I took a walk to Seacon Square yesterday afternoon to buy some groceries at Tesco Lotus.  It was good to get out into the fresh air after so many days confined inside.  I probably over did it a bit, but it gave me confidence that I'm on the mend.  I wear my regular panties and liner without discomfort.  There's very minimal bleeding that I can tell.  What's evident probably comes from having a dilation session.  The external visible incisions look quite healed and sturdy.  I had good sensation right from day 1 post.  No numbness anywhere.

Needless to say I'm thrilled with the results so far.

Keep sending us all of this good news.

Although you said that you were tired after the trip to the mall, what I have read here would indicate that one could expect to be quite exhausted for a while after the surgery.  We're all different and will all have our own challenges, but I haven't read of a recovery as smooth as yours.

As I'll be at the Vaginal oops, I meant Vertical Suites as well.  any  feedback you have would be welcome. 

Hugz,

Joi

Joi, I'm happy to have chosen The Vertical Suite for my stay here in Bangkok.  As you would expect there are advantages and disadvantages depending on what you are looking for.

Advantages:
1. The rooms at actually suites, very nicely appointed, with plenty of windows, and good artificial lighting.  The suites include a full kitchen with washer and dryer, microwave, electric range top, large refrigerator/freezer, toaster, coffee maker, and, of course, a sink.
2. The bathroom includes both a tub and separate shower.  The toilet has a bidet style water sprayer.
3. There is A/C in the living room/kitchen and also in the bedroom.  It's a split unit, so it's relatively quiet.  Given the heat that is constant here in Bangkok the A/C is very important.  It runs a lot.
4. The included breakfast buffet has a variety of different foods, hot dishes, salads, fruit, juice, coffee, tea, cereals, etc.  You can almost make it the main meal of the day.
5.  Each room has it's own wifi router at no extra change.  Bandwidth seemed adequate for most uses with download speeds of 10 Mbps and uploads at 0.5 Mbps.
6.  There is a security safe for valuables.
7.  There's a flat screen TV in both the living room and bedroom.
8.  Room service happens daily with clean towels, trash removal, and beds made up.  Linens are changed weekly.
9.  The hotel is located directly across the street from the Seacon Square and Paradise Park shopping malls providing convenient access to everything you might find a need for including groceries, restaurants, banking, and, of course, all manner of shopping.
10. The hotel staff is friendly and responsive to requests of any kind.
11. I paid $52 USD/day for my one bedroom.  Not bad for a 4 star rated hotel.

Disadvantages:
1. Dr. Chettawut's patients are not located together as they are a the Dusit Princess or at Rama,  so you shouldn't expect to make friends with other trans women while here.
2. The outside A/C unit is located on the balcony which makes the balcony useless as living space while running.
3. Street noise and revelry can be heard late into the evening some nights for rooms facing Seacon Square.
4. The hotel has 24 floors with two elevators so waits can be a bit long at busy times of the day.
5. No outside local calls are allowed from your room.  You must go through the front desk.

Thanks for the Vertical Suites review.  Not many people have commented on the hotel and it is very helpful.  Not so sure it is where I want to spend Christmas and New Year but it is what it is. Actually, Christmas Day may be at the clinic!

You must be very pleased with your recovery.  You have given me something to hope for but not expect!

Enjoy the remainder of your stay in Bangkok and please don't overdo it.

Emma

The key factor in my decision about where to stay was to pick a place where my spouse wouldn't be driven crazy from boredom.  She came to Marbella, Spain with me for my FFS where we stayed in an apartment.  That worked out well. Having a place to stay that offered some of the same amenities of home was something that I knew was important especially as we would be staying in Bangkok for a month or more.

If I was coming here alone, however, I would have preferred a place where I might befriend other Chettawut patients.  I can't imagine not having others to talk to and bond with when working through the physical and emotional effects of this surgery.

OMG! I got a call from Dr. Chettawut's office this afternoon asking why I wasn't in my hotel room this morning when they showed up here at the hotel to see me.  Nor was I anywhere in the vicinity of the hotel.   Honestly, I thought that once the catheter was taken out, and I was trained to do dilations, that the nurse visits were over.  Not true.  They continue to monitor my healing process beyond that point.  That's good, I suppose.  I'll make a point of being in my room Monday morning.

It's November 15 -- day 12 post-op.  I'm feeling strong and energetic today.  We plan on taking another walk outside.  I think the walks are good for me.  I've been out on short trips to the mall twice already with no apparent difficulty.  Here I am this morning about to head down to The Vertical Suite dining room for a good breakfast.  I'm taking my doughnut cushion along to make sitting comfortable.

You look super!

Thanks for all of the info on the hotel.

Hugz,
Joi

We took a walk down Srinakarin Street to the Dusit Princess hotel this morning.  Nice hotel!

November 18, 2015 and day 15 post-op.  Two of Dr. Chettawut's nurses come by every day (except Sunday) to check on my healing, and making sure that I'm taking my meds and doing daily dilations.  That routine will continue for another week.

