Can you tell us about Paradigm Paradise!!?
This production is part of the Mekong Creative Communities Arts for Advocacy Fellowship Project. It’s an autobiographical piece, which incorporates a play and dance. I’ll be performing solo throughout.
What does Khandha Arts’n Theatre Company do?
Apart from putting on stage productions and offering acting workshops, we also organize a series of self-improvement workshops. We believe that theater is a two-way form of communication. It’s not just about teaching or self-expressing, it’s also about sharing with our audience and learning from them. Our last workshop focused on the act of hugging. We helped people conquer the fear of hugging, which in turns helps with all kinds of relationships from families to couples.
How much of butoh is integrated in this production?
When we were first developing this production, I was torn between developing it into a full-on butoh performance and a scripted play. However, as a trained butoh artist, I know that butoh only aims at the viewers’ subconscious. Since this production is essentially the story of my life, I only employ a limited amount of what I call pure butoh to make it easier to follow. You’ll also see simplified butoh in places, too.
You opened your show in Chiang Mai, how’d that go?
The feedback was overwhelmingly positive. The show was in Thai, but there were a lot of foreigners who came to see it and were able to understand it. They came up to me after the show and told me how powerful it was and how they could relate their stories to mine. Some even cried!
Catch Paradigm Paradise at Patravadi Theater
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• THE PATIENT: MRS. H., age 55
• The Job: Theeraporn Clinic
• The Cost: B70,000
Why did you choose to get a face lift?
My cheeks and especially my lower eyelids were being attacked by gravity. I did all the moisturizing and facial massaging but nothing really helped. So I stopped fiddling and decided to get it done.
How did you pick your doctor?
I had heard of my particular doctor for a while, and I knew that he had at least 20 years experience doing this. Plus, one of my best friends also had surgery done by him, and she confirmed his skills.
How did your first appointment go?
He looked at my face, told me how he could fix the flaws and I agreed to do what he suggested. The clinic immediately gave me 3-4 pills to swallow before sending me to the operating room. I guess it was a mix of sedative and painkillers.
And the surgery?
I lay on the bed while the doctor kept me occupied with random chit chat. Even though there was no pain, I had this sensation as if ants were biting the area between my ear, and my cheek. The surgery took about an hour to finish.
And afterwards?
I didn’t really feel anything after the operation. They covered the stitches with cotton gauze to stop the bleeding, and also placed a headband across my head to make my face look normal. The doctor told me to go see him again after one week to remove the stitches.
Did it hurt?
I felt a little achey the next day. It was bearable, but I needed to take very good care of the wounds, and wasn’t able to wash my hair for a whole week. The ache disappeared on the second week. It felt great.
How do you like the results?
The excess skin vanished and my face became firmer. Most people can’t tell I had a face lift. Instead, they think I just took very good care of my face, and that I look so much younger than I really am. The surgery was quite expensive, but it gave me a great deal of satisfaction. So I’d say, if you’ve got the money, do it.”
THE PATIENT: MISS T., age 32
The Job: Carboxy Therapy, Gaysorn Plaza
The Cost: B500-B1,000 per session
WHY: I’ve always felt that my arms were too big and not very proportionate when compared to other parts of my body.
HOW: They made me lie down on the bed and then used two latex tubes to tighten my arms; one near the shoulder, and the other, next to my elbow. Then they pinned a very small needle attached with a flexible tube into my arm and started pumping in the gas. I told them to stop when I started to feel an unbearable pressure in my arm. They left the needle in for the gas to do its work. After twenty minutes, they pulled the needle out.
WHY: One good thing about Carboxy is that there’s no need for a special care after the procedure, unlike liposuction. There was nothing changed, only my arms swelled for an hour. It felt like I had just done an exhausting arm exercise.
THE PAIN: It was a little sore during the first phase of the process. Then I’d felt an enormous pressure in my arm. I’ve heard from some people that they’d normally be able to take in about 100-gas pressure unit, but for me, I had it at only 10, and couldn’t take anymore. It was not only my arm that hurt, but the pressure spread throughout my whole body.
THE RESULTS: My arms weren’t really smaller. But I think it’s actually because I needed to do it several times to get results. My friends got what they wanted by their third session. But to tell the truth, I couldn’t bear the pain, and I’m not going back—ever!
