Just Why do Many T-girls Head to Thailand for GRS?

Dr. Tanongsak Panyawirunoj and some of his patients.

It’s one of the biggest decisions any T-girl can make.

Whether such decision is in respect of full GRS or, maybe, having breast augmentation or, perhaps, some form of facial cosmetic surgery, once the decision has been made to have surgery, the next vitally important question to answer is: where do I go?

Despite it being possible to have any and all necessary surgery in the U.S. or one of the European countries, many T-girls opt to come to Thailand–but why?

Well, here are some of the key answers to this question:

• Vastly experienced and innovative surgeons: Home to world famous, Thai Ladyboys, surgeons in Thailand have for many years been performing GRS and other related procedures on Thai patients, but also on T-girls from all corners of the globe. Many surgeons have been internationally trained and most can make reference on the CV’s to having undertaken surgery on some famous actress, major cabaret star or others figure in the public eye.
  In addition, Thai GRS surgeons have been credited with developing creative surgery and pioneering techniques, including enabling many T-girls to retain sensations in their newly created genitals post-operatively.

• Well trained, service oriented support staff: Thai nurses and support staff are friendly, hospitable and non-judgmental; add in their own extensive knowledge of support procedures and experiences of dealing with foreign patients and you have a complete “package”–essential in times when you are likely to be highly stressed.

• Costs of surgery and support: Undoubtedly a big factor as such costs can be one half or less of comparable medical treatment in the West; hospitals and clinic are clean, well presented and generally professionally run–yet their fees remain relatively low.
  Naturally, it’s prudent to check out all fees and what is/what’s not included before booking or arriving for any surgery

• Variety of locations to choose from: There are well known clinics and hospitals in Bangkok, Phuket and Pattaya. Most T-girls scan the internet, check out forums and chat lines to find their surgeon of choice–although word of mouth recommendations both in respect of the surgeon and the place of surgery tends to be favoured.
  T-girls from all over the world visit Thai clinics and hospitals. One time when I attended a world famous clinic in Chonburi (located between Bangkok and Pattaya) for a consultation, there were at least 20 T-girls (in different stages of transition, ie pre and post op) from places as diverse as Holland, Peru, Korea, Hong Kong, U.K. and the US.

• Add on a vacation: Either pre-, but more likely post-op, many girls add on some time to take a well earned vacation, either on the beaches of Phuket or Pattaya or in the chaotic exuberance of the capital Bangkok.
  Getting around is easy and worry free, and nobody seems to pay any attention to you. For some it’s often a great way to start to embrace “complete” womanhood and enjoy being out and about as the person they were meant to be.
  Many girls take a short course on honing up their make-up skills, or take time restocking their wardrobes in the (again relatively cheaply) local markets or departments stores.

• It’s the home of the famous Thai Ladyboy(s): Whether you plan to go and see a show or just admire some of these beautiful, feminine ladies from afar, many foreign T-girls are captivated by the beauty of these women in cabaret shows and the like. Mind you, you can even see some of such ladies working, for example, on make-up counters in department stores, in coffee shops/restaurants or in pharmacies around the country.

So, if you are thinking about or planning GRS, it’s well worthwhile finding out more about Thailand, its surgeons and hospitals/clinics–but given the huge volume of T-girls who head here for the necessary procedures, it’s fair to say that the abilities and standards have already been well proven!

Tags: featured, GRS, Plastic Surgery, SRS, surgery, Thailand, Transgender, Transition, Transsexual

Category: Transgender Body & Soul, Transgender Opinion