Hiya all,

I've been on this forum for a couple of weeks now and would really like to hear from you and get some insights. I've already read lots of the topics on this board considering SRS and it's been very helpful

Let's start by saying I wanted to have SRS in 2007, but reluctantly had to postpone due to lack of money for the surgery at that time and couldn't take out a loan for it... I was a student at that time. As I am currently employed I have been saving money to pay for the surgery over the past months and years and finally can get to the point of scheduling for SRS. I've also contacted my health insurance and am quite likely they will fund the costs to some extent. I'm awaiting their approval and hope to receive it in a couple of weeks (info for Dutch girls and boys -- I know of some folks who have been able to get funding from their health insurance for SRS abroad... in the Netherlands it's been thought of as nearly impossible).

In 2007 I wanted to have SRS with Dr. Suporn and was really convinced of him. I still am, but lately I also started to look beyond Suporn and found out about Dr. Brassard from Montreal. The results on Suporn his site look very natural to me but I found quite some results online, and they were not that flattering. The results I found on the internet from Brassard are actually quite amazing and most look very natural to me. Throwing in the fact Suporn is even more expensive than Brassard, I seriously started to consider Brassard. I've only found 2 horror stories about Dr. Brassard (http://textsave.de/?p=20966 and http://textsave.de/?p=21007) but both don't seem to be happened recently so I'm not sure if they're representative. As for Dr. Suporn I found some more --fairly recent-- horror stories and also read comments from people who doubted if he really was that good. I also found out about other surgeons e.g. Bowers and Meltzer but they are way out of my budget. However I don't believe a decision on SRS should be based on budget, but I doubt the extra expense is making any difference as most Bowers/Meltzer/Brassard girls seem to be equally satisfied. SRS is something which can only be done once in life so that's why it is such a precious decision to all of us. So currently I have narrowed down my choice to either Brassard or Suporn. In the near future I'm able to see some of Suporn's work first-hand but even if it's really stunning I probably would still feel really comfortable going to Brassard. I also watched the presentation video on his website and it further enhanced my confidence in him.

So at the moment I'm still kind of undecided. I've waited so long for SRS and currently have saved enough so I decided to have SRS this year. I've read pretty much every topic out there on the internet forums about surgeons and SRS stories and took the plunge and started my own topic as well.

I've already had email contact with the Suporn Clinic and am about to inquire and ask questions via e-mail to Dr. Brassard as well.

I don't expect anyone to tell me "just pick surgeon X cuz he did mine and it's been great" but some guidance and personal stories and experiences would be really helpful. (what surgeon did you go to, are you pleased with the aesthetics, sensation, aftercare, residence? Did you need any revisions/corrective surgery, etc)

Thanks so much in advance for your replies

Xxx Sweetie

I'm 4 months post-op and couldn't be happier with the results Dr. Brassard gave me.  All I can say is that the man is an absolute genius who genuinely cares about his patients.  The residence was set up from his heart and is first rate, as is his staff.  The aftercare is sensational  the staff is there for you every step of the way even after you return home.  I personally had some concerns after my return which were minor, but were addressed quickly by his staff.  BUY AMERICAN--or Canadian as in this case.   

The overall experience of going to Suporn is superior to any of the Western surgeons, regardless of the results.
Why?
Several reasons.
- how you are looked after by the clinic staff
- the fact that you're in Thailand, essentially on holiday
- the clinic staff organise outings to Suporn's private beach house and Pataya
- the sheer number of trans women going through the hotel and clinic, so you've always got someone to talk to, hang out with and share experiences with.
- the food. Thai food is AMAZING - even in hospital (though you'll probably be off your food in hospital)
- the Thai people
- being treated like royalty

There's more, but those are the best parts of the aptly named 'Chonburi Experience' off the top of my head.

A few, even one, bad stories and the reputation of a world class PS takes a nose dive? No wonder sites like Reputation defender are popping up.

On a serious note.

@Vexing.... Does Suporns technique end up sacrificing width in exchange for more depth?

Quote from: Mich'elle on January 14, 2011, 01:08:25 AM
A few, even one, bad stories and the reputation of a world class PS takes a nose dive? No wonder sites like Reputation defender are popping up.

I think some people may be a little overly patriotic.

QuoteOn a serious note.

@Vexing.... Does Suporns technique end up sacrificing width in exchange for more depth?

