Good experience with liposuction surgery with Bangkok Plastic Surgery
hello dr. pichet and mrs. pochanee
i had a wonderful time there in bangkok.
i haven't had harsh pains after the surgery i think
it's because dr. pichet is skillful and experienced.i was lucky i could find you.
thank you so much.
and i also say thank you to staffs. especially to mrs. mao.
she is strong and has good personality.
i want to be like her in my future.
in bangkok, i enjoyed shopping, too.
bangokok has very good transportation.
i used ordinary train, metro, pink taxi and motor-taxi.
the place for shopping, i liked the market close to a
park. 57baht from suthiisarn.
i also had a lady tailor to make my trousers for the workplace.
she is very good.
i liked bangkok so much, so i would be there in may.
at the end
one thing to ask you dr. pichet.
i would like to have the picture taken at your hospital.
thank you.
Harumi from Japan
Liposuction experiece with Dr.Pichet MD
Hello Dr. Pichet,
How are you doing? I just wanted to thank you so very much for everything. I was a little afraid coming to a new country not knowing anyone or anybody. You know you hear alot stories about going to a place alone by contacting people on the internet. Everyone was great. You and your Staff treated my like I was one of the family. You were there to get me from the airport and brought me straight to the clinic just like you said you would. I was not expecting to have my surgery the day I got there but I am glad I did. I had Lipo and a mole removed. They even showed me the fat that was removed and gave me back my mole...lol. I thought it would hurt more than it did. Smile thank you for the drugs....Any and everything I needed or wanted you provided. I could call on you for anything even if it was not related to my surgery. They even took me out to see the city. All my concerns and questions were answered before I asked. They booked my hotel right cross from the clinic before I got there. They even came to the hotel to check on me and clean my wounds in the room. I was treated like a queen. You have very good taste in hotels. It was very clean and pretty to look at. Internet was also free. Thank you so much for treating me like I was somebody and not just a person paying money for a service. I laughed alot with ya'll and that made me feel right at home with you and your staff. I look great and my friends knew something was different as soon as I got back but that is our secret. I have refered to you my friends and I will be back if I need anything else done. Stay Blessed and keep in touch.
Stephanie H. from Columbia S.C. Stationed in Iraq
With God all things are possible!
From a happy sheelah in the land down under ( Liposuction with breast implant)
It feels like so long ago now that I made the right decision to come to Bangkok for liposuction and breast augmentation. After extensively researching alternatives in India and other surgeons throughout Thailand, it became apparent that Dr. Pichet’s service was the most recommended and affordable. I have always had a healthy body image and have always been active, but could not seem to lose the problem target areas through exercise and wanted to improve the shapes of my breasts. To be able to walk around naked and still feel sexy is what everybody wishes for, right? Thanks to Dr. Pichet, I now feel that way.
It was a huge decision but as a dancer, I wanted to improve my job prospects and general well being by “going under the knife.” It sounds a lot more dramatic than it really is however. I had the treatment three months ago and look back on the whole ordeal as being a liberating holiday rather than an agonizing memory.
After many emails from Australia to Thailand, we confirmed a price and before I knew it I was jet setting off to Bangkok. My partner couldn’t get work off and so I set off alone. It was a very exciting and nerve racking experience going solo. Having traveled to many places alone, the traveling alone didn’t bother me but going there for surgery was an entire new concept. Thailand itself is one of my favourite countries in the world. Soo many beautiful places to visit like Chiang Mai and Koh Pangan- all of which I explored AFTER my surgery. I even detoxed for a week and did yoga everyday (and two colemas a day, ahh) at a health retreat in Koh Panghan to help make-over the inside as well as the outside. My return to Australia was a whole new me, new breasts, new body, even new hair and whitened teeth!
So where was I… upon arrival into Bangkok at midnight, I was greeted by a young friendly man holding my name on a sign who escorted me straight to the taxi where I was driven directly to the hospital. It was a very unusual feeling and I just assured myself by breathing deeply. You can’t describe the feeling really, you just know you are about to embark on a life-changing adventure and that you will never be the same again. When we arrived to the hospital, the outside didn’t really look like much and I was thinking… “oh oh, what mess have you got yourself into now”. However, when the doors opened it was such a relief to find the hospital pleasant inside and everything was clean spotless. The custom in Thailand is to take your shoes off when inside… you get used to it and it is kind of nice and hospitable. The nurses gave me slip on shoes and were very friendly, they took me upstairs where I had a shower and collapsed into bed, visualising that I was at home in my own bed I slept great.
The next morning I met Dr. Pichet at the table where was very sincere and professional. He explained all the risks to both procedures, “the stuff that they don’t want you to know” he said. After reading lots of information and signing enough papers to make me feel like a tree had been destroyed, we had agreed on my procedure. Taking his advice of the more advanced silicone gel, under breast, under muscle 350cc implant, I was happy and immediately trusted him. It was quite funny putting dummy implant under your top and comparing sizes. The whole interview was being filmed but it all felt fine. The whole time I was just thinking, “I can’t believe I’m really here, wow.” In fact throughout the whole process I didn’t talk too much at all, just observing and taking everything in was enough for me. All of my questions were already answered by Dr. Pichet through previous emails or during the consultation.