“If you have the money, I’d say, have a try, but in my opinion, liposuction really works. I’m not saying there isn’t any risk. The surgery can worsen what you’ve already got, but to tell you the truth, I think Carboxy’s a waste of time.” —Dr Chartchai Rattanamahattana
• THE PATIENT: Miss V., age 31
• The HOSPITAL: Piyavet Hospital
• The Cost: B200,000
Why did you decide to get the surgery?
All my life I’ve wanted to become a woman, so I decided to go ahead to complete my femininity.
How did you pick the surgeon?
I was lucky that my mother has a doctor friend, who happens to be a great surgeon. She recommended me to a doctor at Piyavet Hospital. The best thing was that they did monthly check ups to follow up on how I was doing.
What came before the operation?
First, they sent me to have a talk with their psychologist and see if I was truly ready to get it done. I also needed to have an HIV test, and blood pressure check. Once I passed all the examinations, the doctor sent me home with a five-day meal timetable. I was only allowed to have liquid food like soups or very plain rice porridge so that my body basically contained nothing but water.
How did the operation go?
Lying on the bed, the doctor told me to relax and then injected the sedative into a vein on the back of my hand. In less than five minutes, I fell into a very deep sleep. The next thing I knew, I was already in the ward. I was told I was in the operating room for about seven hours.
How did you feel?
I woke up feeling very blurry. There were tubes everywhere. The saline drip was inserted into my left hand and the pulse rate meter on the right. There was also a tube attached into the bulging part of my new female sex organ to take the blood out of my body. I was also new to the whole female peeing thing so they had another tube inserted into my urethra to ease me into the process. On the third day after surgery, my body got used to the new organ and I was ready to pee on my own.
Did it hurt?
I have to admit it was extremely painful from the moment I woke up. I couldn’t move much and that part was swollen for almost two months. But after that, the scars started to disappear and the pain had gone completely. I could sit and walk just the way I used to.
How do you feel now?
I have more confidence, and feel more like myself. People keep telling me that my body shape really changed and looks more feminine in every way. I think it’s because there is no longer an organ producing male hormones left in my body. Still, I also have to take the birth control pill every day to help maintain the right hormone balance. In terms of sex I have the same feelings as any women. I just don’t get quite as much lubrication as they might when aroused.
“Sexual Reassignment is a big operation and the patients definitely need proper counseling with a psychologist to confirm that they’re making the right decision. Once you’ve done it, there’s no turning back. It’s also perhaps more risky than other surgeries, so the candidate will need to do a lot of research and try not to be induced by commercial ads.” —Dr. Chartchai Rattanamahattana
The PATIENT: MISS P., age 21
The HOSPITAL: Bangmod Hospital
The Cost: B20,000
Why did you want this operation?
I’m [ethnically] Chinese and so I have small eyes. It would take me a lot of time in the morning to do my makeup, especially my eyes, as I used a special glue that helps double my eyelids. My parents thought it wasn’t very healthy, too. Still they did think that having bigger eyes could help improve my fortune, as per Chinese beliefs.
How did you pick the hospital?
I had a chance to talk to this movie producer who knows a lot of celebrities that had the operation done. He suggested that I do it at Bangmod because they’ve done a lot of great work. Then I did a lot more research on the Internet about the surgery methods, and what I should be expecting if I decided to do it.
What happened next?
After all the research, I made an appointment with the hospital then got to meet the surgeon. I had my eyelids glued so I could show them how I would like it to be. The doctor told me he could make that happen right away and I said, “Yes!” I had no time to prepare. The only thing I could do at that time was to tell myself everything would work out fine.
How did the operation go?
Once I walked into the surgery room, I was a bit paranoid. They told me to lie on the bed, and turned on some relaxing music to calm me down. The doctor injected the anesthetic into the area around my eyes then waited a bit for it to become numb. I was pretty nervous and my mind kept worrying about the result, so I couldn’t sleep. I could feel it when the doctor did something to my eyes and when he was doing the suturing. Luckily, I didn’t feel any pain.
How did you feel after the operation?
I was shocked, and started crying when I saw myself in the mirror after the 30-minute surgery. There were scars, and stitches coated with bloodstains almost everywhere on my face. Seeing the blood, I suddenly felt a massive pain around my eyes.
