Something else to think about, too....When time comes for the vaginoplasty, do you want a penile inversion or a scrotal skin graft?

I think as I understand it the penile inversion is a Thailand technique, longer operation but gives more depth and feeling? Scrotal skin is more straightforward and, importantly, available in the UK under the NHS? The latter may be the deciding factor for me. I'm probably most interested in the external cosmetic appearance.

Quote from: Richenda on January 09, 2016, 02:28:29 AM
I think as I understand it the penile inversion is a Thailand technique, longer operation but gives more depth and feeling? Scrotal skin is more straightforward and, importantly, available in the UK under the NHS? The latter may be the deciding factor for me. I'm probably most interested in the external cosmetic appearance.

I think you have that reversed. Scrotal resection is practiced mostly in Thailand, whereas the predominant technique elsewhere is penile inversion. PI has an easier recovery, but I hear that scrotal resection allows more depth.

Quote from: suzifrommd on January 09, 2016, 05:15:07 AM
I think you have that reversed. Scrotal resection is practiced mostly in Thailand, whereas the predominant technique elsewhere is penile inversion. PI has an easier recovery, but I hear that scrotal resection allows more depth.

I can absolutely, definitely, 110% guarantee that vaginas built with penile inversion and scrotal tissue are done in the UK because I am sitting on one as I type....

I have 5.5" to 6" of depth which, when you consider that things shrank a lot on HRT and I was circumcised as well, is rather incredible. I assumed I would come back with about 4" depth.

Wow. I'm sure I've read this elsewhere some time ago but does that mean that there's now no difference between Thai techniques and those available in the UK?

Pyhxbp can I ask where you had that done and was it under the NHS? (Apologies if you told me this previously.)

Quote from: Richenda on January 09, 2016, 06:51:01 AM
Wow. I'm sure I've read this elsewhere some time ago but does that mean that there's now no difference between Thai techniques and those available in the UK?

There's not one Thai technique, but several. Dr Suporn is the originator of this different Thai technique your thinking of, Dr Chett has adopted at least some aspects of it, and the others do penile inversion as practiced elsewhere.

I don't think Suporn's technique is practiced outside Thailand, at the very least because it entails a longer (double) recovery, and I think that would be noticed.

I can't say I've studied the UK techniques much, but from what I have read I'd say there's no chance of it being the same, or even similar.

Quote from: Richenda on January 09, 2016, 06:51:01 AM
Wow. I'm sure I've read this elsewhere some time ago but does that mean that there's now no difference between Thai techniques and those available in the UK?

The Thai techniques seem highly focused on the aesthetics, the UK ones less so. My priorities were good surgeons, good facilities, good technique and within a reasonable travelling time. I read of US or Thai patients having to stay in hotels and be visited by nurses a couple of times a day. I was in a proper hospital for 6 days with full nursing support, proper pain control, infection control, etc, etc. In my case one thing did happen unexpectedly during my recovery and I awoke to find a full crash team round me. That would not have happened in a hotel.

I do not spend much time admiring my vagina because it is actually impossible to see the darned thing. My girl friends laughed when I told them this and said that is perfectly normal. My journey home took just over an hour.

Quote from: Richenda on January 09, 2016, 06:51:01 AMPyhxbp can I ask where you had that done and was it under the NHS? (Apologies if you told me this previously.)

Methley Park (Leeds) which is private, but I was an NHS patient.

That's so helpful again thank you. There's no one size fits all with transitioning but I share similar feelings to you. I've had one or two health turns overseas and I wouldn't personally want to be in a hotel. There's also the issue of cost, which is a big consideration.

I'm not so worried about maximum depth, I don't think. That's funny what you said about not being able to see yourself. It's that moment of standing in the changing room I guess when you want to feel it's a good job.

Quote from: Richenda on January 09, 2016, 07:22:20 AM
I'm not so worried about maximum depth, I don't think. That's funny what you said about not being able to see yourself. It's that moment of standing in the changing room I guess when you want to feel it's a good job.