I'm healing up very well, I'm told.  There's not much pain anymore.  I've given up carrying my doughnut cushion to the dining room for breakfast as the chairs are reasonably soft and comfortable without it.

We've been taking daily walks to Seacon Square to buy groceries.  I get a little tired after one of these 1 hour excursions but not enough to feel like taking a nap.  My red blood cell count is at the low end of normal range, so that part of the reason for the fatigue.

I'm still using the #1 dilator, and am forbidden to move up to #2 just yet.  That will happen this weekend.  I can see that dilations are going to significantly alter the way I plan daily activities for months to come.  It's easy to forget to do the one that should be done in the afternoon.  At some point I might switch over to doing the Suporn 'dynamic dilation' method for the benefits that are claimed -- less time devoted to dilation and better scar reduction/softening.

Quote from: Clara Kay on November 18, 2015, 01:25:44 AM
At some point I might switch over to doing the Suporn 'dynamic dilation' method for the benefits that are claimed -- less time devoted to dilation and better scar reduction/softening.

I'd be careful about doing that early on. Suporn does an examination before he allows the change from static to dynamic, although its typically 2 weeks post op. People have injured themselves when they try it too early. I suppose you could always ask Dr Chett.

I love the pictures of the hotel. Suporn needs to upgrade.

Quote from: Clara Kay on November 10, 2015, 01:10:21 AM
It was 1:45 pm on Nov 10th here in Bangkok. The nurses had just left after removing my bandages and vaginal packing, and inspecting the progress of healing. The verdict: Everything looks very good.

I was expecting it to hurt, but I felt no pain at all, even when the dilator device was inserted to measure the depth of my new vagina. Dr. Chettawut acheived my goal of 6 inches. It was all over so quickly and so easily, and I had the biggest smile on my face knowing everything has worked out great so far.

They gave me a mirror to take a look myself. It was beautiful! Beautiful even with hundreds of stitches still visible. They will dissolve in time, of course. Friday I will have the catheter removed so that I can venture out of my hotel room.

I was also expecting pain today when the nurses came to remove the vaginal packing but it was a smooth, easy process. My depth is also 6 inches. Now I'm just ready for them to take this catheter out. Hopefully that will also be painless.

That's wonderful, Princess.  I'm glad you are feeling relatively comfortable.  It sure make for a better overall experience, doesn't it.  I know that we all react differently to this highly invasive surgery, but assuming that it will be an overly painful experience is probably not warranted.  Good luck on your recovery.  Who is your surgeon?

Quote from: Clara Kay on November 18, 2015, 03:20:21 AM
That's wonderful, Princess.  I'm glad you are feeling relatively comfortable.  It sure make for a better overall experience, doesn't it.  I know that we all react differently to this highly invasive surgery, but assuming that it will be an overly painful experience is probably not warranted.  Good luck on your recovery.  Who is your surgeon?

Chettawut also. I'm at the Dusit Princess but after reading your post I emailed Som about moving to The Vertical Suites. But recovery wise it really isn't painful just uncomfortable at times.

OMGosh!  You're here now?  Let's get together then.  When will you feel up for a visit?  I can come to Dusit.  How about Sunday the 22nd?

Quote from: Clara Kay on November 18, 2015, 09:04:49 AM
OMGosh!  You're here now?  Let's get together then.  When will you feel up for a visit?  I can come to Dusit.  How about Sunday the 22nd?

That would be great, I've been waiting to meet another girl to talk to. Sunday should be good for me. Dilation began for me today and OMG that was an experience! I don't know how I'm going to survive dilating.

Wonderful, Baby!  Sunday it will be.  No nurses to worry about on Sundays....lol.  Want to meet for lunch at the Dusit Princess?

Yes, dilation is a chore.  I always read a book to pass the time.  It makes it much more pleasant when the time goes by faster.

Quote from: Clara Kay on November 18, 2015, 11:44:12 PM
Wonderful, Baby!  Sunday it will be.  No nurses to worry about on Sundays....lol.  Want to meet for lunch at the Dusit Princess?

Yes, dilation is a chore.  I always read a book to pass the time.  It makes it much more pleasant when the time goes by faster.

Yes lunch would be great. Can't wait!

Great!  Around noon then.  I'll call up to your room from the Dusit lobby.  Let me know your room number via PM.  We can stay at the Dusit or go over to Seacon Square as you prefer.  This will be so nice!  Hugs.

Congradulations Clara.  I am very happy for you and that all went well.
I just wired my deposit to Dr. Chettawut's office for a June 16 surgery next year. 
If you don't mind sharing our thoughts, why did you select Dr. Chettawut for your surgeon?  Were the facilities clean and give you a feeling of a professional environment? 
To be honest, after all my research I just ran across a website for Victums of Dr. Chettawut.  It kind of scared me a bit.  Your experience has settled my nerves a bit.  I thank you for that.

Take care,
Stephanie