ng/dl.  I've avoided resorting to porn to generate an arousal state, and the few times that I tried to achieve arousal through porn, I found it ineffective and rather boring.  The kind of porn you find on-line is very male-oriented and so mechanical.  It does nothing for me now. 

But last night after a dilation session, and having earlier watched a program on TV with an erotic sex scene, I felt an urge to make another attempt at stimulating an orgasm.  I had my usual low expectations of success, and it seemed for awhile that I'd be better off using the time to read or go to sleep.  But, something was telling me it was going to be different that evening, and it was. 

In my semi-aroused mental state, and while playing a particularly erotic video on my laptop, I felt the tension start to swell from my clitoral vestibule.  Yeah, not the clitoris itself.  This surprised me, but apparently, the tissue that Dr. Chet used to fashion the area around and below the clitoris has a lot of nerve endings.  Remember that Chet uses the penile tissue to construct the vulva, scrotal tissue for the neo-vagina.

The pleasurable sensations built up to a very intense level and began to spread to my upper thighs and toward my abdomen.  It was similar to my former male orgasm except more intense, sustained, and no muscle spasm associated with ejaculation.  The experience was so unexpectedly powerful that I backed off digital stimulation.  I don't know how long I could have kept it going if I had tried.  I came down from climax faster than I hoped, but breathing heavily and feeling totally wonderful.  Needless to say, I was ecstatic. 

Congratulations Clara ! I am glad for you that you could eventually live this nice experience.

Excellent, I am really happy for you. Thats the one question my wife keeps asking me. She keeps saying what happens if you can't orgasm. I do tell her it is a price worth paying but with Dr Chett doing my op I satand an excellent chance of orgasm after I heel up. xx
Kind Wishes
Ann xxx

Quote from: jenn90210 on October 24, 2016, 01:00:07 AM
Hi Clara
so I'm planning on having surgery with Chett some time next year. would you feel comfortable sharing a picture of your results? and have you been able to orgasm yet?

thanks

I can do that, Jenn.  PM me.  And, yes, as I posted recently, after 1 year I am able to orgasm.

I sent 1-year post-op pictures of my GRS results to Dr. Chettawut for his assessment.  I told him that I feel I have a bit too much skin on the labia majora such that the skin wrinkles more than I'd like for aesthetic reasons.  It's not really a big deal because there's so much variation in the appearance of female genitals I'm sure no one would see it as anything but natural.  Then, again who's going to see it anyway?  When you spend a lot of money for something, it's not unreasonable to want the end result to be pleasing.

Hi, please keep posting, especially Dr Chett's reply. All this info is so useful for when I go out xx

Quote from: Clara Kay on November 24, 2016, 04:34:07 PM
I sent 1-year post-op pictures of my GRS results to Dr. Chettawut for his assessment.  I told him that I feel I have a bit too much skin on the labia majora such that the skin wrinkles more than I'd like for aesthetic reasons.  It's not really a big deal because there's so much variation in the appearance of female genitals I'm sure no one would see it as anything but natural.  Then, again who's going to see it anyway?  When you spend a lot of money for something, it's not unreasonable to want the end result to be pleasing.

Hi Clara, I'm wondering if you could share your results with me too, and keep the thread updated with Chett's response.

I'm in pretty much an identical boat with you. 1+ year post-op with Chett, but unsatisfied with the external appearance. Labia majora has way too much skin and is very wrinkly and I'm planning on getting a revision. All this info would be really helpful to me!

Quote from: totalmessbelow on December 12, 2016, 03:57:30 AM
Hi Clara, I'm wondering if you could share your results with me too, and keep the thread updated with Chett's response.

I'm in pretty much an identical boat with you. 1+ year post-op with Chett, but unsatisfied with the external appearance. Labia majora has way too much skin and is very wrinkly and I'm planning on getting a revision. All this info would be really helpful to me!

Quote from: AnonyMs on November 04, 2016, 01:28:51 AM
I sent you a pm. Can't post that kind of thing here.

Bump! Would be interested in those pics too!

I didn't get a response back from Dr. Chettawui himself, but rather from Som, his business office manager. 
_____________________________
"Dear Ms. Clara,
Thank you for sending us the photos. Dr Chettawut have seen it and he commented that your healing is normal. The labia majora doesn't look loose in the photos as you are on a lying position.