Unless you stand with your legs apart, no one will ever see it, nor will you, even in a full-length mirror. All that is visible is the top of the bifurcation into the labia majora as a dark line in between the top of your thighs.

Also, ladies in changing rooms tend to be very modest. It is not like the blokes were casual nudity is not uncommon. Most ladies face the wall or use a large towel when removing underwear.

Quote from: pyhxbp on January 09, 2016, 07:16:14 AM
The Thai techniques seem highly focused on the aesthetics, the UK ones less so. My priorities were good surgeons, good facilities, good technique and within a reasonable travelling time. I read of US or Thai patients having to stay in hotels and be visited by nurses a couple of times a day. I was in a proper hospital for 6 days with full nursing support, proper pain control, infection control, etc, etc. In my case one thing did happen unexpectedly during my recovery and I awoke to find a full crash team round me. That would not have happened in a hotel.

In Suporn's case you're discharged from the hospital on day 7 (0 being the op), then stay in the hotel next to their clinic for until days 24-30, with daily checkups by clinic staff and once or twice a week by Suporn. He does a fair number of revisions during those days as well, which I like the sound of. Its a very high level of care.

I don't know what the other surgeons there do.

Quote from: AnonyMs on January 09, 2016, 07:26:21 AM
In Suporn's case you're discharged from the hospital on day 7 (0 being the op), then stay in the hotel next to their clinic for until days 24-30, with daily checkups by clinic staff and once or twice a week by Suporn. He does a fair number of revisions during those days as well, which I like the sound of. Its a very high level of care.

I don't know what the other surgeons there do.

I have read about too many other surgeons (particularly US/Canada/Mexico) where on day 2 you move across the road into a hotel. Some of the Thai ones too but I do not know which ones. Maybe this is why Suporn is much more expensive?

Quote from: pyhxbp on January 09, 2016, 07:26:07 AM
Unless you stand with your legs apart, no one will ever see it, nor will you, even in a full-length mirror. All that is visible is the top of the bifurcation into the labia majora as a dark line in between the top of your thighs.

Also, ladies in changing rooms tend to be very modest. It is not like the blokes were casual nudity is not uncommon. Most ladies face the wall or use a large towel when removing underwear.

Lol good points! I guess providing you don't have a whopping great bulge there that's the main thing

Quote from: pyhxbp on January 09, 2016, 07:28:31 AM
I have read about too many other surgeons (particularly US/Canada/Mexico) where on day 2 you move across the road into a hotel. Some of the Thai ones too but I do not know which ones. Maybe this is why Suporn is much more expensive?

Suporn's currently 550K baht, or about US$15K (plus hotel, travel, etc). I don't know how that compares to anyone else except Chett in Thailand, who's apparently 330K baht. Personally Suporn could double or triple his price and I'd still choose him.

I can only guess that he's expensive in Thailand because of the care plus the basic fact that he has a year long wait list. The mystery to me is why he doesn't charge more.

By the standards of today, my surgery is pretty primitive in appearance but I have changed in full view of other women and have never received a comment about my body. In bed playing doctor, somebody knowledgeable would be able to tell  the difference however that's not important to me because anybody who goes to bed with me, will know of my past.

I have penile inversion with about 5.5 inches of depth. I doubt very much I will ever encounter a male who can extend 7.5 inches so I don't think depth is much of a worry.

Yes, I could go in for revision surgery that would improve the appearance but I see little reason to do so as I am not interested in photos of my bottom side.

Surgery is pretty much one shot so make sure you know what is important to you before deciding on a surgery. If you want to go full stealth, your options are limited. If you are comfortable with sexual partners being aware of your past, your options are much greater.

Quote from: pyhxbp on January 09, 2016, 07:28:31 AM
I have read about too many other surgeons (particularly US/Canada/Mexico) where on day 2 you move across the road into a hotel. Some of the Thai ones too but I do not know which ones. Maybe this is why Suporn is much more expensive?

