Hello, this is kind of awkward and i am not sure if it is against the rules of the forum so excuse me if i brought it up.

My name is Pam and i had my surgery with Suporn in Thailand. it has been well over a year now and the purpose of this post is to do my part in getting my voice out there as well as weighing in the pros and cons of SRS with Suporn.

I want to start by saying that i do not regret picking suporn for my doctor, simply because i feel that quality of his work along with the EXCELLENT (really) care that i received in Thailand has so far greatly exceeded my expectations.

Pros
- EXTREMELY wonderful, caring, loving, and sweet staff that does everything for you 24/7.
- Incredible aesthetic appeal
- i have 8 inches of depth, fully sensate, (including clitorial stimulation)
- i get wet easily
- same level (in terms of intensity) orgasms
- very tight, my boyfriend has said that i was the tightest girl hes ever been with and he loves the feeling of my pussy (trust me i ask this all the time when we first started having sex- wen i was a virgin)
- i cannot stress again how incredibly satisfied i am with the appearance of my vagina, the depth, the elasticity, and most of all the ability to orgasm. it is always a win win.

Cons (based on my own experience)
- you will lose 1/2 an inch on the plane ride back (i endured a 20 hour flight back to CA...which meant a day without crucial dilation)
- if you have ANY issues, it is not easy to hop on a plane and fly back to thailand. You will have to coordinate with them via email with photos (lol) of your problems. And wait a grueling 3 days MINIMUM until youll get a response from Sophie.
- i have been having major issues with UTIs this year. I am an extremely healthy and athletic individual and i have never had medical issues (does gender dysphoria count???) until now. The uti's are not common of course, but it is enough to keep me running back and forth to the clinic going through one antibacterial medication after another. through a physical exam it has looked as though suporn might have snipped my urethra a bit TOO short and therefore making me more susceptible to acquiring UTI's especially after sex. This completely blows and has put so much strain on my sexual relationship with my bf. of course, going through countless options we finally came across a method that works for us (taking a pill right after sex every time or he has to wear a condom)...it continues to be a hassle and a paranoid feeling every time we choose to engage in anything intimate. 
- I have developed a weird smell from time to time every time we have sex. It is not always there, but on certain days it can be quite strong...and gross. I have brought up this topic to my bf and he's told me that it is a normal smell and his ex girlfriends would release that smell whenever they were having sex too. Please also know that i am a clean freak and i take very good care of my body...including douching down there and "cleaning" it. But still the smell would linger sometimes and although quite embarrassing...it has never been that big of an issue. I am not sure if it has something to do with Suporns surgery or just me.


My closing words are the same words of wisdom bestowed by older MTFs who've passed down their torch of knowledge upon me. That it doesn't matter WHAT surgeon you ultimately go for, whether it is the best in the world, or the second, or the third. Everyone is going to have a good day and a bad day. It is all in the luck of the draw. I am extremely satisfied with my result regardless of the UTI and i thank suporn for all his amazing efforts at seriously giving me a rebirth that i never thought was possible. I recommend him to anyone and everyone.
I hope i did not offend anyone with this post, i live my life in extreme stealth and it is so difficult (as i am sure you all know) hiding this from my bf whom, till this day, does not know the real me. But as promised, i know i need to let my experience be available to those future post-ops who do want to choose suporn. thanks for your time!

Had SRS with Suporn on the 22nd of November. Zero problems, everything healing perfectly. Cosmetically, it already looks fantastic, if a little 'puffy'. No UTIs yet, no bleeding, only minor pain. No necrosis, no separation, no revision required. Achieving full depth most days, so long as I dilate on schedule.
Looking forward to return to work after new years :-)

Thank you so much for your words/thread.. it's really well written and informative. I haven't heard many stories from suporn girls so it's great to read one as interesting and well balanced as this.
I'll be seeing suporn during march next year and to say I'm freaking out is an understatement, mostly because of the pain more than anything. xP
Have you looked into probiotics at all? I've heard they promote a healthier cleaner environment downstairs.

here's a thread link to a discussion ..

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,61017.msg398442.html#msg398442

Hi Pam....

UTI's can be a problem..... I had a bout of them a few years back....all thankfully gone now....

But a key point is your boyfriend needs to be 'treated' to....... otherwise you'll constantly gat bounce back....

And sex everyday.... is high-frequency for sure....