You can send another photo (in standing position) for further evaluation so that Dr. Chettawut can confirm if you still need to wait for more time for the skin to set or if a revision is required and beneficial. 

Regards,
Som K. (Kitiyamongkol)
Business Office Manager of Chettawut Plastic Surgery Center"
_____________________________

So I took a couple of pictures in a standing position.  They clearly show that the skin of the labia majora is loose.  I'm waiting for a followup response from his office.  I let you know what he says.

Of course, even if he is willing to do a revision waiving his fee, I'd still have to pay for the flight to Bangkok and all food and lodging expenses for a week or more.  It's one disadvantage of going to Thailand for GRS.  Still, the original surgery fee was only $7600.  With travel and lodging, the cost was way less than all options available to me here in the US. 

I just read the whole way through this thread with the kind of intensity I used to read Harry Potter with! Very helpful / informative / honest. Thank you Clara so much for this great information.

I hate to continue the deluge of requests, but is there any chance you could PM me photos as well? I'm scheduled for surgery with Chettawut in October 2017 and curious to see results beyond the 4 pictures on his website.

Thanks again, so valuable. Would love to hear more if you decide to keep updating!

Quote from: LiliFee on December 12, 2016, 06:02:24 AM
Bump! Would be interested in those pics too!

Sent

Quote from: AnonyMs on December 13, 2016, 01:22:24 AM
Sent

Would appreciate if you could PM me too. Thanks!

I received a response from Dr. Chettawut concerning my complaint about the looseness of my labia majora.  He has agreed to doing a revision under local anesthetic.  I'd be required to stay in Bangkok for 12 days.  He wants 2 months advance notice of my intention to have the surgery.  I have some thinking to do.

Of course I have to pay for the airfare and lodging for a 12 day trip to Bangkok, but I may stay at one of Dr. Chettawut's approved hotels (Vertical Suite, Dusit Princess, Rama) at his special rate, and be picked up and dropped off at the hotel by his driver on the day of surgery.  Transportation to and from the airport is my responsibility.  The cost to go there round trip economy is much less than having a surgeon here in the U.S. do the labiaplasty, even though what needs to be done is relatively simple.  I'm still thinking about it, and leaning toward making the trip.

Quote from: Clara Kay on December 21, 2016, 10:11:30 AM
I received a response from Dr. Chettawut concerning my complaint about the looseness of my labia majora.  He has agreed to doing a revision under local anesthetic.  I'd be required to stay in Bangkok for 12 days.  He wants 2 months advance notice of my intention to have the surgery.  I have some thinking to do.

Received the same response. Agreed to revise the looseness of labia majora under local anesthetic and 2 months notice required. However he has denied my requests for more defined labia minora, labia minora extension and fourchett construction, stating that there's a limitation due to insufficient skin. I sent another email bargaining for more defined folds between the labia majora/minora. If he agrees to my request then I will most likely return for the revision.

Vaginoplasty aesthetics are so subjective.  I'm convinced that few trans women are completely satisfied with the results they achieve on the first pass.  Revisions and even a full labiaplasty are often pursued to correct flaws of one kind or another.  Those who elect the penile inversion method are typically on the operating table for 2 hours.  It's hard to imagine a surgeon being able to create a vulva with all the definition that a natal woman's vulva exhibits (clitoral hood, labia minora, fourchette) in that amount of time, not to mention the scars that you end up with.  Even the results of reputable Thai surgeons (Suporn, Chettawut, Kamol, etc.) who spend 6 to 7 hours doing the scrotal skin graft method rarely achieve completely natural looking results.  There are so many variables that limit what can be accomplished.  The biggest variables I would think are the patient's own genital characteristics and healing capacity.  Look at the wide variety of outcomes that appear on Marci Bower's vaginoplasty surgical results gallery.  I'm sure these are among her best outcomes.  Which one do you think is the best aesthetically (1 to 23)?  I doubt many of us could agree on just one.