Not that I'm aware of. I dilate with the 35mm dilator with no issues and I could probably move up to something bigger if required to.
Suporn's speciality is the creation of his 'Chonburi Organ' which gives you a secondary sensate area below the clitoris. As far as I can ascertain, no other surgeon in the world does this.

(yawn)

Every tg woman's who's had an op will tell you in most cases how fantastic her result ad Dr is/was....

And a few will tell horror stories about every same surgeon you care to research.

It's simple - there is no right or wrong choice... just the choice that is best option for you.

A fact is three women using the very same Dr will have three separate different results... maybe some similarities but that would be it in the main....

It's not like buying a manufactured production line clone style product.......

Tis also not true that it's a one off procedure.

Meltzer's 'girls' all do two stages as he believes this gets the best cosmetic and functioning result. He likes to do them at least three months apart.

This is why I went with him for a revision, albeit some 20 years after my first op.

But obviously the more work they do, the more experience of all types of conditions and skin types they will encounter.

The week I was in Scottsdale Toby did 1 2nd stage on the Mon, 3 including me on the Tues and then another gal on the Wed....

Though he only works Mon – Thurs.

I'm sure Brassard and Suporn in the main can be trusted too...

But all will have difficult cases and less than perfect results due to a whole host of factors...

I always start with selections based on budget, location, surgeons key skill sets, and the timeframes he has available.

This always ahs involved at least 4 options...

Then I make a point of requesting a phone call with them. For me this is key.
They also have to be keen to do it...

So Sweetie.... research all, talk with them if you can... and then be settled with what you choose to do and importantly prepare yourself physically well to make the best recovery possible.

Good luck

It's a question that I'd like to see addressed sometime why good surgeons have bad results once in a while.
I guess it boils down to this being more of an art and not 100% science.

I think the biggest thing that a patient can do is come to the surgery anxiety-free.
I've seen a few cases where high levels of anxiety made the process more difficult.
Tackling this thing matter-of-factly might be the edge that you need.

OTOH, I've heard of one case with bad results from somebody who was prepared and anxiety-free.

Thanks alot to Vexing,Kristyn,Renate,Cruelladeville and Mich'elle for responding It's good to share knowledge and experiences and rambling about SRS surgeons definitely helps me thinking everything through.

Honestly I won't probably go wrong with either Brassard or Suporn but i'm just wondering what is the right choice for me.

I like the way Brassard has everything 'all-in' as the residence is included in the total cost. Also recovering from dr. Suporns surgery seems to far more invasive than recovering from Brassard's surgery. For Suporn I like the fact that he carries out any corrective and cosmetic surrgey at no cost. Thinking about recovery leads me to another question: How long should I take of from work given my work is relatively sedentary (office)? I'm young and in good health, but have not had major surgery in my life before. I'm thinking of 4 weeks...

Also I have a fear of surgery of some sort and also a fear of planes which will both get me feeling stressed when counting down the last weeks to surgery. I'm not sure how to overcome it. I've never been on a plane but in preparation for it I will book a domestic flight to get used to the whole plane thing so the newness of it will be less when I fly to the other side of the world for the surgery.

The thought of being operated in a country being completely different than my own (Thailand) also is somewhat frightening. The culture of Canada, like any Western country, would be much more familiair to me.

QuoteThen I make a point of requesting a phone call with them. For me this is key.
They also have to be keen to do it...

That's a good point. But from what I've heard, Suporn doesn't do phone calls. I believe Brassard does and I've also read it's better to contact Brassard's clinic via phone than via e-mail.

Those who've been through SRS; can you also comment on how pleased you are with aesthetics and sensation? I indeed heard of Suporn creating a Chonburi Organ but is it just like bundling the nerves together to one point? I guess any surgeon tries to maintain as much nerves as possible but maybe only the area they are relocated to varies throughout the different techniques? And finally; do you lubricate sufficiently when aroused? Sorry for all the questions but I'm just very curious and want to learn the differences so I can better make up my mind.

xx sweetie

Quote from: sweetie87 on January 14, 2011, 12:21:01 PM

I like the way Brassard has everything 'all-in' as the residence is included in the total cost. Also recovering from dr. Suporns surgery seems to far more invasive than recovering from Brassard's surgery. For Suporn I like the fact that he carries out any corrective and cosmetic surrgey at no cost.

You still have to factor in the cost of travel and stay, not to mention the time it takes to travel back and forth.  What if you needed a THIRD revision?

