"I Feel Fat" or a So-so Trip Report from Bangkok
Jan 26th, 2008, 09:10 AM
#21
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Hi, Shanghainese! Good to hear from you!
I didn't know I was coming either until about a week before departure! As to time of return, uncertain, depends on what the docs over here say.
Found an XLB place here in Bangkok! More about it later.
See you when I get back? Hope so!
Tim and Liz, and jodo too: Thanks for your constant encouragement! You may regret it later! I need very little encouragement to keep writing nonsense!
Femi: on those bathroom steps, you too? - I think I got it! I think i got it! Kerplunk! LOL!
Icuy: thanks for the tip on the correct usage of "baht" - one baht, two baht, one zillion baht. It's just that "bahts" make me feel richer. When the bank gave me 6558 bahtS for US $200 - wow! Can anyone not feel like a Midas?
Kathie: Yes, you're correct, everything is subject to bargaining. I'll probably get serious once it's close to the time to leave.
BTW, where is JT International located? Couldn't find it on the internet.
CFW: Many, many thanks!
Gpanda: WAS IT THE DOG? Don't tell me it was the dog. I'd be lucky if it were the dog, because then there would at least be a CAUSE.
You should see my current problems. Trying to get from one cyberpage to another may take between Tuesday and Wednesday. Then when the next cyberpage does pop up, it could be anything. Just today I clicked on a news article in Yahoo and the page that finally came up was on Google and had nothing to do with the yahoo article! Go figure!
Thanks all for your interest! I'll add more later.
I didn't know I was coming either until about a week before departure! As to time of return, uncertain, depends on what the docs over here say.
Found an XLB place here in Bangkok! More about it later.
See you when I get back? Hope so!
Tim and Liz, and jodo too: Thanks for your constant encouragement! You may regret it later! I need very little encouragement to keep writing nonsense!
Femi: on those bathroom steps, you too? - I think I got it! I think i got it! Kerplunk! LOL!
Icuy: thanks for the tip on the correct usage of "baht" - one baht, two baht, one zillion baht. It's just that "bahts" make me feel richer. When the bank gave me 6558 bahtS for US $200 - wow! Can anyone not feel like a Midas?
Kathie: Yes, you're correct, everything is subject to bargaining. I'll probably get serious once it's close to the time to leave.
BTW, where is JT International located? Couldn't find it on the internet.
CFW: Many, many thanks!
Gpanda: WAS IT THE DOG? Don't tell me it was the dog. I'd be lucky if it were the dog, because then there would at least be a CAUSE.
You should see my current problems. Trying to get from one cyberpage to another may take between Tuesday and Wednesday. Then when the next cyberpage does pop up, it could be anything. Just today I clicked on a news article in Yahoo and the page that finally came up was on Google and had nothing to do with the yahoo article! Go figure!
Thanks all for your interest! I'll add more later.
Jan 26th, 2008, 09:21 AM
#22
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Sj International. 125/8 Sawankhalok Road, Dusit, Bangkok
Call them for free transport 02-243-2446 or 02-241-5270.
No bargaining needed as long you you tell them that Kathie from Seattle sent you. Ask for Lily (even if she isn't there, they will give you the wholesale price).
It sounds like you are taking advantage of the excellent medical services at Bumrungrad. If it isn't too personal, would you mind telling us a bit about your experience? (We've used Bumrungrad for dental work for a number of years, and last trip, Cheryl had the "opportunity" to try out their urgent care services for food poisoning she picked up in Sri Lanka)
Call them for free transport 02-243-2446 or 02-241-5270.
No bargaining needed as long you you tell them that Kathie from Seattle sent you. Ask for Lily (even if she isn't there, they will give you the wholesale price).
It sounds like you are taking advantage of the excellent medical services at Bumrungrad. If it isn't too personal, would you mind telling us a bit about your experience? (We've used Bumrungrad for dental work for a number of years, and last trip, Cheryl had the "opportunity" to try out their urgent care services for food poisoning she picked up in Sri Lanka)
Jan 26th, 2008, 01:14 PM
#23
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ET
I'll be arriving in BKK late on Feb 4, if you are still in the city! You have made the right choice with Bumrungrad. I had their "executive" physical a year ago and felt very well-examined!!
I'm staying on soi 8 so am not far away. Nana is my sktrain station also!
