Given the fact that having SRS performed by Dr. Chettawut requires about a thirty day trip abroad, I'm having trouble finding someone who is able to accompany me for the entire stay.  A family member can take off about two weeks and be with me at the start of the process, but it's a huge amount of time to ask someone else to spend with me.  (Sorry, no significant other to help.)  And after a few weeks stuck in a hotel, we'd be ready to kill each other.  I guess she could always do some sightseeing?

Is is possible to have SRS done and have nobody staying with me?  I imagine there'll be a few thoroughly miserable days after being released from the hospital during the initial convalescence in the hotel or cottage (probably the cottage - looks pretty), but at what point after surgery did you feel able to take care of your own needs without a companion?

The whole "no companion" thing is making going to a surgeon with a dedicated recovery facility seem far more sensible than trekking halfway across the globe.  But Dr. Chettawut is pretty much the only surgeon who is affordable for me, and who will allow me to book a suitable date well in advance so I can plan properly.  All in - accommodation, flights, business class return - he's still FAR cheaper than the US surgeons.

Also, travel home.  Need a companion for that, or is it a case of wheelchair (or hobble) to the gate, settle into the plane, sleep?  Not that I even know what a companion would do on a plane - take me to the toilet?

Basically is an SRS companion a necessity or a luxury?

As always, everyone's experience will vary. I myself was lucky enough to be able to handle all of the post experiences on my own. Booked the wheelchair at the airport, turns out I don't need one. Thought that I need friends to deliver some food for me, didn't need one either. The only thing that my friend helped me was picking me up from the airport to home.

In the end, I would think it is better to be prepared in case you need them rather than stuck on your own.
What about companion for the last 2 weeks of your journey there? that way there's someone that will watch you all the way home.

FYI. I went to Brassard in Montreal

I'm lying in bed in a Bangkok Rama cottage right now lol...

For the first week or so after you get out of the clinic, it would be really really nice to have someone here with you. After that, you will be able to get around much better and could make it much easier on your own as long as you take it easy every other day.

As for the return trip, business class would be nice, but as far as a wheelchair goes....you won't need it. We're two weeks post op and are getting around just fine. Walked to the tesco and back today with little pain (and I had breast and butt implants AND SRS).

Of course, your experience may vary. After the first week post op, I think you would be fine though. There are several girls here who came by themselves, so that's possible too. Just would be easier to have someone to help early on while you're still easily fatigued by being upright!

Hi

I just returned to the states from having SRS and BA with Chettawut.

I did go alone but at times that was difficult as I had some issues with depression, loneliness and lack of sleep. However staying at the cottages did allow me to connect with other women which help immensely

I did request wheelchair help at the airport and very glad I did as I am still very sore down bellow and to much walking aggravates things.

Quote from: treeLB on June 16, 2015, 01:02:21 PM
Hi

I just returned to the states from having SRS and BA with Chettawut.

I did go alone but at times that was difficult as I had some issues with depression, loneliness and lack of sleep. However staying at the cottages did allow me to connect with other women which help immensely

I did request wheelchair help at the airport and very glad I did as I am still very sore down bellow and to much walking aggravates things.

Hi! I hope everything is going well for you.

Although my initial plan was to go alone, I had a room mate for a portion of my stay at the Rama. She arrived a few days after my surgery, and left for the amount of time required for hers, and to be honest it was very nice having the companion, even in a sense that there's someone in the room with you.

But for the time I was by myself... Well, there were some harder days but looking back it was fine overall. Immediately post-op after getting back to the hotel, I was an emotional wreck so it's probably best nobody was there to see it. There also one bad night I had a really severe fever, hot flashes and all that fun stuff and I wish someone had been there, but oh well, I lived.

As far as handling yourself physically, you won't be able to leave your room for some time anyway, and you'll be in bed most of the time. I was at the Rama, they restock water and soda daily, room service is veeeery cheap, if you get breakfast service, the food given can last you til dinner. Just buy some stuff that won't go bad fast before the surgery and you should be alright on your own, I was eventually able to go to the local 7/11, Tesco a few times ( although it's further down the block and there's a set of stairs ), even down to Seacon Square on my last day in Thailand. Also, the local KFC and Pizza Hut deliver if you have the hotel staff order it for you.

For the travel home, since you'll likely be able to walk by then, you don't need a companion. Use the wheelchair service at the Bangkok airport, so you can just dash through security and be at your gate in no time, as opposed to waiting in lines, on foot. The only line you'll have to wait in is to check in your luggage, then you flash the paper Chett will give you and the wheelchair guy will handle everything for you from then on. And they'll give you a better seat!
If you have a connecting flight, just flash the paper to somebody from the airport staff again after you land, I personally didn't since the airport was smaller and not very crowded so it was a piece of cake.