Quote
Thinking about recovery leads me to another question: How long should I take of from work given my work is relatively sedentary (office)? I'm young and in good health, but have not had major surgery in my life before. I'm thinking of 4 weeks...

Myself, I recovered well--but me being me, I'm just getting around to looking for a new job.  The surgery is really not that bad considering it is a major procedure.  If you're in good shape, you should be able to go back in four weeks, but I'd recommend at least 6-8 weeks.

Quote
That's a good point. But from what I've heard, Suporn doesn't do phone calls. I believe Brassard does and I've also read it's better to contact Brassard's clinic via phone than via e-mail.

Brassard charges 50 dollars for a consult, why not book a flight to Montreal and test your wings that way?  You can kill two birds with one stone.

Quote
Those who've been through SRS; can you also comment on how pleased you are with aesthetics and sensation? I indeed heard of Suporn creating a Chonburi Organ but is it just like bundling the nerves together to one point? I guess any surgeon tries to maintain as much nerves as possible but maybe only the area they are relocated to varies throughout the different techniques? And finally; do you lubricate sufficiently when aroused? Sorry for all the questions but I'm just very curious and want to learn the differences so I can better make up my mind.

At first, because of the swelling, I was a little concerned about the aesthetics--but so was everybody else in Montreal.  I'm very happy with the way everything is taking shape--it's interesting watching it transform as the time goes by.  Sensation for me is excellent!  It's all there and I'm happy!  Dr. Brassard uses the urethral tissue to create the hooding and I lubricate very well in that area--not only when aroused, but it's always wet.

Quote from: Kristyn on January 14, 2011, 01:27:17 PM
You still have to factor in the cost of travel and stay, not to mention the time it takes to travel back and forth.  What if you needed a THIRD revision?

Myself, I recovered well--but me being me, I'm just getting around to looking for a new job.  The surgery is really not that bad considering it is a major procedure.  If you're in good shape, you should be able to go back in four weeks, but I'd recommend at least 6-8 weeks.

Well that gives an idea. I'm not sure if I can take off much longer from work... I've haven't told anyone about being MtF and i would like to keep it that way, and I rather not disclose the reason of my 'vacation'. I don't think they'll allow me to take any longer than 5 weeks for a 'vacation ' and I hope that's enough to return to work where I'm mostly in a sitting position and there's not much psychical activity involved.

Anyways good luck on your job search

QuoteBrassard charges 50 dollars for a consult, why not book a flight to Montreal and test your wings that way?  You can kill two birds with one stone.

That's a good point, thanks for that. Although a plane ticket to Montreal is really expensive and I'd rather not drain my budget too much But i'll definitely take it into consideration.

QuoteAt first, because of the swelling, I was a little concerned about the aesthetics--but so was everybody else in Montreal.  I'm very happy with the way everything is taking shape--it's interesting watching it transform as the time goes by.  Sensation for me is excellent!  It's all there and I'm happy!  Dr. Brassard uses the urethral tissue to create the hooding and I lubricate very well in that area--not only when aroused, but it's always wet.

I'm so happy for you and that everything is turning out to be great   I hope one day to be just as happy. Thank you for sharing!

Quote from: Renate on January 14, 2011, 05:37:09 AM
It's a question that I'd like to see addressed sometime why good surgeons have bad results once in a while.
I guess it boils down to this being more of an art and not 100% science.

Absolutely medicine is a art and not a science.  Some people just do better throughout all the way through SRS.  There is so much of it you can't control, but you can do things to take care of yourself and your body.  Do as much as you can to improve the outcome of your SRS, even still the surgeon might just be having a bad day.  But you can't control that.

I work with a large transgender population in Seattle (3 different organizations here, serving hundreds of transgender people). I've seen/heard about so many surgeons, and I'm convinced that the longer someone has been in practice, the better their results.