Keep the report coming. I've "been away" lately and am just catching up on my Asia board reading.
Carol
I'll be arriving in BKK late on Feb 4, if you are still in the city! You have made the right choice with Bumrungrad. I had their "executive" physical a year ago and felt very well-examined!!
I'm staying on soi 8 so am not far away. Nana is my sktrain station also!
Keep the report coming. I've "been away" lately and am just catching up on my Asia board reading.
Carol
Jan 26th, 2008, 04:51 PM
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Kathie: Thanks for the address! I'll give them a call towards the end of my trip.
As for medical, not at all, I'll be happy to furnish all the gory details, except the most personal ones.
simpson: I've seen a lot of your posts on here and would love to be able to meet you here in Bangkok! We still have time to set things up.
I just had their Comprehensive (more on this later) and you're correct it was very thorough.
johnfitz: You're partially correct. This is my first solo trip to Bangkok. I'm supposed to meet a friend of mine somewhere in SE Asia - we're still trying to work things out.
I've been to Bangkok before several times on business trips. SE Asia was supposed to be my "territory" but when the China trade exploded I was pulled away and told to "do China".
Thanks for your kind comments on my TR!
As for medical, not at all, I'll be happy to furnish all the gory details, except the most personal ones.
simpson: I've seen a lot of your posts on here and would love to be able to meet you here in Bangkok! We still have time to set things up.
I just had their Comprehensive (more on this later) and you're correct it was very thorough.
johnfitz: You're partially correct. This is my first solo trip to Bangkok. I'm supposed to meet a friend of mine somewhere in SE Asia - we're still trying to work things out.
I've been to Bangkok before several times on business trips. SE Asia was supposed to be my "territory" but when the China trade exploded I was pulled away and told to "do China".
Thanks for your kind comments on my TR!
Jan 26th, 2008, 06:07 PM
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Night Two: another restless night with about one hour sleep. After all, I'd sleep away the entire afternoon and part of the evening!
Starring blank-eyed at the TV I'm struck by the differences in coverage of the same event:
BBC: Egyptians allow Gazans to purchase essential items
CNN: Border clashes in Gaza result in 20 injuries
Al Jazeera: Story of one young man who is ecstatic over being to get necessary supplies, such as medicine, for his family back in Gaza.
Last night I had been able to see only a few channels before falling asleep. Tonight the panoply of stations reveals a Japanese station, a Hindu station (at least i think it's Hindu, but maybe it's Urdu), a Chinese station, Al Jazeera in Arabic, France3, DW-TV, and several Thai stations.
Thank goodness there's no Girls Gone Wild, religious monologues, or infomercials!
The silliest thing on late night Thai TV so far is a T-Rex let loose in New York and chasing what's-his-name and what's-her-name all over town.
If you become an insomniac like me and have your biological clock all turned around, be assured that there's lots of good entertainment on Thai TV at night and it's also a good time to practise your French, German, Arabic, or Thai!
Day Two: Breakfast starts at 6am but I'm down so early they haven't set all the breakfast things in place yet. Starved! As they bring out the fruit, i down one plate. Have two eggs sunny side up, two cups of rice porridge, two glasses of juice, and whatever else I can lay my hands on.
The slim Thai staff looks on with curiosity.
Back upstairs, I've got this T-Rex of my own called the internet. BEEEG struggle and it crashes! I call downstairs and they send a diverse number of folks up to try and fix the darn thing. I read all the newspapers while they work. Still no go. I wash all my clothes. Still no go. Finally they put me on the wireless and disconnect the landline.
By then it's time for my first appointment at Bumrungrad Hospital. Negotiating my way to the Dental Clinic becomes a hike into the unknown.
My hotel is facing only a very small part of Bumrungrad hospital (BH from now on). There are at least 4 large towers behind the one facing Soi 1. The newest is 21 stories high! Although there are signs everywhere there's no rhyme nor reason to the arrangement. The Dental Clinic is situated behind the Heart Center! (is there a message here?)
The waiting room is 3/4 full and, although the reception staff is the soul of courtesy, nevertheless they are harassed and a bit tired at this point. The reception staff hardly speak above a whisper, so it becomes quite clear that the only people speaking loudly are Americans. One woman is very insistent that she HAS to have an appointment on a particular day at a particular time. The reception girl is trying very hard to accommodate her but I can see her eyes beginning to glaze over from struggling to make herself clear in English and dealing with an overbearing patient. Of course, no Fodorite would ever behave like this!
