FTM's and Transitioning

[slverwlf]

Hi,

My entire life has been and will continue to be a transition. It just is. However I started talking to a therapist about transition in January 2005. I changed my name, and started T in May of that year.
I am currently on 100mgs a week, and I don't have too much change at this point. I just see it as maintenance. I do like results when working out, which I don't do often often.
I had chest surgery in JUly of 2006, I went to a surgeon by the name of Dr. Balderrama in Lake Havasu, AZ. I was lucky that it was covered by my insurance, and that is who myself and the insurance company decided would be best. Most of the "known" surgeons would not touch insurance with a ten foot pole. Hopefully that is beginning to change some. I had my hysterectomy in December of 2007. I went to Serbia last summer for a Meta with Dr. Miro. So, I am about as done surgically as I want to be at this point. If I ever lose 70lbs, I will get revisions I am considering, but no point right now.
I run two support groups in the Tampa area, and will be graduating in December with a degree in Mental Health Counseling. I want to be a gender therapist.
If anyone ever has any questions, do not hesitate to send them in my direction. I'm an open book.

[Sam]

Ok i have a top surgeon out of Sandy Springs Ga, i have my consult with him on sept 15th, hopefully get my date for surgery before i leave the office.

this is all finally coming together nicely

[Linus]

Fingers crossed for you Sam. I think I'm going to see if I can get mine booked for Jan once I'm in L.A. and go to the same surgeon as Oop and Theo.

[theoddz]

Originally Posted by Linus

Fingers crossed for you Sam. I think I'm going to see if I can get mine booked for Jan once I'm in L.A. and go to the same surgeon as Oop and Theo.

GREAT, Linus and Sam, you're going to do it!!!!

Well, a little more than a year later, I'm doing really well. My scars have faded quite a bit and what does remain is gradually getting covered up with hair. I can't begin to tell you how much more comfortable I am since having chest surgery. These Vegas summers are absolutely *brutal* when it comes to heat, and wearing the heavy sports bras and compression shirts/binders was absolutely miserable. It really did wonders for my confidence and comfort. I'm finally feeling congruent and at peace with myself.

Once you have the surgery, it'll be relatively easy to get all of your paperwork changed...meaning gender markers, because Dr. V's letter is right on the mark. The State of Florida (of all places) accepted it and changed my birth certificate with no problems and now all of my other documentation has been fixed. Mother has been after me to take her to Ireland next year, so now I can move forward with getting a new passport.

I think you'll be seriously happy with Dr. Voloshin and his team. I don't think you could get a better surgeon with more experience than him. I liked the fact that his office and team has a "family" feel and I think he has a good feel for the FTM community. From what Koop said, he thought the same.

You're going to be pretty close to your home there, too, since Dr. V is in Newport Beach. That's another huge plus!!! I think the travel thing, along with having to spend the first one or two nights in a strange (but comfortable) bed was probably the most stressful to me.

Congrats again, Brothers!!!

~Theo~

[Sam]

Originally Posted by Linus

Fingers crossed for you Sam. I think I'm going to see if I can get mine booked for Jan once I'm in L.A. and go to the same surgeon as Oop and Theo.

Thanks Linus, im hoping for great results, fast recovery and onward with my life.

Good luck with your move.

[Paphigleo]

Hey guys...

In two weeks I have an appointment with a doc in Charlotte NC who is willing to manage and prescribe my T regimine.

This past month I did the hardest part for me so far; I told my family.

They never cease to amaze me. Little sister said, "You've always been my big brother just now it'll be official". An older sister said, "I knew it, and I think I even ASKED you a few years back but noooooo you weren't ready yet".

My mother and father and respective step-parents were all very kind and supportive.

It went so well I had to refrain from kicking myself for waiting so long out of fear!

At any rate, my first appointment is Sept 8th. I am getting more excited with each passing day. I will be submitting to insurance but am doubtful of coverage. I'm prepared to just suck up the costs.

This is my gift to myself. I already quite smoking, been building a routine with working out. Dropping the unhealthy weight I've been hiding this body under. I'm ready to become me.

Viva la Transformation

[Linus]

Originally Posted by Paphigleo

Hey guys...

In two weeks I have an appointment with a doc in Charlotte NC who is willing to manage and prescribe my T regimine.

This past month I did the hardest part for me so far; I told my family.

They never cease to amaze me. Little sister said, "You've always been my big brother just now it'll be official". An older sister said, "I knew it, and I think I even ASKED you a few years back but noooooo you weren't ready yet".

My mother and father and respective step-parents were all very kind and supportive.

It went so well I had to refrain from kicking myself for waiting so long out of fear!

At any rate, my first appointment is Sept 8th. I am getting more excited with each passing day. I will be submitting to insurance but am doubtful of coverage. I'm prepared to just suck up the costs.

This is my gift to myself. I already quite smoking, been building a routine with working out. Dropping the unhealthy weight I've been hiding this body under. I'm ready to become me.

Viva la Transformation

Congrats on starting this journey.. you must be very excited.

[Greyson]

Originally Posted by Paphigleo

Hey guys...

In two weeks I have an appointment with a doc in Charlotte NC who is willing to manage and prescribe my T regimine.

This past month I did the hardest part for me so far; I told my family.

They never cease to amaze me. Little sister said, "You've always been my big brother just now it'll be official". An older sister said, "I knew it, and I think I even ASKED you a few years back but noooooo you weren't ready yet".

My mother and father and respective step-parents were all very kind and supportive.

It went so well I had to refrain from kicking myself for waiting so long out of fear!

At any rate, my first appointment is Sept 8th. I am getting more excited with each passing day. I will be submitting to insurance but am doubtful of coverage. I'm prepared to just suck up the costs.

