Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Hi everyone :)

I've reached the stage in my transition where I'm ready to be put forward for a GRS referral through the NHS. Having done a tonne of research and spoken to a lot of people though, I really think I'd prefer Dr Chettawut. I know that there's a few girls on here from the UK who have gone with him so figured it wouldn't be much of an issue but the reaction from my GIC has surprised me, so I have a few questions..

I feel a bit stupid for even asking this, but is the technique Dr Chettawut uses non-penile inversion? Obviously he says it on his website, and if he was lying I think people would have noticed, but the staff at the GIC were adamant that he's lying (as is Suporn  ???) and according to them, the techniques are the same as here in the NHS. Like I said I think I know they're wrong but they've put this doubt in my mind now.

When I told the nurse that I wanted to go to Dr Chettawut, she actually said "When you come back, the NHS will have NOTHING to do with you". Obviously I know if I want any cosmetic stuff done later on, I'll have to go back to Chettawut, I'm fine with that, but she was insistent that anything would be refused and I'd have to fly back (the example used was granulation tissue, which I'm sure I've heard of GP's treating?) I know she was exaggerating, I mean if I'm ill my doctor isn't gonna say "Nope you had surgery in thailand, go away" but when it comes to stuff like granulation tissue will the NHS treat it?

Did you have this conversations about techniques with actual surgeons who do SRS in UK, or did you talk about this with therapist or nurses? Because apart from surgeons, who actually perform this surgeries, noone else knows a <Not Permitted> about techniques and differences among many variations.

When you come back after surgery, you SHOULD have full medical support from someone specialized in this field, not only in cases of complication but also for regular checkups. I think someone is trying to scare you away from this idea...

You need to complain, immediately. First, they are obviously spreading misinformation for their own purposes. It is patently incorrect that these Thai surgeons perform the same, outmoded, outdated procedures as the NHS; both have published on their surgeries. Indeed, there is far less information on the NHS techniques than any popular private surgeon. And threatening you with the prospect care would be declined is not only immoral, but illegal. I hope you have some record of this conversation, but even if not, you still need to complain. The longer the NHS is allowed to get away with appalling and frequently illegal trans-related care (as it is now recognised in the very recently published government report [House of Commons Women and Equalities Committee] "Transgender Equality"), the worse it is for all of us. The NHS CANNOT in ANY SITUATION decline necessary, especially life saving care. Even if all staff involved know the person has NO recourse to public funds (for instance, exaggeratedly, they've just washed up on a beach, are apparently stateless, don't speak any English) they CANNOT decline care - they simply are obligated to attempt to recoup the costs of the procedure after fact, but as I assume you DO have recourse to public funds, this is another matter entirely, simply to make the point what that nurse told you is beyond rubbish.

You've learned something useful about these people. If they are lying or incompetent about this, what else?

If its at all possible I'd be looking for a new doctor.

I've one place I won't go because one of the doctors there thought prescribing premarin was a good idea.

Dr Suporn started with penile inversion (learned from Dr Preecha), then developed his new technique to improve on it. I believe Dr Chett then adopted at least some of Dr Suporn's technique himself.