As an aside my CIS sister had the same problem.....short urethra's are a bane.....for sure.

You'll need to be uber -carefull on hygiene and give yourself a break from sex for 10 days or so maybe, next time yer on antibiotics?

Also some gals state that antibiotics if on them too often loose efficacy...this I used to good effect as a homeopathy cure...

http://www.waterfall-d-mannose.com/

I had 2nd stage surgery with Meltzer recently and I too live in stealth....my b/f also knows not of my atypical past....

So can relate with you on that score...

As to vaginal depth if you don't loose it you loose it might be true...but I doubt that just 24rs without dilation would make that much difference?

I went without dilation post-op 2nd stage for almost a month, but as Dr M said having had a nice functional vagina for over 18 years I was not suddenly going to loose it....lol

Good luck...

Auntie C 

Make sure to pee even just a little after dilating or sex.
This will help to flush out the urethra and reduce the risk of UTI's.

Hi Pam
Good to hear about your operation did goes well.
I had mine in the Netherlands and they also did a pretty good job coz everything is still working properly after more than a quarter of a century. But I wonder, your BF does not know your a Tgirl, aren't you afraid he will be not  too happy about it when he finds out, one way or another.
I'll hope you don't take too many risks, coz some people get crazy when they find out or hear something from others.
And, it's a small world you know.
Maybe you should talk with him to find out how he thinks about TG.
And to end positive...you're a beautifull girl on the avatar.
Take care of yourselves hon.

hugs
annette

I did not lose any depth skipping a dilation on the plane for 28 hours. As far as infections it is more a matter of hygiene . You should not have to douche, the normal bacteria does its job. I suggest you wash your boyfriend with antibiotic soap before intercourse.

Hi Pam, and group,

Thank you for posting!  I love to see the feedback from other Suporn patients.  I was a guest of Chonburi in January 2010.   I am now just about 11 months post op.   I'll followup with your comments, and put a few of my own too, so people reading this thread will get some other feedback.

I'm loving my results too!   I truly love the gift that I have been given, and so utterly happy that I went forward with the surgery.  I've been with (four?) different male partners, and each love my gift too, lol.  And none of the four notated any anomalies with my anatomy, different from any natal woman.   

The Good:

• I'm sensate too, but still a bit numb in the clitoris, but it has been getting more feeling back the last few months.   I'm still having a hard time getting orgasmic from just touch to the clitoral area, but a hitachi magic wand can do the trick in minutes. (*highly recommended  )


• The entrance up to about 1.5 inches into my vaginal canal used to be quite bumpy and a bit granulated, but has smoothed out, and feels very natural now.


• My depth has maintained at 6 inches buried, which is 7" with the Suporn measurement technique of measuring from the labia lips.   Very happy with that!  I have a partner that is 8" (and wide!), and I can receive him in his entirety without issue.


• I dilate aggressively, and am now down to 2 times a week.  My width is really good.  I think aggressive and long dilation sessions have helped me to smooth out the granulations at the vaginal opening, and also to cement my vaginal shape.  It takes little to no time to make it to depth now.


• I get wet too.  It's awesome how that happens.  I still have my partner(s) use a pea-sized dab of lube, but may experiment with not using any, and see if I can create enough slippy slide on my own.   


• For the plane ride back from Thailand, I had valium and the green/yellow pain pills, and slept like a baby.  It only took a couple dilation sessions to recover the depth from the trip, so no biggie.  I received the valium from Dr Viroj (hair transplant doc that works out of Suporn's clinic), but I imagine Dr Suporn would prescribe a few to get ya home, if you like the stuff.


• My journal here on Susans has some pictures from my trip there, with a few notes on my experiences. 
  https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/board,309.0.html 


• I'm also really happy about the appearance of the labia, inner and outer.  I love how you can kind of peel back the layers of lips, it's just beautiful. It's really quite natural looking, and the scars are mostly invisible.   For reference, with Dr Suporn's technique, there is a scar where the penis base used to be, just above the present location of the top of the vulva/clitoris.  It's about one inch or so vertical.  The other scars are along the crevice where the thigh hits the abdomen, to each side of the vulva. Unless I am looking, I don't notice the scars anymore, and neither does anyone else.

The Bad, and the Ugly.

