Good luck Sorcha!!

It's amazing how each girl here about to get her SRS serves as an inspiration to the girls who are soon to have their turn.  We'll be thinking of you, and look forward to your posts.

Major hugs from Spain 

Julia

Good luck Sorcha!

Let us know how it goes!

Thank you Julia and Sarah for the nice wishes  I know as the day gets closer my nerves will grow although right now I don't seem to have them.

I finally got to see Dr Chett today The driver who collected me arrived very punctually at 0900 and he had reasonable English as well which was nice. Once the formalities of checking over the paperwork and settling the final 100 baht outstanding had been completed I was taken upstairs to meet Chett and let him explain the procedure, I was impressed by how detailed his description was and his explanation of everything. I was given the laxatives and swiff I'll need for the bowel cleansing and then I had to pay for my skin graft before being driven back to the hotel,

One disappointment I've encountered is with Tesco Lotus. The store layout could be vastly improved, I bought a pineapple but the check out girl couldn't scan it because there wasn't a bar code. It took 3 people to finally get it through. The locals stuck waiting smilled allot while the girl ran about the store looking for a code which was nice of them 

So tomorrow I start bowel cleansing and I think I'll go exploring again and try to find a few items for cooking I've not found yet. I bought a microwave as the cost to buy was nearly the same as the hotel will charge for 1 weeks rent on their one. We can let someone who's newly arrived have it when we leave.

I'll pass on more thoughts or events as I have them so for those reading I hope it is an enjoyable read once the main event happens.

Hugs

Sorcha 

We'll be listening!! 

Good luck, Sorcha! I'll be there to see Dr. Chettawut myself in late July!

Quote from: LizMarie on March 27, 2015, 11:26:20 AM

Good luck, Sorcha! I'll be there to see Dr. Chettawut myself in late July!

It will be here in no time and I'm sure you'll have a wonderful experience. 

It's time for my daily update brought to you in association with Tourism Authority of Thailand  We finally have the kitchen set up so my partner can keep me supplied with recovery food once Chett lets me eat again 

On the subject of food, I'm starving after a day without food. Tomorrow I have to start the laxatives and the enema. Not allot else has happened today. One of the problems with having cupboards full of food is it makes you even more hungry when you see it 

One problem I've encountered that others coming may want to bear in mind, Chett requires that you have no nail polish on your nails a day before your op because they put sensors to monitor the amount of Oxygen in your blood on the index and middle fingers of both hands. I have acryllic nails and cannot find anywhere to remove them for me. I also cannot find any acetone to do it myself. This is my task for tomorrow before the laxatives are needed.. Could be something to think of before comming here.

Anyway folks. Thanks for reading so far, I shall add anything else as it happens

Hugs

Sorcha 

Hi Sorcha,

All the very best on Tuesday.  I will be thinking of you all day.

Hugs

Emma

Quote from: EmmaD on March 30, 2015, 03:27:13 AM

Hi Sorcha,

All the very best on Tuesday.  I will be thinking of you all day.

Hugs

Emma

Hi Emma,

My op should start about 1900 your time and will be finished sometime in the early hours of Wednesday morning. I am not sure if you'll hear my yelp of joy when I wake up but if you do then you know it all went well 

I should give some form of update as to how days 2 and 3 of the bowel cleansing went. The enema and the 2 little pills that went before it worked pretty well. Then came the swiff on day 3. It tastes foul as many have said. It also is fairly fast acting and very effective. I have been busy in the toilet for over 24 hours now  and am hoping I've now finally run out of things to pass out. I was given 5 packets of oral rehydration powder to keep me hydrated but I only used one because there was very little difference between the taste of it and the swiff  Chett told me I was allowed isotonic drinks like Lucozade or Gatorade so I drank some of that instead. i am still really hungry but can say it's not long to wait until I am off to get my op and then Chett will feed me yay.

I took a trip over to the Dusit Princess tonight to visit a friend staying there and can offer some thoughts on the place. It looks quite nice, If you've ever stayed in a modern 4* star hotel anywhere in the world I'd say a comparison with the Dusit would be very favourable. The room I saw was not overly large but was comfortabe if you are alone or have a companion who will get out a fair bit.  Because my partner prefers to cook rather than eat out the cottage at the Rama was better for us but if you have no help and don't want to be cooking then the Dusit certainly has many things in it's favour.

it's 12 hours until I am collected by Chetts driver and my big day begins so I best try and get some rest. Thanks for all the best wishes and thoughts I will post updates from the recovery room as long as I can sneak my phone into the bed with me

See you all on the other side 

Hugs

Sorcha 

Sorcha, we are holding thumbs this side of the water! 

Major hugs from Madrid!!

Julia

I wish you a successful surgery. Fingers crossed.

I am out of surgery and as far as I know I'm doing well. Op took 8 hours but that's fine. I'll post more later when my computer is up and running.

Hugs

Sorcha 

Welcome back Sorcha!!

A big welcome back from Melbourne too! 

Here is a biased second opinion.
I am fortunate enough to be Sorcha's partner. I visited her this afternoon and I was thoroughly impressed by how well she was coping so soon after the 7hr+ of serious surgery. I doubt I would be able to do so well when its my turn in 2 or 3 years time.
Thanks everyone for all the kind words - I am sure its helped keep Sorcha (and me) cheered up which always helps with the healing process.

Hi all,
m
Thanks Julia and Emma  It's really good to be back and a postie.

Here's an update to follow on from Bernadettes, The day started with a bed bath and some soya milk and hot chocolate. I was given my morning meds and a morphine jab then I moved room which wasn't really what I'd have asked for 7 hours after my op but the lovely nurses helped me down the stairs.