This is my gift to myself. I already quite smoking, been building a routine with working out. Dropping the unhealthy weight I've been hiding this body under. I'm ready to become me.

Viva la Transformation

Congratulations. Don't be too hard on yourself for experiencing fear. You're human. I like your use of the word "Transformation." It speaks to me. I believe all of us are so much more than just our bodies. Yes, we strive to have self determination of our bodies and how we choose to express our gender. We also have other deminsions of who we are and when one of us moves forward, we all move a bit more forward.

[Leigh]

Just a *bump* and an update too

I went to see My doctor today and we talked more about My childhood and teenage years, how things were at home and how gender played a role in My everyday life. I filled out a couple of forms to consent that I know the effects and possible side effects of testosterone, then he scheduled Me for two future appointments ........ September 24th for complete bloodwork, then October 1st for a physical exam.

Then the doc said something that not only floored Me but has put Me in the best mood possible ........ if the bloodwork and physical exam are both positive and nothing is wrong, then on October 1st I will begin taking testosterone

Talk about Me being one happy guy right now ~ I never, ever expected things to go this fast but I'm not complaining at all

[theoddz]

Originally Posted by Paphigleo

Hey guys...

In two weeks I have an appointment with a doc in Charlotte NC who is willing to manage and prescribe my T regimine.

This past month I did the hardest part for me so far; I told my family.

They never cease to amaze me. Little sister said, "You've always been my big brother just now it'll be official". An older sister said, "I knew it, and I think I even ASKED you a few years back but noooooo you weren't ready yet".

My mother and father and respective step-parents were all very kind and supportive.

It went so well I had to refrain from kicking myself for waiting so long out of fear!

At any rate, my first appointment is Sept 8th. I am getting more excited with each passing day. I will be submitting to insurance but am doubtful of coverage. I'm prepared to just suck up the costs.

This is my gift to myself. I already quite smoking, been building a routine with working out. Dropping the unhealthy weight I've been hiding this body under. I'm ready to become me.

Viva la Transformation

Hey there!!! Good for you!!!

Even better that you've got such a loving and encouraging support system in place. So many guys don't have that and I think it's really heartening when a brother does get that kind of unconditional love from those dear to him.

Now, prepare for the ride of your life!!! May it be enlightening, soul-freeing and fun!!!

Best wishes,
~Theo~

[The Oopster]

Originally Posted by theoddz

GREAT, Linus and Sam, you're going to do it!!!!

Well, a little more than a year later, I'm doing really well. My scars have faded quite a bit and what does remain is gradually getting covered up with hair. I can't begin to tell you how much more comfortable I am since having chest surgery. These Vegas summers are absolutely *brutal* when it comes to heat, and wearing the heavy sports bras and compression shirts/binders was absolutely miserable. It really did wonders for my confidence and comfort. I'm finally feeling congruent and at peace with myself.

I here ya on summers being brutal. I don't think I could have survived another and this one has actually been pretty tame. I can't wait to see what my scars look like in a year ... there are already a couple small spots that are pretty faded compared to the rest. Unfortunately i don't think i'll have chest hairs to help ... not even an orphan hair here or there Neither my dad or brother have much and I don't remember my grandpa being overly hairy either, so doesn't surprise me.

Originally Posted by theoddz

I think you'll be seriously happy with Dr. Voloshin and his team. I don't think you could get a better surgeon with more experience than him. I liked the fact that his office and team has a "family" feel and I think he has a good feel for the FTM community. From what Koop said, he thought the same.

I'm totally glad I went with him. I had a friend who went with alter and seems happy with his results but I'm still glad I went with voloshin. I probably would have checked out alter but my friend said there was a charge for the consultation .. and voloshins was free. Also voloshin would have tried to put in through insurance ... I may have gotten it covered ... it definitely has helped my neck pain ... but personally chose not to because of some personal complications.

Originally Posted by theoddz

You're going to be pretty close to your home there, too, since Dr. V is in Newport Beach. That's another huge plus!!! I think the travel thing, along with having to spend the first one or two nights in a strange (but comfortable) bed was probably the most stressful to me.

Congrats again, Brothers!!!

~Theo~

If someone can be within an hour or so of your dr i definitely recommend it. I would still recommend staying close the first night .. i couldn't imagine traveling more then a few minutes by car the day of surgery. I actually found the first night not being at home was helpful .. no distractions .. albe to just rest ... the next day though it was nice to ony have an hour drive. also it was good to be able to drive home that day. I probably felt the best the day after ... two, three, and four days after were my hardest so I'm glad i didn't have to travel home on them and that I was home for them.

Originally Posted by Paphigleo

Hey guys...

In two weeks I have an appointment with a doc in Charlotte NC who is willing to manage and prescribe my T regimine.

This past month I did the hardest part for me so far; I told my family.

They never cease to amaze me. Little sister said, "You've always been my big brother just now it'll be official". An older sister said, "I knew it, and I think I even ASKED you a few years back but noooooo you weren't ready yet".

My mother and father and respective step-parents were all very kind and supportive.

It went so well I had to refrain from kicking myself for waiting so long out of fear!

At any rate, my first appointment is Sept 8th. I am getting more excited with each passing day. I will be submitting to insurance but am doubtful of coverage. I'm prepared to just suck up the costs.

This is my gift to myself. I already quite smoking, been building a routine with working out. Dropping the unhealthy weight I've been hiding this body under. I'm ready to become me.

Viva la Transformation

congrats ... and i'm so glad your family is so supportive. My parents haven't been too bad .. but next month when i meet up with them i'm going to have to talk with my dad about it more. Right now I feel like their "little secret." Sometimes that is hard yet i really don't want them to have to put up with peoples stupitity unless they are really onboard with it. We live thousands a miles apart and it different environments.