Starting RLE

[John1984]

Hi. I have been reading through the forums for some time now and havn't been able to find an answer to my question so I decided to start a new topic to ask. I have been living as a girl on weekends for about a month now and have become quite passable in my opinion. Unfortuantly with my job being what it is (a truck driver) I can only do it on weekends or go full time. I think I'm ready to go full time but don't want to push back steps any longer then I have to by starting early and it not counting towards my time in RLE. So my question is can I decide when to go full time and (after informing apropriate people) just start living full time or do I need to talk to a doctor first?

Btw I am currently looking for a doctor and won't know if one is available in my town until after Dec 12th when the doctor that normally sees TS patients gets back from vacation. I havn't even started HRT yet but I hope to beable to start that towards the end of the year early next year. And my first therapy appt is Dec 7th.

-Ashley

[Jaime]

Wait til after you start with your therapist. They should be able to help you with determining the best time and best route to take to go full time. Its a big step.  And personally, I think hrt should come well before full time, it makes things easier as it does help you appear more feminine and you can get settled into that before you really put yourself out there with full time.

[John1984]

hmmm thats a good point. i do view myself as prety feminine already. confident enouph anyways to go out in public several times. (couple times to walmart to shop and other times just doing work outside around house). But every lil bit helps.

[kelly_aus]

I went full time months before I started HRT.. and also before I started therapy.. My therapist was a little stunned when I walked in to my first appointment..

My advice is to go full time whenever you feel is the right time..

[Colleen Ireland]

My advice is to go full time whenever you feel is the right time..

Ditto.  I started HRT and went full-time almost at the same time.  I'd been seeing a therapist for about 8 months by then, but she was mainly helping me deal with things like coming out to my kids, my parents, etc., dealing with ending my marriage, etc.  I moved out of the house at the end of January, thinking "sometime in the next six months" I'd go full-time.  My concept then was that I should be on HRT for a number of months first.  I found out it didn't really matter.  When you're ready, you're ready.  I wasn't all that passable when I started, but living full-time does sort of force you to learn quickly.  I pass much better now.  Many people who know me don't know.  And this after just 7 months full-time and 8 months HRT.  Everyone's different, you have to go by your own schedule.

[Jeneva]

If you are a woman then why not live like it.

Just keep in mind that your therapist may not consider your RLT to begin until your first appointment.

[EmmaM]

I went full time several months earlier than expected. Really, I don't keep track of it. I just wake up and be the girl I am.

A therapist needs to see you in order to put a time stamp or something on it, but just jump in when you are ready.

I was a truck driver too - complicated stuff.

[John1984]

Thanks all for the great information. My unofficial start date has been pushed back slightly. I told my boss last night and while very understanding and very helpful we both agreed that with different company events on the near horizon and all the turmoil in the company it might be smoother to wait a couple months first. That being said he also told me he would support me when ever I decide to go full time even if that happened to be in a couple days. But waiting a bit might not be such a bad thing it will give me more practice and I can start hrt hopefully and get an "official" time stamp from my therapist.

[EmmaM]

One of my old jobs wanted to have a meeting about it. With everybody there! I threw that idea out of the window and just showed up to work one day. Bold and ill advised, but it was worth it.

[John1984]

One of my old jobs wanted to have a meeting about it. With everybody there! I threw that idea out of the window and just showed up to work one day. Bold and ill advised, but it was worth it.

Wow woulda loved to see the looks on you're bosses faces that day lolz