The room itself is nice. well equiped and cool.The nurses are brilliant and take care to make sure you're as comfortable and settled as you can be, Dr Chett came to see me at about 11am to discus how it went. My op wasn't a simple easy one. It lasted nearly 8 hours and was complicated by a shortage of material to work with and a lack of internal space.He expects I'll have 4-5 inches of depth but that's plenty for me. Most people would consider Chett to be one of the best SRS surgeons around and he said I got the best work he could do so you cannot ask for any more than that.

The rest of the day was spent online or watching TV as well as my 1 hour visit from Bernadette. More meds and Soya Milk and hot chocolate. Nurses are marvellous and I feel good. I'm going to sleep now so will offer more news tomorrow

Hugs

Sorcha 

Hi folks.

Here is today's offering from the bowels  of Chetts empire. It's been a fairly routine day. My drip was removed at 3am and the leg pumps went after breakfast. I finally got something that wasn't liquid. Some biscuits. First ever taste of Miso Soup too. It wasn't bad and I had it 3 times today. Chett popped in and inspected his work. He refuses to say he's happy with it just that he did his best. From my perspective, There's no bleeding all my vitals are good and the best one is there's no pain They gave me morphine yesterday before I walked downstairs but since then when they've asked about pain I've had none. Maybe I'm lucky or maybe all my nerves are dead but whatever way it works I'd still advise people to expect some pain.

I am struggling with being on my back so long and sleep is hard for me. The nursing staff deserve lot's and lot's of praise. They are always smiling and have cheerful greetings ready. I have been having Thai lessons off Noi to pass the time. She loves that I am making an effort.

Chett is considering removing the outer bandages tomorrow night in preparation for me going to the hotel on Saturday morning

Hugs

Sorcha 

Hi Sorcha,
Thank you so much for the updates (Bernadette too).  It is all very helpful and reassuring.  I wondered about how much material the surgeon needs to work with (a surgeon in Melbourne thought I have plenty but I am a bit.........small ) but I hadn't come across the lottery of internal space limitations.  Not much you can do about that but awareness at least means if it does happen, you aren't surprised.  I am also very pleased the care is so good. 

Anyway, its so nice to hear you are doing well.  Just rest and endure the lying down for a little bit longer.

Hugs and stuff

Emma

Hi Emma,

Sorry it's taken a couple of days to reply. I had a rough night Thursday, No matter what I tried I couldn't sleep and when I had breakfast I was sick for a few hours.

Chett told me I was very small but the skin in the graft area was good he said. If a surgeon has told you there's enough skin then I'm sure there will be.

Last night (Friday) Chett and the nurses removed the outer packaging. Most of it came off without any pain until they got to the drains. Nurse warned me it would feel like a mild burning but it was allot worse, Noi who has been my main nurse took to crunching my toes to distract me and in a few seconds it was all over. Then Chett had his chance to see how it all went. I saw it in a mirror and to me it looked red and very angry. Chett didn't seem happy with the result, He assured me he spent the whole 8 hours doing his very best which I believe but the lack of skin to work with was very restricting. He showed me  where he thought the clitoral hood was bigger on one side than the other. He said he hopes it will recover properly before I'm due to go home. I am not disappointed because healing will alter the appearance allot but clearly I don"t have the Miss World of vaginas

This morning early I was transferred to my hotel to rest up until Monday when Noi will return and check out how I am. Packing is scheduled to be removed Tuesday and I'm sure that won't hurt I'm not in any pain now which is always a good thing.

I'm happy to give further info if anyone has any specific requests

Hugs

Sorcha 

Hey Sorcha

Here's hoping you have a good and relaxing weekend! 

I am impressed with your attitude regarding your result, and it's early days yet so there's a lot of healing to be done.  Whatever the result, I am sure it will work great! 

In any event, I think that the number of guys (mostly) who would want to go exploring down there with a flashlight  and a sketchbook is virtually zero, regardless of how pretty we are!  . Which is why I'm sure it will be an excellent result overall. 

When I started with the woman who is doing my perineum electro, not only did I find out that it's pretty common among women to want that area hairless, but she also commented that the variety of vaginas she saw made her realise that there was no such thing as a normal one.   Yours , therefore, will be as normal as any other!

Hugs from España!
Julia

Thank you Julia and Monamtb, It is good to hear opinions from other people because clearly I've never done this before. I agree there isn't really a model vagina upon which we can  base a judgement of our results. Chett has pointed out where he feels a better result could have been achieved if he'd had more material to work with and I see that as honesty. When all the healing is done I am sure my result will compare well with anybody else's but if it doesn't then what does it matter? I'm not planning on entering it into a beautiful vagina contest.

I should give some updates on the last couple pf days since being returned to the hotel. All throughout this since having surgery I have struggled with sleeping on my back. while in Chetts place the bed was comfortable because the nurses kept adjusting it. Last night sleeping back in Rama Cottages was absolute torture. My back was hurting more than any Surgery. Bernadette was sent to Tesco Lotus on a mission to secure me a more comfortable sleeping arrangement which she seems to have done by buying a Picnic Mattress and pillow as well as a Queen sized quilt. Trapped wind was also an issue last night and unlike when I was at Chetts there wasn't any medication to ease it so once again I had it order in supplies during the daily Tesco run.

Now for the actual surgery site. When I got my first view Friday night it looked really angry and red even my thighs and buttocks close to the site. I had Bernadette take a photo earlier and it has calmed down quite allot. Two things I expected allot of were bleeding and pain and I haven't really had any of either. There has obviously been some discomfort when moving but nothing bad enough to make me run for meds. The bed pad and my panty pad were clear this morning and my vagina seems to be healing well.

I am hoping these updates are giving an honest appraisal of how I am coping or not with this whole experience, We are all different and all feel things differently so my thoughts are just an example.

Well folk more from the front line in the morning

Hugs

Sorcha