I had agreed to have liposuction done to my inner thighs, hips, lower abdominals, arms, love handles and to have breast implants. THE WORKS PLEASE.
The next day I was already in surgery. Shower with anti-bacterial gel and then my entire body was covered in pen marks showing where I was going to be operated on. My heart was racing but I just tried to block out the thoughts and just go with it. Surprisingly I was not as worried as I thought I would be... I guess because the nurses and Dr. Pichet made me feel very at ease.
Walking to the surgeon table… Need I say more… Inside their were six staff all in hospital gowns, hair nets, mouth shields, the whole outfit This was a relief to see. The male nurse was especially nice and he began talking to me explaining that he was going to inject me with a needle and it will take approximately 30 seconds to become unconscious. The needle stung slightly but then I felt… surprisingly wonderful. My lasts breaths of conscious air were ones of confidence and excitement as I just gazed at the surgeons who I was trusting with my life and body.
Before I knew it, I was waking up in the same bed I had slept in. My whole body was wrapped up in bandages and the most pain I felt was in the chest area. My chest had a really tight feeling and I had to breathe slowly. To even sit up was painful but the bed had a remote so I could recline and decline without using my muscles. Even this hurt. It wasn’t excruciating, just tight and painful. It’s a bizarre feeling to not be able to lift your arms or move your body. My whole body was slightly swollen, it wasn’t a walk in the park.
I only stayed one night in hospital then went and stayed at the recommended hotel. To my pleasant surprise I was upgraded to the top floor. The room was beautiful and modern and had a great view. Here a young lady from the hospital stayed with me for the first three nights. I slept on an angle with four pillows to support my head.
What hurt a lot was the amount of tension in my neck and shoulders as I was very limited in my movement capabilities. Tiger balm quickly became my friend.
The morning breakfast was great and I ate really healthy to help my body heal. I tried to walk as much as possible to help the blood flow and so every day I walked a little more. My helper even took me clothes shopping and I went exploring to see some groovy temples like the huge reclining Buddha.
Bangkok is a very busy place so I spent most of the time watching movies, talking to friends and family and eating yummy food in air con. It’s really cheap so save some pennies for shopping.
After a few days I felt much better and thought... why not do the rest?
So I requested a quote from Dr Pichet to have liposuction done to my chin, knees and buttocks also. I know, I know, your probably thinking, “this chicks already a surgery addict.” Really am not, just thought well, it’s now or never and I trusted Dr. Pichet and so thought I might as well. After we had agreed on a very reasonable price, I was in again the next day. This all went fine and I needed to wear a massive head wrap which made me look very groovy ;-). Having this extra procedure didn’t really increase the pain so much. By this stage, my tight bandage around my chest had been replaced with a lighter one. This was much more comfortable.
I was taking the antibiotics and pain killers every 2-4 hours and would even wake up in the night to take them. The pain was never agonizing but was constant and so the days tended to blur a bit. The service from the hospital and hotel staff was always reliable and so this support made the pain manageable.
After a week, I decided to stop taking the pain medication. The pain surprisingly felt just the same but my head was clearer. Within two weeks I was back-packing around Thailand and met some really cool people. We ended up partying in Van Vying in Laos for a while. I still wore my compression garment at night and avoided the crazy flying foxes but I could walk and socialize fine. It was very liberating to feel like I had a fresh start and it was all thanks to Dr. Pichet and his staff. At this stage, my breasts were still slightly stiff and swollen but it was fine. I began slightly massaging them after 1.5 weeks. At first I was really gentle and as time passed I gained more confidence to massage them deeper.
Now three months later I can do push ups, run, jump, do whatever I like. Still don’t like to sleep on my chest but I have never been a fan so this doesn’t bother me so much. They look incredibly real and no one has a clue, they are just shaped beautifully and are very rounded and full. The small scars don’t even bother me. My breasts look and feel natural and my boyfriend wanted me to write, “Compliments to the chef” which I agree with. I have no pain at all now and work as a gym instructor and dance teacher so am always jumping around. Next time I think I may go a larger size even. As for the liposuction, the scars are minimal. It’s been three months. I’m still not as skinny as I hoped which goes to show that you need to be very strict with your diet and exercise program. The results are not permanent unless you maintain it but it has definitely given me a shapelier and aesthetically pleasing body contour. This shape I couldn’t have got without the master work of an experienced and professional surgeon like Dr. Pichet.
I would definitely recommend Dr. Pichet for any needs and I met a few more happy clients at the hotel. I will definitely return to him in a decade or so and am soo happy with the new found confidence my brand new body shape has given me. Having the surgery has inspired me to live a very happy, healthy life and I am soo grateful to everyone at Bangkok plastic surgery for working their magic on me. Lot’s of people fantasise about having their dream body and for some reason are hesitant to jump at the chance of getting it. After thinking about having it done for 2 years, I decided “why not?” If something will make you happy then go for it. Dr Pichet has made it possible for people to achieve their dream body shape and it really was the cheapest I could find, without reducing the quality of treatment. In fact, being a smaller place, you get more personal attention so really I would much prefer this, especially when it is such a personal experience. Hope you to can one day experience the joy I have today. 5 years ago I would have thought I was crazy to have plastic surgery but now I think it would be crazy not to.
