Suporn - March 2013

[sarahbear]

OK related question for people going to Suporn. How did you decide Dr. Suporn was right for you? How did you decide that it was safe in Thailand and that you would be well taken care of even if you had a complication or anything? I'm just wondering since I have been reading up on Thai surgeons including Suporn but it's tough to find info about certifications and real info for why a surgeon is really great.

[Adabelle]

There are lots of threads discussing the pros and cons of Suporn, so I'll focus on what made the difference for me. It was knowing several people personally who went to him, and then talking to several people online as well who went to him. After you consider the differences in technique and decide if that makes sense for you, then I think it's important to find others who have gone there and talk to them about their experience.

What I found is that the hospital facilities are very modern, and if anything were to go wrong you would be already in the hospital to have people there to take care of you. Traveling to another country does involve risk, however there are also benefits of Suporn's aftercare in that you stay right there next to the clinic and under his care for 30 days after surgery to address any complications early. Even so, as you point out if you have complications later on in your recovery this could mean a trip back to Thailand to see him again.

Ultimately I think each person has to do their research and weigh out the pros and cons for themselves.

OK related question for people going to Suporn. How did you decide Dr. Suporn was right for you? How did you decide that it was safe in Thailand and that you would be well taken care of even if you had a complication or anything? I'm just wondering since I have been reading up on Thai surgeons including Suporn but it's tough to find info about certifications and real info for why a surgeon is really great.

[Sarah_aus]

You hit the nail on the head, couldn't have said it better myself!
What made the difference for me was knowing, and seeing first hand the work Suporn does, the aftercare, and to some degree, I like the idea of going to Thailand, it's pretty! But in the end it comes down to the technique and what I stand to gain from going through Suporn.
~Sarah

[Rita]

I am excited for the both of you! omg I have knots in my tummy and its not even for me yet.

[Emmanuelle]

OK related question for people going to Suporn. How did you decide Dr. Suporn was right for you? How did you decide that it was safe in Thailand and that you would be well taken care of even if you had a complication or anything? I'm just wondering since I have been reading up on Thai surgeons including Suporn but it's tough to find info about certifications and real info for why a surgeon is really great.

For me it was a simple process of elimination. I went to see a couple of surgeons in my surroundings (Belgium). Because they're all using the standard penile inversion technique and that my source material isn't enough to make it work, they all suggested to get donor tissue somewhere else (belly, bum...) leaving scarring in places I don't want.

One surgeon told me not to worry because it would look just like I had a Caesarean. When I asked him how I should explain to my future boy friend that I had a C section while I have no children to show for, the room went quiet.

Anyhow, with traditional techniques not working for me, and refusing to go for a colovaginoplasty, the list of available surgeons was significantly reduced. I ended up with Suporn because of affordability (of the operation, but also the cost of staying over - Thailand is not an expensive country), reputation and the email exchange we had. I felt he was the only one who really understood my issue and was able to offer me an appropriate solution. At least one that felt it was not "out-of-the-box" (I know it's an illusion, but at least I got the feeling I was taking part in the solution crafting).

[Nicolette]

For me it was a simple process of elimination. I went to see a couple of surgeons in my surroundings (Belgium). Because they're all using the standard penile inversion technique and that my source material isn't enough to make it work, they all suggested to get donor tissue somewhere else (belly, bum...) leaving scarring in places I don't want.

One surgeon told me not to worry because it would look just like I had a Caesarean. When I asked him how I should explain to my future boy friend that I had a C section while I have no children to show for, the room went quiet.

Anyhow, with traditional techniques not working for me, and refusing to go for a colovaginoplasty, the list of available surgeons was significantly reduced. I ended up with Suporn because of affordability (of the operation, but also the cost of staying over - Thailand is not an expensive country), reputation and the email exchange we had. I felt he was the only one who really understood my issue and was able to offer me an appropriate solution. At least one that felt it was not "out-of-the-box" (I know it's an illusion, but at least I got the feeling I was taking part in the solution crafting).

I refuse to have a colovaginoplasty or any scars my abdomen. My gender specialist looked at me with a deadpan expression when I explained this. WTH! If I had to then I would wait around a little further until some surgeon created a technique that avoided this issue. I've already been procrastinating since '97. I had been circumcised.

Had you given any thought to Chettawut?

[Emmanuelle]

Had you given any thought to Chettawut?

