Late-night Channel 4 (or 5?) is again providing UK viewers with an opportunity to gain an insight into the working of an American clinic.
I've watched a little (in my case explaining why is tricky..) and it leaves me a little queasy. Not the medical procedures - the warning's on the packet, but the concern that this is titillating TV to attract not only interested parties, but curious post-pub voyeuristic viewers. How do others view this type of TV? Is it educational and informative, or does it promote prejudice? I must admit that I've not watched enough to answer my own question..

Rachel

Bob/Belinda and I watched this series sometime last year. We found that the series got a bit boring after a couple of weeks as each program was basically the same. What did differ was that some had breast augmentation at the same time.
Looking back it gives me an idea of what to expect especially as I'm due to see the surgeons at the plastic surgery clinic in a fortnight.
It's interesting how many of the girls at work have said I'm brave. Yes they have watched it and it saves me having to do a lot of explaining. Several come and ask me if I've seen the program and then whisper "When are you getting turned inside out, Alina ?"

Alina Wicks

i watched a couple of programs. they seemed very fly on the wall and showing just what is. the people seemed quite realistic and sentible and it was enjoyable to watch people progressing in their lives.

lucy, regarding your wise advise, presonally, i tend to try and do as little as posible anyway hehe.

I'm trusting myself to James Bellringer. I saw him last Thursday at his clinic in the CX GIC and got the go ahead for my op. It should be in July or August all being well.

Alina xx

Thanks Steph.
Since then I've had to change to going private. The PCT has confirmed it will not fund my SRS. I'm still under James Bellringer's knife but am having to pay for private treatment in an NHS hospital. I'm being admitted on 18th July for my op on July 19th. On some sites I'm being asked why I'm not going to Thailand. Well basically I don't fly long haul. I'm a great fan of surface travel.

Alina xxx

There have been more of this on the science & medical cahnnels. So far I think they have shown real people in real life. Since they don't express an opinion either way about the person but let that person do thier own talking, I think it's a good thing. People get to see TS's as people not as perv's.

Funnily enough this series was first shown on Channel 4 in the few weeks leading up to my departure to Thailand last year. Without wishing to sound blasé it didn’t tell me much I didn’t already know, but I did enjoy watching it with some degree of excitement and anticipation. There was one point when one of the girls the first time she got out of bed decided she felt fine and as if to prove it to the cameras she walked about a bit, had a shave, and then proceeded to clean around the sink! Not surprising perhaps, after all this exertion she started feeling quite queasy and had to lie down again. The point was made to me time and time again before and during my stay in Thailand – you may feel fine after your surgery, but you don’t try and do too much, certainly you don’t start cleaning things! The pain once you get out of hospital is surprisingly minimal and walking is not too difficult at all, but you really must do as little as possible. Regardless of how you may be feeling, you are in a very delicate physical state. Anyway, probably no use to anyone, but that’s the best tip I got regarding recovery.
As to Rachel’s question, I can see why she asks, given that some guys may well be coming home from the pub at that time and watching it for a bit of a laugh or just out of curiosity, but I think the program is well made and not really “freak show” television. I quite agree with Alina that once you’ve seen one you’ve pretty much seen them all, but it’s nice to see the support from family members who accompany the girls during their surgery and recovery (they are there to help – let them!) and I think Marcie Bowers comes across as a lovely person who considers her patients’ best interests. Some of the patients I have to say are not particularly feminine in manner or appearance, but they all come across as genuine enough, and Marcie is a great role model for us and a shining example of a TS success story.
I would have been happy to entrust my body to Marcie, but I do believe that there is now a better alternative to the penile inversion technique, hence I chose Dr Suporn.
I’m glad these things are shown on TV, and I believe they are more educational than prejudice promoting.
xx

Speaking of Dr Marcie Bowers, I'm hoping to do an interview with her tomorrow, for the Tranny Tribune.

Hugs,

Katie x