Thanks Dr. Pichet!!!
K.R.
Liposuction experience with Bangkok Plastic Surgery in Bangkok, Thailand.
Dr Pichet,
I wanted to follow-up and say thank you for everything during my trip to Bangkok and treatment at Bangkok Plastic Surgery. Your staff was wonderful, and put me at ease. Your willingness to work with me though I had such a short timeframe is also greatly appreciated! I was highly satisfied with your skill, and demeanor, and professionalism. Please pass on my regards and gratitude to the rest of your team.
Have a great afternoon,
Kris S.
After fear to contact with Bangkok Plastic Surgery and finally get to be VIP liposuction patients.
My sincere testimony to you, Dr. Pichet and Team:
I really want to praise and thank Dr. Pichet and his team (Ms: Tak, Lek, Ann, Benz, Wan, Mao, drivers: James, Mr Hai and few more which i never got hold of their name) who looked after me, and my daughter, with their professional and EXCELLENT services during my 7D/6N stay in Bangkok .
And not forgetting the anesthesiologist who "calms" and put me to sleep. :)
After all my conditions was stable on that day afternoon, I was allowed to go back to my hotel. So Dr send his drv and secretary to accompany and send us back to hotel.
On the same nite, and next following days, the secretary would call me once or twice to chk on my condition. So sweet of her..
All meals were provided to us when we were there.
Wow! I was amazed and salute at the VIP service Dr. Pichet has provided to us during our stay there!
I really think the amount I paid is much more worth it becos I truly see a team of professionals who cares and loves their patients like their own family members!!!
It was definitely much more than I hv expected from him and his team!!!
What a bunch of generous and kind hearted people!!!
May God bless each and everyone of them much more in return
Jeanie from Singapore ;
Good Experience from Bangkok Plastic Surgery
Hi Dr Pichet and Miss Mau
I just had a spraytan, and thought to get Dr Thian to take some photosof me again to show you how I am going with my new body....I have notbeen working out much lately, so things will still get better - myresluts is AMAZING and I want to thank you and your wonderfull teamagain for all your support!
You are more than welcome to use this photos as proof of your work!
Kind Regards,
Katrien from Australia
Liposuction of the abdomen, love handles, hips, buttocks, riding breeches, thighs, and knees
Thanks to Mrs. Mao for being so caring, so kind, and so considerate. And of course, to Dr. Pichet for his great professionalism and simplicity that underline his brilliant intellect. Finally, to all the nurses who by their laughter and smiles allowed me to laugh at my unsteady condition.
I returned to my tranquil little capital with its Lilliputian traffic jams, its beaches, and its slowness. We were under the threat of a cyclone that gave us for more than a week some heat and humidity difficult to handle but we get used to everything. It didn't take me long to feel good, to go back to the sport club and to the beach. I am a mediocre swimmer but l like diving which is one of the great advantages of New Caledonia.
When you saw me for the first time, I weighed 75 kilos (165 pounds); today, by putting into practice the wise saying "eat less and move more", my scale shows 63 kilos (138 pounds). My neighbors pointed out to me that going on vacation was doing me good and that I should leave more often. The gift of observation has not been given to Caledonians.
I was thinking about giving you some news at the end of the week by sending the doctor, as promised, the "After one month" pictures. I am very happy and he will be satisfied with his work: a masterpiece.
.....SOME NEWS, THREE AND HALF MONTHS AFTER THE INTERVENTION: "today, I am under the 60 kilo mark".
Francoise
Breast enlargement from Dubai girl.
Dear Dr. Pichet,
I made it back okay last night to my home in Dubai.
I am very happy with your work and I appreciate your kindness. My sincere gratitude to you, your wife, Mrs Moa and all the member of your staff. I had great a time and enjoyed my short stay in Bangkok, I will plan next trip to come with my husband and will try to stay longer to see your country well, I did not really go to places we wanted myself and my husband planned to visit, like Phuket, Patayya etc.
I am so glad I got this done by you and would love you to do anything new I would want to do. This morning I have just recommended you to a friend and her sister, they are planning to come see you, I will let you know when the make their schedule.
God bless and continue the good work!
Mimi
Hair Transplant surgery in Bangkok Plastic Surgery Clinic
Hello Friends,
Sorry, that it has taken me so long to get back to you but IÂ’ve been having Laptop connection problems that IÂ’ve just now overcome. Usually you would have found me using my office PC, but IÂ’m currently on work assignment in Las Vegas from Oregon.
Basically I can tell you if you have any reservations or fears about the quality of medical practice in Thailand you can cast those fears away right nowÂ… Dr. Pichet and his Clinical medical staff are as good if not superior to anything we have here in the states. IÂ’m awed at his practice because he services people from all over the world. In addition to being a top expert in the art of hair transplantation he is a renowned plastic surgeon who takes his work seriously with professionalism---but yet as a patient you will find yourself welcomed as if you were a family member. I challenge you to try and find that anywhere here in the states.
