Testimonial INSIDE

For many trans women contemplating Gender Confirmation Surgery (GCS) and choosing one’s surgeon is one of the hardest and most daunting prospects we face on our journey. The internet is sadly full of criticisms levelled at surgeons for operations which have gone wrong. You get one chance at this irreversible surgery, so the stakes are high.

I decided before meeting Dr Burin that I would opt to go to Thailand for this surgery. This was quite a straightforward choice for me for the following reasons. Thailand has pioneered many of the techniques of GCS. The waiting lists are acceptable for most of the clinics. There are less ‘gatekeeping’ hoops to go through, (in my case having done therapy for 10 years I knew and had accepted for some years that this was the correct path for me.) While cost of the surgery was not a motivating factor in my decision, it is fair to say the medical costs are extremely good value. Also I previously lived in SE Asia and had always felt to so welcome and cared for by the Thai people.

So with my mind made up to get the operation done in Thailand I decided to see some of the better known surgeons in the country for initial consultations. I feel it was serendipity that when I wrote at quite short notice they organised an appointment for me to see Dr Burin. He was very sober in his manner yet kind and patient. He answered all my questions calmly and I can only really say that I felt reassured by his pragmatism and manner. So the decision was made, I decided to go with Dr Burin.

Just over a year later I returned to Thailand for the big event. I should mention that PAI clinic were always meticulous in responding to me with any questions before I arrived in Thailand. 48 hours before the surgery I met Dr Burin again and from that point you are in the hands of the professionals at the PAI clinic who prep you for the operation.

I was lying on the operating waiting to be put to sleep and Dr Burin was sitting on a chair. Our eyes met and I nodded and his kind yet professional eyes acknowledged the small gesture.

The next moment you are waking up in the recovery room. Though nurses all round the world show tremendous kindness and patience, the hospitality of the Thai people really shone through at what was a critical time for me. The nursing was just excellent in every way cleaning me and affording me every dignity they could. Whenever I pressed the alarm someone was attending to me immediately and with the help of Google Translate my every request was met.

Dr Burin visited me daily during my 5 days in hospital and again it was comforting to hear his gentle words of reassurance. After you are discharged from hospital I was a frequent visitor at the clinic. It’s at this stage I got to know the nursing staff. Dr Burin would supervise while the nurses helped me with certain post operation protocols and procedures..

Nothing was ever too much effort for any of them. I had a small drama which resulted in Kem, the head nurse, driving back to the clinic one evening to see me. Dr Burin and his team have struck the perfect balance between world class medical treatment while making you feel at home. Of course this review would fall short if I did not mention Bune, my patient coordinator, who made it all as fun as possible.

My sincerest and deepest thanks to all of you.

Khop Khun Kha

Yanira 🙏🏻