Going for an orchie in Thailand

[SorchaC]

Hi, yes I've heard you can stretch the skin with some exercises although I guess it still atrophies. I'm not sure what to think about that side of it. I'm not certain I'd go ahead with full SRS but maybe I would want to further down the line. I do have a large scrotum actually (the other part is normal) so maybe a little shrinkage won't matter too much.

There is a procedure that can be used that will stretch skin. The surgeon inserts an inflatable device inside the scrotum 3 months before your SRS and that will stretch the skin and give you more. Mr Bellringer told me he'd used it successfully for an SRS patient although it is normally something used for breast surgery I believe.

Hugs

Sorcha 

[possessed]

Tissue expansion is used in reconstructive surgery but in SRS there is always option for additional grafts harvested from other site than the scrotum so I don't think this would ever be needed because there is always skin available 

[Richenda]

Thanks for that so much: it sounds very true and I'm sure that if I want to go ahead to full SRS I can pursue the stretching options mentioned.

I'm currently researching other good surgeries in Thailand on the grounds that because it isn't full SRS, and is actually widely performed (I'm learning that a lot of kathoey do have this done), there must be other, good, surgeons who do it fairly routinely under local. The key though is not going backstreet. Don't worry folks x

[Richenda]

Another update.

Dr Pichet at Bangkoksplasticsurgery would do the bilateral orchiectomy under either general or local, depending which I prefer, for $2000 USD with one supporting letter.

Plastisurgerythailand (not actually sure who they are) won't do orchiectomies for SRS, only for other medical conditions.

I'm just putting the above to keep the thread updated as a reference for anyone going down this path. I would very much advise anyone coming back to this thread to use the forum search tools for the relevant doctors.

[Richenda]

Further update:

Dr Preecha at P.A.I. Bangkok quotes $3900 USD which includes blood tests and everything.

At the moment Dr Chet looks the most competitive on cost at $2800 and since I very much like what I read about him and the Chet girls () I might be heading to join the ranks 

much love to all

Chen xx

p.s. if I get any further useful responses I'll put them on here so anyone following this step can get a heads up. I'll also post updates on my journey.

[Isabelle]

http://www.tsroadmap.com/physical/orchiectomy/timothy-terry.html

I found this for you, he's in the UK and does the procedure you're after. I don't know if he's still around though...

Also this, a first hand account of seeing this surgeon
http://www.looking-glass.greenend.org.uk/orchi.htm

[Richenda]

Thanks Isabelle. Yes he's been on my radar but he stopped doing it where he was based as well as becoming pricey and some other issues to do with referral systems.

[Isabelle]

Ohhhh, bugger. Well, it's such a quick operation, it's a day surgery I think, you walk in and walk out a few hours later, there's got to be someone out there doing it for a reasonable price.

[Richenda]

Another update.

Dr Chet's liaison official, Som, says that he prefers to perform an orchiectomy under general as 'the surgery can be very painful and uncomfortable.' Mr Som is also pushing quite hard about the referral letters, mentioning that they must be originals with original handwritten signatures. This is fine of course.

Meanwhile, Dr Somboon at Bangkok Hospital is happy to do it and his clinic writes: 'it is a very simple procedure. Normally, we do under local anesthesia as an out-patient procedure.' They mention one psychiatric referral letter.

So there we have two contrasting views about the nature of orchiectomies. My surmise is that the SRS surgeons don't perform many standalone orchiectomies and are used to major invasive surgery under general anaesthetic which costs a lot of money. That's their metier and I don't think they perform many orchiectomies. The urologists and non-SRS specialists, and indeed vetinarians (!), know it's a relatively simple, non-invasive, procedure that can be done under local, and they perform it fairly regularly. Remind me of this comment when I'm howling with pain 


Chen xx

[Isabelle]

Perhaps look into urologists? Apparently that's the type of specialist that usually performs the operation. There's no reason why you need to go to a specialist cosmetic surgeon for it is there?

[Richenda]

That's my view completely, Isabelle. The Bangkok Hospital surgeon is a urologist. I'm pressing them on price but I suspect it's going to be waaaaaay lower than the SRS ones from what they've said so far. I just need to ensure it's done from groin incision not scrotum (for future vaginoplasty).

