Hello,
My name is Jami. I'd like to tell you about my experience
with Dr. Pichet of Bangkok, Thailand.
He is my most recent sexual reassignment surgeon. I
trust him.
I've been to Thailand three times. On my first trip
in 2001, my sexual reassignment surgery was
done by a doctor other then Dr. Pichet. I do not mention
names, but that doctor did a fine job
with my primary inversion vaginalplasty. Unfortunately,
a small penis and scrotum, plus an
illness unrelated to my SRS, interfered with post-surgery
treatments (dilating), so my vagina
became shallow. I carried out the dilating procedures
without knowing of the complication. In the
meantime, I had gone back to Thailand, this time to
Dr. Pichet for breast enlargement. I came
back to the States feeling good about myself and about
the great job Dr. Pichet had done with my
breasts. The twins, are perfect! Unfortunately, soon
after my return home, I discovered my vagina
was too shallow. I spoke by e-mail to Dr. Pichet, and
we eventually decided that I should have a
secondary colo-cut vaginalplasty. It is a surgery using
part of the colon to make a vagina.
On my third trip to Thailand, I arrived in Bangkok
and made my way through the airport. It's a
modern airport with signs in English and other languages.
I had my passport and my immigration
form (already filled out) when I arrived at immigration
control. Incidentally, immigration
information and forms are provided while you are still
on the plane approaching Bangkok. The
most important information you need for your form is
where you will be staying in Thailand. I, of
course, had no clue as to which hotel I would use. However,
I knew Dr. Pichet's clinic and the
hospital where the good doctor does his SRS surgeries.
I figured I would choose my hotel after
surgery. So I wrote down Dr. Pichet's clinic address.
Immigration checked my passport, checked
my form, asked the purpose of my stay, and bingo, no
problems. After immigration I found the
luggage carousel for my flight, and got my suitcase.
Following the signs, I went to the airport
front entrance area, found an exchange and changed one-hundred
US dollars into Baht, the Thai
currency, which is about forty-one Baht to the dollar.
This varies with time, but Thailand is about
ten times cheaper then where I come from in the States.
Next, I looked for a big yellow airport taxi sign.
There are four in the airport. Just give the clerk
at the desk your name. Remember, nearly everyone at
the airport speaks English, and Dr. Pichet
arranges your transpiration to the clinic. A cab is
provided free of charge. Well, nearly free.
Once in the cab the driver will ask you if you want
to do the under or over freeway. The over
costs forty Baht, about one US dollar. Bangkok traffic
is impossible, so take the over. If all this
sounds easy, it is. So relax. If this bubble-headed
traveler can do it, so can you.
Leaving the airport you will get your first whiff of
Bangkok and Thailand in general. It's spicy,
with the smell of incense from shrines, while the air
is warm and humid. For those who have
never been to Thailand or Bangkok, the place can be
somewhat overwhelming at first. Just
remember that, yes Dorothy, you are not in Kansas anymore.
But, once you get over your surprise
and awe, you can see similarities to all people in the
world. It isn't as different as it looks, but it
is different enough to provide a great adventure if
you want it. Note: Try the shopping in the
Thai shops, inexpensive, great stuff, you'll go happily
crazy. The doctor can get you a
knowledgeable driver who will also carry your bags,
all for a reasonable fee.
I arrived at the clinic. In the US, most clinics look
almost church-like, set apart in an imposing
building of concrete and steel. Dr. Pichet's clinic
looks small, humble, and like a shop. But once
you enter, you see the sparkling clean floor, the comfortable
surroundings, and you meet the
friendliest staff that I have ever met in my life. With
genuine affection and caring, they will greet
you and provide your comfort.
I soon talked to Dr. Pichet. This man likes to smile
and laugh, he loves people, and he's friendly,
warm and intellectually sharp. He's fun to be around,
so relax and be yourself. He examined me,
and we decided to go for surgery. Then I met with Ms.
Mao (Mom) to pay my fee.
Some people have wondered why the Thai doctors charge
lower prices than other surgeons. In
the West, we tend to see a lower price as an attempt
to get more patients or that it is even a sign
of cheap unprofessional work. This is not the case with
Dr. Pichet. The good doctor's work is
second to none. He is a true artist. The care after
surgery is also unbelievably good. There are
three reasons why Dr. Pichet's prices are lower. First,
the cost of living in Thailand is low. So
what we may see as a low price is actually a reasonable
profit in Thailand. Second, in Thai
culture, making a profit is acceptable, but one is also
morally bound to make everyone happy
with the deal. Third, I got to know Dr. Pichet well.
Some people do good deeds because they
think they should. Others have goodness flow from their
hearts naturally.
Off to the hospital, I was prepared for surgery. I have
a phobia; I hate being put to sleep for an
operation. Scares the heck out of me! But something
happened to me I did not expect. I had said
my prayers and was off to surgery, shaking like a leaf.
When I saw Dr. Pichet, so in control of the
operating room, so obviously in his element, a strange
calm came over me. We talked, joked, and
laughed. Then he took his place like a conductor and
I could almost hear a waltz begin to play so
obviously synchronized and expert were he and the surgical
staff. Feeling so much calmer, I felt
the sleep medication coming on, and rather then saying
something like Lord be with me, I giggled
and said "Woo, here we go!"
My colo-cut vaginalplasty went well. My stay in the
hospital was wonderful. Dr. Pichet provides
his patients with an in-room personal aide. Ying helped
me with all my needs. She was bright,
capable, caring and a friend. I love her still. The
nursing staff is more expert than any I have
encountered, accurate and caring, professional right
down to their nursing uniforms. The hospital
is modern and clean, lacking nothing we would expect
in the West. The hospital is first rate.
