Hi everyone.
I just returned from Bangkok to Istanbul, 2 weeks after having my SRS and tracheal shave with Dr. Sutin. I thought I would write my experiences because there are relatively less posts of this type about PAI. I was well enough to start writing this as soon as 1 or 2 day post op but I wanted to write on my keyboard so I just took some notes there. I don't know how detailed this will be, but you can ask me anything.
So after I was sure that I wanted to get this surgery within the first half of this year, I did some weeks of extensive research in this forum and other places. Thailand and PAI seemed like the best option for my circumstances. I first contacted them in February, asked my questions and soon had my surgery scheduled for 18th of May. So I will start from May 11.
They had said it is okay if I stop HRT 5 days before surgery and it made sense to me. I really didn't want to stop 2 or 3 weeks earlier anyway.(but I would if the doctor said so) So instead of stopping completely cold turkey I took half the dosage for two days, and stopped altogether at May 13.
My mother and I had our flight at May 14, evening Istanbul time. It was about a 9 hour flight so not that bad but it was still kinda uncomfortable, I wasn't sure if it was stopping HRT or maybe that I was sick.
May 15: early morning we landed in Bangkok, we had to wait maybe an hour for PAI driver to pick us up, who then explained that students were returning to school after their 3 month vacation and traffic was very bad. He took us to Salil hotel in Thonglor and informed me about my appointment next day. We checked in with mom to our adjacent single rooms. I was feeling really tired and jetlagged (although it is just 4 hours difference) and kinda sick. I was nauseous and had some throat pain and probably had fever too. I was worried I wouldn't be fit for surgery on 18th.
May 16: Thankfully I was better this day. We saw Dr. Sutin in the morning, he first explained us the surgery, and took his time answering our questions. I also mentioned my sickness from yesterday and he gave me antibiotics to be safe, and told if I am in good condition on the surgery day it is ok. Overall we had a really good impression from Dr. Sutin. We also talked with PAI assistant/manager a lot about details, who is a nice cheerful person. And there was an interpreter who had formerly lived in Turkey, he helped us all day, also a very kind guy. He works part time with PAI and I was surprised to learn they get about 1 or 2 transgender patients from Turkey each month. So after our appointment in the clinic we went to Piyavate hospital for bloodtests and a chest x-ray. I had also filled some medical forms. Because I had my birth sex on my passport (you can change your legal name but not your gender without having surgery in Turkey)they registered me as Mr. *feminine name* which I would see in a lot of papers (even in food trays). That was kinda annoying they take a lot of transgender patients afterall. But nurses gendered me correctly all the time so its ok I guess. Then in another hospital two psychiatrists evaluated me and wrote my letters.
May 17: I was told to eat lightly and avoid stuff that is hard to digest. I took the swiff solution in the evening, it was disgusting but ok. A driver took me to the hospital at midnight where I would spend the night before surgery.
May 18(surgery day): Early morning nurses woke me, prepared me, measured my fever and blood pressure etc. At about 9 they took me to a big operation room. There were maybe 10 person, they did some preparations and Dr. Sutin entered and said hello. In a bit a nurse said ok you sleep now and I was out in maybe 10 seconds. When they woke me I was very conscious, able to think clearly. A nurse informed me that surgery went fine. I had an oxygen mask for a short while, whichy they removed soon as I was breathing fine. The surgery took 4-5 hours I think. They gave me a morphine drip after and there was no pain. I spoke to my mother, rested etc. I was surprised that there were no food restrictions immediately after surgery. They brought me a full meal with soup, spaghetti and chicken/shrimp, fruits etc. I ate a little of everything.
Day 1 post op: Dr. Sutin visited me, answered my questions. This day was ok too. Morphine drip was finished in the evening I think and they gave me pills instead. Painkillers and antibiotics after meals. They regularly checked my fever, blood pressure and oxygen level I think, a little device on my finger. Nurses were very kind, some speak good English some less but at least know the relevant words not much problem there. My mom mostly stayed with me too.
Day 2: I could slowly walk around this day, also sit with the ring pillow.
Day 3: Dr. Sutin saw me this day, removed the dressing. A nurse taught me how to clean myself with a betadine solution. they were giving me a sponge bath everyday too.
Day 4: I think it was on this day they stopped painkilller pills too. But I had no pain. I never had much pain actually, maybe I am lucky.
Day 5: On this day I was allowed to shower. I also checked out from the hospital and was taken back to the hotel. Now there was a problem here. On PAI's advice I had checked out from one of the rooms for five days, and I specifically said to the reception it was for five days and which day I would return and need the room again. But appearently they didn't take any notes and gave the room to someone else. They had no other room to give me for 2 or 3 days so I had to stay in the same room with my mom. Thankfully there were two beds at least.
Not much happened on day 6.
Day 7: This day I had an appointment with PAI. Dr. Sutin saw me, he removed the catheter, it was kinda painful but not that bad, showed me how to dilate. A little more than 5 inches if anyone is curious. I had to pee in the clinic otherwise they would have to put back the catheter so I was kinda nervous. I drank a lot of water and coffee and walked around etc and eventually I was able to pee. It just goes to weird directions because of the swelling but that is getting better. They also gave me anti swelling meds. and more antibiotics. I still take antibiotics btw but almost finished. Oh also Dr. Sutin said I could restart E now.
Day 8: we were given new rooms, this time a little nicer with balconies.
Ok so I don't have much to say about these days, I would dilate two times a day for 30 minutes as Dr. Sutin instructed, not fun but ok, easier than what most surgeons recommend I think, mostly rest, sometimes go to hotel restaurant or a very near Italian restaurant. Hotel wifi was kinda bad. (it was ok in the hospital) maybe buy a local sim. I read on my Kindle, listened to music etc. A few times I had a little fever but was ok after taking a pill, that went away quickly too.
Day 14: Dr. Sutin saw me in the clinic for the last time before leaving. Again he spent a lot of time, checked if I have sensation too. I do but it is painful on the clitoris, appearently it is oversensitive now but it will normalize in 3-6 months. He says in about 6 months swelling will go down and then it's the final look. I feel like it's going to look good but I really don't know too much about aesthetics of this area.
As long as things look and function normally I will be happy. Tracheal shave result looking good too, there is a small incision mark we will see when that heals. Anyway I was very relieved that everything was recovering good.
They gave me a medical paper about my surgery, which might come in handy for correcting my legal gender, also another paper to get help in the airport. I was feeling well so I didn't ask for a wheelchair but said it would be great if they can arrange me a comfortable seat and they did. 2 seats next to me were empty so I could lie down when I wanted.
Return flight was actually easier, I didn't need to take any painkiller too.
And that is the end for now, I will probably post updates if anything happens. This was my second to last step of my transition and it was possibly the biggest. I am very happy it is behind now. Oh I also asked Dr. Sutin whether he thought I should have any FFS, he said I just have slight brow bossing and nose surgery but it is optional. Exactly what I was thinking, maybe eventually I will have those but I see it a cosmetic thing as I seem to pass fine. I will try to concentrate on healing now and let my lawyer handle most of my legal gender correction process. I hope this wasn't too hard to read and as I said you can ask me anything.