PI results in a functional bottom but not a visually correct bottom. It is locker room passable but not bedroom passable.  The reason is the front must be left open until the blood flow is establish in the new location. After sufficient time has passed, the front can be closed and a clitoris hood constructed. If required, the labia can be touched up at the same time. I was not aware of this when I had my surgery and for that matter, I didn't know what a proper bottom look like. I had no interest in playboy or hustler magazine so my education was greatly lacking. Only after my surgery I learned that a revision was available.

Quote from: Clara Kay on December 28, 2016, 08:43:57 PM
Vaginoplasty aesthetics are so subjective.  I'm convinced that few trans women are completely satisfied with the results they achieve on the first pass.  Revisions and even a full labiaplasty are often pursued to correct flaws of one kind or another.  Those who elect the penile inversion method are typically on the operating table for 2 hours.  It's hard to imagine a surgeon being able to create a vulva with all the definition that a natal woman's vulva exhibits (clitoral hood, labia minora, fourchette) in that amount of time, not to mention the scars that you end up with.  Even the results of reputable Thai surgeons (Suporn, Chettawut, Kamol, etc.) who spend 6 to 7 hours doing the scrotal skin graft method rarely achieve completely natural looking results.  There are so many variables that limit what can be accomplished.  The biggest variables I would think are the patient's own genital characteristics and healing capacity.  Look at the wide variety of outcomes that appear on Marci Bower's vaginoplasty surgical results gallery.  I'm sure these are among her best outcomes.  Which one do you think is the best aesthetically (1 to 23)?  I doubt many of us could agree on just one.

I agree with most of this although the PI techniques vary so much amongst different doctors. Dr. Brassard is very different from Dr. Bowers who is different from Dr. Satterwhite (just some examples). The shortest time I've heard is 2 1/2 hours. Dr. Satterwhite, whom I went to, is 5 to 5 1/2 hours and he does a pretty good job of constructing a clitoral hood, labia minora, and especially the forchette. But like you said, everyone heals differently and even if you leave the operating room with a perfect looking vagina, the end result after healing can be quite different. I'm going in for a labiaplasty and revision tomorrow because, as you mention, it's difficult to get completely the first time through, particularly when attempting to create labia minora and the clitoral hood. And like Dena mentioned, blood supply is an issue as well. My labia minora ended up shrinking, my clitoral hood had some necrosis and then partially fused to my clit, and my forchette partially fused as well. Despite that, it looks pretty good. However, the optimal result for many us will require a second surgery. Luckily I didn't even have to ask my surgeon - he actually said he wanted to do it and got my insurance to pay for it! I hope more surgeons opt to do the same and not make their patients ask or worse yet, complain in order to get a revision.

- Ruby

My doctor said she would do a clitoral hood 6 months after my GCS. She said she would stitch the skin together and create the hood. Does that sound correct?

How is labia minora created after GCS? My scrotum was used for the vaginal graph and I do not have labia minora.

The pure penile inversion technique perfected by Dr. Stanley Biber and his understudy Dr. Marci Bowers in Trinidad, CO could be completed in two hours or less.  I will acknowledge that some US and European GRS surgeons are starting to use modified penile inversion methods to produce better outcomes.  These modifications do require more time in the operating room (anesthesiologist, hospital charges, etc) which increases the prices they have to charge to cover their increased costs.  The reason you don't see the full Thai scrotal skin graft technique used in the US is because the cost would become prohibitive to most patients who, up until recently, have had to cover the full cost out of pocket.  With the increasing availability of health insurance policies which cover transsexual surgical expenses, I bet we will start to see more sophisticated surgical methods take root in the western world.  GRS in the US is typically $20K - $25K.  I paid $7.5K to have my GRS in Thailand in 2015 (Chettawut).  He keeps his prices low by minimizing his overhead costs.  (Suporn is nearly twice that, but still much less than US surgeons.)  Hotel costs for a 25 day stay in Bangkok (Vertical Suite) was $1300 which included an all-you-can eat breakfast buffet.  Airfare varies depending on many factors, but even flying business class round trip from Chicago with Qatar Airways resulted in a total cost less than $15K.  You can see how important keeping prices down in the US is for every surgeon facing such competition, and that means keeping the surgical method simple and quick.