I wouldn't have any bad, if it weren't for a couple things.  I'm one of the lucky draw winners, in the revision pool.  I think I heard about 15% of patients need revisions.  In my case, it's actually quite the opposite of your problem (Pam), in that I have excess urethra material, that takes the form of a mound in the middle of my vulva, just above the vaginal opening.  It's not irritated, or painful, but it's just a bit unsightly. 

My trip back is in January.  (like 3 weeks away!).  The thing is, I'm not happy that I have to do this, but I knew going in that it was possible, so I'm making the best of it.  I'm headed first to Pattaya, and doing 4 days of scuba diving and getting my PADI Open Water cert.  And since I have to stay for 10 days for the revision to 'set', and to satisfy Dr Suporn's requirement.  I've decided to go forward with a Breast augmentation.  I was on the fence, but after agonizing over it for months, have decided it is for me.  And this revision is a good time to get that completed, whilst already having downtime from work, and having the expense of flying over paid for.  Soooo, I'm not feeling bad about the revision, and will actually be quite happy after it is completed.  I'm so ready to be done with surgeries, scalpels, doctors, pain, and the lot, lol.

I'm really happy you posted here, because now, one of the concerns I will raise with Dr Suporn is not to take too much of the urethra.  I'm not even sure what the 'just right' amount is.  If the goal is to be flush with the vulva lining, or slightly indented, or slightly protruding?  Does anyone have an opinion on this?  Or just know how the urethra opening should be placed?

The other bad that I have also, is the dreaded  BV (bacterial vaginosis)  .  I have struggled with it a bit as well.  I received antibiotics from my primary care doc, after a scwab confirmed my suspicions.  I never took them, I'm not a fan of taking antibiotics.  I've just gone to a routine of douching after each dilation.  It seems to keep it mostly in check.  I use a teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide in the water.  I just know if I try to control this with antibiotics, and homeopathy, it will come back.  So I'll just continue to douche until I figure out if there is a better solution for me.

I should be updating my journal whilst in Thailand this next round, so look for my musings !!!

Happy Friday!
Melan

Hi Pam.

It's wonderful to hear of your very positive experience and outcome.

On the issue of UTI. If you don't mind me asking, are you drinking enough water?

I realise it's tempting to cut back so you don't need to go quite so often. But water is really good from controlling uti. And antibiotics do tend to mess with your gut flora.

But thank you so much for posting this. It was lovely to read.

First of all thanks everyone for your kind words...and also Melan for the awesome insight!

In terms of the "smell" that develops down there i have discovered that it was due to a high dosage of estrogen. oddly enough, i was still taking the same amount of premarin as i did when i was pre-op..and upon reduction of that, the smell went away.
As for my sweet wonderful boyfriend finding out...i am not worried about it haahah. He's a vegetarian and the world's nicest guy, we do a LOT of work for the GLAAD community and we went to teh transgender parade this year. I ask him how he would feel if i told him i was TS and he said, that he would still love me unconditionally and nothing would ever change. I think the only problem he would have is if i didnt have a vagina, which thankfully...i already took care of that lol.

Melan do you know what time in january that you will be back? =]

Quote from: spacial on December 17, 2010, 12:12:48 PM
Hi Pam.

It's wonderful to hear of your very positive experience and outcome.

On the issue of UTI. If you don't mind me asking, are you drinking enough water?

I realise it's tempting to cut back so you don't need to go quite so often. But water is really good from controlling uti. And antibiotics do tend to mess with your gut flora.

But thank you so much for posting this. It was lovely to read.

actually, i do not drink ANY WATER. Ive been terrified of peeing recently so i do not drink at all. do you think it is the core reason as to why my uti's are reoccuring?

Hi Pam,

Welcome to our little family. Over 4500 strong. That would be one heck of a family reunion.

Feel free to post your successes/failures, Hopes/dreams.  Ask questions and seek answers. Give and receive advice.

But remember we are family here, your family now. And it is always nice to have another sister.

And be sure to check out these links ( MUST READS )

• Site Terms of Service and rules to live by
  
• Standard Terms and Definitions
  
• Post Ranks ( including when you can upload an avatar)
  
• Reputation Rules
  

Hugs and Love,
Janet

Quote from: KillBelle on December 17, 2010, 12:17:58 PM

Melan do you know what time in january that you will be back? =]

Hi Pam,

I get into Pattaya on January 11th, and stay until the 15th, and will be at the Chon Inter until January 29th.  3 nights in the hospital, for the breast augment.  The revision would have been outpatient, but since I'll be in the hospital, they are doing it there.

