post-transition

[post-transition]

Hello idk if will be answered, but I just discovered that you need a "healthy bmi" in order to get sex reassignment surgery and it's really upsetting for me since I'm extremely overweight and have never been able to lose weight... I don't know what to do. Would I be denied hormones if I'm overweight?

Depends on where you’re from probably, but I’ve seen plenty of obese people here start HRT. I haven’t personally heard of anyone being denied HRT due to their weight. Surgery I have.

[post-transition]

I had to switch to injections a few months ago, and though I'm definitely better with the sight if needles than I used to be, every now and then something happens that freaks me out. Perfect example, and the real question -- how normal is it to occasionally have a lot of blood (more than a slight pin prick) come back at you after injection? Everything seems fine now but I'd like to prepare myself for it if it's a thing.

It’s normal! It’s possible to go through a vein or something that causes more bleeding than you’re used to. It won’t be a “wasted” injection or anything. Though I’d say the vast majority of my injections don’t bleed at all. I have had blood squirt out once though and, as alarming as it was, I was completely fine.

[post-transition]

Hello, I've been interested in getting a phalloplasty in the future, but I havent been able to find a source that says when the finished product is fully useable (like to pee and have sex). Does anyone have an idea when a phalloplasty job is fully healed/able to do things like urinate and use with intercourse?

I would honestly recommend contacting the offices of various surgeons to ask. I can make my own guesses but I don’t want to mislead you because I honestly don’t know. 

You can make a transbucket account and contact people there. http://www.phallo.net also has some resources that may help.

Anyone have input?

[post-transition]

Thank you so much for this blog. I'm pushing 30 and still haven't come out because i'm a very overthinking and anxious person so obviously i haven't started transition yet and some days are really tough. Positive messages and information like the ones on your blog really help me and right now they're all i have. So thank you again for this and for the work you put into it.

Much love and good vibes your way! Fortunately there are communities online if you look for them. We know how difficult it can be and there are plenty of us out there who are more than happy to give you company or reassurance. 

[post-transition]

what's the difference between metiodioplasty and phalloplasty? I saw your bottom surgery post and you referenced them as 2 different things

They’re two different procedures. Hudson’s Guide’s page about it  (link here) is very informative. In short, a metiodioplasty is your natural anatomy altered to create a microphallus while a skin graft is used to construct a phallus in phalloplasty. 

[post-transition]

My mom was with me for my surgery and I really didn't need her for more than the first two days, but I was drugged out of my mind for the next few where I watched TLC almost 24/7 and could watch the same episode without remembering it. So, if you're planning on doing anything more than basic functioning, you might want a bit more time with someone. I didn't like anyone fiddling with my drains after the first two days because they don't know how sensitive it is and it hurt so I did it alone.

Thank you for your input!

[post-transition]

For those of you who have had chest surgery, how long did you feel like you needed someone before you could go be left home alone? I know it varies from person to person but I'm curious about the general consensus.

[post-transition]

I am a 15 year old trans (ftm) in a small town, I I have an amazingly supportive girlfriend. I want to start transition now what would the first step be in a small town? And I've done a lot of research but I'm give a straight answer nor relativity consistant responses, but how much does th over all cost come too. And does insurance cover any of it. And although this is a weird question but can you have an organism once you have transitioned and have a penis?

Hey! I also came from a small town, so I have some answers that may not be very encouraging. I would recommend finding a (good) therapist if you don’t have one already. Having that resource is invaluable because of the stress and all the emotions that come with transitioning. I personally found they did not help with transitioning itself though. 

You should look into local LGBT groups if you have any, they may be able to point you in the right direction. Facebook groups are also fantastic for finding recommendations. I ultimately had to drive 2.5 hours to a doctor who would prescribe testosterone. I now go to an endocrinologist an hour drive away who has a handful of decent therapists he recommends (he requires a therapist’s letter).

 I can’t say how much the cost is because it will vary. Seeing the endocrinologist and all are considered standard doctor visits so I only had a $35 co-pay each visit and like $50 every time I go get blood drawn? My insurance has always flip-flopped with how much of my testosterone prescription they’ll cover. I use GoodRx though so it usually is about $40. It is a coupon that I’ve never had any problems with. It’s independent from insurance. Then the syringes are about a quarter each. I (should) go to the endo twice a year ($70), get blood drawn once a year ($120), and use two vials of testosterone ($200). It cost more to begin with but that’s about my annual cost, not including gas and miscellaneous expenses (syringes, alcohol wipes, etc). I went to Planned Parenthood for awhile and they operate on a sliding scale.  I think it cost about $200 to change my name and legal sex as well (including the background checks, court fees, getting new copies of my driver’s permit and other legal documents). 

And yes, post-op individuals feel full sexual sensation and can achieve orgasm. 

[post-transition]

My boyfriend is FtM, he doesn't want to have the bottom surgery just yet because he's heard rumors that he won't be able to feel sex... is that true? It's a really uncomfortable subject with him.

It is not true. In a metoidioplasty the individual is left with his birth anatomy that is modified, so feeling should be roughly the same. In a phalloplasty there are skin grafts but microsurgery is involved to ensure sexual sensation in the new phallus. There are the normal risks with surgery of course, but that’s the exception rather than the norm.