Quote from: Rachel Lynn on December 29, 2016, 07:28:53 PM
My doctor said she would do a clitoral hood 6 months after my GCS. She said she would stitch the skin together and create the hood. Does that sound correct?

How is labia minora created after GCS? My scrotum was used for the vaginal graph and I do not have labia minora.

Dr. Chettawut created a very nice clitoris and clitoral hood for me.  It is fully sensate and I'm very happy with the appearance.  However, he did not create well-defined labia minora.  They are almost non-existent.  He did leave excess skin in the labia majora which he has agreed to remove in a revision at my request.  It seems to me that the excess skin in the labia majora could be used to create larger labia minora, but he has not agreed to do that for free.  Maybe he would do so for an additional charge.  I'll be asking about that.  I would be willing to pay for it given that I'm paying to go back to Bangkok anyway.  I was curious as to why an experienced GRS surgeon like Dr. Chett would leave excess skin in the labia majora as a matter of course (others have complained about this as well).  Is it to provide the tissue that will be needed for revision surgery?  I don't know.  One of my biggest complaints about all GRS surgeons is how opaque they are about revealing their surgical methods. 

Quote from: Clara Kay on December 29, 2016, 07:55:54 PM
I was curious as to why an experienced GRS surgeon like Dr. Chett would leave excess skin in the labia majora as a matter of course (others have complained about this as well).  Is it to provide the tissue that will be needed for revision surgery?

I don't know about Dr Chettawut, but Suporn does leave material so he can revise it later.

I am a Chet baby too..... First of all I would say that I am very happy with my results.... Early on I too was critique-ing my vagina ....why is it like this ....it should be like that etc.....sure it cld have been better or prettier and yes it can still be improved.... After having "used" it and compared it to many vaginas of real people and not porn actresses or playboy models...i can say I dnt think I need to fix it just yet, maybe when I am older. I live stealth and so far non of my ex bfs commented abt my vagina being weird or different and I've dated a bunch of Medical Doctors including OB Gynecologists who didn't know until the end....I compared it to my cis female sis and I am a medical professional who have seen tons of vagina and I can assure u they all look different and Your vaginas will pass unless u out urself or in combination with other telling signs of your past betrays u. So be easy on yourselves and don't overanalyze and start living. If I learned anything with my many surgeries it is - The enemy of good is perfection.

I'll second that penile inversion results vary widely (even from the same surgeon). I've also been confronted with disbelief that I was done in 2 hours, so I don't think that's *typical.* :) Even Brassard can only manage it because he works with a partner. I am, however, fully satisfied with my one-stage PI results. (I have a clitoral hood, pink mucosal labia minora, and a rudimentary vaginal fourchette, as well as no visible scars at 4+ years post-op. I've also had issues with medical professionals insisting that I was cis, even with a speculum in there.) Are there things that aren't perfect? Sure. But my wife says the same thing about the vulva she was born with. Honestly, there are cis women who get "revisions," too; some trans women who do so may be perfectionists because they know what's possible with further surgery, rather than because there are obvious non-cis aspects of their vulva. In other words, I agree with Miss Lux that sometimes perfect is the enemy of the good.

I'm sure that many trans women are happy with the results they have without achieving 'perfection', whatever that means.  Some vulvas are considered prettier than others among natal women, and many natal women go in for labiaplasty and even vaginoplasty surgery for aesthetic as well as functional reasons.  It's a personal matter that cannot be explained away.  If you are uncomfortable with your body and can do something about it, what's the problem?  Do it. 

I heard the same talk from friends and family prior to my FFS.  You're fine as you are.  I like your nose.  You already pass as a woman, etc.   They couldn't understand what gender body dysphoria was like for me.  I just ignored what I heard and did what I knew I had to do to see my true self when I looked in the mirror.  I view the results of my GRS the same way.  I didn't do it for someone else, and I'm not seeking perfection. But for once in my life I want to like what's between my legs.   :)

I don't know why it didn't occur to me before, but I wonder if it would be feasible to have labiaplasty surgery by a local surgeon whose patients are normally natal women.  The procedure is typically performed as an outpatient under local anesthesia and costs less than $4K.  All I could expect is the removal of the excess labia majora skin, no construction of more well-defined labia minora and fourchette.  The cost is less than traveling round trip to Bangkok and staying for 2 weeks.  I haven't heard back from Dr. Chettawut yet about his willingness to do a more complete revision (for an additional fee if need be).  Has anyone taken this approach for a minor revision post-GRS?  If so, how did it work out? 

