Hello.. I'm having SRS in Thailand with Dr. Chet in early-mid December.  I paid my deposit back in June but I'm wondering who else paid their balance due with cash, Travelers cheques or a bank wire.  I'm trying to avoid paying the high exchange rate through my bank by NOT sending a bank wire. I'm a little weary of traveling with thousands of dollars in my pocket and I'm not sure if I should just suck it up and pay the additional percentage of my deposit and wire the funds through my bank. What did you ladies do who've traveled to Thailand for SRS/FFS.

As far as work goes, how long were you off work in total for surgery? I plan on taking 8 weeks off work. I work an office job.  Is that long enough? Or too much time?

Also, for those of you who have not disclosed that you're trans to your employer what excuse did you use as to why you're taking medical leave?

Kendra

P.S.  How do you post your picture on your profile

I paid the required deposit via bank transfer, but I did not feel comfortable paying the remainder up front, because I was worried that something (however unlikely) could go wrong, and I didn't want to take the chance, so I went to an American Express Travel Store, and purchased travelers checks, and I also bought some Thai Bahts for spending.

I paid everything except the skin graft up front. From here at least, the bank charges are very low, certainly lower than getting travellers checks done. Regarding cash, with a Visa Premier card I could withdraw 10000 Bath/day in ATM's and the only time I needed more cash, to pay for the skin graft, I did a manual withdrawal with my card in a bank at the Tesco supermarket near the Rama.
Regarding recovery, if you have no serious complications, you should be in pretty good shape after eight weeks but it does vary quite a bit from one person to another.
Wishing you all the best!
Donna

I paid for the full amount via wire transfer. As for the skin graft and other balance I had left to pay off, I paid with my debit card and also took out extra spending money that was converted to baht at the nearest ATM at the hotel I was staying at (Bangkok Rama Hotel). I still have yet to pay off my hotel stay and the room service and I already got that covered and paying them in baht instead of giving them my debit.

dr chet? you mean chettawut?