[MTF/트랜스여성] SRS & VFS Surgery Diary in Korea, Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital > 참여게시판

[Source] : https://www.reddit.com/r/Transgender_Surgeries/comments/1iwu7rr/srs_vfs_surgery_diary_in_korea_kangdong_sacred/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button
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Firstly, I started taking HRT in September at Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital. I decided to schedule an appointment with the surgeon, Kim Kyul-hee, in December. She speaks English and explained everything clearly (it’s best to prepare your questions in advance). She also scheduled my surgery appointment, which took place on February 19th.

The reason I chose this hospital was that the surgeon seemed very professional and passionate. Additionally, I saw a few posts on Reddit from people who had the same surgery at the same clinic, and they shared very positive experiences. So, I decided to trust my gut.

I had to prepare a few things before the surgery: hair removal, a letter from a professional therapist about my gender dysphoria, and several tests, including abdominal scans.

For hair removal, they recommended a dermatology clinic where I had three sessions. Each session cost around 100,000 won (roughly $70). The therapy session and the letter from the therapist were quite expensive (500,000 won, roughly $350), but luckily, she agreed to write it for me after my first session.

I also ordered a set of six dilators from a professional sexual health store called Piooda online. It cost around 100,000 won (roughly $70).

Additionally, I had to stop HRT at least two weeks before the surgery.

I had to fast for two days before the surgery, and only drinking water was allowed. The day before the surgery, I took a bowel cleansing solution, which was quite difficult to drink due to its taste.

After the surgery, I was shaking and shivering uncontrollably, and I still don’t know why it happened. Maybe it was because my body was cold, but I felt better after the nurses put a heating blanket on me.

The surgery process felt really fast, and I didn’t even realize it had happened until they told me. It was my first time in a clinic and undergoing surgery, so I didn’t know they had already administered anesthesia. I thought the surgery was about to start, but it was already done. The entire procedure took around 8–10 hours for both SRS and VFS.

Due to personal reasons, my caregiver was unable to look after me, which was completely unexpected. I highly recommend having a caregiver 24/7 during your hospitalization. The hospital offered me a caregiver for a fee, but I didn’t feel comfortable having a stranger care for me, so I decided to stay alone. However, I managed to get through it, though it was very frustrating, and I had to call the nurses every time I needed help. Fortunately, the nurses were extremely friendly and helpful. I communicated with them through Google Translate because some of them didn’t speak English, and since I had VFS, I couldn’t talk. So, I highly recommend having a caregiver and someone to accompany you.

For the first 2–4 days after the surgery, you’ll be in a cycle of sleeping, waking up, pressing the painkiller button (they give you a machine that releases painkillers into your body when you press the button), and going back to sleep. During the first two days, the pain was intense due to the gas inside my body, and I couldn’t release it because I wasn’t moving at all.

My room was a private room with a caregiver bed next to mine, along with a fridge and a TV, so it was very convenient.

Today is day 5 after the surgery, and my body is feeling well, so I’m writing this post. Since SRS surgery is not very common in South Korea, I’d like to share my experience to help those who may be wondering about it. If you have any questions, leave them in the comment section, and I will try to answer them.

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