Still, no word from Dr. Chet, but it may not matter.  I contacted the surgeon who did my BA about doing the labiaplasty, and he agreed to do it.  What I'm seeking is not complex.  It's similar to the labia reduction surgery that many natal women undergo.  I haven't received a quote yet, though.  He wants to see pictures to better assess what needs to be done.  Two other surgeons I contacted didn't respond, so I assume they were not interested.  I'll make a final decision once I hear from Dr. Chet.

I got a response from Dr. Chettawut (through Ms. Som his business manager).  He will not do a revision that includes creating more well-defined labia minora. 

"Dr. Chettawut have read your email and he commented that the excess skin on the labia majora cannot be used to create a more defined labia minora. This part was created in one step construction and Dr. Chettawut have done his best to make it more defined utilizing your original tissue."

Why the excess skin was left there to begin with, I have no idea.  I did not experience much swelling in the labia, and I asked him during his checkup prior to returning home if the skin would tighten on its own.  He replied that it wouldn't.  I can only conclude that his sense of aesthetics includes larger, baggy labia majora. 

With that response, I've decided that it makes no sense to return to Bangkok for minor surgery to remove excess tissue from my large labia.  I will have it done here in the US.

The odd thing is that a lot of Chett's results that I've seen show a preference for larger, more defined labia minora. I'm sorry that in your case, he went in the other direction, and that he now will not refine the inner labia; I hope you can find a plastic surgeon in the US who can help.

Just in my opinion... The hard part is the reassembly of the parts the the creation of the entire thing but I think most US doctors who routinely perform vaginoplasty on cis women here n the US can easily tweak the aesthetics of you labia... I've thought about it years ago and went for consultations here in Beverly Hills and a bunch of surgeon are capable and willing to do it. Goodluck!

The doctor that did my BA locally here in Chicago has agreed to do a labiaplasty to remove the excess skin in my labia majora.  Almost all of his patients are natal women, but I don't see that as a disadvantage.  He's expressed an interest in working with trans women also.  The total cost including anesthesia and facility fees comes to nearly $5k.  That's a lot, but I'd avoid having to travel literally halfway around the world to have Dr. Chettawut do it and stay in Bangkok for 12 days of recovery and spend nearly as much.  I also feel that my local surgeon will do a better job.  I can elect to have either local or general anesthesia.   I'll probably go with the local plus sedation.  When all is said and done, my total outlay for GRS (original and revision) will be $23K including travel and living expenses. 

 

Quote from: Clara Kay on January 31, 2017, 05:01:18 PM
The doctor that did my BA locally here in Chicago has agreed to do a labiaplasty to remove the excess skin in my labia majora.  Almost all of his patients are natal women, but I don't see that as a disadvantage.  He's expressed an interest in working with trans women also.  The total cost including anesthesia and facility fees comes to nearly $5k.  That's a lot, but I'd avoid having to travel literally halfway around the world to have Dr. Chettawut do it and stay in Bangkok for 12 days of recovery and spend nearly as much.  I also feel that my local surgeon will do a better job.  I can elect to have either local or general anesthesia.   I'll probably go with the local plus sedation.  When all is said and done, my total outlay for GRS (original and revision) will be $23K including travel and living expenses. 

Doing you revision locally sounds reasonable. If you can afford the price asked by this surgeon it seems to me the right solution for you.

Quote from: Lucie on February 01, 2017, 02:29:04 AM
Doing you revision locally sounds reasonable. If you can afford the price asked by this surgeon it seems to me the right solution for you.

I've gone back and forth on my decision.  If I travel to Thailand alone and economy class, I'd save a bundle.  Still, there are real and potential downsides to going back that I'd rather not flirt with.  I'm very glad I traveled business class for the original surgery.  Being able to recline my seat into a bed is heaven on the longest (20 hr.) leg of the flight back home.  Business class costs 5X as much as economy, though, which would erase any savings by having Dr. Chet do the revision.