Believe me you have nothing to worry about. When I went to Dr. Pichet I was almost a damn chrome dome! I had everything but the horseshoe haircut. And, like you I certainly had concerns and reservations about medical practices in what is deemed a 3rd world country--- However, I found out first hand 3rd world was all bullshit---Thailand is every bit as modern and up to date as anywhere. Bangkok alone has about 10 million population. True the average common person wage is like $300 Dollars a month, but it’s relative to life as we knew it in the 60’s in the US. You can walk the streets day and night and never have to fear for your safety. Since 2002 I have been to Thailand 11 times—8 of those times were for strictly recreational purposes which I’ll be happy to enlighten you on if you are interested.
Getting a Hair Transplant is a medical procedure and there is going to be some pain and discomfort with it just as there would be with any procedure. The difference is that it’s pretty much all on an outpatient basis—You do not have to be put under or go to a hospital. And the best part is that no one but yourself, the clinic staff, and who you blab to will ever know you went through the transplant procedure. However, the metamorphic change you undergo will be so personally rewarding that I have little doubt that you’ll look back on it someday as probably the best thing you ever did for yourself. That’s how I feel about it anyway. However, I was so far gone bald that I went through the procedure twice—a year apart from each other just to get more density. It literally changed my life and gave me a better outlook on life as well…Especially with business associates as well as with the ladies.
You have to realize one important thing---this metamorphic change is very gradual—it doesn’t happen overnight—or in a month—6 months, but takes at least a good year to happen---what’s funny is people sense something different—growing a mustache, or beard, then shaving diverts their attention—or you can tell them you’ve lost weight—it all takes their focus away from noticing the fact you’re growing new hair. After about 6 months get a short haircut then it will fill in uniformly and after about 9 months you can begin grooming it towards the style you wish. Like I said—I was so bald I felt I had to do the procedure again, and now that it’s been almost year and a half since my last procedure and I’m truly a happy camper because it’s literally made such a dynamic and positive difference in my life and how others perceive and react to me.
Believe me I researched this a lot before I made up my mind to do it. Here in the US and in Canada, the cost was simply out of the question. I didn’t have the money resources to even consider it. One of Medical group wanted $25k and Canada was right up there with them. Then one day since I knew I was going on Vacation to Thailand with a couple of buddies I serfed the web and accidentally found Dr. Pichet. After consulting via email with him I decided to persue it because the cost was so affordable. I went there, had it done in one day, and my two buddies didn’t even know I had done it. Of course I had to be sneaky because that first day I had a turban bandage on my head—but that came off the very next day, and after that I wore a straw hat and they never knew the difference.
One more thing, every day a driver was sent to pick me up (free) and take to the clinic where the Dr examined my progress and the nurses would wash, disinfect, and cleanse everything until I was healed. After 9 days the stitches were removed in the back of my head where they had taken the chunk of donor hair that they transplanted. They had to suture together the two sides from where the patch had been removed, but when I left Thailand after my 30 day stay everything was pretty much healed.
Right now I have to go do some things, so Sean if you have any more questions or would like even more graphic details email me back. Furthermore, tell me a little about yourself, where youÂ’re from? interests, age, married? Single? etc and if you do decided to go there I can help you make a real vacation out of the whole process and promise youÂ’ll have a fantastic time. Basically I can tell you if you have any reservations or fears about the quality of medical practice in Thailand you can cast those fears away right nowÂ… Dr. Pichet and his Clinical medical staff are as good if not superior to anything we have here in the states. IÂ’m awed at his practice because he services people from all over the world. In addition to being a top expert in the art of hair transplantation he is a renowned plastic surgeon who takes his work seriously with professionalism---but yet as a patient you will find yourself welcomed as if you were a family member. I challenge you to try and find that anywhere here in the states.
Believe me you have nothing to worry about. When I went to Dr. Pichet I was almost a damn chrome dome! I had everything but the horseshoe haircut. And, like you I certainly had concerns and reservations about medical practices in what is deemed a 3rd world country--- However, I found out first hand 3rd world was all bullshit---Thailand is every bit as modern and up to date as anywhere. Bangkok alone has about 10 million population. True the average common person wage is like $300 Dollars a month, but it’s relative to life as we knew it in the 60’s in the US. You can walk the streets day and night and never have to fear for your safety. Since 2002 I have been to Thailand 11 times—8 of those times were for strictly recreational purposes which I’ll be happy to enlighten you on if you are interested.
Getting a Hair Transplant is a medical procedure and there is going to be some pain and discomfort with it just as there would be with any procedure. The difference is that it’s pretty much all on an outpatient basis—You do not have to be put under or go to a hospital. And the best part is that no one but yourself, the clinic staff, and who you blab to will ever know you went through the transplant procedure. However, the metamorphic change you undergo will be so personally rewarding that I have little doubt that you’ll look back on it someday as probably the best thing you ever did for yourself. That’s how I feel about it anyway. However, I was so far gone bald that I went through the procedure twice—a year apart from each other just to get more density. It literally changed my life and gave me a better outlook on life as well…Especially with business associates as well as with the ladies.