How long did it hurt?
My eyes were huge because of the swelling for about a week, but this did reduce by the second week. I was told to quit smoking and not to put on eye makeup for two weeks. I also had to clean the stitches with a saline solution everyday before taking a shower. The pain was taken care of by aspirin and my life got back to normal in about two weeks.
Are you happy with the results?
Most of the people who saw my new eyes said I looked prettier. I think I haven’t changed that much though. It’s only the eye feature that’s now sharper. The best thing is that my morning makeup routine is so much easier.
Eye Op Facts
1. The doctor will administer a small amount of anesthetic in the eye area, and create the incision lines by cutting the eyelids with the blade.
2. For patients with fat on the eyelid, the doctor will remove some of the fat and excess skin from the upper eyelid.
3. They use the smallest possible sized needle with removable or absorbable sutures to join together the eyelids, thus reducing the size of the wound and recovery time.
Source: Yanhee Hospital
Bangmod Hospital. 59/7, Rama 2 Rd., 02-867-0606. www.bangmodhos.com
Dr. Somsak Khunjak’s Clinic. 410/43, Ratchada Soi 24, 02-541-5301 Gaysorn Plaza. 999, Ploenchit Rd., 02-656-1149. www.gaysorn.com
Piyavate Hospital. 998, Rimklongsamsen Rd., 02-625-6500. www.piyavate.com
Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital. 133, Sukhumvit Soi 49, 02-711-8000. www.samitivejhospitals.com
Theeraporn Clinic. 422, Ta Dindaeng, Klongsan, 02-437-1525
Yanhee Hospital. 454, Charansanitwong Rd., 02-879-0300. www.yanhee.net
Whoa, slow down, tiger. Don't just rush out and get one done, read our Q&A with Dr. Chartchai Rattanamahattana, M.D., Board Certified Plastic and Cosmetic Surgeon at Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital.
Did you know that there's 18% increase each year of Thais heading to Korea for plastic surgery?
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Have you noticed a difference in attitudes and the way cognac is consumed by different Asian cultures?
In places such as China, I find it interesting how they’ve adopted the practice of enjoying cognac with their own food, much like their own heritage of baijiu. They’re slowly starting to move away from the Chinese culture of banquet style downing, especially in places like cosmopolitan Shanghai. But it’s still a process that’s going to take time. Singapore’s already a more sophisticated market that appreciates the finer things in life.
The concept of food and alcohol pairings has become especially popular. Any advice about matching cognac with Asian food?
I’m a big fan of Singapore chili crab. In fact, we had it with X.O on the rocks and it went beautifully. But with something like Cantonese food that has lighter flavors, V.S.O.P would go better. As a rule of thumb, I’d say X.O is the more versatile option. So if in doubt, you can try that. Look for a complex, smooth flavor that’s characterized by harmony and elegance. But it’s a never ending exploration, so just keep trying and see what you like.
Do you think cognac still suffers from the perception that it’s more to the taste of an older clientele?
The only thing I can say is, as a mature gentleman, I prefer cognac served in the more traditional way. That’s not to say I don’t enjoy a good cocktail every so often. But Hennessey’s Art of Mixing is about updating the way cognac is viewed. Each new recipe was crafted by a team of mixologists, and then it was taste tested by a committee and the master blender himself, incorporating flavors such as ginger, citrus, apple or berry into it. The history of cocktails, like cognac, dates back years, but that doesn’t make it exclusive to a certain age group.
The Hennessey Ginger - Fresh Start 
We reckon this is a great cocktail for the festive season, or whenever, frankly.
What you need:
Method:
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How did you become a dessert chef?
It’s because of my mom, who used to sell desserts at the market. When I was a kid, I would help her make them and accompany her to the market to sell.
Is there a philosophy to Thai desserts?
Yes, of course. Certain desserts are meant to be eaten with certain meals, and certain desserts are specific to certain seasons. For example, now we’re in the cold season, so we eat warm desserts, like dumplings in ginger broth (bua loy nam king).
Are Nahm customers as interested in the dessert as they are in the food?
