Plans and going FT sooner?

[Rachel85]

So I had my 3 month HRT check up with my Endo today (Woo!), adjusting meds etc. and everything is going smoothly.

I had this grand plan to plan FFS about 12 months from now, take time off work (like a month for surgery and recovery) and go FT including work afterwards.
Kinda looked good on paper, I had plenty of time for electro, time to save money, time to build up holidays and I'd have been in this position at work long enough to be comfortable in my skills and know what I am doing etc. ...

BUT

that is AGES away and will be about 15 months on HRT. I have already seen a big change in my face at 3 months (now) and already have good movement of fatty tissue and breast growth (Woo!! ). Is it realistic that I can "hold out" that long? If I'm planning the whole orderly transition at work, do all the proper HR stuff, leave for holidays and start as me, is it realistic that it won't be completely obvious?

I want to hold on for a while to let my hair grow out (it's really curly so it is taking ages to look like it has any length) and also want to have electrolysis a lot more between now and going part time. But after say 9 months of full HRT regimen will I just be kidding myself that no one would notice? Changes, yes, but I have a really forgiving uniform for work that is quite easy to help cover up with. I really don't mind if people think that I am a bit girlie for a "guy", they know there is "something up with me". I've been asked if I play guitar because my nails are long, I've already been asked if I currently have a boyfriend (I don't ). I just don't want to wait all this time and make all this effort from my colleagues to just turn around and say "Yea, we totally knew in March".

I've also been reading a lot of people who reached the regular "Male fail" stage and fast tracked FT from there. I don't imagine it would be easy to do if you have already planned things out like I have above (surgery, work HR etc.). Anyone else looking a this or been through similar?

Edit: I forgot to mention a slightly important factor that I have only just started in a new job about 2 and a half months ago, so I've been on HRT the whole time I've been there and they didnt know what I looked like previously which is kinda useful. TY!

[suzifrommd]

Anyone else looking a this or been through similar?

Cynth, I could stand to have my fulltime tied to my passability. I wanted to be myself as soon as possible and I wanted to be in control of it.

So I set a timetable for fulltime that I would stick to regardless of passability. I don't think the physical changes have made me more passable - I still rely on shaving, face makeup, etc. My therapist warns me that face changes based on hrt are not reliable and overhyped (don't know if she's right).

However, I never intended any kind of stealth. If you're intent on total stealth, the game changes.

[Rachel85]

Thanks Suzi, that was pretty much what I was trying to say in a less than articulate way.
Working where I am I don't plan on stealth, there is no way I could try do that here Although it would be nice and pretty much is my ultimate goal, but for the time being nope.
I guess what I was trying to say was I want to control it on my terms as much as possible and not have someone find out before I was ready to disclose at work.
Which is ultimately a question of how I will look/act/present in 6/9/12 months time.
Which the ultimate answer is YYMV and who knows. LOL

Don't mind me I'll just be quiet over here in the corner...

[Zumbagirl]

I think you are the best judge of knowing when you are ready. I think with electro and hair growing out and the effect of the hormones on your face you will know.

I personally moved up facial surgery 3 months when I did mine. I was surprised at how easy it was to get it moved up when I had the cash to spend on it.

There's a lot to consider other than just a face though like making sure you have enough new clothes to wear every day and enough shoes

I know when it was me I realized one day that I had  reached the "I'm ready for this" point sooner than I thought I would have. There was a point where I just didn't want to hide anymore and was anxious to get the RLE thing going.

How you feel about things is how you yourself feel and the comfort level and level of readiness you have in yourself.