When I arrived at Bangkok aiport I was picked up by Gift from the Suporn Clinic and driven to the Mercure hotel in Chonburi. This was going to be my 'home' during my first 3 and a bit weeks following surgery and is a very pleasant hotel with comfortable rooms, good food and very friendly staff. The benefit of being in Thailand for 30 days is the degree of post-operative care and support which the Clinic offer, which is not available elsewhere to the same very high standard.
I was admitted to the hospital 2 days later for various tests and shown to my room on the 10th floor, which over-looked the bay. The anaethetist visited in the evening prior to the nurse preparing me for the following day (shave and clonic irrigation). Nil by mouth from midnight, here we go.....
I was taken down to theatre at 8am the following morning and laid on the operating table with my arms outstreched in a crucifix position, while I was connected to the machines and had the IV installed. The nurse asked me if I was scared - I wasn't, just relieved that the time had finally arrived. Dr Suporn arrived, said "Good Morning, Natalie" and took my photo. The anaethetist told me he was putting me to sleep with milk, showing me a syringe of white fluid. "Are you ready Natalie?" he said, "Yes" I replied. "10 seconds", he advised, with the oxygen mask hovering over my face...................
10 seconds later I came round. It was 3:10pm. I was resurrected and reborn.
The first few days in my hospital room were very uncomfortable, if not painful. I think it was due to the pressure on my lower back and posterior during the six and a half hour operation. On day 4 Dr Suporn removed the bandage and drain and handed me a mirror. Ooer, here goes, I thought. I expected to be slightly shocked, which I was, but I was very impressed with the neatness of the stitching. I tried to figure out which bit used to be which. Dr Suporn seemed very proud of his own handiwork. "Natalie, this your labia, this your clitoris, this your urethra, this your vagina", he explained. I was relieved that everything was there and the good doctor was happy. "Will look very natural in 6 months, plenty of material", he expained.
On day 5 I was finally allowed to get off the bed and have a shower which was a relief. The nurses came to help me, I did feel really groggy after all that time lying on my back. On day 7 Dr Suporn removed the catheter and packing and showed how to insert the dilator, a necessary procedure for all trans women for the rest of our lives. After an hour the cleaning routine was demonstrated by the nurses and I was left on my own. The strangest experience was having a pee for the first time like a woman.........
During my recovery at the hotel the girls from the Clinic visited my room each day and took my blood pressure and temperature. I walked round to the Clinic for my post-op appointments with Dr Suporn twice a week. Fortunately it is only a 5 minute walk at snail pace. Everything went very smoothly for the rest of my time in Chonburi.
I enjoyed the recovery time at the hotel very much and I wasn't in too much pain, just rather uncomfortable due to the swelling and stinging sensations. The occasional jolts from nerve recovery are also slightly uncomfortable. There were plenty of other girls staying at the hotel at different stages of recovery and breakfast and dinner times were especially enjoyable, chatting away like I do.
The worst period was the flight back to the UK. 21 hours door to door of major discomfort.
I'm 5 weeks old now. I'm feeling very good about everything. Dilation is not too much of a bind. Everything is settling down and looking peachy. In 5 months time I will feel like a new woman, I already do, but there's still quite a bit of healing to do.
If anyone is considering re-assignment surgery, Dr Suporn is your man, the very best in the world. Everything that you require during your stay is provided for you. The care is second to none.
I send all my love to the girls at the Suporn Clinic and the great man himself, Dr S. Thankyou so much for everything.
Natalie xx