That being said, my criteria for choosing Dr. Suporn for my February 3, 2011 surgery (2 weeks!!) is this:

1. Cost. More expensive than other Thai surgeons, but cheaper than my 2nd and 3rd choices, Marci Bowers and Toby Meltzer.
2. Process. The extra expense of lower-area hair removal was eliminated with Suporn's request to not remove any hair below. I will reserve my funds for that until after SRS. My first-hand discussions with Suporn patients indicate this is a safe assessment of the situation, and I will not have hair growing inside me. Depth, sensation, etc...and post-op aesthetic appearance all fit into this one.
3. Post-operative care. I consider myself a bit of a light-weight when it comes to internal pain. I have never broken a bone or had surgery, so a lengthy recovery process is highly desired.
4. Thailand! Not really a reason to purchase a neovagina over some other surgeon, but there's something rather attractive about recovering in a warm climate with beaches. This is more like 3.5
5. Lifetime guarantee. I'm rather impressed with the idea that there's a lifetime satisfaction guarantee on the results. Given that, in my humble option, that a revision is not only likely but expected (and if you don't need one, then congratulations), the idea that I can revisit Thailand and have a revision is nice to think about.

Whether I am ultimately WAY off base, or slightly off base...it's really too late to dither. I'm having surgery in two weeks, and I'm thrilled.

My MTF partner, Chelsea had surgery with Dr. Suporn Dec 8th. We've been back here in Seattle since Jan 5th. I'll share some of the good and bad points as I see them about our time there.

Dr. Suporn, while not a warm man on first contact, is perhaps some kind of plastic surgeon genius. He has created an entirely new method which gives greater depth than penile inversion, especially if the penis has been circumcised. You can only get 5 or maybe 6 inches out of a circumcised penis; I'm not sure what it would be if it were uncircumcised. With Suporn's method, 7 is common; one gal had 8, another only 6, but no one had 5. The scrotal sac is used for the vagina walls, cutting away the hair and follicles. I can tell you from my cisgendered perspective, that if you are male attracted and wish to have sex, depth is a good thing. It is very uncomfortable and disrupting when the end of the vagina is hit during intercourse. If you are female attracted, it probably doesn't really matter about depth.

And even though I say that the doctor was not particularly warm, after our weeks spent there, he did warm up to us. We were quite fond of him by the time we left. And his staff is quite wonderful. Their English is good; some better than others, and some better than the doctor's.

One of the other benefits besides technique is the social scene in the hotel. The hotel is pleasant enough; but the cool thing is that
Everyone stays there, and that is a lot of trans people. Suporn does a surgery every day; everyone is required to stay a minimum of 21 days and most stay 28. People from all over the place: many from Holland, Germany, Australia, NZ, USA. There is a river of folks coming and going; everyone gets to be friends; helps each other get around to see things or for supplies. Often there aren't that many other guests in the hotel - mostly just on weekends.

But Chon Buri itself is not a beautiful place. It is hectic, dirty, noisy, generally does not have much to offer. It was only the hotel and the clinic lounge that made staying there bearable. The shops are not geared for tourists, which you might think would make them authentic or something. But what it means is that they carry mostly cheap Chinese goods and hundreds of cell phones. It's nice that the clinic staff takes people out on field trips to the beach and the tourist town of Pattaya because then you can get a better opinion of Thailand. But be forewarned, the trips are only once per week. You might not feel like going anywhere till the third week at least, and Chelsea never did feel like going anywhere. I did though.

One more thing: it's not just warm in Thailand, it's hot! And we were there in the "cool" season. Bring your lightest clothes but be sure you also bring something to keep from freezing in the air conditioned lobby and restaurant. The extremes are really something.

That's a pretty long ramble. Hope you got something out of it.
Hugs,
Ruby

@elayne,

First off welcome to this forum. It's good to hear from you. My criteria for choosing a surgeon are mainly the same (experience of the surgeon, aesthetics and function are very important). The lifetime guarantee is very appealing to me too, but correct me if I'm wrong I thought it is regulated by Thai law that a surgeon has to offer lifetime guarantee. I heard that many Suporn sisters come for a revision (cosmetic or not) after their SRS and combine it with a holiday. On his site Dr. Suporn states that 27 out of 147 patients required minor corrective surgery. I find the incidence of it rather high (almost 20%). But luckily revisions are carried out at no cost, besides the cost of a plane ticket. I also prefer surgeons who do not require genital electrolysis. Both Brassard and Suporn fit my criteria hence the name of this topic

Personally the thought of being operated in an exotic, warm and completely different country than my own is both appealing and frigthening at the same time. I like the idea of it because it's warm climate and the beach trips and I like travelling in general very much and learning about other cultures. But having invasive surgery in a completely different country with it's culture and language barrier, everything being unfamiliair and also wondering if the standards of the hospital and hotel are the same as in the US or Europe is somewhat frigthening.  But maybe I'm being irrational.