*huggs*,
Melan

Quote from: KillBelle on December 17, 2010, 12:20:49 PM
actually, i do not drink ANY WATER. Ive been terrified of peeing recently so i do not drink at all. do you think it is the core reason as to why my uti's are reoccuring?

Yes, that is the reason. 100%

You must drink. Avoiding it will lead to UTI, constipation, skin problems, generl feeling of being unwell, headaches.

Drink at least 2 litres per day. Also, avoid alcohol, at least for a couple of weeks while you rehydrate yourself.

Thanks for the report you gals! It is good to hear and know about what it is like!
Pam your guy is a big guy, and you must of dialated really hard to acomidate him. Dr. Suporn must do some wonderful work! Thanks for sharing all!
Amelia

Quote from: KillBelle on December 17, 2010, 12:17:58 PM
I ask him how he would feel if i told him i was TS and he said, that he would still love me unconditionally and nothing would ever change. I think the only problem he would have is if i didnt have a vagina, which thankfully...i already took care of that lol.

Hi Pam
It could be  possible that your boyfriend suspects and he is resuring you, I tolded my boyfriend just after we got engaged, he had no idea about my history, but we had a good sexual relationship, my vagina satisfied his manly needs lol, we are now happily married since August 2010, I think men are more excepting of a girl's situation when we are post op, its called pussy power.
p

Quote from: pretty pauline on December 17, 2010, 06:09:58 PM
Hi Pam
It could be  possible that your boyfriend suspects and he is resuring you, I tolded my boyfriend just after we got engaged, he had no idea about my history, but we had a good sexual relationship, my vagina satisfied his manly needs lol, we are now happily married since August 2010, I think men are more excepting of a girl's situation when we are post op, its called pussy power.
p

It is funny that you said that because i personally have always thought that and last night he caught me lurking in this website while we were getting ready for bed. He asked me why i was looking through here and i said it was because i wanted to make more transgendered friends.

Today he got home from work and for some strange reason he bought a home pregnancy test, i asked...uhm why? His response was because we never use condoms anymore and he just wanted to make sure that i wasn't pregnant. He thought that the UTIs were side effects of pregnancy...i just laughed but took it anyway.

So that answered my question of whether or not he even suspects lmao.

That's ... odd.

I have to say I've never heard of a guy proactively buying a pregnancy test.   

I"ll echo spacial's concerns - cutting out water simply to avoid having to pee is dangerous and even when drinking other liquids can lead to kidney damage.  You need water to flush your system.  As water is absorbed through the intestine system it can also cause problems with bowel movements.

While you are a beautiful woman, a woman in your heart and your soul, your genetics are basically still male.  While I am not sure of how HRT affects the kidneys and bladder, males have a tendency to develop kidney stones more so than females.  Generally males do not develop them usually till around the age of 40, however, that is only an average.  Believe me I would have rather had a baby than the kidney stone which got stuck between my left kidney and my bladder.  UTI can also be a sign of kidney stones.

Although my mother in law was in her late 70's she died of renal failure - collapse of the kidneys. She was only drinking coffee,  juice, some diet softdrinks and a small amount of water to take her medications with.  She went into sort of a coma for four days during which they had to do dialysis.  After she regained consciousness she had to do dialysis three days a week which lasted several hours.  Eventually her system completely shut down.

If you are worried about involuntary wetting through the day try a sanitary pad or panty liner to catch minor involuntary dribbles. 

I agree with the peeing after sex, although my SO has gone before and after usually.

Thank you for sharing your experience.

Best wishes on your new life!

Brook

Quote from: KillBelle on December 17, 2010, 09:13:08 PM
Today he got home from work and for some strange reason he bought a home pregnancy test, i asked...uhm why? His response was because we never use condoms anymore and he just wanted to make sure that i wasn't pregnant. He thought that the UTIs were side effects of pregnancy...i just laughed but took it anyway.

So that answered my question of whether or not he even suspects lmao.

I dunno... if he went to that much trouble then it seems he may be trying to suss it out without asking. You obviously haven't mentioned you can't give birth? :/ I assume that if he was only worried you could be pregnant without being suspicious of your medical history then he would of just talked to you instead? hhmm :S *concerned*.