Doctor does sex-change op 'live'

December 10, 2004

Bangkok - Thailand's renowned plastic surgeon Preecha Tiewtranon performed a sex-change operation live on videoconference on Friday before an audience of 35 visiting doctors in Bangkok to attend Asia's first sex-reassignment workshop.

Preecha successfully transformed Natanan, a 27-year-old tour guide, from male to female in front of 35 of the world's leading sex-reassignment experts, satisfying the patient's lifelong desire to be "a perfect woman".

"We want to show the public that Thailand is now up to international standards in this field," Preecha said in a pre-operation interview.

Regarded as one of the world's pioneers in sex-change surgery, Preecha has performed at least 3 000 such operations on Asians, Americans, Europeans, Japanese and even patients from the Middle East.

Focused on techniques, innovations
This has helped clinch Thailand's reputation as the medical hub for sex-change operations and plastic surgery in Asia.

In an effort to introduce new concepts and refine techniques, Preecha and the BNH Hospital invited 35 leading experts in the field of sex reassignment to a two-day workshop in Bangkok.

The seminar focused on surgical techniques and recent innovations such as perineum anatomy, phonosurgery, penile lengthening and endrocrinal treatment.

Preecha hopes the workshop will encourage the Thai government to change local laws that still prohibit sex-change patients from changing their gender on their passports and identity cards.

The United States, Europe and Japan have passed legislation making sex changes legal and even China is considering such legislation, said Preecha.

"Even Iran allows sex changes and afterwards the man can become a miss," said Preecha. "I want to help patients to make the operation more respectful, more scientific and not just commercial."

Preecha, citing Thailand's advantages, said: "The price is cheap, the standard of medical expertise is high and our nursing care and hospital care are world class."

Comment on this story, click here.

Copyright 1999-2004, Asian Sex Gazette.  All rights reserved.  No content may be reproduced in whole or part without written permission.  Please contact us via the link below for re-print and syndication policies.

Thais to perform first live sex change operation
12-9-2004