SRS in Thailand

[gretchen2]

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[Katesback]

If you go you will be following countless people that have gone there. Nearly all come home and go on to live thier lives. The medical care is virtually the same as what you would get anywhere assuming you go to one of the doctors with a good reputation.

Katie

[GypsyKaren]

I had my surgery four year ago with Dr. Chettawut, it was a great experience and I'm more than satisfied with the results...feel free to PM me with any questions.

Karen Starlene :star:

[crystalann]

My trip to Thailand a few years ago was nothing less then fantastic. I had surgery with doctor Kamol Pansritum. I was very happy with his work and the staff. The people are very helpful, it's the land of smiles. If anything bad to say it's a long trip from south Fla. If you want to chat please p.m. Best of luck

[pamela_a]

I just returned from Bangkok on Aug 1st after having Dr. Saran do my surgery and it was marvelous. The people are wonderful and the Country is beautiful. It was a long flight from Minnesota but well worth it to me. PM me if you have specific questions.

[Melody Moore]

I am hoping to go to Dr Suporn because he is my personal choice for SRS some time around
August/September 2012. Two local girls are heading over early 2012 to him as well. A former
house-mate had her SRS with Dr Chettawut in December 2009 and she is happy with everything.

So the feedback I get from those who have gone to Thailand has all been good, but you must
be careful about which surgeon you choose because there are some dodgy ones over there as
well. So follow the advice of those who have been over there before and report the best results.

[kellycan27]

I went to Dr Suporn.. The care was wonderful and the results were more than expected. I know at least 4 other girls who had their surgery with Dr.S and everyone is more than happy with the end result.

[Melody Moore]

The best over there have performed so many surgeries that I feel more confident about the surgery than if I were having the procedure here in Chicago Some Thai doctors have trained others. Some have discovered procedures that others around the world now use.
The director of my local gender clinic, Dr Darren Russell has worked very closely with Thai doctors for many years and
I was told that the most reputable surgeons have been trained or spent time studying & working in the USA & Europe.
But they prefer to be based in Thailand because it a lot easier for them to provide more affordable services without any
drop in the standards of care. Personally I feel that doctors like Marci Bowers in the USA are really over-rated & you never
hear about her stuff-ups, but she has had a few of them from what I understand. And I would never go near the butchers
we have here in Australia - the feedback about Australia surgeons performing GRS has been nothing short of shocking!

[Katesback]

A few years ago I was pricing out the doctors in Thailand. Dr. Suporn at that time with the exchange rate and travel expenses was comparable to Dr. Bowers. I personally would not want to go on the long flight over there if I am going to pay the same price as I would in the states.

Take the exchange rate and other costs into your decision.

[Zenith]

...Personally I feel that doctors like Marci Bowers in the USA are really over-rated & you never
hear about her stuff-ups, but she has had a few of them from what I understand...

For sure the well established Thai clinics have amazing standards of care and dedicated staffs. I can't speak to that personally, though.

I CAN speak to the quote. Without doubt Dr. Bowers is one of the very finest surgeons, with the added edge of having extensive experience as an OB/GYN. She has had only had 2 patients with fistualas, one caused by the patient. And her results are most often amazing.

BUT, she does too many surgeries. And her post-op care was abysmal. Some of this is due to the high cost of health care in the US and hospital staff being spread too thin. Some is due to the doctor not allocating the time/resources needed to post-op care. A friend recently had SRS in San Mateo, and the situation with Beck's recovery house was a ongoing problem, she had to go right to a hotel. Shortly after Dr. Bowers began the process of setting up her own recovery house in San Mateo.

From what I understand Dr. Meltzer has the resources allocated and recovery in Scottsdale has a high standard of care, unusual for the US. It's also expensive...

[CharleneT]

For some reason I can't get the PM to work ( I am in Thailand and the internet where I am staying is iffy at times ....).

PM me if you would like, should work. I am in Bangkok, had my surgeries on Aug 31st. I have many suggestions and the name of a helper person that you might contact. My work was done by Dr. Chettawut at his clinic. Absolutely first rate. They will not move on to the next patient till they know you are ok.