You have to realize one important thing---this metamorphic change is very gradual—it doesn’t happen overnight—or in a month—6 months, but takes at least a good year to happen---what’s funny is people sense something different—growing a mustache, or beard, then shaving diverts their attention—or you can tell them you’ve lost weight—it all takes their focus away from noticing the fact you’re growing new hair. After about 6 months get a short haircut then it will fill in uniformly and after about 9 months you can begin grooming it towards the style you wish. Like I said—I was so bald I felt I had to do the procedure again, and now that it’s been almost year and a half since my last procedure and I’m truly a happy camper because it’s literally made such a dynamic and positive difference in my life and how others perceive and react to me.
His Reply to a young American man to come to do Hair transplant;
Being Objective I can easily tell you that Dr. Pichet is both a compasionate and "Hands On" Doctor as well as an exceptionally skilled surgeon---Not only that he is a good man, and he is real people. He will always make time for you, and you can always talk to him through email as well as by phone.
I've got the male pattern going and the widows peaks and I'm trying to deal with it early.
Ok so I can sense that you're a relatively young man...I think you're wise to do transplant early in life because you will have such a large amount of permanent donor hair, and it's going to be far less noticible. I mean by that you can mask having had the procedure a lot easier. Myself, I was 59 when i had this procedure done the frist time.
Unfortunately, I only have three days in Bangkok so I'm sure the wife will notice when I get back. Do you have any reservations about getting on a plane 36 hours after the surgery?
3 days after my first surgery I was off to Chaing Mai for a week--The surgery didn't slow me down a bit... When i returned Dr. Pichet removed the stitches from the back of my head. Because you, no doubt, are younger i suspect that you'll heal much faster then I did. So that's to your benefit.
On the other hand let me say this...I think you would be much better off to take the time and stay in Thailand until the Doctor removes the stitches if at all possible. The reason being is that if you return to the states you will have to find someone to take care of cleansing and applying disinfectant to the surgical area as well as have someone medically competent to remove the sutures. Of course if you're going to be letting your wife in on all this then she can help you keep the area clean, disinfected, and apply the healing ointment which the Doctor will provide to you. Furthermore, come time to have the sutures removed your own medical Doctor will no doubt be able to take care of that.
However, my situation was probably much more different then yours. For me it was a secret thing. My wife to this day doesn't have a clue that I ever had a hair transplant. I told her via email 2 weeks before I returned back to the USA, that I had been in a Tuk tuk accident and had to have several stitches in the back of my head. Of course dumb ass me couldn't keep my dirty fingers from feeling around the back of my head after i got back, and as a result I got an infection for which i had to go to my Doctor stateside and get cleared up. A few antibiotics later no problem -- infection gone. simple as that.
Bottom line is this: if Dr. Pichet says it's OK---that you can do the surgery and leave 3 days later---AND if you have someone home who can look after you and make sure you get daily care until you'r completly healed---I'm sure there won't be any problem. However, please talk to Dr. Pichet about it and get it cleared through him first. Flying back after surgery should not be any concern to you what-so-ever. if I can go fly to Chang Mai for a week and go on every tour imaginable, ride elephants, etc, etc, then you certainly should be able to fly home on a plane.
Merle From USA
Second time experience surgery with Dr. Pichet in Bangkok.
Dr. Pichet,
I'm safely home and so very happy with all my procedures. My chin and nose are still quite swollen but looks really good. My breast implants and butt implants look great as well and as soon as all the swelling goes down I think everything will look awesome.
Thank you so much for your kindness and being so professional in my care, there is no one I'd rather have do my plastic surgery but you anymore. The trip to Thailand is definitely worth the effort it takes to get there.
Again, Thank you so very much.
Shelby from USA
Breast surgery experience in Bangkok with Dr. Pichet,
Dr. Pichet I want to thank you and your staff for everything that you did for us while we were there. We really appreciate everything you did for us. A special thank you to Mrs. Mao and to Jimmy, the driver and to your beautiful wife for everything. You guys made our stay in Thailand a wonderful experience and we will never forget it. Once again thank you for making us feel like princesses. Oh and my husband and I are very happy with my new breast.Â
Thank you again (compu cao),
Yesenia From Okinawa and USA
Experience
Surgery with Dr.Pichet
Hello
dr pichet
"It's only me Margaret letting you
know I have arrived back in Englland .I Very much like
to thank you all for taking such good care of me .You
are all so kind.As you say . [ I felt like princess ]
My family are well pleased with results . The swelling
on face has gone down a lot . I will send you nice photo
soon for album using my new digitalcamera .
My trip to Thailand will be good as my friends how want
surgery will not be nervous and unsure any more."
