My breast implant and tracheal
shave surgery with Dr Suporn in Thailand
Introduction
Here is an account of my experience with
Dr Suporn. The
surgery took place in March 2001. This account is based on fairly minimal
surgery, and therefore may not be entirely relevant to patients undergoing
major surgery such as SRS (with or without breast implants), extensive
cranio-facial reconstruction, etc.
I decided that once I had recovered enough
from the Gender Reassignment Surgery, which had been performed by Mr Royle
in Brighton in April 2000, I would have a tracheal shave and some breast
implants. So I began to look for surgeons.
I have divided my story into three parts:
before, during and after.
BEFORE
Thailand Surgeons
I performed extensive research on a range
of surgeons. One of the major factors which influenced my search was cost.
I came across Doctors Preecha, Sanguan and Suporn in Thailand and noticed
that they were all much cheaper than surgeons in the west. What struck
me most was the clearly laid out price list that appeared on Dr Suporn's
well designed website and the fact that his prices were the lowest. The
email correspondence between myself and Dr Kim (Fiona), who runs the website
and handles enquiries for Dr Suporn, was very informative and reassuring.
I also began to hear good reports of Dr Suporn's work from a number of
sources. There were a few recommendations and an article on him in the
Anne
Lawrence site. So I decided to book a date with Dr Suporn and make
the necessary travel arrangements.
Flight booking and travel arrangements
I made flight arrangements in close liaison
with Dr Kim. I was advised to stay in Thailand
for at least a couple of weeks after the surgery. The flight I chose was
a Heathrow to Bangkok direct Quantas/British Airways return package for
four weeks with 5 nights in Bangkok. It came to £550. There are
many options available though. Gulf Air, Kuwait Air, and Turkish Airlines
do cheap flight only but there is usually a stopover in the Middle East
lasting from one hour to anything up to seven hours.
Preparations for travel
Here are the things I did:
I read the Dr Suporn website and links carefully. They do contain valuable
information.
Confirmed the surgery and fees by email before setting out. Took copies
of emails.
Compiled and sent to Dr Suporn via email a medical history, current medical
status resume, and details of other regular medication .
Borrowed a "Lonely Planet"
guide book as a useful manual for the trip.
Learnt as much as I could about Thailand.
Checked my passport. No visa is required for UK Citizens for up to a month
in Thailand.
Had the requisite inoculations for Thailand. These are available from your doctor's surgery.
Bought specialised travel insurance.
(This can be obtained from "Travelcare").
I took British pounds cash in crisp new £50
notes in a money belt to save on travellers cheques commission (N.B.damaged
banknotes will not be exchanged) . I changed it into Thai Baht at Bangkok
airport with the assistance of Kie. Its normally quite safe to do this
as you will be met immediately upon arrival and escorted safely to the
hospital. But you can always buy travellers cheques if it makes you feel
nervous to carry cash. You should hand over the agreed fee as soon as
possible and get a cash receipt of payment.
Halted hormone (and
anti-androgen) regime two weeks prior to surgery.
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) on long-haul
plane flights can be a worry for some, though
if you are not normally at risk, are young, fit, healthy and a non-smoker
it should not be a worry. Just get up out of your seat every hour to stretch
your legs and drink plenty of water. Avoid alcohol. Ask you doctor if
you are concerned.
Clothing should be loose
fitting and made of cotton preferably. Remember that Thailand is a tropical
country! Fortunately most places have air conditioning.
Packed hormones and other regular medication. The hormones were for restarting
regime two weeks after surgery
DURING
Arrival
I was met warmly by Kie
and Fiona. There were a couple of other westerners with them who had just
arrived. Chris, who was there for some facial surgery, and Bev her companion
for the trip. Kie and I then went
to change money at the airport bank.
Then a taxi was standing by which took us to the Aikchol hospital in Chonburi,
about an hour and a half's drive away.
Aikchol hospital was huge, modern
and immaculate. I was wheeled everywhere in a wheelchair! Everyone
was very kind and friendly toward me. After
a comprehensive and satisfactory consultation
with Dr Suporn and his kindly and
efficient wife Aoi
about my surgical requirements, I met Minda, an English speaking nurse
who was to be my interpreter. Dr Suporn and Aoi speak quite good English
anyway. I was to have 400cc breast implants - underarm incision, under
muscle, silicone gel; and a tracheal shave - involving a small incision
on the throat. Some temporary voice change was to be expected.
Hospital
My stay in the hospital, and the medical after care
were in fact much better than the care I had received in a private hospital
in the UK. I was impressed by the gentleness and happiness of the nurses.
The food was unfamiliar but wholesome, though the menus were not always
easily understood.