Yes, I think so, because the desserts are dishes you don’t normally see much anymore, so it’s a good opportunity to try them, and here they are made with lots of time and high-quality ingredients. Elsewhere, in the markets, you’ll encounter these desserts individually and buy them separately. It doesn’t occur to people to have a little bit of many kinds of desserts, which is what I try to get them to do.
Do you ever feel like you’re in David Thompson’s shadow?
Well, yes, of course, sometimes I do. But David is also my life partner, and I support him in the areas where he needs me. I’ve also trained many youngsters who have gone on to do great things, and that is also rewarding.
Why are Thai desserts not as highly regarded abroad as Thai food? Why is it all mango and sticky rice?
I think it has to do with the availability of quality ingredients abroad as well as the issue of time. A lot of these desserts are hard to make and take lots of time to make properly, which most restaurants probably cannot do.
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My parents came from Southern China and didn’t have higher education. My dad only finished fourth grade while my mom didn’t go to school at all. My uncle, who studied at Thammasat University, is the highest educated person in my family. He taught me about politics and economics.
My uncle spoke to us on 13 October 1973. He predicted the military crackdown on the students.
I had believed that the students were the bad guys after watching the 1976 crackdown on TV. They said the students were communists and deserved to be suppressed. But my uncle would talk to me about the system, about what was really going on.
I was expelled from high school after I led a protest against the principal for student rights. At that time students had lots of problems with expensive, heavy, new school bags and corruption related to school fees.
I had a theory that if I wasn’t in school, I had to be rich. I opened a video rental business but it didn’t go well so I stopped and mostly spent my time at snooker clubs and gallivanting.
My turning point was when I joined Makhampom, an NGO group, as a volunteer doing stage plays for child development.
It killed my old identity and created a new me. I was in a whole new world. Acting is a journey of the mind. But they also took me to places like Thung Ku La Rong Hai, the driest place in Thailand, and slums in Bangkok which were near my house like Klong Toei. I had never been there before. When I saw these places, I realized that all my life I had been sheltered.
I spoke to the leader of the people fighting the expropriation of the slum dwellers. I asked him why they were asking for rights over other people’s land. He said he used to be a soldier at the border to protect the country. One day, his pregnant wife wrote him a letter about them being kicked out of their home. It made him think, “Whose house am I protecting here?” This is a problem of rights over rights.
When there was coup in 1991, I was so angry. I felt that it wasn’t fair. Coups are so backward. I performed a mime on the streets around Bangkok to criticize the coup and made thousands of anti-coup postcards to ask the government to call off martial law.
I quit Makhampom and established the Kra Jok Ngao group which did drama for kids, but I felt it didn’t solve real problems either.
I decided to focus my energies on bringing practical solutions to people’s problems. I started Kru Ban Nok in Chiang Rai, teaching children and fighting for the rights of tribal people. We later brought the project to Bangkok to share our experiences here.
I was really pissed off about the coup in 2006. That night I was online talking with people in the “19 Sep Against the Coup” group. The consequences were the same as in 1991. We had the May crackdown and many lives were lost.
I nearly joined the PAD at the beginning but later decided to sit on the sidelines after Sonthi Limthongkul asked the military to come out. That’s not what I wanted.
It’s really bullshit to think of Thailand as an agricultural society. It’s this romantic idea that city people hold on to. We’re now in the era of agro-industry and information. The problem is that Thai farmers can produce only half a ton of rice per rai while China makes one ton and Japan two.
People love Thaksin because what he offered was tangible. The 30-baht-healthcare project was a response to a very dramatic situation. Children would sell their farmland to pay for their parent’s hospital bills. That’s what happened to poor people like the security guard next to my office.
I believe this will be the last fight. All the revolutions in Thailand are about sharing the power and status. The 1932 revolution was for the military, 1973 and 1976 were for intellectuals, 1992 was for the middle class. This time, it will be for ordinary people.
The Red Sunday movement is about fighting without aggression. It’s about using my NGO skills to put this movement on the right path. I’m trying to make people come together and get our message across without violence or making people panic.
The important thing in this conflict is to maintain our humanity. War destroys humanity. Each side tries to destroy the other’s humanity so that it can destroy human beings.
I don’t understand why people accept the [May] killings but don’t accept what the Red Shirts want—the new election.
