Tell me your experiences on going to Thailand for GRS

[GirlieAmanda]

I have recently had a dramatic change of heart on having surgery in Thailand. I was dead set against it before. I wanted to stick to the good ole' US of A. I did not trust doctors in a foreign country. However after the hack job my GF and a friend got from a supposed good doctor in the US, I started to consider Thailand. I have not heard one bad thing about Thailand or anyone regretting going there. I am SERIOUSLY considering it. I hear it is a very unique experience. You are well taken care of and well attended to. The country is beautiful and the care is excellent. It even cost less to boot. But I want to hear from others to hopefully reinforce my thoughts. I have talked first hand to a girl who went to Dr. Supporn. She described it as a beautiful experience. It changed my mind.

[Angela Campbell]

A friend of mine went there to Dr. Kamol, and from discussing her experience there I also have decided that is the way I want to go. The after care as opposed to what you get here in the US is what made the difference to me. I have met Dr Bowers and Dr Leis and although they are well experienced they are expensive and do not give the same after care.

[Jennifer Marie P.]

I heard some negative things about Thailand and the after care.I got mine done in South America.

[Cheryl123]

I would also be interested in hearing from those who have had surgery in Thailand. Both Dr. Kamol and Dr. Supporn are both well known and experienced (2,000 + surgeries each over the past decade).

Dr. Supporn uses his own procedure, which to my knowledge is not used in the US/Canada. A longer recovery period is required with more extensive dilation, but I've read many reports from women who are very pleased with the results. I've also read that there is a greater danger for the surgery to go wrong. But there is a certain amount of risk to any GRS surgery, so I think it's important to understand that. Dr. Supporn offers free corrective follow-up although you will need to pay your way to Thailand.

Another criticism of surgeries in Thailand is that they fast track the process -- a letter from "therapist, psychiatrist or psychosexual psychologist" is all that is required. It's possible to get your letter from a LSW after a few consultations over the internet. Depending on the degree of your gender dysphoria the temptation to go this route can be great. Giving the magnitude of this decision, skipping genuine therapeutic consultation is, of course, not wise. Surgery is forever. So it's important to understand and consider what life will be like afterwards. That's an understanding a good therapist can bring, assuming you find one (big assumption for many).

On the other hand when someone has lived under clouds of depression and anxiety for so long, there is a tendency to reject long, drawn out solutions. That's understandable too. Quick solutions do work for many. The dangers are greater, but there is also the danger (suicide, going mad) if you delay treatment because it may not be available where you live and/or will be out of reach financially without years of saving every penny, and maybe not even then.

Lots of questions that each person must decide for herself.

[Angela Campbell]

I was told by the clinic there that they needed two letters and a year on hormones before the surgery. Dr Kamol.

[crystalann]

I had surgery back in 2009 with Dr Kamol with the advice of a friend the same friend of Angela's I think? they where fantastic. The surgery was pretty straightforward and I'm very happy with his work, but it was all the other things his staff did. I was taking to the bank to exchange money, food shopping his driver took us out to lunch many times and the list goes on. In 2009 Dr kamol had just broke grounds on a new office its done now and I hear its state of the art.

[Angela Campbell]

Yes that is the same friend. We have had several discussions on this subject.

Jennifer, what have you heard and about which doctor or clinic?

[ameliabee]

There are more than a few women here who have been to Chettawut, just use the search function and I'm sure you'll find some posts.

You can also take a looksie at this thread on reddit: http://www.reddit.com/r/asktransgender/comments/1g2o4v/as_promised_my_srs_thread/

[kathyLB]

hi amanda, I'm also from south carolina, Summerville, you have srs in bangkok what was your experiance I was sitting here thing about srs about the cost of the flight surgerey thanks kathy

[CharleneT]

Thailand was great! I went to Dr. Chettawut, there are others as good. To answer a few of the Qs: the "fasttrack" is gone, the Thai government now requires patients/docs to follow the same SOC as are used here in the US. But ... that said, you can fast track there -or- here pretty easily if you are smart. I recommend strongly against that... The cost is somewhat less, but you will find that Dr. Suporn for example is pretty close to the US surgeons prices: this is because he is very very good. So is Dr. Chettawut. You cannot have this "twice" so it is pretty hard to compare their efforts directly. Drs. Suporn and Chettawut and others use a surgery technique fairly different from the traditional penile inversion done here. Truth be told, Drs like Bowers are now working some of that technique into their work. BUT, the important thing to remember is if you choose one of the top docs, here or there, you're going to be fine.

I was in Thailand for 28 days, and it changed my life. I'm not talking about surgeries here, I'm talking about learning to see the world in a different way. If you do decide to go there, try and stay as long as you can. I assure you that you will want to.

Each person has to make a list of what is important to them, and what is their budget. Then figure out what option will work best for you. The answer and what goes into making it, is a subtle division of very important issues. Take time to figure it out. After a certain point folks get really anxious "... to get the surgery...". I sure did ;) But do not hurry, once you choose the time between booking it and the "day" will fly by.



Thailand is a very different place, but also a very friendly country. Many fear the issues of travel to a far away land for surgery. There are issues to consider, the return trip being a biggie ( it is long if you are from the US). The care there *is* great ! If you search around you will find many threads about this and what you can do if anything comes up later.