I know from someone who went to Suporn that the flight back 2 weeks after a revision is nothing like after SRS. It was very easy.

Here's an update.   I had labiaplasty surgery done a month ago to remove excess skin from my labia majora.  I chose to have the surgery done locally (Chicago) instead of going back to Dr. Chettawut in Bangkok.  This despite he agreeing to do the revision free of charge.  Since I'd be responsible for travel and lodging expenses, the cost penalty of having the surgery locally was minimal. 

My surgeon's clientele are primarily natal women who seek mammoplasty/labiaplasty/abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), etc.  At my initial consultation, I found him to be very transgender friendly, as well.  He examined the GRS work that Dr. Chettawut did for me, remarking that aside from the faint scars that remain, and the excess skin in the outer labia, the appearance of my vulva looks very natural.  He expressed considerable surprise that GRS surgery techniques in Thailand were able to achieve such excellent results, having seen the results of MTF GRS surgery results of surgeons here in the U.S.  His comments made my day, of course.

He said I was an excellent candidate for labiaplasty, and although most natal women seek labiaplasty for the labia minora, surgery on my labia majora would be no different than for a natal woman.  I had the surgery done at the same time as he did a tummy tuck, which together took 2-1/2 hours under general anesthesia.  I stayed over night at the surgery center under the watchful supervision of a night shift RN.  If I only had the labia surgery, it would have been done with sedation and a local anesthetic, and I could have returned home the same day.

The labiaplasty incisions were closed with dissolvable sutures, and have already healed nicely.  Post-op discomfort has minimal.  I could sit, stand, and even walk the next day.  I had some minor blood spotting for a couple of days, but that was to be expected.  I still have some swelling, however, but from what I can see today, I'm expecting a very satisfactory end result.   

Probably my final posting on this thread.  It's been two years since my GRS with Dr. Chettawut in Bangkok, Thailand.  The revision labiaplasty that I had earlier this year here in Chicago to remove excess skin in the labia majora has healed up nicely.  Urination flow is normal now, and I'm very happy with the appearance of my vulva. 

I've lost 1/2" of depth, although it's possible to regain it if I take the time to dilate with downward pressure for a couple of hours, but I'm okay with 5-1/2 inches.  I still dilate once a week, but skipping a session doesn't seem to have any negative consequence.  I actually like taking the time to do it.  The few hairs I had at the posterior entry to my vagina seem to have gone away.  I thought I might need some cleanup electrolysis, but it's no longer a concern. 

I masturbate every week or so for fun, and it's becoming easier to reach orgasm as my brain adapts to the new anatomy.  I don't develop that sexual tension build up that testosterone causes.  I think I could do without sex altogether, but I'd rather have it be a small part of my life.  Use it or lose it seems to apply. 

I don't have any odor problems, nor do I find it necessary to douche.  I think the weekly dilation keeps things clean and healthy.  I've had some problems contracting bladder infections, so I take a daily dose of cranberry concentrate to acidify my urine.  It seems to be working. 

Psychologically I'm fine.  It's been four years since I started my transition and I've settled into a comfortable routine.  I find it hard to recall what life used to be like, and I can't imagine wanting to ever go back.  I'm really the happiest I've ever been in my life. 

I finally found my female voice to where I don't have to think about it anymore.  I'm convinced that next to eliminating facial hair, voice quality and speech characteristics are keys to passability.  I live non-disclosure know enjoying all the benefits and dealing with the disadvantages that women face as women.

Transition is hard, there can be no doubt about that, but it can be done with determination and hard work, even at my age.  It's the hardest, but best thing I've ever set out to do. 

To all my sisters:  Good luck wherever your path takes you.

Thank you so much Clara for sharing you whole experience about your SRS with Dr. Chettawut. It has been very useful to me and I'm sure that it has been also to a lot of other girls on Susan's. I wish you well for your life as a woman.

Happy to hear that things worked out fine for you Clara! I'm in a similar boat as you, went for SRS with Chett around the same time but had the same issue of excess tissue. Chett's agreed to revise it and I'm currently back at the Bangkok Rama for a consultation before I decide on any further action. Your story gives me hope that my problems can be solved too. Glad that you're happy and I wish you all the best.