I think Bangkok is a gluttonous city. It engulfs everything. If you want anything, you have to be here.
I believe we can write the play of our life. Well, at least half of it.
Life isn’t just about living. It’s also about finding what you want to live for. Once you find it, serve that purpose for the rest of your life.
I want everyone to accept that we’re all equal. This will make Thailand better.
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I wasn’t a particularly interesting kid. I did the normal things and mum started me off reading very early. I inherited both my brother’s and sister’s collection of books and comics, so I grew up reading both boys’ and girls’ material.
My dad died when I was five, so my mum was a working mum. A lot of my time was spent alone at home and I had to exercise a certain amount of discipline. There was no one to tell me to do my homework, so I had to do it myself. As a child, what you know is that one parent has gone away, and you know that the other parent is upset. Instinctively, you feel that you have to do your part. That generally involved not getting mum angry.
The ability to communicate with young people is important, and that comes only when you remember what it was like to be in that position. It’s important to remember how to be a child.
All the major turning points of my life seem to be accidental. I went through the first two decades of my career focusing on law, and in 2001 I bumped into Associate Professor Ho Peng Kee, who was Minister of State for Law and Home Affairs at the time. He was a contract tutor at law school so he recognized me. He asked me how I was, and then he asked the strangest thing: “Are you married?” I said I wasn’t, and he said “Okay” and went off. “What was that all about?’ I thought, and then I got invited for a tea party.
For the very first time after the 2001 General Election, there were three single women MPs. That was the time that the People’s Action Party realized that there was a growing constituency of single women and that it’d be good to get representatives of that demographic. Before that, the profile was always “married with two children;” it was a significant departure from the usual PAP quota.
If you want to have policies which get the support of women, you need the input of women. One of the reasons I agreed to stand was that I felt it was important to have women’s voices in Parliament.
In a typical week when there’s a Parliament sitting which lasts about two days, I’ll be at work in the morning and I’ll be in Parliament in the afternoon. Every Friday I have a meet the people session, and on Saturdays and Sundays there are constituency events. You have to try and juggle everything.
You learn to make pockets of time for yourself and make do with two or three hours. I try to exercise in the mornings and in between events, even a half hour break helps.
I’m happy having an active career. It’s enjoyable because it keeps the mind sharp. What I find in all my different portfolios is that you learn every day. I don’t have a particular goal in mind, but what I do want is to learn new things.
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Which one of you is better-looking?
Both: We’re both equally fabulous and gorgeous!
Who’s been under the knife more often than chopped vegetables?
Lady Gaga: I’m not afraid to show it off.
Britney Spears: I believe in being natural.
What do you envy about each other?
Both: We’re both equally fabulous and gorgeous! (roll eyes at each other)
If you could take something, anything, from each other—what would it be?
LG: Justin Timberlake. Oh wait, they’ve already broken up.
BS: Gaga’s shoes.
Britney—you’ve been in the industry a really long time and even snagged some of the hottest boys. Any man-hunting advice you’d like to impart to The Lady?
BS: Try less makeup and more face, yes?
Gaga—you’re known as The Artist. Could you teach Britney how to liven up her act?
LG: More makeup and less face, yes?
If we wanted to dress both of you up for Halloween, what kind of props would we need?
Both: Just lots of attitude and body confidence, darlings.
Catch the talented Derrick Barry strut his stuff at the NYE countdown party Poplicious on Dec 31, 10pm at Clarke Quay, 3 River Valley Rd., 6337-3292. Free.
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BK: Is Starbucks your actual nickname?
Starbucks: No. My real name is Pu but my seniors at Silapakorn University gave me the name Starbucks. There were lots of freshmen of different ages in our faculty, so they wanted to equalize things by giving everyone a nickname that matched their personality. Starbucks is the name of a one-legged captain in Moby Dick, a classic American novel about the 19th century whaling industry [editor: oi, it’s Ahab who’s the one-legged captain and Starbuck’s the first mate].
I walked with a limp like him because I had myositis in my leg until my junior year. They even gave the name Moby Dick, the name of the whale in the novel, to my giant friend.
BK: Weren’t you afraid that it would be impossible to make a living studying fine arts?
Starbucks: Not at all. I studied it because I like it. Besides, I almost never see anyone in this city starving to death.