I did. He was my number 1 for a long time. The thing that tilted the scales towards Suporn was the email-exchange. Somehow I felt "my case" being addressed (correction for bilateral cryptorchidy and a phalloplasty in early puberty). Where Chettawut left me with an "oh, don't worry, it's gonna be fine" approach, Suporn managed to address my fears, detailing all the possible consequences in relation to my medical history.

Probably a silly criterion, but it was enough for me to bite the bullet.

[Nicolette]

I did. He was my number 1 for a long time. The thing that tilted the scales towards Suporn was the email-exchange. Somehow I felt "my case" being addressed (correction for bilateral cryptorchidy and a phalloplasty in early puberty). Where Chettawut left me with an "oh, don't worry, it's gonna be fine" approach, Suporn managed to address my fears, detailing all the possible consequences in relation to my medical history.

Probably a silly criterion, but it was enough for me to bite the bullet.

I had a unilateral cryptorchidism, but it was corrected at 4 years.

I haven't yet started any exchange with Thai surgeons, but will do once I see at least one surgeon in the UK who does penile inversion. I can then get an idea of the limits of this procedure when material is lacking.

The main worry for Thailand is the 11 hours journey by plane plus the time for all the connections before one can get back and dilate again.

[GendrKweer]

As someone who made that 11 hour plane ride last August, don't sweat it. There is NO need to dilate in the airport during a layover, etc; that came straight from dr suporn. After one month, the dilation is still fairly easy, believe it or not, and a day out ONCE will not give you any bigger headache than a few extra minutes of dilation effort. Besides, you'll want to be hopped up nice and high for the plane ride home, and you'll be on those pills for another month at home or so, ie you can dilate without much pain. (The painful stuff for me at least started during the 3rd month, and went on for a month or two, when most suporn patients get tighter and you're off pain meds... you'll get through, no sweat, but yeah, be warned!:)

[Adabelle]

I can't believe I'm less than 60 days away from my surgery date! It's CRAZY!!! I'm excited and still a bit nervous too.

[milktea]

As someone who made that 11 hour plane ride last August, don't sweat it. There is NO need to dilate in the airport during a layover, etc; that came straight from dr suporn. After one month, the dilation is still fairly easy, believe it or not, and a day out ONCE will not give you any bigger headache than a few extra minutes of dilation effort. Besides, you'll want to be hopped up nice and high for the plane ride home, and you'll be on those pills for another month at home or so, ie you can dilate without much pain. (The painful stuff for me at least started during the 3rd month, and went on for a month or two, when most suporn patients get tighter and you're off pain meds... you'll get through, no sweat, but yeah, be warned!:)

This is only my first week dilating post-op at supporn. The process is bearable enough (takes about less than an hour each time for me including all the preps and cleanup afterwards) but I would expect things to get harder in the coming months. All I can say is so far so good...fingers x

[Adabelle]

Today is my V-30 day!! Crazy. I'm mostly at peace with it (and even excited) but I do have moments of nervousness too. Last night I woke up in the middle of the night with some nervousness about it for example. But overall I think I am doing okay so far.

Is there anyone else new that's going to be in Chonburi in March? Would love to connect!

[strawberry]

Is anyone else here scheduled (or scheduling) with Suporn for March 2013? I'm scheduled for March 20 and would like to make contact with others who may be there the same time as me.

*Hoping for a revision on March 19*.

My girlfriend sweetie emailed with you. ;-)

[Adabelle]

Hey Strawberry! That would be so great to see you there! I hope you're able to get the revision scheduled.

[Adabelle]

Hi all. I just wanted to post an update to this thread that I had my surgery as planned on March 20th. It was successful and I'm now recovering in the hotel. I've already met some wonderful other girls here. I'm happy!!

[Jamie D]

Congratulations.  I am very happy for you.

[Beth Andrea]

Yay! Glad to hear it went well! Heal quickly!

[calico]

Congrats!!   so many people having their surgeries this month!!! What is it national Transgendered surgery month? lol Definately a happy time for sure! Again gongrats the hard part is now over

[Adabelle]

Thanks so much everyone! I'm filled with so much gratitude to have the opportunity to be here, and to have had this surgery. I'm extremely happy I chose Dr. Suporn as my surgeon and now totally understand why he has so many positive reviews. I'll comment more later on my own experience here, but just mainly wanted to thank everyone and let you all know I'm doing well!

[Charley Bea(EmeraldP)]

Great to hear, hope all is still going well.