For those who don't have letters Chettawut can schedule you with a local Psychologist  who will write your letters after a session, and yes they speak English. In a thread I made originally when I went another member here gave me an additional suggestion at a community hospital in which she used, perhaps search for my thread "here we go" , also Chett is fairly understanding , when I went I didn't have documented proof of being medicated, but I did have a name and gender change years before so...... perhaps that made a difference I am not sure, but I don't believe a couple month will be an end all to what you plan to have done.

I just recently got a reply from Dr. Saran as he is one of my choices in Thailand. Time plays a big factor for me because I don't think I can wait  whole year before getting it done. But Saran no longer performs sigmoid colon graft. He only does the penile inversion with scrotal graft. it costs about 8500$ before 2015 then 10k after that. I am just waiting on my two letters tomorrow then I am set to get my srs next month. I am pretty much set with Saran as there are hardly if NONE any bad or negative reviews about him. Everyone is different and every person has different material the surgeon can work with. Also caring for the neo vagina plays a big factor! I don't think I can wait and tap my fingers for Brassard as he has a year wait for SRS. Dr. Saran in my experience out of Chettawut, Supporn, Preecha an Brassard was the only one who was extremely detailed with an email response to my inquiry. Saran responded with dates available, and what to expect for surgery.

I chose Chett because of reviews I've read here and elsewhere and the correspondence I received when I enquired. As previously stated the price is 330,000THB When I asked about 6-8 weeks ago they only required you to choose a date 3-4 months ahead. My date was chosen later than that to suit my partners work schedule. With currency fluctuation I'm sure you are well within budget.

You may encounter some resistance to not staying local in the first few weeks post op. From what I've read the taxi ride back to the hotel will not be bad only because it's a short distance and the nurses visit you there daily except Sundays. I wouldn't fancy a terribly long drive north to Chiang Mai or even a flight so soon after major surgery.

Good Luck

Sorcha

As a potential Chet girl, I thought I'd give my 2 cents.

The only thing I don't like (or maybe not looking forward to) is the required stay @ the 'partner hotels'. As someone mentioned earlier, wherein the 'discount'? I believe we are still charged the usual rate but 'forced' to stay for 20 odd days.

OF course i see the benefit of doing so, and nurses visiting you etc etc but seriously, I think we should be allowed to decide on the place to stay. Some people may have accommodation already (I wonder if the Thais who did it with Chett are subject to this requirement too?). Of course again when I say allowed to decide, it should be reasonably near to the clinic, e.g., in the Onnut area etc.

Apart from that, I'm really looking forward to everything and I chose Chettawut too, because of the value for money and the results. I think he is one of the top and yet his charges are still reasonable (for now!).

Having come back recently - and stayed at Dusit Princess. The nurse visits the two hotels (Rama and Dusit) every morning before returning to the clinic to help with the afternoon operations. Typically she will visit around 8 patients at Dusit - and perhaps another 8 at Rama. One patient will be unwrapping - allow 30 minutes. Some may be fast - allow 5 minutes. Typically it is 90 minutes at each hotel - plus travel time. There are always traffic jams in bankok. Her whole morning is spent with patients.

Whilst I agree being able to stay at another hotel would be nice - both the Dusit and Rama are well aware of the needs of their special clientele. And the first 10 days are essentially confined to your room so it is good to have a comfortable one.

I just viewed it as part of the package and decided that it was not worth worrying about.

Quote from: Monkeymel on October 09, 2014, 08:28:32 AM

There are always traffic jams in bankok. Her whole morning is spent with patients.

Bangkok is the only place I've ever visited where you can have 5 lines of stationary traffic on a 3 lane road  The Thais sure know what congestion is all about 

Quote from: Monkeymel on October 09, 2014, 08:28:32 AM

Whilst I agree being able to stay at another hotel would be nice - both the Dusit and Rama are well aware of the needs of their special clientele. And the first 10 days are essentially confined to your room so it is good to have a comfortable one.

I just viewed it as part of the package and decided that it was not worth worrying about.

I have to agree with Mel especially if you go alone. There are allot of very good relatively inexpensive hotels in Bangkok but most are located in the city which would be an horrendous journey both for us and the nurses and then you have the problem of food and supplies in the time you're confined to quarters. I think considering the potential issues of leaving patients to supply their own accommodation it is good that the clinic helps out and they have already sorted out things before we arrive.

Long haul flying carries an increased risk of DVT and that increases after surgery so 3 weeks was the least I'd have wanted post op before getting on a plane and I'm only doing it so soon because I have booked Business Class for my return so I can lie down. Of course it's natural to want to be home and I think there would be many who'd go home sooner if they could so maybe the clinic is deliberately keeping us there longer but for our own good 

Hugs

Sorcha 

Blackponyx: if something smells funnyit's usually because there's something funny going on. do you think a person can be greedy and dishonest as a person/business man but honest as a doctor? That's all I can say. make your own conclusions. Just know that I've met him personally.

Quote from: SorchaC on October 09, 2014, 04:42:38 PM
Bangkok is the only place I've ever visited where you can have 5 lines of stationary traffic on a 3 lane road  The Thais sure know what congestion is all about 
.... so maybe the clinic is deliberately keeping us there longer but for our own good 

Hugs

Sorcha 

That's why you use motorcycles during rush hours. Or sleep on the bus/in the taxi...

I can tell you that the surgeons here usually let Thai people go after 2 days and white ppl/foreigners after 4-6 days.
20 days is definitely not normal. It's just about the money.