They can't find my paperwork. They find my paperwork. They have me sign my life away on a disclaimer form. Finally, after almost an hour past the appointment time, I'm in a dental chair and seeing a dentist. He goes over my mouth carefully then has x-rays taken. The x-ray machine isn't the latest in technology, but it's fine. In fact, of all of the various facilities at BH, the Dental Clinic was the least impressive - which is NOT to downgrade BH in the least!
Back with the dentist, the x-rays are arranged on a screen and it becomes obvious that no one knows which x-ray goes with which side of the mouth! "Open" and i "opened" my mouth, a spate of Thai follows with the x-rays being artfully rearranged - "Open"... After about a dozen "open"s they seemed to have finally figured out which x-ray goes where.
"This tooth on the right...ummm, left..."
So here's a tip: if you are going to the Dental Clinic, get a morning appointment.
At 3 or 4 in the late afternoon, these medical people are not at their best. It's not their fault. They keep up a grueling pace where even a US Marine would falter. They see patient after patient after patient in a neverending stream and have to come up with the correct diagnosis within minutes. Almost every patient is a new patient, so the doctor/dentist has no prior history to go on. They are truly remarkable professionals. That's because throughout any examination or medical procedure, they are unfailingly polite and solicitous.
4:30pm and I'm finally out of the Dental Clinic with a couple of appointments for specific dental needs. I take the free time to go and make a few more medical appointments.
For the physical: "Can you come back at 7:30am tomorrow morning?" Yes, of course! "Do not eat or drink anything after midnight until your appointment."
5:30 pm I'm out of BH and starving. After breakfast at 6am, my stomach has had nothing else to work on.
Back on the skyway and back to MBK. Ah, have you forgotten? I need a clock!
After another $1.30 dinner - chicken this time - I finally find the knickknacks corner and manage to negotiate (half-heartedly) a woman down from 100 baht to 80 baht for a cheap plastic table clock. "75 baht!" "Sir (eveyone is a sir), it is only 5 baht!"
OK, methinks, if I give you the additional 5 bahts you will have to suffer through my counting in Thai! "Nung, sang, sam..." She giggles and corrects me. "Ngung, sang [rising tone]..." We go through 1-10 in Thai several times, both giggling and laughing. We part great friends! Ha! cheap Thai lesson for 5 baht!
It's already 8:30pm and as i head back to the skyway station, there - lo and behold! - is a restaurant "Shanghai Xiao Lung Bao". Shanghainese, this one is for you!
How can one pass this up? Inside there are steamer baskets of this dumpling being served! gotta try this!
Wish it were a good experience, but it was not! The dumplings appeared to have been made yesterday and frozen and then thawed for today. The dough in the "topknot" part was dry and hard, indigestible, so i just bit it off. Six dumplings to a basket and the first two come with the bottoms torn so the juice has all leaked out. No good. Moreover, they were undercooked. In conclusion, the filling was so-so, the skin too thick, and the juice was the best part - if there were any left! the vinegar - blechhhh!!!
For 77 baht I'd much prefer the Thai food on level 6, so much tastier.
On the way to the skyway station, i attempt a different route than the one through the department store. Well, it's a good route except - watch out! - there's that 2-3 inch difference in height again and it isn't even my bathroom! Caught completely by surprise I fall on my hands and knees in front of some Muslim men. They are all solicitous "are you all right?" BUT no one touches me to help me up. Curiously i prefer this treatment.
Back at the hotel for another insomniac's night in front of the TV.
My apologies to the Grammar Police and the Spelling Police for any and all errors. They are all my own.
Starring blank-eyed at the TV I'm struck by the differences in coverage of the same event:
BBC: Egyptians allow Gazans to purchase essential items
CNN: Border clashes in Gaza result in 20 injuries
Al Jazeera: Story of one young man who is ecstatic over being to get necessary supplies, such as medicine, for his family back in Gaza.
Last night I had been able to see only a few channels before falling asleep. Tonight the panoply of stations reveals a Japanese station, a Hindu station (at least i think it's Hindu, but maybe it's Urdu), a Chinese station, Al Jazeera in Arabic, France3, DW-TV, and several Thai stations.