Mrs.Margaret
MarilynÂ’s
Journey to Thailand for her SRS Surgery @ Dr.Pichet
Hi, my
name is Marilyn, and this is the story of
my SRS operation in Thailand. One of the many
journeys I had to travel in my transition
to fully become a woman in body. I am sure
there are still many journeys I have to travel
in becoming a woman in all the many interesting
levels. One thing I have leaned so far, is
that a woman will always learn more about
being a woman. I was always a woman in mind,
but did not always allow myself to explore
the woman inside me. For 30 years I was trying
to run away from me.
Some background:
I think for a better understand of my journey
to Thailand for my SRS operation, I must give
you a short background about some of my previous
journeys to this journeys and way I am writing
this letter.
Being different is not always easy. So like
most transsexual people, I realized at an
early age that something was wrong. At the
age of about 10 I knew I was a woman in a
manÂ’s body. This was not something you would
like to just accept. In my country, South
Africa, especially during those days, something
like this was bad and sinful. To change my
gender seemed not possible. So, I had to try
and overcome this problem of mine. The only
way, it seemed was to run away from it and
go on with life.
Easier said than done. Many a time, I tried
to remove my genitals myself without success.
Know, today I am thankful for that (the fact
that I was unsuccessful). My way of running
away was to work. I married at the age of
22 and have a daughter of 6. I am also thankful
for her. Maybe, trying to fit in, was also
a way to run away. But, you can only run away
for so long. For me 30 years was my limit.
During July 2000 my X and I went to see Dr
Elna McIntoch, a sexiologist in South Africa
who studied in San Francisco. She organized
the psychologists I had to see and the GP
for my hormones. Dr McIntoch follows the Harry
Benjamin standards of care. These standards
of care I fully support, especially know.
This is not a short journey. As I said before,
I knew at the age of 10, but did not accept
it. You can not change overnight. It is a
process that takes time. I had to learn to
accept that too. Maybe, all good things come
with time ? You must allow yourself that time
– but I know it is not always easy.
I have been on hormones for more than 2 years prior
to my surgery on 29 December 2002, and lived since
18 December 2001 full time as Marilyn. I legally
changed my name in 2001/2002. These are all journeys
I could talk about, important journeys that all
of us must travel and fears we must overcome to
be able to start a new journey. Remember, live for
me is, is a mixture of journeys, some must be chronologically,
others we live simultaneously.
My focus for this letter is my journey for my SRS
operation, so let my give you a bit more background
- Why Dr Pichet in Thailand ?
During 2002 I planned for my operation to be in
December 2002. I am an analyst programmer. No work
no pay, thus I must plan my time well. Originally
I planned to have my operation in my own country,
South Africa. The logic, my family and friend are
close by for support. The negative, the available
plastic surgeons for a SRS operation in South Africa
is few and far between, and they have limited experience.
No references. They could not give me exact costs
and I had to be happy to wait until they decide
to contact me. This caused a lot of stress for me,
and made me feel very exposed.
In this journey, you are taking a very big and final
step. You need to deal with a lot – your past, present
and future. No matter how much I was looking forward
to it, it was still very stressful for me. It was
important for me to try and great an environment
where I can feel save.
The other problem with the surgeons in South Africa
I went to see, was that they dealt with you as if
they do you a favor. This was strange for me. I
am paying for this operation, and they provide a
service, so I thought, but was showed to be incorrect
in my country. This created a lot of stress for
me. Stress I could have done without. For me, I
made the decision, planned my costs, and mentally
was ready for the operation. To take that away from
me was very, very negative.
I went to see once of the South African surgeon
in October/November 2002. I told him I want the
operation in December 2002. He just did not come
back, and if I follow up, he got mad at me. By 12
December 2002, I was hopeless. My primary psychologists
told me he contacted all the surgeons in Thailand,
and they also did not come back.
Then I decided to contact the surgeons in Thailand
myself. I do not know what the psychologists did
wrong, or if he really contacted the surgeons, but
they reacted same the day.
I send an e-mail, and the next day I got a reply.
The contrast between what I experienced in my country
versus Thailand is major. It is unbelievable.
Dr Pichet was able to help me by
end of December. I went to Ann LawrenceÂ’s site I
read up on Dr Picket. Dr Pichet is doing this operation
in a regular basis and has good references. You
do not want to be first.
Besides the fact that Dr Pichet has a lot of experience,
he treaded me like a human being, with dignity.
He planned his schedule around me. As I said before,
for me it was important to feel save, and Dr Pichet
made me feel save and protected.
Dr Pichet charged me $4000-00 for the SRS operation.
This was value for money in every way.
When I arrived in Thailand, I went to the clinic.
That evening I had the operation. I also did a nose
job with Dr Pichet. Dr Pichet, his staffs and the
hospital staffs are some of the most caring people
I have ever met. They never made me feel exposed
and treated me with a lot of dignity. They also
tried their very best to make this journey as painless
as possible.
I met someone 6 months before, and he came with
me to “help” me. Dr Pichet organized that he stayed
with me in the hospital at no extra cost. I must
say, Dr Pichet and his staff helped me to keep my
living costs down. They look after you very, very
well while you are in Thailand. Dr Pichet organized
a hotel for 500 baht(12usd) a night for two people.