To sum up, it's not neccessary to have a companion, I was fortunate enough to have it for the time that I had, it makes the time pass quicker, but if you can occupy yourself well enough you should be fine.

I has SRS with Ch. and I traveled on my own. For the first few days after the surgery you will be in bed and room service is okay. You need companion to talk to. After the first week you will be able to walk and you can buy food also. At the hotel there will be several other patients and you will make friends. So in case you can't find or afford a companion you don't neet it.

Sounds like I'll be traveling alone and packing a lot of reading.  Just can't get a commitment on permanent company to come with me, although there's plenty of people who would like to come for a week and visit.  (Yeah, free vacation...)

As long as it's survivable and you're not left in your hotel room at the beginning without painkillers or any way to get medical help if needed, it could be something of an adventure.  I'm a person who likes solitude and my own company.  Good weather, a good cup of tea, and a good book - my idea of heaven, regardless of the chaos going on between my legs.

Here were two descriptions of the Dusit and the Rama which might help you consider...

the Dusit
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,182934.msg1664254.html#msg1664254
the Rama
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,182934.msg1657737.html#msg1657737


hugs

Quote from: StartingOver on June 17, 2015, 04:11:32 PM


As long as it's survivable and you're not left in your hotel room at the beginning without painkillers or any way to get medical help if needed, it could be something of an adventure.  I'm a person who likes solitude and my own company. 

It is.  Lots of us have done it alone. The nurses will take good care of you and make sure you are recovering well at the hotel.

Try to go in the cool season though, right now is super hot and humid the air conditioners have a hard time keeping up and walking around outside can be very uncomfortable.

Hi everyone i know this going off topic but im here too in Thailand and about to have surgery with dr chetts tomorrow for FFS. I am staying at the Dusit princess hotel! I feel i have made the wrong choice of picking the hotel as there is no one here (sisters) im here alone and would have loved to meet other girls about to have surgery with dr chetts. Dont get me wrong the hotel is beautiful and the staff amazing and the best quality customer service! But i just feel so alone with all the business people all around me in the hotel. Anyways vent over! Hope all you lovely ladies heal well and have an awesome day!

HAve you asked the DR staff or nurses if there are any others at the hotel? There might be and you may be able to connect through the Dr's staff. Ask them.

Quote from: treeLB on June 19, 2015, 03:06:53 PM
HAve you asked the DR staff or nurses if there are any others at the hotel? There might be and you may be able to connect through the Dr's staff. Ask them.

Heyyy tree
I have asked one of the nurses and she said there was another Australian girl here at my hotel too! But i guess lost in translation she couldn't tell me what room she in. Anyways in 1 hour i am about to be picked up by dr chetts driver as my surgery is today so nervous about the pain!
But i will ask again when i get there today
Thanks tree
Hugss
Danni

Quote from: daniellahaumono on June 20, 2015, 12:07:06 AM
Heyyy tree
I have asked one of the nurses and she said there was another Australian girl here at my hotel too! But i guess lost in translation she couldn't tell me what room she in. Anyways in 1 hour i am about to be picked up by dr chetts driver as my surgery is today so nervous about the pain!
But i will ask again when i get there today
Thanks tree
Hugss
Danni

I had a house mate during ffs surgery with dr cardenas last year from Australia . she said a year from last year ariund this time she would be with dr chett.. I wonder if thats her... Hmm. Forgot to stay in contact she was really kind.

Hi girls, I'm in Thailand, if you want someone accompany you during your surgery and recovery period drop me a line ok. I could stop by and check you guys out and may be we can be new friends ^__^ , so here's my email : naeree.s@gmail.com and skype : naeree.song

I know how it's like on the first month after srs as I always be with my friends when they get srs, so just drop me a skyp call or email me ok, and let me know if you need anything

As folks have said it is possible to do this alone but company is preferred, I was lucky in that I had my partner with me and she acted as room service when I couldn't move. If someone could only manage 2 weeks My suggestion would be ask them to come for the middle part. You arrive 3 days before the op and that is a settling in period where you can set the room up and relax while sorting out your own feelings about the journey. I used it also as a mini break where I went exploring. You'll then have  4 days in Chetts place where the nurses will do everything for you so in effect your first week is easily survived alone.

The day you get out the clinic is a good day for someone to arrive and the 2 weeks after that are when you'll most need someone. In my last week I was out and about everywhere and it was just a vacation while waiting to go home. if you are less mobile it is likely if you stay at Rama you'll have made friends with others who can help you and once at the airport you can have the wheelchair if you want or need it. If you've alerted the airline you need help the cabin crew will make sure you have what you need once onboard and you can have friends or family meet you at your home airport.

Good luck with your surgery, I know you'll have a great time and be well cared for

Hugs

Sorcha