Assignment Bangkok
By Crystal Catamco
from the September 2000 issue.

Since 1975, Bangkok Gender Reassignment Surgery (GRS) Center at Bumrungrad Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand, has been a well-regarded center for gender reassignment procedures, with patients coming from all over the world. Hundreds of successful procedures have been performed by their internationally experienced surgical team.

Over its many years of service, the Bangkok GRS Center is proud of its mission "to provide world class GRS medical care with caring compassion." The staff knows the special needs of GRS patients and strives to create a comforting environment.

The Bangkok GRS Center offers extremely competitive all-inclusive GRS packages, including special services from their many international patients.

Surgical Procedures
Dr. Preecha Tiewtranon is one of the doctors at Bangkok GRS Center. He has performed over 600 gender reassignment surgeries in his extensive career spanning some twenty years. When performing vaginoplasty for male to female gender reassignment, Dr. Preecha uses the "Penile Skin Inversion" technique. The testicles are removed; the skin of the testicles is used to form the labia majora and minora; the root of the penis together with a portion of the urethra are reformed to create the clitoris; and the urethra is shortened. The penile skin is inverted to line the space created between the urethra, prostate gland and rectum. The outcome is remarkably similar to the female anatomy.

If the penis is very short, a second operation may be necessary where a segment of the sigmoid colon is connected to the previously reconstructed vagina. This revision will result in more than 6 inches of depth with a mucous lubricated vagina.

Breast augmentation is often a desired "co-procedure" with vaginopalsty and can be performed at the same time. Dr. Preecha will consult with the patient to determine the best type of implant to meet the needs, body type and desires of the patient. When performed at the same time as vaginoplasty, an additional hour is required for the total surgery.

Chondolaryngoplasty, or Adam's Apple Shaving, is an adjunctive procedure to remove the lump in the anterior portion of the neck which is a physical trait associated with the male gender. This relatively simple procedure will leave a small horizontal scar on the throat and can be performed at the same time as the vaginoplasty requiring an additional 45 minutes of total surgery.

Eligibility Criteria
The decision to proceed with gender reassignment is an important and irreversible life decision that must be made with care. Patients considering Gender Reassignment Surgery must meet certain eligibility criteria before being admitted into the Bangkok Center Programs.

First of all, letters from the following practitioners recommending that the patient is a suitable candidate for gender reassignment are required: two behavioral scientists (psychiatrist, psychologist, or therapist), with at least one of these holding an advanced degree equivalent to a PhD or MD; along with a letter from an endocrinologist. Please note that Dr. Preecha may contact the patient's therapists or doctor to discuss the case with them.

In addition, the patient must have discontinued hormone therapy for at least 10 days before the surgery; the patient must be at least 18 years of age at the time of surgery; and the patient must sign a full consent to the surgery.

The Costs

Package Prices

• Vaginoplasty (Male to Female GRS) US $5,000
• Breast Augmentation Only (excluding implants) US $1,500
• Vaginoplasty with Breast Augmentation
• (excluding implants) US $6,100
• Vaginoplasty with Adam's Apple Shaving US $5,500
• Vaginoplasty with Breast Augmentation and Adam's Apple Shaving (excluding implants) US $6,600

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