After my discharge, Dr. Pichet examined me every day.
His staff made sure I was eating and even
brought me food, whatever I could have and wanted. But
the doctor sensed that I was withering
with loneliness in my hotel. So he encouraged me to
move closer to his clinic to socialize with
him, his wife, and his staff. I did. Next thing I knew
I was literally adopted. For as open and
honest as your heart is toward Dr. Pichet and his people,
so too will their hearts be open and
honest to you.
I am home now, back in the USA. I am recovering well,
my new vagina is seven inches deep,
moist, flexible, looks sexy, and I can even dilate with
the largest stints. It is perfect and I feel like
I have finally made it as a woman, thanks to the skill
and loving kindness of Dr. Pichet, his wife
Poe-Chan-Knee and his staff. If there are such things
as miracles, I experienced them.
Take care and have fun!
Sincerely, Jami :)
I am writing this letter June 01, 2003, three months
after my surgery that took place on March 01, 2003.
After examining all of the popular SRS surgeon websites
and any other information I could gather on them I settled
upon Dr Pichet Rodchareon of Bangkok, Thailand to perform
both my M to F SRS and breast augmentation.
I communicated with Dr. Pichet before my surgery exclusively
by email. Dr. Pichet responded promptly to all of my
email inquiries. I finally settled on March 01, 2003
for my surgery.
Once getting my surgery date, I purchased a roundtrip
ticket on travelocity.com for $689.00. I recommend using
the travelocity website flight cost calculator. If you
are flexible as to when you can leave and arrive you
to can get a great deal.
Upon arriving at the Bangkok airport and clearing
customs and immigration Dr. Pichet had a Mercedes Taxi
waiting for me. The taxi took me to the Watana Hotel
(a great rate at $11.00 a night) where I spent the night.
The next morning Mao, one of Dr. Pichet's assistants,
arrived at the hotel to bring me to the clinic.
When arriving at the clinic, I met Dr. Pichet, a friendly
man and we discussed my plans for SRS and BA I asked
several questions and I he gave clear and up front answers
and an honest assessment as to what result I could expect.
I then inquired about the appropriate size my breast
implants should be. We agreed that 415ml implant would
be appropriate for my body size. About an hour later,
Dr. Pichet confirmed that my surgery would take place
later that night at about 6pm at the General Hospital
in Bangkok.
After my pre surgery examination and preparation at
This General Hospital, I was taken to the operating
room. I was a bit nervous before the surgery but Dr.
Pichet and his surgery staff eased my apprehension.
Before I know it, I was under the anesthesia, operated
on, and awoken just as I was being wheeled back to my
room. My surgery went off without a hitch.
The next morning and for the next 3 days I stayed
at the General Hospital. I stayed in a private room
and received around the clock care by the hospital's
attentive nursing staff. I left the hospital during
the afternoon of my third day and was driven to the
Wantana Hotel by Dr. Pichet's staff.
For the next couple of weeks I recovered at my hotel.
I received at least two visits a day from Dr. Pichet's
staff in order to clean and dress my surgical wound.
During these visits Dr. Pichet's assistants always brought
me food and cold Pepsi. In addition to these visits
I would receive visits from Dr. Pichet himself to check
up on me. During my stay at the hotel Dr. Pichet arranged
a couple of Bangkok city tours for me and invited my
over to his clinic to watch cable TV. Overall, Dr. Pichet
and his staff were great and made my stay in Bangkok
very comfortable and stress free.
After getting back home to Massachusetts, I took some
time off to recover. My healing took place without incident.
I experienced slight pain for the first 30 days but
it disappeared. Cosmetically the appearance of my vagina
is convincing and I am able to urinate in a steady stream
with no problem. During this year, I consulted with
my internist who deals with many transgendered patients
at McClean Hospital in Belmont Massachusetts. He examined
my vagina and indicated to me that in his professional
opinion my vagina was appropriately constructed, that
it had a reasonably convincing appearance and that it
was a very satisfactory result.
I plan on have sigmoid colon-cut surgery with Dr.
Pichet at the end of the year. I look forward to seeing
Dr. Pichet and his staff again. I trust him without
hesitation and recommend him unreservedly for M-F SRS
and breast augmentation.
July 2003
Dr. Pichet,
Just a note to say a big thank you to all your staff
and yourself for the Surgery I had in Thailand. Being
a westerner and not being very familiar with Asia, I
was quickly made to feel at home by your friendly and
hardworking nurses.
The hospital was of a very high standard and I was
very pleased with the accommodation (Royal Orchid Hotel)
which was excellent value for money and very luxurious.
As for the treatment I had, the hair-transplant went
a lot more smoothly than I imagined and I am very pleased
with the results and the ease of aftercare. The chin
augmentation now looks great (after only one week) and
I have also been pleased with the Liposuction to my
chest, waist and abdomen.
In short, the past 9 days have been as comfortable
as they could have been and I have been very well looked
after both medically and as a human being (one of your
nurses kindly stayed with me all night after the operation).
The results of the surgery are already better than I
imagined and was definitely less painful than I thought
(thank goodness!)
Finally, once more, a big thank you to your staff and
of course, yourself. The fees you charge are very moderate
and great value for money; should I need any more treatments,
I will be delighted to be one of your patients once
more.
Best wishes
Paul