Thank goodness there's no Girls Gone Wild, religious monologues, or infomercials!
The silliest thing on late night Thai TV so far is a T-Rex let loose in New York and chasing what's-his-name and what's-her-name all over town.
If you become an insomniac like me and have your biological clock all turned around, be assured that there's lots of good entertainment on Thai TV at night and it's also a good time to practise your French, German, Arabic, or Thai!
Day Two: Breakfast starts at 6am but I'm down so early they haven't set all the breakfast things in place yet. Starved! As they bring out the fruit, i down one plate. Have two eggs sunny side up, two cups of rice porridge, two glasses of juice, and whatever else I can lay my hands on.
The slim Thai staff looks on with curiosity.
Back upstairs, I've got this T-Rex of my own called the internet. BEEEG struggle and it crashes! I call downstairs and they send a diverse number of folks up to try and fix the darn thing. I read all the newspapers while they work. Still no go. I wash all my clothes. Still no go. Finally they put me on the wireless and disconnect the landline.
By then it's time for my first appointment at Bumrungrad Hospital. Negotiating my way to the Dental Clinic becomes a hike into the unknown.
My hotel is facing only a very small part of Bumrungrad hospital (BH from now on). There are at least 4 large towers behind the one facing Soi 1. The newest is 21 stories high! Although there are signs everywhere there's no rhyme nor reason to the arrangement. The Dental Clinic is situated behind the Heart Center! (is there a message here?)
The waiting room is 3/4 full and, although the reception staff is the soul of courtesy, nevertheless they are harassed and a bit tired at this point. The reception staff hardly speak above a whisper, so it becomes quite clear that the only people speaking loudly are Americans. One woman is very insistent that she HAS to have an appointment on a particular day at a particular time. The reception girl is trying very hard to accommodate her but I can see her eyes beginning to glaze over from struggling to make herself clear in English and dealing with an overbearing patient. Of course, no Fodorite would ever behave like this!
They can't find my paperwork. They find my paperwork. They have me sign my life away on a disclaimer form. Finally, after almost an hour past the appointment time, I'm in a dental chair and seeing a dentist. He goes over my mouth carefully then has x-rays taken. The x-ray machine isn't the latest in technology, but it's fine. In fact, of all of the various facilities at BH, the Dental Clinic was the least impressive - which is NOT to downgrade BH in the least!
Back with the dentist, the x-rays are arranged on a screen and it becomes obvious that no one knows which x-ray goes with which side of the mouth! "Open" and i "opened" my mouth, a spate of Thai follows with the x-rays being artfully rearranged - "Open"... After about a dozen "open"s they seemed to have finally figured out which x-ray goes where.
"This tooth on the right...ummm, left..."
So here's a tip: if you are going to the Dental Clinic, get a morning appointment.
At 3 or 4 in the late afternoon, these medical people are not at their best. It's not their fault. They keep up a grueling pace where even a US Marine would falter. They see patient after patient after patient in a neverending stream and have to come up with the correct diagnosis within minutes. Almost every patient is a new patient, so the doctor/dentist has no prior history to go on. They are truly remarkable professionals. That's because throughout any examination or medical procedure, they are unfailingly polite and solicitous.
4:30pm and I'm finally out of the Dental Clinic with a couple of appointments for specific dental needs. I take the free time to go and make a few more medical appointments.
For the physical: "Can you come back at 7:30am tomorrow morning?" Yes, of course! "Do not eat or drink anything after midnight until your appointment."
5:30 pm I'm out of BH and starving. After breakfast at 6am, my stomach has had nothing else to work on.
Back on the skyway and back to MBK. Ah, have you forgotten? I need a clock!
After another $1.30 dinner - chicken this time - I finally find the knickknacks corner and manage to negotiate (half-heartedly) a woman down from 100 baht to 80 baht for a cheap plastic table clock. "75 baht!" "Sir (eveyone is a sir), it is only 5 baht!"
OK, methinks, if I give you the additional 5 bahts you will have to suffer through my counting in Thai! "Nung, sang, sam..." She giggles and corrects me. "Ngung, sang [rising tone]..." We go through 1-10 in Thai several times, both giggling and laughing. We part great friends! Ha! cheap Thai lesson for 5 baht!
It's already 8:30pm and as i head back to the skyway station, there - lo and behold! - is a restaurant "Shanghai Xiao Lung Bao". Shanghainese, this one is for you!
