Hi All,
I will be penning some updates here and dictating the activities and what I did and preparation from my arrival till post op. (I try to update as frequent as I can.) Apologies if my account is not detailed enough as I seldom write diaries....
Updates -
1st April 2018
Took the morning flight bound for Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport.
Touched down at BKK time 10am.
Dr. Chettawut driver was already tasked to pick me up from the airport at Gate 3. Do keep a lookout as it seems that Gate 3 is a popular spot for meeting and picking up.
Oh prior to walking to Gate 3, you will see a few telco booths selling SIM cards for foreigners.
You can choose the data plan accordance to the stay you are in Thailand.
Naturally I took the 30days Sim Card with 20GB and a 12GB for 30days as well. I took the SIM from one of the biggest telco provider in Thailand DTAC.
Reason is I need one for my Ipad and phone. (Heavily reliance on emails and correspondence thru WhatsApp for work during these period. Haha.) Of course if you are ok, there are surely wifi everywhere and also at your accommodation surely so you can opt to go for lower data plan or without. Total cost is THB2000 for both SIM card with some call credit and they will help you install and setup. Took about 25mins for the whole process.
Perhaps I landed early, the driver arrive about 10mins after I reach the Gate. He was polite and helped with my luggage guiding me towards the carpark and to the pickup car. A Nissan Sunny, quite spacious at the back. (I learned later it seems that Chettawut have more than one driver and a few cars.)
Once in the car, the driver passed me an envelope with information on the schedule and appointment to meet with Dr. Chettawut for the consultation as well as the accommodation reservation.
Ok, some info on the accommodation that I will be staying at during this period.
Chettawut has 3 accommodations that he can arranged. I did some research on Google and decided that a service apartment will be the most appropriate due to having an individual bedroom with fully equipments ammenities such as washing machine, kitchen and homely feel.
I took the Vertical Suite Service Apartment (cost at THB1800/day with breakfast).
As my surgery was scheduled on 5th April 2018, but for me I have to arrive earlier due to arrangement for the 2nd psychiatrict letter which Chettawut arranged for as well as you will probably need 3days to clear out your system with the laxatives and douche that Chettawut will provide.
Ok back to the letter schedule, Chettawut will meet me on 3rd April supposedly at 10am. Later in the day, I received a call from one of his nurse commenting that my appointment is scheduled earlier to be at 2nd April, which naturally makes sense as I will need 3 days prior to clear out my bowels in preparation for the surgery.
So 1st April basically ended with no activities with Chettawut side.
I unpacked and went to one of the biggest mall in BKK - Seacon Square. The mall is very big but I was not in the mood for shopping, main aim was to get some groceries which I will need during my recovery. I went to Tesco Lotus, the hypermart there. Has 2 big levels selling almost everything you can get.
Basically advice to get -
Water - I got about 60litres of water those 1.5 bottle each kind
Milo, Black coffee, instant noodles, lots and lots of fruits, veggies, dozen eggs, fruit juice (get those without pulps!!) and some sour preserve fruits (I am a sucker for very sour stuff. Haha)
Pails which you will surely need for hygienie purpose later during cleaning postop
Washing bag for putting those clothes that require delicate washing
Detergents and washing fluids. Note you need to buy on your own as the apartment does not provide. Plates, bowls, pans, pots, cutlery are all provided.
Brand's Chicken Essence after post op for recovery.
Seasoning if you intend to cook something light if you don't intend to eat out. (I do advise to get some as at least 2 weeks during recovery it is advisable to rest in the room as what Chettawut recommended.
Spend about THB6400 on such, well I may overspend a bit so procure at your own discretion.
Unlikely you will spend as much as I think I may be a bit on the splurging side... haha.
Ok, the issue after which is how to bring back so many stuff...... that is something I had issues with.... Tesco does not help to deliver!!!! Oh god, with so many stuff I was in a panic.
The staff suggested me to get a taxi. I was thinking Gosh just across the road, will the taxi fetch me?
Never mind I tried my luck and headed to the entrance hopping to get one kind enough to fetch..... well at the entrance there was no taxi available!! The taxi happens to be outside along the main road, well it was an impossible to push the cart all the way there as need to cross a road and with Kerb to cross!!
Luckily I recalled that I had the residence number and I called the service desk for help. Thankfully the manager arranged the security to come and find me. Thank heavens.
