Timeline

[Lauren5]

OK, so lately, when I can't get myself out of bed in the mornings, my #1 thought is the timeline for transition. I've a few things missing though, and I could use some help filling them in.
So far, if all goes well, here's the best case scenario:
January 2014: start HRT
January 2014: start voice therapy
Summer 2014: transition to full time
Summer 2014: travel to California to amend name and gender on birth certificate
September 2014: return to school as full time
Summer 2015: earliest considered time for SRS.

What I still need to add:
Start laser (after HRT, but how far after?)
Consult for FFS (How long after starting HRT?)
FFS (While transitioning to full time? Or after?)

I'm a little lost, especially when it comes to FFS. I've been obsessing a little bit on research on it, but the bottom line is, each doctor will likely want different procedures. Hence the consults. I want to be passable after going full time, and I think FFS would help drastically in ways HRT can't, like my jaw, and chin especially. Ideally, it'd be done during a school break, so either over the summer, or in December 2014 would be best, I think. But 4 months and a semester of school separate them.

Sorry if this post is rambly or incohesive, I'm just trying to not mess things up anymore with bad timing, I've done enough of that.

[Jennygirl]

Well depending on how happy you are being full time with no FFS, I would try to give it at least a year on HRT before consulting and going for FFS. That really depends on you. Personally I gave it about a year. I will be having some minor FFS at the 13 month mark.

Start laser a.s.a.p.

[Lauren5]

In fact, I may go full time earlier than planned, if I can get moved into a gender-neutral dorm. Biggest issue would be my driver's license, but I don't that should be a horrible deal. I don't have a car right now anyways. My big issue is my chin. Do you think it'd be a good idea to have that done relatively soon, and then the rest of the procedures later?

I know laser isn't good to do until starting HRT. Which could take a while :/

Thanks for some help, Jenny.

[Jill F]

OMG- what Jennygirl said.  Book laser tomorrow if you can.  It takes a long time to properly ditch a beard.

[Lauren5]

OMG- what Jennygirl said.  Book laser tomorrow if you can.  It takes a long time to properly ditch a beard.

I hear that it's best to start HRT before doing laser/electro, though.
Sadly, I'm not at home (home being where I live during the school year) nor can I afford it without parental help or loans. Dad understands somewhat but is still taking me for a crossdresser, since I still present as male around home, mostly for mom's benefit. I don't think I could get the $125 per treatment needed from him.
*sigh* Time to start shopping for loans. And maybe insurance programs too. If my parents' marriage goes south, there goes my insurance. I'd want something that covers SRS, and maybe FFS as well. I read somewhere that up to 50% of FFS costs are covered by some insurers. Anyone know anything of this, or who provides it?

[Jennygirl]

OMG- what Jennygirl said.  Book laser tomorrow if you can.  It takes a long time to properly ditch a beard.

I'm going to OMG your OMG to my comment for emphasis

It's the hardest part of physical transition if you have a thick beard, hands down.

[Lauren5]

I'll see about booking a laser consult once I get back to Lansing, if I get the money sorted out.

[Cindy]

I did virtually all laser pre HRT. HRT helped but to be honest the beard needs killing ASAP for many reasons.

Oh I forgot to add laser for reducing beard growth is common in cis-males as well and works.

Some of the home systems seem to work well, I was against them but they seem to have improved considerably since I started that particular treatment.

[Kaitlin4475]

Definitely start laser before hrt. Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't post hrt skin softer, thinner and more prone to scarring(from laser or electrolysis) I've seen pictures of subtle disasters 

[KabitTarah]

I'm going to OMG your OMG to my comment for emphasis

It's the hardest part of physical transition if you have a thick beard, hands down.

zOMG! YES

I'd never get to FT if I hadn't had my (hopefully only) 5 sessions pre-HRT!!
My thread (with pics): https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,150512.0.html

I just had my 5th session and HRT starts Thursday if all goes well

(And here I am, fat and hairy in '11 with my, at the time, 1 year old http://i.imgur.com/0hI5tSU.jpg )

[Lauren5]

I'll ask about where my therapist reccommends to do later when I see her.
And change in plans. I'm moving my full time date to 6 January, if I can get into gender neutral housing at school for sure. If not, well, that's for a later decision.
So if this holds true, I think I'd like to have FFS over summer, after name change. I've seen the results of vFFS (thanks so much again Jenny!) and just adore them, what a drastic change! I think I'll start with some little things that go a long way, like laser and eyebrow waxing, but I can't wait to have some glaring features, like the nose, brow bossing, and chin, properly fixed. HRT can't do much for those. I'm not scheduljng anything yet, but I will be looking into free consultatioms with doctors who can do a type 3 forehead.

Thanks for all your help, gals. I think I'm getting to be well on my way with planning.

[Robin Mack]

*hug*  I am so glad to hear you are going forward by planning and working on things.  It is easy to get overwhelmed and, were I in college now, I'm afraid I would just drop off the face of the planet for a while during the waiting times.  I know it's not healthy to do so, but the demands of being a parent and working a full-time mentally challenging job while dealing with dysphoria and the seemingly endless waiting are a lot to deal with, and I get very tired. 

I guess I mean to say, "You're doing great!", and I am proud to know you.  *hug* 

And, yes, like the other ladies here have said, LASER ASAP!!! I hear that tolerance for the pain goes down during HRT, so I strongly recommend you get to it quickly.  I have been through some electro (laser isn't ideal for my face, as my beard is going silver) and the patches that are hair-free are amazingly encouraging.  I look forward to the day, sometime in the future, when I can get through the day without needing to shave.

Much love from Aunty Robin!

[Lauren5]

You know, sometimes it does feel like I'm doing great. Other time like I've done nothing. It's really disheartening to see people from this site who started in therapy at the same time as me, or even after, and are already on HRT. Don't get me wrong, it's really nice to see other people hit this step, it's just saddening that I'm waiting still. I may say January 2014 as best case scenario, but to be honest, I doubt I can get it until late March/early April, with the gatekeeping that's going on. Not just from medical professionals, but from my mother. She wants me to try being a gay man first to see how I like that. No no no! That's not it at all! I'm a woman, 100% sure of it. But she wants me using the next year to try out things before I set my mind in stone.
Umm, what were the last 3 years for?
At this point, travelling to Chicago to see someone for informed consent will be worth the $50 train ticket, hotel costs, and whatever the clinic charges me. It may be the best way.

Laser I will see about booking right away once I get back and get recommendations on who to see.

[Megumi]

My first laser appointment was probably the best thing I ever did before I started HRT. My beard was getting to the point where I would Homer Simpson the second after shaving and would have that instant five o'clock shadow. About two weeks after the hairs started falling out and now I can shave and go most of the day before you start to notice the mustache coming out. I was suppose to go back today for my second session but the technician was out sick so I have to reschedule but still. The sooner you start the better because from what I've read HRT doesn't do much at all for the beard but does help a bunch with body hair. 

[Missy~rmdlm]

Laser is most effective on large coarse dark hairs-pre HT. Do not wait if doing laser at all.

[Lauren5]

Got it.
I'm sure not doing electrolysis, so once again, I'm going to start as soon as I get some referrals from people. And beg dad for money.