Sex change surgeries in Thailand, explored by 'Investigative Documentaries'

An image of a man no longer looks back whenever Alodia Shaina Valdez looks at herself in the mirror. Gone is Gregory Gil Valdez, the one who used to stare back at her. Who she sees now is a woman with full breasts, curvy hips, and a happy look in her eyes—Alodia Shaina, her true self and the woman she really wants to be.

“Ito na ‘yung pagkakataon na hinihintay ko sa buong buhay ko, ang maging isang tunay na babae sa mata ng publiko,” she told the GMA News TV program “Investigative Documentaries,” who accompanied Shaina as she underwent sex reassignment surgery (SRS) in Thailand last December. The team documented every step of the process, from consultation to recuperation. (“This is what I’ve been waiting for my whole life–the chance to be a true woman in the eyes of the public.”) Shaina’s journey towards womanhood tells the story of the many transgender men who will go to great lengths to prove that with the help of science, fate can’t stop them from becoming what they’re destined to be —women. Shaina’s story is also a story of how this search for fulfillment and beauty fuels an entire industry and country. The birth of Alodia Shaina Shaina was born as a man, but has known since she was five years old that she was born into the wrong gender. “I’m a woman trapped in a man’s body,” she realized then. Fearing ridicule from her parents and friends, she kept her identity a secret for years. To her surprise though, her parents are now supportive of her sex change operation. In completing her transformation, she specifically chose the names Alodia, from the cosplayer Alodia Gosiengfiao, and Shaina, from the actress Shaina Magdayao. Going under the knife It was Shaina’s boyfriend from the United Kingdom who financed her sexual reassignment and breast augmentation surgery. The two operations almost cost THB 480,000 or PHP 600,000. Wanting only the best for her rebirth as a full-blown woman, Shaina sought the services of Dr. Saran Wannachamras of Saran Cosmetic Surgery Clinic. Dr. Saran is one of the most popular cosmetic surgeons in Thailand. Every day, he treats around 10 patients. Two out of those 10 patients are normally foreigners. “My practice for foreigners is transgender surgery, facial feminization, breast surgery, and body contouring,” he told “Investigative Documentaries.” Before going under the knife, Shaina had to undergo psychological tests, a standard procedure for SRS patients. It was during this brief moment of reflection that she admitted to being scared. “Natakot ako,” she shared. “Pero walang lugar ang takot sa aming mga bakla.” (“I was scared. But if you’re gay, you can’t afford to be scared.”) The breast augmentation lasted for only 30 minutes while the SRS lasted for five hours. Shaina’s friend, Charise Suarez, accompanied her to the operating room. “‘Yun ‘yung pinakamadugo,” Charise said. “Hindi ko na kayang lumunok dahil sa sobrang daming sumisirit na dugo kay Shaina.” Afterwards, Shaina described the post-operation feeling: “Paggising ko ang sakit ng katawan ko. Para akong binugbog ng 10 lalaki.” (“When I woke up, my body hurt all over. I felt like I was beat up by ten men!”) Charise’s time to shine Charise Suarez has been joining gay pageants since she was 17-years old. She went to Thailand with only one thing in mind: to get herself a breast augmentation operation. “Preparation ko ito sa Miss International Queen next year,” she said. “Siguro kaya ko nang makipagsabayan sa mga nakakalaban ko sa mga competition dito sa Pilipinas.” (“The operation will serve as my preparation for Miss International Queen next year. Maybe by then I can keep up with the competition in the Philippines.”) Charise went to Dr. Thep Vechavisit of Pratunam Clinic for her operation. Dr Thep has been performing cosmetic surgery for nearly two decades and his services are considered one of the cheapest in Thailand. The normal rate for breast augmentation operations is THB 60,000, but he only charges THB 45,000 (PHP 60,000). Thailand and medical tourism Shaina and Charise are only two of the 673,000 tourists who visited Thailand in 2012 to avail of medical services. The country is quickly becoming a hotspot for medical tourism, particularly for plastic and cosmetic surgery services. Breast augmentation is the most sought after medical procedure. According to the Metamorphosis Medical Retreats, a company that assists medical tourists, there were over 300,000 patients who had breast surgery in 2011 in Thailand. 350 cosmetic surgery clinics are currently in operation in the country. In 2011 alone, Thailand earned THB 20 billion or PHP 26.9 billion from this industry that thrives on people’s search for beauty. “Investigative Documentaries” airs every Thursday night at 8:00 PM on GMA News TV. Follow the program on Facebook and Twitter for updates about their upcoming documentaries and episode replays. —Bernice Sibucao, PF/GMA News