The hotel is clear and has all you need. For me,
that was once again value for money.
Then – the crisis: The person how
came with me was just sleeping all the time, leaving
me on my own. Remember, the first week and a half
you are not mobile and very weak. You are fully
dependent on others to help you. After the 4 days
in hospital, I went to the hotel. Dr Pichet and
his staff came 2x a day to help me and look after
everything. I had to take 3 meals a day for medication.
This friend of mine was just sleeping, and I was
stressing all the way. Dr PichetÂ’s staff picked
this up, and started bringing food for me. After
two days in the hotel, this friend of mine left,
and it seemed that I am now really in trouble.
I phoned Dr Pichet, and he immediately sent his
staff to come and help me. They moved me to an apartment
close to the clinic at no cost. Ying, one of the
sisters came to stay with me to look after me. I
stayed there until I was strong again and moved
to another hotel close to the World Trade Centre
for 600 baht(15usd) a night. Once again value for
money.
During this time in Thailand, I made friends. As
I got stronger, I started walking, and exploring
Bangkok. I never felt alone, because of the support
and friendship I received. Nit and Ying showed me
Bangkok and how to get somewhere.
They made this journey very special for me. Changing
your gender is not something small, and is something
you want to be as positive as possible.
I am very happy with the results of the operation.
Today is about just over two weeks since my operation.
It will still take some time to heal, but I walk
well, and the reality of the operation is starting
to come through – I am a woman in body now.
I recommend Dr. Pichet, not just
because he is a good surgeon, but also because of
the support he and his staff provide. If you want
to e-mail me, you are welcome. My e-mail address
is: marilyn.warburgo@webmail.co.za.
I would also like to thank my family for their support.
I ultimately believe that all of this was only possible
because of a greater power that was there for me
in times where I did not thought He was their. All
was looking so bad, and believing opened it up for
me. Know, I feel complete and ready for some new
journeys.
Kind regards,
Marilyn Struwig
South Africa
SRS
( Sex Change )Experience Story In Bangkok with
Dr.Pichet
I wrote
an account of my Bangkok experience and have
sent it along to Anne Lawrence along with
the 3 photos. Attached is my account. I do
hope to see you again, when I do my face.
Thank You Lynn
I arrived at Bangkok, starting the new day,
October 10, 2002. The city odors smelled of
Southeast Asia, and coming off the jet 747,
I was in a panic attack, as I was flashing
back to Vietnam, memories of over thirty years.
I came to do the business of SRS surgery,
unprepared for the emotional overload. I have
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) from
the Vietnam War. I immediately lost the focus
for which I came. Dr. Judy had great insight,
and I knew I had PTSD and now I understand
it is severe in nature.
My therapist, Dr. Judy, suggested perhaps Bangkok
was not the best place for my SRS. I am 54. I felt
that time was something of a rare commodity. To
save enough money for Canada or the USA and then
go on a long waiting list would put me way over
60. I had the funds for Dr. Pichet and Bangkok,
and it was time to face my fears. I always was afraid
of the surgery, and was not entirely certain I would
do the SRS, but I would get something for my money,
even if it were to be a face lift. None in my Arizona
gender community had used Dr. Pichet. The gals had
used another Thai doctor. I knew little of Dr. Pichet.
I am not sure if this was an act of bravery or just
needing to move on with my transition. Whatever,
I was once again in Southeast Asia running point.
Overall, Bangkok was a hard journey for me. Not
because of the Doctor or surgery, but because of
PTSD issues that I was going to work through. At
the end of 20 days not only did I learn a few things
about myself, and some emotional healing did take
place, but also I came home a happy woman with a
new body and a new life, along with great respect
for Dr. Pichet.
So Midnight I arrived. 8am, two of the DoctorÂ’s
staff members picked me up at the hotel, Wantana
Mansion, and I met Dr. Pichet at 9am. I first saw
his face (a big friendly smile) on the other side
of a glass door just before he walked into the room.
I knew I would do the SRS. The Doctor and I chatted
about my options. I asked tough questions and got
honest answers. He made me understand the risks
involved. For someone who has trust issues, I found
myself taking a leap of faith with Dr. Pichet. By
noon I was in the OR, jetlagged, and generally trying
to deal with Asia, and going under for the surgery,
the SRS.
I neglected (never even occurred to me to mention
it) to tell the Doctor of my bad back, a result
of 14 years in golf construction and maintenance.
I can get intense pain if I lay on my back too long.
Waking up in the hospital room in the dark in the
middle of night or early morning (I really don‘t
know), coming out of anesthesia, I was a bit out
of my head (PTSD), and had severe back pain. The
kind nurses explained the next morning, after I
had my wits about me again, that I had been a problem
child. I do not doubt that at all. I could not however
speak Thai and could not communicate my back pain
to the nurses. It was a very long night. I explained
my back pain to the Doctor that morning and he quickly
gave me an injection easing my back pain. From that
point on and the next three days I had a pleasant
hospital recovery, with caring and very professional
staff.