One thing to keep in mind, this is a country where TS folks are as common as anyone else and quite accepted. Indescribably comfortable and friendly.

Things are cheap here, but also, it adds up. Remember to include a good amount of money for extras, especially if you eat in restaurants. Figure 200-400 baht for meal there. Street vendors vary, but 100 baht will buy 3 or 4 curries. Easy way to calculate the diff: move decimal point one place to left, then divide by 3. So 450 baht is 45/3 or $15. Exchange rate is pretty constant, a little better at local banks than airport.

[Stephenie S]

Thr standard of care in Thailand is far above the care available in the US.

I know that few Americans wish to recognize this, but the US ranks somewhere around 40th in the world in health care quality.

Go to Thailand with complete confidence that you will get top quality care.

Now, that said, in the interest of honesty, I did not go to Thailand. I went to Montreal. But for me, Montreal is very close and very convenient, so I recognize the psychological advantage of staying close to home.

S

[Zenith]

Risking getting flamed here, but...

I suspect what drags down the statistic is the utter unevenness of the US health care system. No doubt if you have lots of money, the US health care system is the very best in the world. For those that aren't wealthy care is spotty. For the majority making less than middle class wages the system is flat broken. There should be an acceptable minimal standard of care. Certainly not the fault of those on the front lines trying their best to fill in the gaps. Again, resources are just not allocated...

[Stephenie S]

No, it is NOT the best in the world no matter HOW much money you have.

Can you get good care here? Yes. But look at world statistics like longevity and infant mortality. I don't have to provide your research for you. Do it yourself. The last time I looked it up we were 41st.

As I said, most American's don't like hearing this, but it's true. I am IN health care. I see this on a daily basis.

Stephenie

[GypsyKaren]

Statistics about who does what are worthless, it all boils down to what you get when you get it, even stepping out the door is a crapshoot. Any top tier surgeon in the U.S, Canada, or Thailand is worth taking the risk for, but it all comes down to cost and personal choice.

[stacie]

I had my sugery with Dr Brassard and had nothing but the best of care for eleven days. We are feed three meals per day with all the snacks you want through out the day. You get round the clock nursing care the whole time you are there and you stay at Asclepiade (Dr Brassards recovery house) which is right next to the surgery center. My stay there was with seven other girls and we bonded and stayed in contacted . My cost was not much more then those I knew who went to Suporn. It didn't take me long to get full feeling back and to be able to have an orgasum, plus I ended with the depth of 6 1/2 inchs. There are a hand full of great doctors out their in north america and Thailand. Just becarefull not to pick a Doctor who is on the cheap side of cost. I know two girls from my support group who went to a inexpensive Dr in thailand and have little feeling now from their GRS and ended up with only about 3 inchs of depth. Do your homework first and find a doctor with great results and happy clients. In the end you will get what you pay for. Do you want a cheap sports car for a puss or a supercar like a Ferrari or even a Bugatti for a puss. A great sugeon will cost more, but you will get great results in the end....

[Zenith]

When will I learn...:troll:

[Katesback]

It is ironic to see the never ending battles over what doctor is better for SRS. The sad irony is I have never seen them battle over FFS doctors. Go figure.

[stacie]

It is ironic to see the never ending battles over what doctor is better for SRS. The sad irony is I have never seen them battle over FFS doctors. Go figure.

Ha Ha that is very true:)

[AKAMichelle]

Risking getting flamed here, but...

I suspect what drags down the statistic is the utter unevenness of the US health care system. No doubt if you have lots of money, the US health care system is the very best in the world. For those that aren't wealthy care is spotty. For the majority making less than middle class wages the system is flat broken. There should be an acceptable minimal standard of care. Certainly not the fault of those on the front lines trying their best to fill in the gaps. Again, resources are just not allocated...

I do agree that we have the best health care in the world, but it is for those who can afford it. If you can't afford health insurance then you get what many in Africa get. Only the manadatory items to keep you alive. Anything to better your life or eliminate pain and you are out of luck.

I do believe that Dr Bowers is a very caring and loving doctor who does her best. Unfortunately the cost of providing what is needed sometimes prices certain people out of the market place. That is one of the main reasons for all of the business in Thailand. Not to mention all the rules and red tape in countries like Canada and England with socialized medicine.