Did you notice my identity?

Chen xx

[Isabelle]

Nope I didn't till you told me

If you're interested in intersex conditions, have a look here.
http://www.isna.org/faq

[Richenda]

Ah, okay, it's anatomical. Now I get why you meant it's not an 'identity' one can assume. Gotcha.

[Richenda]

Okay well I've just booked my consultation with Dr Somboon at Bangkok Hospital Urology Department.

I don't actually have the cost of the procedure yet, but chatting to the receptionist, who was really really lovely, it doesn't sound like it's going to be expensive. It's done in the urology department and it's performed as an outpatient.

I guess as I've mentioned previously, for me this is the end of 'maleness.' It's also the end of the need for high drug toxicities, so it's a no-brainer. Whether I go on to full vaginoplasty further down the line is another issue but right now I'm cool to be turning female, which is what this will do. Without balls even low dosage oestrogen will be very effective.

I'm super excited!! Whoop whoop.

[Laura_7]

Okay well I've just booked my consultation with Dr Somboon at Bangkok Hospital Urology Department.

I don't actually have the cost of the procedure yet, but chatting to the receptionist, who was really really lovely, it doesn't sound like it's going to be expensive. It's done in the urology department and it's performed as an outpatient.

I guess as I've mentioned previously, for me this is the end of 'maleness.' It's also the end of the need for high drug toxicities, so it's a no-brainer. Whether I go on to full vaginoplasty further down the line is another issue but right now I'm cool to be turning female, which is what this will do. Without balls even low dosage oestrogen will be very effective.

I'm super excited!! Whoop whoop.

You could have a look here for hints on estro etc:
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,190296.msg1695059.html#msg1695059

Adding bioidentical progesterone might help...
some people even take a very small dose of testo, for example in gel form... if its necessary to help with overall drive...
but if its necessary should be seen after a few weeks or months after the orchi...
levels should drop till then 

here are a few hints that might help also:
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,190515.msg1697107.html#msg1697107


hugs

[Isabelle]

If you do this, remember to take care of your bones. You'll loose bone density quicker than normal if you don't have the right amount of calcium and hormones to help replace what gets depleted as you age.

[Richenda]

Update.

Dr Somboon's price at Bangkok Hospital is $2200 USD. That's more than I was expecting for a local anaesthetic urology department, if I'm honest. So, pulling this together I have:

Dr Pichet     Local or General     $2000   
Dr Somboon Local      $2200
Dr Chettawung General $2800
Dr Preecha General $3900
Dr Sarang General $4500
Dr Suporn: will not do the operation

All things considered I'm now leaning heavily Dr Chet's way again. For the sake of a few hundred $ I'd be in the hands of the same person I'd probably go to for the SRS. Plus they have been really friendly and helpful. It's still a heck of a lot of money though for what it is :/

[SorchaC]

So you're sure there's nowhere in The UK that will perform this privately and save the trip to Thailand. My orchie took little more than an hour with a general so the cost can't be that high surely?

Hope you find the right surgeon

Hugs

Sorcha 

[Richenda]

Hi Sorcha - it's worth exploring isn't it? Trouble is, I'm hardly in the UK over the next six months. Most of the time I'll be in Asia. I'll look into that though.
If I go private in Britain I'm not sure I'd beat it down below £1500 anyway?

Chen xx

[Laura_7]

Update.

Dr Somboon's price at Bangkok Hospital is $2200 USD. That's more than I was expecting for a local anaesthetic urology department, if I'm honest. So, pulling this together I have:

Dr Pichet     Local or General     $2000   
Dr Somboon Local      $2200
Dr Chettawung General $2800
Dr Preecha General $3900
Dr Sarang General $4500
Dr Suporn: will not do the operation

All things considered I'm now leaning heavily Dr Chet's way again. For the sake of a few hundred $ I'd be in the hands of the same person I'd probably go to for the SRS. Plus they have been really friendly and helpful. It's still a heck of a lot of money though for what it is :/

You might ask them if part of it would count towards an srs.
With some surgeons it does, reducing fees for an srs somewhat.

There are one or two us surgeons who state this on their list.