I need to know so i can find out what which ever doctor will cost and their requirements.

thanks for the help ladies

And if anyone knows any doctors for these places please feel free to tell.

Hi babe,
yes I do know, and SA is a no-no.
Why?
Because there are NO private surgeon left that do SRS at present, and the Steve Biko Academic Hospital in Pretoria (SBAH) with head still Prof. Lindeque has VERY long lead times for their GRS protocol. It entails 3 different operations. They ONLY prepared to do "colon-section", and their visible results are... hum, I'm looking for the right word. Call it most highly unflattering.

The operations are free of cost (get what you pay for, hey) AND the ONLY way to GRS is via THEIR one and only gate-keeper. I think is mostly a money schemer, wants to see you for one year (ONLY HE COUNTS!).
Therapy? Hardly to mention, unless telling you where hemline should be and such BS. Most un-recommended, also refuses to clear one for RLE.

In Cape Town at Groote Schuur Hospital they do some SRS (3 per year, almost no charge and a waiting list from here to the South Pole)

Durban, according to my information doesn't do any and are referring folks to SBAH in Pretoria.
The whole situation just sucks, with some girls waiting over 3 years, and then some 3 years more to be "finished". Result? They call superior! I've seen some and call it unacceptable. Period. I actually told them at the gender-meeting preceding each op, and promptly got shown the door. Good riddance. So PLEASE don't even thing in this direction.

I investigated some Thai surgeon, mostly Dr. Chettawut in Bangkok. He is good, but one of the most expensive last I have heard.

I decided on Dr. Sanguan Kunaporn in Phuket (PIH) and I'm scheduled for 20. Dec.
If you want more details I'm sure Dinky_Di will be able to help. She had her SRS with this doctor.

Cost still for this year (next year could go up again) US$11k for 2 weeks hospital, plus fight, plus 1 week in nearby hotel at ~US$28/d, plus food.

Also in all cases you will need your referral letter, A MUST.
And again as I said, SA is HIGHLY NOT RECOMMENDED, please believe me.

Good luck,
Axelle

Ok and if need my adams apple shaved and stuff like that any idea?

And thank you!!

Omg thats expensive sheeesh i may never afford a SRS more or less R75 000 just for two weeks in hospital not even for the SRS its self

In Thailand, I heard Dr Suporn is very reputable and recommended. He performs SRS, but can also do FFS (tracheal shave too) and other surgeries. I have found this regarding costs:

QuoteAs of the writing of this document in November of 2007 The price for SRS with Dr. Suporn is 495,000

This is 16400+ US dollars.

But since there is a possibility of free SRS in your country, there is a chance your government will provide some funding. My country has done it in the past when people had to go away to his clinic. Ask your doctor; it can't hurt.

Oh, and Axelle is right. Avoid colon section SRS if it's possible. It's... Bad.

I will!!!!

Hi Zoey,
I just noted you ARE in SA, and therefore your question.

I live in Pta and went through this hole spiel with Dr. Franco Colin. Am still a bit rattled about the experience though it is over now, thank God.

Dr. Suporn I understand is quite good but is also about R 30'300 more expensive (495k Thai Baht = 16'400 US$) and in fact yet even more pricey then Dr. Chettawut at about US$13.5k - the last I have heard this year.

Also, I should think you are closer to Durban and would have to see Colin on a monthly basis, at an initial 1hr at R980-00 and then at minimum of 15min at R450-00. (He has to maintain his wine farm, ML350 4x4, etc. - yeah my inner bitch is speaking).
Furthermore none of the medical aids in SA will actually cover those cost. Do not expect anything like "therapy" he is just a gate-keeper. Said enough.

If you go to someone else (other therapists), Prof. Lindeque, head of SBAH gynaecology, will not accept anyone else's letter.
I have seen this during my first and last Gender-meeting. Plus you have to see them all at the Gender-meeting (after getting a Colin pass in one year's time) where they will grill you some more.
There you have to shut up and just accept what ever stuff they throw at you, AND ask for NOTHING at all!
If you not very submissive you can wait for ever or get declined for some reason or other, never mind what Colin had to say before. He is completely under the Prof's thumb!
Also Colin will refuse to clear you for HRT, yet he will want you to be 1 year on RLE (the idjet).

If you pass the gender-meeting too, waiting time begins. Anything from 1 - 3 years, as cancer patients always get priority. They will insist on colon-section, two of my friends had that, and it is one HEAVY op. BTW they have only done about 50 SRS ops. Compare that to the Thai surgeons, with the best know ones all more then 1'000 ops!