How can one pass this up? Inside there are steamer baskets of this dumpling being served! gotta try this!
Wish it were a good experience, but it was not! The dumplings appeared to have been made yesterday and frozen and then thawed for today. The dough in the "topknot" part was dry and hard, indigestible, so i just bit it off. Six dumplings to a basket and the first two come with the bottoms torn so the juice has all leaked out. No good. Moreover, they were undercooked. In conclusion, the filling was so-so, the skin too thick, and the juice was the best part - if there were any left! the vinegar - blechhhh!!!
For 77 baht I'd much prefer the Thai food on level 6, so much tastier.
On the way to the skyway station, i attempt a different route than the one through the department store. Well, it's a good route except - watch out! - there's that 2-3 inch difference in height again and it isn't even my bathroom! Caught completely by surprise I fall on my hands and knees in front of some Muslim men. They are all solicitous "are you all right?" BUT no one touches me to help me up. Curiously i prefer this treatment.
Back at the hotel for another insomniac's night in front of the TV.
My apologies to the Grammar Police and the Spelling Police for any and all errors. They are all my own.
Jan 27th, 2008, 06:50 PM
#30
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Kathie, the next segment is for you and for others who want to try BH. Will try to give as much info as possible on the medical tourism part. However, I have to wear a cold ice pack over my eyes for 48 hours after minor cosmetic surgery, so will check in later when my eyes can get unglued from the blood and mucus. Tata! till then!
Jan 28th, 2008, 01:40 AM
#33
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Medical Tourism or the BH experience.
Days 3-6. will have to divide this into medical categories rather than by day.
PHYSICAL (checkup): four categories - "Regular", "Executive", "Executive with Stress Test", and "Comprehensive (over 40).
"Regular" consists of : Vital Signs and Physical Examination; Blood Tests - complete Blood count (CBC), Fasting Blood Sugar, Lipids (Fats) Profile [the cholesterols]; Gout Uric Acid; Liver Function Panel - SGOT (AST) and SGPT (ALT) only; Urine EAMKINATION: Stool Examination with Occult Blood; and Chest x-ray. 2,600 baht.
Days 3-6. will have to divide this into medical categories rather than by day.
PHYSICAL (checkup): four categories - "Regular", "Executive", "Executive with Stress Test", and "Comprehensive (over 40).
"Regular" consists of : Vital Signs and Physical Examination; Blood Tests - complete Blood count (CBC), Fasting Blood Sugar, Lipids (Fats) Profile [the cholesterols]; Gout Uric Acid; Liver Function Panel - SGOT (AST) and SGPT (ALT) only; Urine EAMKINATION: Stool Examination with Occult Blood; and Chest x-ray. 2,600 baht.
Jan 28th, 2008, 01:44 AM
#34
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Sorry, have to type this segments again, because the internet keeps bopping out.
"Executive" includes all of the above plus -
Liver Function Panel also has Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP); Eelctrocardiiogram (EKG); Ultrasound Whole Abdomen [men and women], PAP Smear and Pelvic Exam (Female only) (Yes, guys! I hear your sigh of relief!).
Executive with Stress Test" includes all of "Executive: plus -
Exercise Stress Test (EST) or Echocardiogram but leaves out the PAP Smear.
"Executive" includes all of the above plus -
Liver Function Panel also has Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP); Eelctrocardiiogram (EKG); Ultrasound Whole Abdomen [men and women], PAP Smear and Pelvic Exam (Female only) (Yes, guys! I hear your sigh of relief!).
Executive with Stress Test" includes all of "Executive: plus -
Exercise Stress Test (EST) or Echocardiogram but leaves out the PAP Smear.
Jan 28th, 2008, 01:49 AM
#36
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"Comprehensive (Over 40)" includes everything in the Executive categories plus -
the Liver function Panel has added Total Bilirubin, Albumin, Globulin as well as Gamma GT (GGT); Tyroid Panel TSH and Free T4; Hepatitis Screening; Tumor Markers - CEA for GI Cancer, AFP for Liver Cancer, PSA for Prostate Cancer; Digital Mammogram with Ultrasound Breast (Femail Over 40); Eye exam (Acuity and Tonometry). Male 13,000 baht. Female 15,300 baht. Female Under 40 11,500 baht.
the Liver function Panel has added Total Bilirubin, Albumin, Globulin as well as Gamma GT (GGT); Tyroid Panel TSH and Free T4; Hepatitis Screening; Tumor Markers - CEA for GI Cancer, AFP for Liver Cancer, PSA for Prostate Cancer; Digital Mammogram with Ultrasound Breast (Femail Over 40); Eye exam (Acuity and Tonometry). Male 13,000 baht. Female 15,300 baht. Female Under 40 11,500 baht.