With Suporn revisions are possible lifelong. He charges upfront.

Quote from: AnonyMs on January 09, 2016, 08:03:30 AM
I can only guess that he's expensive in Thailand because of the care plus the basic fact that he has a year long wait list. The mystery to me is why he doesn't charge more.

Because there are many places in Thailand doing surgeries ? There are big clinics which charge considerably less (but with a different technique).


hugs

Quote from: Laura_7 on January 09, 2016, 09:07:44 AM
With Suporn revisions are possible lifelong. He charges upfront.

True, but they are likely not very expensive for him to do and only a fraction of women would go for them. That would bring the average cost right down.

Quote from: Laura_7 on January 09, 2016, 09:07:44 AM
Because there are many places in Thailand doing surgeries ? There are big clinics which charge considerably less (but with a different technique).

While this is true I don't think its why he doesn't raise the price. With a year long wait list he could start pushing it up until his wait list is much smaller. That would be a normal business practice. I'd guess he's just not very good at business, or perhaps its a moral issue. Chett has a different problem, as his wait list is only a few months, so there's not a lot he can do on that front.

Quote from: AnonyMs on January 09, 2016, 09:34:46 AM
True, but they are likely not very expensive for him to do and only a fraction of women would go for them. That would bring the average cost right down.

Well until complete recovery there are quite a few who have a revisoin.
It might also make for a better outcome.

Quote
While this is true I don't think its why he doesn't raise the price. With a year long wait list he could start pushing it up until his wait list is much smaller. That would be a normal business practice. I'd guess he's just not very good at business, or perhaps its a moral issue. Chett has a different problem, as his wait list is only a few months, so there's not a lot he can do on that front.

I'd be careful with this kind of approach...
from a certain level on a lot of other surgeons are within reach then...
and if the sentiment would start its only for a top few the list might shrink further...
just compare within the country. There are others many percent below this level already.

And it might be kind of a humanitarian approach... making it possible for many people...


hugs

Quote from: Laura_7 on January 09, 2016, 10:22:45 AM
Well until complete recovery there are quite a few who have a revisoin.
It might also make for a better outcome.

He seems to do a fair proportion of revisions immediately post-op in the first month, but I don't think that's whats meant by free. I believe there's a lot less going back a year and more later.

Quote from: Laura_7 on January 09, 2016, 10:22:45 AM
I'd be careful with this kind of approach...
from a certain level on a lot of other surgeons are within reach then...
and if the sentiment would start its only for a top few the list might shrink further...
just compare within the country. There are others many percent below this level already.

And it might be kind of a humanitarian approach... making it possible for many people...

I don't understand what you're saying here.

Quote from: AnonyMs on January 09, 2016, 10:32:50 AM
He seems to do a fair proportion of revisions immediately post-op in the first month, but I don't think that's whats meant by free. I believe there's a lot less going back a year and more later.

Yes there are. But overall there seems to be quite a few revisions which raise necessary efforts, and thus price.

Quote
I don't understand what you're saying here.

its like a plane if you overdraw ( going too high too fast ) its possible you sag.


hugs

Quote from: Laura_7 on January 09, 2016, 10:37:21 AM
Yes there are. But overall there seems to be quite a few revisions which raise necessary efforts, and thus price.

Could be I suppose, he does spend a fair bit of time with patients post-op, lots of checkups and revisions. And there's all the other staff involved, and he does have a lot of them.

Quote from: Laura_7 on January 09, 2016, 10:37:21 AM
its like a plane if you overdraw ( going too high too fast ) its possible you sag.

I think I understand now, but I disagree. You'd just creep the price up over years if you wanted to. There's no need to have a year long wait list, and it leaves plenty of scope for experimenting with price without messing it up. Just raise it 5% above inflation every year and see what happens. He's clearly not going to though. Fortunately.