[post-transition]

This may be an odd question, but I've been told you can't legally change your gender on ID, Birth certificate etc unless you have bottom surgery. Which worries me, I'm asexual and have no desire to spend so much money on something that wouldn't really be 'used', yet have been planning to transition for 6 years now. Do you have any advice for this? I apologise if it didn't make a lot of sense.

I’m sorry, I have no idea how old this message was. I missed it somehow. I’ll answer regardless. It is not odd and is a very fair question to ask.

It depends on where you live, it varies even state by state in the US (where I am from). A “sex change operation” very well could just mean chest surgery.  I became legally male after being on testosterone for 3 or so years without undergoing any surgeries. I got a letter from my endocrinologist stating:

“[Doctor] have been a treating physician for [my name and DOB] for approximately one year. During that time [my name] has completed an appropriate evaluation and clinical treatment for gender transition to the new gender of male”

The state I was born in specifies that in order for a birth certificate to be changed, an individual’s sex needs to be changed by surgical procedure. This letter along with proof of my legal name change was apparently enough. It’s a bit vague but no one called to verify what was meant by “appropriate... clinical treatment.” Hopefully you’ll be able to have a smooth process too

[post-transition]

Tomoya Hosoda Becomes First Ever Trans Man Elected to Public Office in the World writes GayStarNews:

Tomoya Hosoda, a 25-year-old, was elected a councilor for the city of Iruma, in the central Kanto region of Japan.

A medical sciences graduate of Teikyo University, he came out as a student and transitioned quickly. He formally changed his name and gender in 2015.

Hosada was elected in one of the 22 seats for the election.

‘Until recently, people have acted as if sexual and gender minorities do not exist,’ Hosada said.

‘We have many hurdles to overcome, but I hope to live up to everyone’s expectations.’

Source

[post-transition]

this is an odd question but I'm gay and I haven't had my surgery yet but I'm worried that when my husband and i have sex i won't be able to feel anything um because i don't have a prostate. So when I get the surgery will they also give me a prostate like a cis man has?

No, unfortunately

[post-transition]

Hi, FTM 17 year-old here. I've been planning on medically transitioning for 3+ years now, but haven't started yet. The things that makes me hesitate most about transitioning is that I've never heard of/met any long term transitioners that have families, jobs, happy lives, and good mental health. Because of that, being trans doesn't seem like a "sustainable" and happy lifestyle, which frankly scares the shit out of me. Am I completely wrong this? Any advice? Thank you!

Yep, completely wrong fortunately! There’s a couple trans men fathers here on Tumblr that seem quite happy ( @transmandad and @dont-ever-show-weakness come to mind). I know several men who are married and quite happy. There are FB groups out there that have quite a few long term transitioners that post from time to time. 

It’s easy to get caught up in feeling like the future is hopeless (for anyone who is 17 really). It helps to expose yourself to happy trans people and to challenge/address negative thoughts rather than stewing in them

[post-transition]

Hi there, I'm a trans man and a father of one young son. My wife's extended family does not know I'm trans as I feel that it is an irrelevant medical detail. My son however is growing more aware of anatomy and has noticed that my anatomy is a bit different. For some reason I feel ashamed, though I know I shouldn't. I'm at a loss of how to explain this to him. Especially in a way that would prevent him from outing me to my wife's family. Kids can be blunt without really meaning to. Any thoughts?

I know @transmandad was/is in a similar position and tells his own story on his blog.  I’d suggest looking around and seeing how he handled it. He may be open to chatting with you as well, but seems busy lately. I wish you the best of luck!

[post-transition]

I'm genderfluid and getting top surgery and trying to figure out if I want to start T.would it be okay if I still followed?

There’s no criteria to follow. If you like what gets posted, go for it. I don’t look at who follows nor would I judge anyone. It’s all good.

[post-transition]

I am going to be having metaplasty in February i was wondering if anyone here has ha that done if so could you feel anything during sex did you have any kind of sensation and how long did it take to heal before you could move around comfortably? ?

I’d suggest looking in the metoidioplasty tag and reaching out to people there. A lot of people share their stories and are willing to discuss it. 

Transbucket is a great resource. You may be able to look up your surgeon and reach out to people who went to that surgeon and ask them about their results/feelings.

Unless something goes wrong, you will likely have full sensation (I’ve seen some people claim they are more sensitive). Recovery is listed as 2-4 weeks of very limited activity. Bed rest is recommended for the first 24 hours or longer.

[post-transition]

If you're a naturally hairier person before transitioning, will that necessarily carry over to after? For instance, I'm an eastern european jew who can grow some facial hair without T. Would it be that much easier for me to grow a beard on T?

I don’t believe so, no. I would say it depends on your genes and hormonal levels. I would use the men in your genetic family as a reference instead of your current amount of body and facial hair. 

Having facial hair right now might just be genetic, but may also mean your body produces a slightly higher amount of testosterone. I could speculate (probably incorrectly, just for an example) that you have a high amount of testosterone levels for a woman, which would cause excess body hair among other things. Starting a medical transition and taking testosterone would increase your testosterone to male levels (which is significantly higher), so your body would grow hair as if you were born male. Your body with hormones typical for women can be radically different than your body with hormones typical for men, so I don’t feel like I can compare them.

Personally though I can say that I had a high level of testosterone pre-transition and feel it did speed up the growth of body hair. I had a significant amount of facial hair along my jawline prior to testosterone, so I didn’t need to wait for facial hair to start growing in. I just started growing more and the existing hair started to get thicker. Hopefully that makes sense!