Jan 28th, 2008, 01:58 AM
#37
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Personal experience on the Physical Exam: awesome!
Of course I don't have much to compare it with, since my habit was to avoid doctors at whatever cost and at one time even stayed away for an 8-year stretch which resulted in much tsk-tsking from my personal doc!
Arrived early at 7:30am and pretty much spent the rest of the day at the hospital. Saw an amazing variety of patients arrive that morning: a Buddhist monk in saffron robe, several Arabs in flowing white gowns and a variety of headdresses, lots of Muslim women floating alongside, farangis, Thais, Indians with their women in saris - a veritable United Nations of patients!
Eventually, we all ended up in one area and were all given the same outfit to wear: a tan pants matching with a tan top. At that point the United Nations feeling disappeared and we were all just heaps of sand sitting around waiting to be called. Guess it really shows how similar we all are after all!
Tip: if you are going to get a physical at BH, make an early morning appointment. Far less stressful.
Of course I don't have much to compare it with, since my habit was to avoid doctors at whatever cost and at one time even stayed away for an 8-year stretch which resulted in much tsk-tsking from my personal doc!
Arrived early at 7:30am and pretty much spent the rest of the day at the hospital. Saw an amazing variety of patients arrive that morning: a Buddhist monk in saffron robe, several Arabs in flowing white gowns and a variety of headdresses, lots of Muslim women floating alongside, farangis, Thais, Indians with their women in saris - a veritable United Nations of patients!
Eventually, we all ended up in one area and were all given the same outfit to wear: a tan pants matching with a tan top. At that point the United Nations feeling disappeared and we were all just heaps of sand sitting around waiting to be called. Guess it really shows how similar we all are after all!
Tip: if you are going to get a physical at BH, make an early morning appointment. Far less stressful.
Jan 28th, 2008, 02:11 AM
#38
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The Physical was well worth it for me because the BH doctors found things that my US docs had not last year. I got to go for extra tests beyond the Comprehensive and got a lot of additional info.
DENTAL - both of my appointments were in the afternoon and both were more B level experiences rather than the A+ level of the Physical.
I had a broken tooth (with root canals) way in the back of my mouth and after the discussion with the initial dentist, it was decided that this tooth had to come out.
Pulling a tooth is bad enough, but pulling a broken tooth with lots of hardened gummy stuff replacing the nerves turned into a herculean struggle. A new dentist greeted me the next day and he also had two helpers. They were all laughing and giggling in Thai at the beginning, but as the grim task wore on, they all became very silent. The silence was punctuated only by the sighs of the dentists interspersed with a few grunts.
The second dentist couldn't get a good grasp on the broken tooth as it started to splinter and break off in pieces. At one stage a broken piece was so lodged in my throat that I was choking and gagging. I motioned him that I needed to sit up. Right move but also wrong move. With the amount of anesthesia, I was slack-jawed and so managed to dribble a lot of blood right onto my pants and even on the floor! Whatta mess!
As the second dentist chipped away at the pieces, I thought Michelangelo he definitely is not!
At the end of this herculean exercise, he was sitting in his chair with his arms hanging at his sides completely exhausted.
Miraculously there was little swelling afterwards and very little pain. So, Hercules he was, but not Michelangelo!
DENTAL - both of my appointments were in the afternoon and both were more B level experiences rather than the A+ level of the Physical.
I had a broken tooth (with root canals) way in the back of my mouth and after the discussion with the initial dentist, it was decided that this tooth had to come out.
Pulling a tooth is bad enough, but pulling a broken tooth with lots of hardened gummy stuff replacing the nerves turned into a herculean struggle. A new dentist greeted me the next day and he also had two helpers. They were all laughing and giggling in Thai at the beginning, but as the grim task wore on, they all became very silent. The silence was punctuated only by the sighs of the dentists interspersed with a few grunts.
