an-awfully-big-transventure

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T Anon, @3liza posted this and it’s good

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to all trans dudes out there trying to grow facial hair, unfortunately the beard bros are right. you should get a beard/face wash and use it daily (if not 2x daily), exfoliate 2x weekly, and use a beard oil or balm. using a wooden comb actually does keep it from sticking out everywhere as opposed to a plastic comb. you should be trimming it, roughly weekly. and if you can only grow a goatee or something (like me, thanks genetics) then shave the rest of it smooth. this stuff really does help your appearance and keeps it from getting obscenely itchy while its growing. it sounds like douchebag advice but it really does work

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Top Surgery Planner!

Hey all, this is a link to the editable top surgery (removal) planning binder I created for my top surgery this past summer. It features 13 pages of content such as the ones shown below.

All medical content was reviewed by my surgeon for my surgery. It can and should be verified with your surgeon and edited as appropriate for your own.

I would appreciate this being shared as I think it’s a helpful resource for planning and preparing

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Free Trans Resources public spreadsheet

Please reblog!

As promised in the comments of the binder master list, I'm now compiling a more all-encompassing free resource public spreadsheet! So far I've got resources for binders, packers, STP devices, gaffs/tucking underwear, gender-affirming clothing, some DIY gender-affirming gear, and some resources on how to clean that gear and how to clean up makeup spills. I'll try to keep expanding things, and feel free to request a type of resource or a specific location in the comments or in an ask! (I can't promise I'll be able to find anything, but I'll do my best! <3)

The spreadsheet is called "Study sheet" to make it more inconspicuous in case someone you'd rather didn't catches a glimpse of the title. Do please note that once you're on the spreadsheet it is very obvious what the content is, so only view it when it's safe for you to do so! <3

Before you click on the link to the spreadsheet:

Some links to videos on how to conceal and delete your history for those who need it (blue text indicates a link)

How to Clear your Youtube watch history (kinda loud at the start and actual info starts at about 1:33

How to Remove Shared Files from Google Drive

how to activate incognito mode on an Iphone , on an Android phone and on chrome on a computer.

And How to delete your Google activity history

Remember to delete your Youtube history after watching!

*Edit* I've added a new section for miscellaneous resource requests to serve as a semi-temporary place for more niche topics that I get resource requests for. If I get more requests for them or find more resources related to the topic I'll make a new separate section for them, but otherwise they can just stay there.

Remember: y'all can comment, tag, or if you want/need it to be more discreet you can send me an anonymous ask. I may not be able to find what you want, but I won't judge you <3

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So like skin thickening is good and all, I'm excited to have less fragile skin, but fuck is getting difficult to put the needle through. Like the first few shots took very little pressure to get through my skin. It was easy to accidentally puncture myself. But now it takes actual effort to push it through. Which, ow.

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I've been having a rough go of it with my mental health, so I haven't been paying much attention to possible changes from T. A couple things I have noticed:

My vocal range is starting to drop. Certain songs that used to be at the top of my range are now out of reach and I find myself dropping octaves more often now

I've currently had my period for ~9 days which is longer than usual but it's been much lighter than usual as well so 🤞 I'll be done with that soon

I've lost about fifteen pounds without trying but I think that's due to eating consistently (so my body isn't being forced into starvation mode) and the increase in physical activity as my joints have become more stable

I've noticed that it's gotten more difficult to get the needle through my skin

I've had a slight increase in acne, mostly on my shoulders which tracks with my first puberty during which I primarily dealt with back acne

I've realized it's gonna be a bit tough to figure out when I start growing facial hair as I've had some facial hair since highschool and have been shaving my face since then as it's not enough to actually be a beard or anything but would be very noticeable

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I was always deceptively strong. Looking at me, people assumed I was physically weak and my clumsiness just added to that idea. But then they would see me work and be surprised. I could lift far more than expected, do more than expected. I used to drag around 1 ton pallets on a regular basis at my job. I would pick up and throw old TVs at another job.

So when my physical disabilities began to make themselves known, when I began losing my abilities, I went from deceptively strong to weaker than I look. Over just a few years I went from throwing TVs around with ease to struggling to hold up a tablet.

But over the past year, I've slowly regained some strength, but my joints dislocated too easily to do much of anything.

But after about three weeks on T, the reduction in dislocations has allowed me to do so much more. A couple days ago, I moved 65lb boxes of tile without my shoulders popping out. I've been doing construction and demolition without needing to spend days recovering. I'm able to exercise again.

I had hoped that T would provide some relief from EDS stuff based on what I've seen anecdotally, but it was a cautious, tentative hope. But even just 3 weeks in the changes are making a big difference in my ability to do things.

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It is day one of my period and I just managed to run errands and I still have energy left! I have pretty severe endometriosis so this is pretty unheard of for me. Typically I spend the first few days of my period curled up with my heating pad. So this is really encouraging.

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2 week update:

Increased appetite has continued (though an ED flare-up led to breaking our streak of eating 3 meals a day)

Increased energy has continued

I've actually been exercising regularly (⁠・⁠o⁠・⁠) like just 10 minutes of walking circles in my house every day or two but it's still a big deal for me which leads into my next point

Lowered pain levels have also continued along with fewer dislocations which has allowed me to walk for 10 minutes at a time without needing significant recovery

And over the past few days I've started experiencing increased genital sensitivity

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Shot #3 was a bit more eventful. When I pulled the needle out after the injection, a thick stream of dark blood started rushing down the side of my leg. Thankfully, it stopped pretty quickly after applying pressure but it was definitely alarming

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It's been a little over a week since my first shot and I'm loving it so far! Changes I've noticed:

Immediate increase in hunger. I've been eating 3 meals a day + snacks everyday (a big change from 1 meal and light snacking)

Increased energy. Enough that I've actually started exercising 😮

Less pain/dislocations - Saturday I really pushed past my limits and expected to pay for it Sunday but had very little pain the next day

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I did my second shot this afternoon! The set up process was a lot easier at home without people watching me. The shot itself hurt more but I think that's because I was more grounded. I was pretty dissociated for my first shot and barely felt it so the pain was a good sign.

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TW: frank discussion of disordered eating

...

I only felt hunger as pain. A pit in my stomach that threatened to make me since. A burning pain that couldn't be ignored. A sign it had been far too long since I had eaten.

So I would eat a few crackers, a few bites of leftovers, enough to make the pain stop, then move on. Typically eating only one meal a day.

But since my shot I have actually felt *hungry*. Not a pain that must be dealt with but just hunger. And I've eaten 3 meals a day. And snacks. I just made myself eggs again and then was still hungry and had a roll with butter.

I have so much more energy! Probably a combination of actually eating throughout the day and the testosterone.

I know there will likely still be struggles with food, but I'm so excited to be able to eat again.

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I know it's only been a day, but I've already noticed an increased appetite and increased energy

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Not sure if it's an effect of starting T or psychosomatic but I'm definitely hungrier than usual

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It's been about 4 years since I decided I wanted to pursue medical transition. At the time, we had moved back in with my parents and it wasn't safe to come out. So transitioning was put on hold until we could move out.

A few months turned into 3 years before we were able to move out. I was excited to get started but had to wait for finances to even out from the move. Then I lost insurance. Once I had insurance again, I started finding doctors. But I had more pressing medical concerns to address before bringing up hormones. When I finally came out to my doctor, I was met with discomfort and dead ends. So I found a new doctor, one who advertised transition services. The. I lost insurance again. When I once again regained insurance there was months of waiting for testing and appointments.

But finally, after so many roadblocks and hurdles, I've officially begun!

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First shot is a go!! My medical transition has begun.