It's very exciting it's only 2 weeks for you.. Congrats and I wish you the best of luck with your surgery and recovery

@rubywendt; thanks for responding as well. You're rambling is helpful; as for the depth I'm bisexual and also young and I would really like my vulva to be the same as that of any other girl. I think 5" depth is the minimum but I'm not sure. Suporn seems to guarantee 6" of depth.

Anyway you're partner's surgery was only a short time ago. I hope she is recovering great and doing very well?

Hugs,
sweetie

Quote from: elayne on January 20, 2011, 05:54:48 PM
2. Process. The extra expense of lower-area hair removal was eliminated with Suporn's request to not remove any hair below. I will reserve my funds for that until after SRS. My first-hand discussions with Suporn patients indicate this is a safe assessment of the situation, and I will not have hair growing inside me. Depth, sensation, etc...and post-op aesthetic appearance all fit into this one.

I have heard of isolated cases where hair was growing in the neo-vagina (though not specific to Suporn), in the cases I'm familar with the hairs were small enough to be barely noticeable and were indistinguishable to the partner.  It sounds almost like more of a self esteem issue, if that's the right word I'm looking for.

Quote from: sweetie87 on January 21, 2011, 06:20:55 AM
On his site Dr. Suporn states that 27 out of 147 patients required minor corrective surgery. I find the incidence of it rather high (almost 20%). But luckily revisions are carried out at no cost, besides the cost of a plane ticket.

The incidence of revision is high because it's free. If it cost for a revision (like the US surgerons), then you'd find relatively few going back.

Hi all,
I've not been posting for some weeks (very busy) and wanted to update you about my situation. I've decided to go with Dr. Suporn and scheduled for the end of May 2011. I've also inquired with Dr. Brassard but got very short replies, not answering my questions. Also they seem to not provide a plan of care which is necessary for making insurance claims (at least in my country; Netherlands). Dr. Suporn does provide a plan of care. While at first, the idea of being operated in a foreign (non-Western) country was a bit frightening to me, this has changed... I now even feel excited about it

Thanks for your help and guidance anyway

-xx- Sweetie

Sweetie:

Congratulations on your choice!  This is one of the most agonizing decisions we have to make in our lives.  We only get one shot at it and we always want to know that we are making the best decision for ourselves.  After all we have to live with the results for the rest of our lives.  It is daunting.  I know I spent months, if not years thinking about it.

But I will add that women come in all shapes and sizes.  As do our vaginas.  There are a few sites on the net that show just vaginas and the one remarkable thing I noticed is that none of them are the same.

Here is one such site.  It is not pornographic, but, of course, not safe for work.
http://1001vaginas.com/

I'm a McGuinn girl myself, and I had to contemplate that decision for quite a long time.  But in the end I was very satisfied by the results.  And looking at myself after almost three years, I would be completely confident to post my picture along with the other women on that site, were I adventurous enough to do it.

I will say also, that I now rarely think about, or even look at, my remanufactured plumbing and think it quite normal.  You may also come to that state of mind.  It seems that we obsess so much about our differences, this birth defect we are born with.  But once it is corrected, its importance in our body image recedes and becomes about as important as our other limbs.  It's hard to describe, but while I am certainly aware of myself and am reminded of it every time I use the bathroom or take a shower.  But it is not the thing of constant thought it once was.

I have seen pictures of other women from most of the surgeons that are considered world class and they all have the same remarkable features as other women do.

I think you will be quite satisfied with Dr. Suporn.  It is also a wonderful place to recover as well.

Remember that one of our unwritten rules here is that we need a complete run down of your experiences there.     Actually, your experiences will be quite helpful to others who are trying to make up their minds.

Keep us posted about your schedule and such! 

-Sandy

Recently a new technique to create a vagina from mucosa tissue rather than from skin was demonstrated and invented by Egyptian surgeons. The technique was used to create a vagina for a woman who had been born with only a small part of her vagina. The result as reported seem excellent. The advantage of using mucosa tissue is at least four fold: no limit to the depth, lubrication, no self adherence, and ability to host proper bacterial flora.

I have been waiting to see which SRS surgeon will start using this technique; perhaps I will wait for it

Love,

Kate

When I first began researching SRS online, I came across post-op pictures of Suporn's patients and I was highly impressed with the aesthetics - so natural looking.  Depth and sensation would also be important to me.  I also find the Thai people to generally be very kind - the downside is the long plane trip.