Pattaya is a wonderful place. A friendly
and relaxed tourist resort. It is everything for everyone. Beach, warm
and gentle sea, holiday, family, outdoor activity, temples, shopping,
restaurants, good hotels, nightlife, bars, girls, boys, cabarets...ah
the cabarets. There is a whole range of shopping malls. Air-conditioned...ahhh.
Once you feel a bit better venture out...it's fun! What struck me was
the ubiquitous shrines to the Buddhas. I love it as I have been an ordained
Buddhist for many years. But the Buddhism strongly influences Thai attitude
and behaviour throughout society. "Wai" is when you put the
palms of your hands together at chest level and lower your eyes. It is
a sign of deep respect for the universal life-force in all things. I make
"Wai" and smile demurely. It is good.
Hotels
The Hotel in Pattaya that had been booked for me by
Fiona was very good value for money. It was the Welcome
Plaza. The room was comfortable, with air-con, fridge, mini bar, en
suite bathroom, balcony, TV, radio and telephone. It is located right
in the heart of Pattaya. I paid about 650 Baht, which is about £11
a night for the room. (All major credit cards accepted). It had everything
you would expect from a good hotel at a tiny fraction of the price you
would pay in the UK for the same. It had a beautiful pool with pool side
bar, towels, reclining sun beds and shady gardens. Breakfast in the hotel,
which took the form of a limitless buffet was extra at around 150 Baht
(£2.50). For a lighter breakfast there were other options just outside
the hotel at around 60 Baht (£1). The fragrant coffee is served
strong. To make my own drinks in the hotel I bought a small electric kettle
and a mug for about 200 Baht (£3.30) from a shop near the hotel.
I got instant coffee, sugar, etc. from a small convenience store (Seven
Eleven!) nearby.
Two wonderful girls who looked after me during my
postoperative recovery period. They are performers in a wonderful Simon
Cabaret show that should not be missed. (I went three times!)They also
work as members of the Dr Suporn post-op care team.
Food
The food in Pattaya was excellent. The room service
in the hotel was prompt and inexpensive.There is a wide range of foods
available. The familiar and the exotic. Hot and spicy! Or plain and familiar.
Burger King, Starbucks, and many restaurants of all kinds abound. Plenty
of wonderful fresh fish and many varieties of succulent fruit. .
Hygiene
Hygiene and cleanliness are very important after surgery.
The en-suite facilities in the hotel room were excellent with piping hot
water and they were cleaned every day. The pharmacy/chemists are excellent...
there is even a Boots just like the ones at home in the Royal Garden Plaza.
Be aware that the heat can make you sweat a lot when out of the air-con
interiors. This can cause irritation and even possible infection to the
sutured areas.
Water
Do not drink tap water. Do not even brush
your teeth or gargle with it! Avoid ice cubes in drinks. Only use factory
bottled water, which is available inexpensively from supermarkets or small
corner grocery shops. Some hotels provide bottled water free, while others
have it in the mini bars or fridges in the rooms (expensive). I
bought packs of six litre bottles and put them in a bag and just took
them up to my room and put them into the fridge. Drinking lots of water
is good after surgery and in hot climates.
Mobile text messaging
I used my mobile text messenger to keep
in touch with friends back home. This is much cheaper than phoning. It
worked out at 25p per message. Be sure to enable international roaming
with your mobile phone company before you travel.
Transport
Transport from the airport to the hospital and then
to the hotel is paid for in the surgery package, as is the transport to
and from the clinic to the hotel. There are many forms of transport to
use once you feel better and/or are allowed to go out by Dr Suporn. From
the pillion of a scooter to the back of a pick-up bus. Air-con limousine
to rickety old taxi cab. Massive 4x4 jeep to inexpensive hire cars. Harley
Davidson hog to waspish moped hire. They drive on the left like us! The
traffic is heavy and hectic but there is no such thing as "rage".
You blend with the flow.
Bathing
Bathe and dress the surgical areas carefully as per
Dr Suporn's instructions. Pool and sea bathing is not advised for the
first week after surgery, or at least until after the stitches are taken
out. But always check with Dr Suporn.
Cash Machines
I was amazed to find that there were a few
ATM machines nearby that would accept my Cashpoint Card so I could withdraw
money from my bank account in the UK. I could also use my credit cards
to get cash.
Internet café
There are quite a few internet cafés in Pattaya. They cost around 60 Baht
(£1) per hour online.
After
Recovery is good and results are pleasing. I am getting to know my new
body. It's exciting!
Scars are fading well.
Contact with Fiona is maintained. She emails me from time to time to
see how I am.
Update: Well, it's been nearly 3 years since my surgery
and thera have been no problems. I am happy with it all.