BK: How was university life?
Starbucks: It was like a new empire where nothing was forbidden. We just said “Do it!”
BK: Were there any extreme experiences?
Starbucks: A lot! Nudity and feces are really normal in welcoming first-year students. It’s better than push-ups. One time our senior ordered their junior male students to take their clothes off and walk on a quiet beach. While we were finding our clothes, we saw a group of familyherding their cows and laughing at us.
BK: Is there any antic that went too far?
Starbucks: We were arrested in Chiang Mai because we decided to be graffiti artists that night. After drinking at Warm-up, my two friends and I spray painted many sois until the police showed up and took us to the police station with two options: jail or clean-up. We bought nail polish remover from 7-Eleven and started cleaning the walls from 3am until 5am. People who were up early probably thought we were doing good deeds for the city.
BK: How was life after graduation?
Starbucks: I tried to sell my art pieces. I sold all my stuff for B10,000 and used the money to make a set of rings that fit together. I realized when I was selling them that I measured the size of rings too big for most women. I later gave them to friends and kept one for myself.
BK: How did you get involved with Saranair Hao Peng?
Starbucks: I heard Saranair were recruiting. I decided to give it a shot but I did the interview practically still drunk because I had partied with friends until 6am and interviewed at 8am with my junior friends. Anyway, Saranair finally picked me and did the reality show about my unusual internship, which I wasn’t aware of.
BK: How did you feel when you realized you were being filmed?
Starbucks: I was scared that my family would find out about my bad behavior, like smoking.
BK: How is it following a script in Saranair Hen Pee?
Starbucks: It’s difficult to make the dialogue feel familiar in my mouth, but being with Aum-Patcharapa shows me what a good actor is supposed to be like.
BK: What’s your biggest dream?
Starbucks: I want to build a labyrinth in my back yard. I love to walk through labyrinths and see the view changing.
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BK: How long have you been selling coconut water?
Guy: Only for five months.
BK: What made you decide to start?
Guy: Well because it tastes good, and Thais believe that coconut water helps keep you young. Plus it’s healthy and easy to sell because I sell a raw product. You cut it open and it’s ready to go. I tried selling rambutan and pineapple, but coconut keeps for longer. I’ve also sold products made from coconut, like sweets and stuff, but coconut water is just so much more simple. This way I have time to work on my art. I also started to sell coconut water so I could make some more money on top of what I get from sale of my artwork.
BK: So art is the work you enjoy most?
Guy: Yes, it’s easy for me. I started when I was 13-years-old. I would draw Japanese cartoons all night long. That’s actually why I came to Bangkok, to study art.
BK: Where are you originally from?
Guy: I come from Srakeaw, near the Cambodian border, and I came to Bangkok when I was 13 with my master so that I could study art.
BK: Do you still work on your art?
Guy: Yes, in addition to selling coconut water I sell my artwork by Khao San Road. Selling coconut water is easy and quick, and it allows me to paint and draw during the day since the product I sell is ready as-is.
BK: Who is your target market for each product?
Guy: Well, for coconut water it depends on the time of day and location. I sell coconuts in the afternoon to catch people on their lunch breaks and in the early evening because the traffic has died down, allowing me to find a better place on the street side. I sell paintings to tourists at night.
BK: So you end up working day and night?
Guy: Actually my friend watches over my paintings for me now. I had a disagreement with someone in that area, so I try to avoid it. Now my friend sells my paintings, but it was much easier when I did it. Tourists like to hear the artist talk about his work, and my friend cannot do that, so now I sell fewer paintings.
BK: What is your favorite thing to paint or draw?
Guy: I like to paint elephants. Their skin has an interesting and fun texture to paint. Plus the tourists like to buy paintings with elephants, or so they tell me. Carissa Devine
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Popping in for a boob job or a bigger nose feels about as common now as getting highlights in your hair. We talk to people who decided to go under the knife and get the ultimate makeover. Why did they do it, how did it feel and, most importantly, what do they think about the results? Are the expense and pain of elective surgery really worth a brand new look?
The PATIENT: Miss B., 25
The PLACE: Piyavet Hospital
The Cost: B120,000
Why did you decide to get breast implants?