Protocol of Steve Biko Academic Hospital in Pretoria:
Op #1 is penectomy and orchiectomy leaving some funny thing sticking out that is supposed to be a clit, followed by all the leftover skin from "emptied" penis of erectile tissue and the empty scrotum. Leaving two "dried figs" in a row --- really weird looking. That you will have between your legs for about 2 years if not longer!

Op #2 some year later (at best), and ending up with an abdominal scar from hip bone to hip bone. Cutting a piece of your sigmoid colon, flipping it over, re-connecting by staples the cut sigmoid colon (staples will stay inside for good) then using the flipped over piece to make your vaginal channel.
Depth is no issue, ~ 7" BUT width is in need of very painful dilation --- what ever they'd tell you!
My second friend was in horrible pain for days after that op and vomited more the anything I'd seen before.
Even with younger girls (she is 23) there is a propensity to have a swell-tummy, looking like anything from 5 - 7 month pregnant. This seems a reaction to the colon surgery (just my opinion) and is very difficult to get rid of, - if at all.

Op #3. vaginoplasty after yet another 1 year (if you lucky).
Their protocol, of op #1, leaves you with the urethra too far forward (spraying over this clit contraption, always!) and for all I know you also just have to accept that as is.
They do some "clean-up" of leftover penile and scrotal skin. I don't think they actually do clitoroplasty either. So you have this funny thing sticking out of you vulva --- really not a "normal" looking female genital at all. If you say anything - you are told that you're expecting too much i.e. shut up as it's for free.

What I described to you is what they call their "superior results".
The whole procedure is really geared toward cancer patients that need their vag. channel, cervix, etc. replaced and I think that is just fine, and also the only thing that can be done for those poor women.
It is NOT your most preferred protocol to GRS, and ONLY if there is not enough "material" to work with, a sort of a last resort to achieve more depth.
To my knowing 98% of SRS is done by some form of "inversion" as also the techniques have improved over the years and creating good depth.

I hope I given you some SA insight and as you can see, it ain't so pretty.

You get what you pay for...

Hug,
Axelle

oH I HAVE A eNDO DOCTOR HERE IN jhb and a gender therapist by the way

And no way i am doing any surgery's here gosh thats scary Thailand here i come!!

Happy to be of service, honey :-)
Axelle

Dear Axelle
I'm sorry to hear of the experiences.
I'm in Cape Town living Real life experience for the past 23 years, since I've left school .I always looked at having surgery but it has always been  a pie in the sky idea especially with our health care and never knowing whats what here and also being so isolated from the rest of the world kinda made it difficult to know what's out there and if it applied to us down here in SA. Thank goodness for internet !!
I have been on hormones for many years and only of recent received them via the state  Groote Schuur hospital as they  have a Trans program.  Like you said lots of red tape possibly gatekeeping too,28 year waiting list ...about 10 years ago I actually went for "treatment" at Groote Schuur hospital after I've been assessed by Carron Park and got  referred there. Well,me  being nervous and scared I conjured up enough courage to go.A young trainee doctor saw me It was like a slap in the face as he tried to convince me that what I'm feeling is not real even smirked a bit. I just got up and told  him that he needed to read up on some text books he clearly neglected to read  and I left midway through the consult. I went underground for 10 years again until recently when I reached out again.   Judging by the horrific treatment you endured I think that young doctor was a blessing in disguise.  I don't intend go the state route but at least I get my hormones and checkups and tests at a minimal cost now .I'm planning surgery in Thailand I'm still a fair way off to having enough money for it but I believe I'll  do the research  so as soon as I have the cash I'm over ther (only thing on my wish list)  I have my Consent letters etc for the past 8 years all  ready so Im pretty ready to go. I have never applied for an ID as I never saw  myself as the male gender
I created a new name for myself as soon as I left school and moved to Cape Town to start a more authentic life .My then decision  clearly had far reaching consequences for me
living a ghost life ...not existing in formal life. I could never apply for a job never drive a car let alone buy one  (legally) never get a bank account and the "perks" of having one. I've managed all these years under the radar because I integrated  well into "Normal " society But its no way to live especially when I know I'm meant to live a much better life  trust me.  I've applied several times in the past x 8 years to have my documents amended but every time an excuse that they  lost my application. Gender Dynamix has assisted me to apply again this time (a month ago) with only one amendment at a time ,mine is  "Gender" first ...I await their response +-5-9 mnths.
I'll do name changes after that which will take another year approximately. Fingers crossed!!  If I may ask what you or any other girls think of DRs. Sangaun ,Surin  !Burin Preecha and Dr Chett with regard to cost and appearance?
Many thanks
Mash