And I was never alone. Nit, Dr. PichetÂ’s personal
secretary, was there in the hospital room with me
the three days. Her presence was most welcomed and
appreciated and unexpected. We had some wonderful
chats. She is a neat lady and I do miss her. AND
I WAS NEVER ALONE!!!!!
The fourth day I was back in my hotel room. I could
have stayed in Dr. PichetÂ’s clinic the entire stay
but I paid my hotel bill up front and the hotel
would not refund. Dr. Pichet made up for the error
and did provide me with plenty of food and beverage,
easing my expenses, while in my hotel. I was seen
by the Doctor daily. One night I had a bad panic
attack--nothing to do with the surgery--and I called
the Doctor in the middle of the night, and he gladly
attended to my needs.
I always had the option of spending my days at the
clinic, which I often did. By the way, next door
to the DoctorÂ’s clinic is Tesco, an English based
grocery. I got fresh fruit, peanut butter, whole
wheat bread, cheese, hard rolls, and tuna fish sandwiches.
I found Thai food too sweet or too hot and I got
the runs from the local chow(which the Doctor dealt
with). I spent a good part of my time in Bangkok
chasing down American type food. Also, at the DoctorÂ’s
clinic is assorted delivery menus from KFC to pizzas
delivery. When the Doctor found out the type of
food I wanted, his staff went out of their way to
get it to me.
I also ventured out on my own a bit to the big hotels
for cheeseburgers and lamb stew, and at the Grand
Hotel had a wonderful rib-eye steak. I became obsessed
with food. The doctor showed much concern for my
satiety (Bali incident was in the news) and he preferred
I use cabs and drivers he knew personally. Being
the idiot I am, I often went out on my own with
any old cab, and the Doctor politely let me know
that was not a smart thing to do. I have more nerve
than sense at times. Besides, he preferred me moving
around as little as possible, especially the first
days after surgery.
At the Wantana I made friends with the resident
British living there. I learned the ropes through
Robert. Lack of companionship and conversation never
happened. I was very lucky in that regard. The hotel
itself was cheap and you get what you pay for. I
could have used a little softer bed, but it only
ran me about $10 a day American.
I learned while there, the doctor owned his clinic,
and thus lower overhead and that accounted for his
lower surgery prices. He had patients coming in
from Korea, Europe, Japan, and the USA while I was
there. They came in all the time and I learned he
does at least one SRS a week. The day I arrived,
a gal just finishing the SRS was leaving the hospital.
I briefly chatted with her mother. It is always
good to meet someone from back home when youÂ’re
in far away places.
In spite of my claustrophobia and my refusal to
stay put, I recovered nicely. I did not focus as
sharply on my healing as I should had. My problem.
Doctor did his best to get my attention. When I
left Bangkok October 28, I was really just beginning
to enjoy the city, and then I had to leave.
Once home, I did focus on surgery and taking good
care of myself. I came home with excellent instructions
for care from the Doctor. Those who have seen the
surgery have all given good reviews. It pleases
me to stand before the mirror. Folks tell me I seem
different now. I have a “glow” about me. I believe
it is just a product of being at peace within myself.
At the time of this writing it is almost Christmas
2002. Healing has been excellent. I do owe a lot
to Dr. Pichet. He has my recommendation. I would
like to go back for facial work.
To sum it up I offer the following advice
to new prospective patients.
1. Tell the doctor your needs. For example had I
mention my back problem first, some discomfort could
have been avoided. Communicate.
2.Bring a companion with you.
3. If you chose to stay in a hotel, spend a little
more money for comfort.
4. There is a British market next to the clinic.
5. Tell the Doctor your needs.
I am at peace and I am indebted to Dr. Picket's
medical and surgical skill. Neala Lynn Balmes
Liposuction experience more than 8,000 ml from Dubai Girls,
Dear Doc,
I hope this email finds you well.
Karen and I arrived safely back in Dubai. Thank You for the care you and your team accorded us right from arrival at the airport to the care given at the clinic and a bit of drive through Bangkok and back to the airport.
I must say it felt like we had sisters and brothers in Thailand.
Just nursing body aches now and will update you of progress from time to time.
I really appreciate your liposuction that took my friend more than 8,000 ml in one time.
Thank you once again and regards to all your members of staff.
Thank you,
Julliet/Karen,
Pichet Rodchareon
M.D. A board certified Plastic surgeon , Bangkok Plastic Surgery 422-426/1 Indramara
Soi 20 Soothisarn road ,Dindaeng district, Bangkok 10400 Thailand International call( +7 GMT) ; Mobile:
+668 1933 1010 Office tel.+662 690 8000, or call
to my secretary first +668-1813-0373
Mrs. Mouth to office tel. number on off time 09.00am. to 07.00pm FAx
no. +662 277 5907 Local contact (Mobile) 08-1933-1010 E-mail
: pichet@bangkokplasticsurgery.com Mobile phone : +668-9999-0123 (Japanese) E-mail
(Japanese) : pochanee@bangkokplasticsurgery.comGPS: N13.78914, E100.56303