I had always been dissatisfied with the way my body looked and I really wanted to get my boobs done to boost my self-esteem. I wanted to look better. It’s also easier when selecting and wearing clothes.
How did you choose the hospital?
The surgeon’s skill was my first priority, followed by price. I asked other people, mostly my friends, or friends of friends who’d had it done. Asking people I could trust who were satisfied with the results and getting to touch their breasts was helpful reference.
What was the process before the operation?
I met with the doctor and had an initial consultation where I selected the breast size I wanted. After that it was a matter of showing up and the hospital did the rest. Having a friend stay with you to help afterwards is really recommended.
What about the operation itself?
They injected me with anesthetic so I wasn’t conscious during the surgery. It only took about 30 minutes to get the breasts done.
How did you feel afterwards?
The pain wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be when I woke up. It just felt like the muscles and fibers in my chest were being stretched. I also had a cramp in my back caused by staying in one position for a long time. I think that was the worst part.
How long did it take to recover?
I felt no pain after the second day, and was able to drive on the third day after surgery. The swelling lasted for about two weeks.
Was it worth it?
I am now more confident with how I look. I am pleased with my body with and without clothes. I’d say I’m 100 percent happy with the result. I really made the right decision.
”The biggest problem that breast implant patients face is that the outcome looks unreal or stiff. Choosing the implant size is an important decision. To avoid disappointing results, the person needs to understand their body size. Don’t just focus on having it big, but instead, look for something that’ll make your body proportionate. Also, try to research as much as you can about the implants that your doctor is planning to use. Don’t trust the sales, and don’t count too much on friends’ feedback.”
—Dr. Chartchai, Rattanamahattana, Samitivej Hospital
1.The incision actually takes place in the armpit area so you will have a slight scar.
2. After the scar vanishes, the patient will need to massage their new breasts for the next six months after surgery. This is to make the breasts soften and look more natural.
3. The recovery period for small surgery like eyelid surgery will only take around 1-2 weeks, while breast surgery patients need to rest for about one month.
Source: Yanhee Hospital
• THE PATIENT: MISS S., age 21
• The PLACE: Dr. Somsak Khunjuk’s Clinic
• The Cost: B75,000
Why did you choose to get a nose job?
I wasn’t very satisfied with my natural appearance and always wanted to have a more exotic look. Most of my friends had done it, so it kind of made me feel that plastic surgery wasn’t such a big deal.
How did you choose the clinic? Before picking a place, I did a lot of online research and also got my friends’ testimonials. My friends are pretty familiar with the industry and so I gained a lot of insight from them. The Internet was also a very good source. They have the best doctors ranked, based on each type of surgery.
Were you anxious?
I went in for the consultation and by the next day, I was up on the table, ready for the chop. I wasn’t very well prepared, so I got nervous and kept thinking about the pain at the end of the surgery.
How did it go?
I wasn’t unconscious so I sensed almost everything the doctor did to my face. First he injected my nose with lots of anesthetic, which really hurt. I wanted the doctor to stop but I knew there’s no beauty without pain, so I endured it. I saw the doctor carve a silicon stick before he asked me my preferred style. I hadn’t thought about that so I let him chose. After the doctor finished carving, he drilled a hole in my nose, before inserting the silicon piece inside. He then fiddled with the stick until it fit perfectly.
And after the operation?
Near the end of the operation the anesthetic wore off and I could feel everything. It was horrifying, but I didn’t want to be injected with anesthetic again so I just had to bear it. Out of the room, I didn’t feel anything much, but there was a constant ache and some parts of my face were kind of bloated.
How long did the pain last?
About a week after the surgery, I went back to get the stitches removed. The pain started to fade after 3 days, but the swelling took about 2 weeks to go down. I think it took me about a month to be fully recovered.
Was it worth it?
The surgery helped boost my confidence, and I’ve got a lot of compliments saying how pretty my nose structure looks now. I really like the result of the surgery and I am certainly more than 100 percent satisfied. Other people might feel that their noses look fake after the job, but I think mine looks very natural.
During the surgery, the surgeon will have to drill the nose bone to make an opening wound, just large enough to insert the silicone. After shaping the nose, the doctor may then need to use a band aid or cast to stop the stick from moving around or changing shape.
Source: Yanhee Hospital
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