Regardless of which doctor you choose they can have an off day and you have to live with the consequences. So do your research and be prepared for the what ifs. Hopefully you won't experience them.

[CharleneT]

Way back there before the clone war started... Kate made a point about taking all costs into consideration. That is a very important thing to do, and when you do so, look at the long haul on the currency you'll be exchanging. In my case, Thai baht. In the last year the dollar has "fallen" against the baht on a continuous, slow and steady slide. The cost of my surgery went up, from when I paid the deposit, to when I paid off last bit. Total change in just a few months made it about $425 or so more! Although I hate to say it, it is unlikely that this will turn around anytime soon. Level off, I sure hope so ! Also, if you look at the rates online, with places such as xe.com, remember those are "mid-market" rates. Meaning an average between what the currency is selling for vs cost -- you will never get that rate for a wire transfer. In fact, after fees etc, the rate will be lower than the low end of the graphs.

Sorry to get all technical, but when you decide to go overseas for surgery, there are many things to take into consideration. Exchange rates can easily become an obsession ;)

As for all the discussion about USA medical system, sorry, but it is true: when you measure by things like infant mortality, on average, US medical care is lousy. I work in NeoNatal care and with Pediatric Intensive Care, while I hate to say it, our standard or "average" ain't so hot. Now the NICU where I work is great! But it is not the average place.

[Melody Moore]

I had my sugery with Dr Brassard and had nothing but the best of care for eleven days. We are feed three meals per day with all the snacks you want through out the day. You get round the clock nursing care the whole time you are there and you stay at Asclepiade (Dr Brassards recovery house) which is right next to the surgery center.

First of all Stacie, congratulations on your surgery & that everything went well for you.

But while you feel it was the 'best' care you have had, it might not be the best care according to someone
else, or according to another person's standards or experiences with other surgeons. How do you know if
your Doctor provided you with the 'best' care possible? 24/7 nursing care is found with all the reputable
surgeons around the world. Have you been to any other surgeon for GRS/SRS to know for sure it was the
'best' care? In fact I have heard a lot of feedback that the care in Thailand exceeds anything found anywhere
else in the world. I have not heard anywhere near as much positive feedback about the GRS/SRS available
in the UK, USA, Canada & Australia. The bottom line is, the Thai surgeons have had a heck of a lot more
experience & are well known for pioneering the best surgical techniques to achieve a much better result than
your surgeons in western countries.

And you talk about you get what you pay for eh? Well here in Australia it is $30,000 for GRS/SRS and
going by the photos I seen? I would kill myself if I was left looking like what I seen in these pictures. You
also have to pay for any further surgery if there are any complications. So I can go to Dr Suporn in Thailand
for $17,500, + airfares, accommodation & spending money and get what is reputed to be the best after-care
as well in GRS/SRS because their surgery also comes with also a LIFETIME GUARANTEE.

Did your Doctor guarantee his handiwork for life like Dr Suporn does? So it is not necessarily true that you get
what you pay for. My advice is do your research very thoroughly and pick a doctor that you feel will serve your
needs including the right type of after-care & support that also caters best to deal with any further complications.

If you ask me my opinion who the best in the world is, I am going to say Dr Suporn for these very reasons.
As others also pointed out, many people don't want to leave home & go abroad for their GRS, which is fine,
but personally I don't mind the idea- I get to have a nice holiday in a very beautiful country at the same time
as I have my GRS with a surgeon who has one of the best reputations in the world and who as far as I am
concerned provides a higher level of after care by the sheer fact he guarantees his work.

The bottom-line here is, I want the best care I can get that will last me for the rest of my life.
So the 'best surgeons' I believe are those who I believe will fulfil all my personal needs in GRS.

[GypsyKaren]

Cost is no guarantee, and it's ridiculous to think that the more you pay will give you better results. I paid $7500 back in 2007 with Chettawut vs. the $16,500 that Brassard wanted, and he did a fantastic job.

[kellycan27]

I am not touting Suporn over anybody else. Just saying i went to him and am quite happy with the results.. ymmv.