Took about 5mins, the security guy assisted to get a cab in and directed the cab to the suite. Ride cost about THB40 but I gave THB50 and ask him to keep the change for the trouble.
Then at the apartment, the security helped me to bring all the stuff to my room. So happy that I tipped him THB100 for his troubles.
The rest of the day was spend sorting out the stuff and doing some work and in preparation for meeting Chettawut on 2nd April 10am.
Knock out at about 1am.
2nd April
Ok today meeting Chettawut at 10am, driver picking me at about 930am.
So I woke up at 6am and some washing up, went for breakfast at 730am provided as part of the package of stay at the service apartment.
Ok, not really a fantastic spread but it was adequate.
I am not a fussy eater and morning I usually skip breakfast, so I went with some coffee and some plan porridge or congee. Took some ginger with boiled fish some sort.
There are eggs, salads, fruits, and quite a few others which I few is generally quite ok, perhaps a 6 rating?
After done with headed back to room, changed and do some work while waiting for Chettawut driver to arrive.
Finally at 930am sharp, the driver arrive and I was taken to his clinic. As many mentioned, the clinic is generally not very big. It seems small from appearance. It has 2 floors.
So upon arrival, I had to submit my original documents of blood test, x-rays, urine test, Psy letter as well as passport for verification. I had paid the amount in full for the surgery as well as the skin graft additional cost required. The only yet to pay was for the 2nd Psy arrangement which cost THB10,000. Note if you pay by credit card, additional 4percent applies.
You will be asked to sign an acknowledgement of the consequences of the surgeries, the consent for surgery as well as check and verify a cert which will be issued to you post op.
Oh they will ask when you stop hormones, note to stop 2 weeks prior to your surgery. Any other medications need to highlight if you are still taking, for me none basically just health supplements for hair and skin which no issues to continue taking.
So once I was cleared with all the documentations, I waited for about 10minutes and the nurse whisked me up to the 2nd floor to meet the one that will change my life to normal, Dr. Chettawut.
Well as most have mentioned earlier, he is indeed soft spoken and very gentle. He took my portrait as well as examine my privates to confirm on the skin graft requirements. Yes if you are on prolong hormones for a Long time, chances are you might need as the scrotum required may not provide enough skin for the depth construction it seems.
So Chettawut ask me for my expectations and explain what will be done and he will try his best to achieve maximum depth but he cannot guarantee 7 or deeper, he will do his best as it depends on the rectum distance as well as clearance available for the depth. Hair wise he will remove so that internally there will be no hair. The rest is the assistance nurse explaining what's needed to be done from 3rd April onwards till op and what is required to be prepared and also when you leave the consultation, you will bringing an douching solution, 2 pills of laxative to take on 3rd April night, one bottle of strong laxative to finish on the 4th April as well as some salt solution which you can choose to take optional or not. The nurse mentioned that the taste could be unpleasant so better mix with some soda. Well I think I opt for not taking instead in my mind. Haha.
Anyway the consultation overall at Chettawut took about an hour perhaps. After which the driver drop me back at the apartment and the day was spend doing work and knocking out.
Oh lunch and dinner basically was some clear miso soup and some green mangoes.
Side note - please start taking plenty of water!!! I usually down 5bottles of 1.5litres of water per day.
Knock out at 130am.
3rd April -
Today arrangement to meet the Psy for the second letter.
Oh today need to start liquid diet. And liquid diet from Chettawut means no solid food at all, also includes milk and fruit juices without pulp.
Clear soup and coffee no milk or tea fine.
The breakfast at the vertical suite is just fine for such arrangement, they have clear soups available and I took some bitter melon soup as well as a cup of black coffee.
The meeting for the Psy was at 130pm the driver will be picking me up at 1pm.
Anyway the journey there took nearly an hour due to horrible traffic jam. I actually feel asleep during the ride. Haha.
The Psy is located at some quite grand private hospital it seems. Forgot the name. The consultation is quite fast but the waiting time took about 30minutes even thou there was no one waiting ahead. The Psy ask the usual questions as well as my history and also plans about my family, financial and career aspects.
Oh forget to mention, the Psy is located in the Mind Center of the hospital.
After which the nurse in charge passed the lady from Chettawut accompanying me the letter.
There are 2 copies one of which she will pass to you to keep.
After which the driver send me back to the apartment and same usual routine, do some work and only take black coffee, some fruit juice and English tea.
That's how the day went out.
Will update on 4th April next.