The second dentist couldn't get a good grasp on the broken tooth as it started to splinter and break off in pieces. At one stage a broken piece was so lodged in my throat that I was choking and gagging. I motioned him that I needed to sit up. Right move but also wrong move. With the amount of anesthesia, I was slack-jawed and so managed to dribble a lot of blood right onto my pants and even on the floor! Whatta mess!
As the second dentist chipped away at the pieces, I thought Michelangelo he definitely is not!
At the end of this herculean exercise, he was sitting in his chair with his arms hanging at his sides completely exhausted.
Miraculously there was little swelling afterwards and very little pain. So, Hercules he was, but not Michelangelo!
Jan 28th, 2008, 02:18 AM
#39
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EYE EXAM - which was part of the Comprehensive Exam.
The optometrist was a jolly fellow. He said "You need new glasses". Well, I knew that before even seeing him.
THEN he said, " Go to the area around Asia Hotel near the MBK. There are lots of places where you can get glasses inexpensively, you don't have to pay the BH prices. Near the Asia Hotel is the best place in Bangkok to get good glasses - progressives - for a smaller price."
I asked what a "smaller price" meant, and he said "Around 2000 baht for nice glasses - progressives."
I can't decide whether this optomitrist was doing me a favor or just being lazy. Anyhow, I'm going to the Asia Hotel area later this week to check things out.
The optometrist was a jolly fellow. He said "You need new glasses". Well, I knew that before even seeing him.
THEN he said, " Go to the area around Asia Hotel near the MBK. There are lots of places where you can get glasses inexpensively, you don't have to pay the BH prices. Near the Asia Hotel is the best place in Bangkok to get good glasses - progressives - for a smaller price."
I asked what a "smaller price" meant, and he said "Around 2000 baht for nice glasses - progressives."
I can't decide whether this optomitrist was doing me a favor or just being lazy. Anyhow, I'm going to the Asia Hotel area later this week to check things out.
Jan 28th, 2008, 02:41 AM
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MINOR COSMETIC SURGERY
My family said: "Why don't you...since you are already there." And so I did.
I had two of the puffballs of fat under the eyes removed.
OMIGOSH, this must rank as one of the scariest experiences in my entire life.
The procedure is to make two slits right underneath the lower eyelids. From these slits the puffballs are removed. Because of the location of the cuts, there are no visible scars left on the face. Nice thought, but thoroughly scary experience. I had my eyes closed, but felt like the surgeon was blazing a trail right into my eyeballs. Must be some sort of laser treatment. Had my eyes closed, but could smell something burning and it definitely was not Thai cooking!
The entire procedure is an outpatient procedure and takes 45-60 minutes. I was treated like royalty - wheeled here, wheeled there, the operating room was immaculate, then wheeled into the recovery room and had an ice pack for another 30-60 minutes, and then wheeled to curbside. I wheedled and begged the attendant to walk me across to my hotel.
BIG TIP: If you are planning on having any kind of cosmetic surgery done, do please stay at the Unico Grande Sukhumvit. I was in absolutel no shape for a taxi ride of any sort.
How do I look? Like I've been in a fight with Mike Tyson and then went and had a couple of barroom brawls.
My family said: "Why don't you...since you are already there." And so I did.
I had two of the puffballs of fat under the eyes removed.
OMIGOSH, this must rank as one of the scariest experiences in my entire life.
The procedure is to make two slits right underneath the lower eyelids. From these slits the puffballs are removed. Because of the location of the cuts, there are no visible scars left on the face. Nice thought, but thoroughly scary experience. I had my eyes closed, but felt like the surgeon was blazing a trail right into my eyeballs. Must be some sort of laser treatment. Had my eyes closed, but could smell something burning and it definitely was not Thai cooking!
The entire procedure is an outpatient procedure and takes 45-60 minutes. I was treated like royalty - wheeled here, wheeled there, the operating room was immaculate, then wheeled into the recovery room and had an ice pack for another 30-60 minutes, and then wheeled to curbside. I wheedled and begged the attendant to walk me across to my hotel.
BIG TIP: If you are planning on having any kind of cosmetic surgery done, do please stay at the Unico Grande Sukhumvit. I was in absolutel no shape for a taxi ride of any sort.
How do I look? Like I've been in a fight with Mike Tyson and then went and had a couple of barroom brawls.
