Transgender Support Group

I can relate to your story, the only difference is that I was 6yrs when I knew I was born in the wrong body. Your not alone.

Thanks Rhonda.
And now I'm thinking about everything and trying to figure out if I'm on the right path. I'm unsure about that, and very very confused at the moment.

There is one thing which you should think about before SRS. When the surgery is complete, you will be changed for ever. It will not grow back.

You said you were trying to figure out if you were on the right path? Figure that one out first, then think about SRS. You are young and it sounds as if you know who you are inside. And having something hang around down there, just feels so uncomfortable. However, getting rid of it will not make you a woman. That comes from inside.

Slow down and enjoy the new you. Trust me, time is the greatest teacher. Take care.

You're definitely not alone and I think you'd be surprised as to how many of us are in your situation. Besides financial reasons, I'm holding off on hormones until my wife and I have a baby.

If you are certain that this is what you want then the first thing I would do is read the Standards of Care. Here is a link.. http://wpath.org/Documents2/socv6.pdf
there is a lot of debate over whether or not they are even needed but they are good to understand no matter what. Another reason is that most surgeons who can do the surgery follow this and if they don't I wouldn't trust them. I feel that if a doctor is willing to follow these guidelines then they're looking to take care of the patient more than just take their money.

As far as hormones are concerned the best advice I can give you is to call every doctor you can including your family doctor. An endocrinologist is better because they handle hormones on a regular basis but the main reason to see a doctor is to regulate dosage and to make sure you're not having any complications. So an endocrinologist isn't exactly necessary. You simply need someone who is willing to write the prescription and monitor you for health concerns. And another thing is that unless the doctor deals with gender issues regularly then most don't understand. I would give any doctor you find a copy of the Standards of Care so that they can have an idea of what you're going through.

The surgeon is more complicated. The best I've heard of is Dr. Supporn in Thailand. It's actually cheaper in Thailand but the major problem is that if there are any complications your surgeon is on the other side of the globe. There are some good ones in the US but you need to do your research to find one that you're comfortable with and one that knows more than one technique for the surgery. After you find someone, the rest becomes easy but takes a lot longer. You save. Most surgeons want full payment up front so this may take some time. Beyond cutting back on things you don't need and saving; ask for the money. Ask anyone and I mean anyone..friends, family...anyone. All they can do is say no.

The waiting is going to be the hardest part. You can not let it get to you, though. If you do then you won't be able to focus on the things you need to do to make these things happen.

I know this is long winded but I hope it helps answer some of your questions. Good luck and I hope everything does work out for you.

Hi Silver

I also couldn't find anyone competent to deal with my gender identity and transition issues when I first started out. I ended up counselling with a psychiatrist that I contact online, and the counselling sessions are done over the phone. It isn't as ideal as a face to face arrangement, but it was a good working compromise solution for me.

The link to this sight and Dr. Carl Bushong, or Dr. B as he suggests I call him is www.transgendercare.com. Dr. B or somebody like him will be able to help you with the hormones and advice and information about surgery later on. I happen to get all my hormones online from an international pharmacy company. It isn't as unrealistically expensive as you might think.

I am towards the end of my transition, and will be going to Thailand in November for sexual reassignment surgery. I have found Dr. B to know what he is talking about, and it has made a huge difference to me. I know of at least one other psychiatrist or counsellor who also works with people in transition this way, it is a female counsellor, but I don't know her contact information.

You need time to go through things. No matter how much information you get, you still need to live through the changes and become who you really are. I found this process to be a very joyous one, but also very confusing and frustrating at times. Anybody can take some hormones and go and have surgery, but that doesn't mean that they will have really changed in the ways that matter. The real transition takes place in your mind and heart. If you don't get that, going through the physical changes is meaningless and will eventually make you unhappy.

Good Luck
Symantha

Hi Silverdream,
I can understand what you are going through, for many years I have been trying to understand my feelings about myself of who I am and what I am including the failures of what my body was trying to tell me after all these years. I agree with everyone here about getting your facts and research. For myself I have started my research since October of last year and I am still doing my research as of today. It is a long journey to transitioning. I have spoken to theropists, doctors and others about the details involved. Learn the ins, outs and the advantages and disadvantages. ( the must know) learn about everything now, not later, you could run into trouble. People here can help you out to a certain point, but listen to the advice of your doctors when you impliment the process. You do what is comfortable for you. Set up your small goals first to work up to the ultimate goal. Most of all do not get discourage, you will run into some set backs which is part of life.... Keep us posted and do not stop researching you might find something different along your path that you might like better to reach your goal... :)

All I really want to say is thanks everyone.

I guess I'm just really scared about getting made fun of, especially at work. So far, everyone has been super awesome with everything. I'm certainly worried, but I have been for a long time as I've repressed the feminine side of me. I did have one friend say that even though I don't have the female genitals, I do have all the other great feminine qualities.

I guess what my primary concern is that the management at my current job will treat me so radically differently that I'll be forced to quit or get fired. However, I know I am protected by state law in that matter.

I have done a ton of research, and have several websites bookmarked simply for the reason of me going back to reread the information contained. It's only been a short while since I fully realized who I am and what the implications mean, and that may be the problem. However, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually I am more female than anyone can ever realize.

Once again, thanks for the help and support. Maybe I'll get a picture of me up on here showing how I look dressed the way I should be.

I understand where your coming from.

My friend and I are both the same, we live in Nebraska in the panhandle and the only people that can help us are in omoha. We discovered that we where Trans by the time we could Identify gender, which was also around 8yrs. We're here for u chika ;)

FTM tristan
FTM Taylor

Once again, I'd like the say thanks to everyone. You all have been super helpful and nice, it's more than I could ever expect.

My mind keeps tossing back and forth on the matter. Some moments, I'm super secure in becoming female. Other times I feel like I'm not getting enough support from certain of my friends. I do have a wonderful support group of friends and family, but some of them have always treated me different than I want. I have a friend that refuses to give me any advice, saying it's a path I have to decide on. I understand and realize this, but I'm super close with her and want to know what she personally thinks.

I guess that since this is such a huge, major choice that only I can make, I'm really scared. Either path I take branches into two other paths, and all four are really scary to me. I'll either be uncomfortable with my body and have no self esteem, or comfortable with myself with a ton of self esteem but ostracized for the gender I was born as. I just wish I didn't have to make this choice - that I was born a female. That would make things so much easier.