I can't claim that I am an older, experienced person in this field, but I guess I have my own life experience. And my opinion is this: Beware anyone who has no questions. These tend to be the most un-accepting people. Anyway, I'll try to help, and admit when i have no clue. ^~^
1} I have no idea to be hoenst. I am not even sure it functions well enough to masturbate or have sex. I would imagine so. I do know that it's more xomplex and a bit riskier than MtF SRS, from what i've looked up. That said, I am, by far, NOT the person to get concrete answers from.
2} I don't think it would be something you HAVE to do. But that said, I'd probably help it with your body a bit. And I imagine the surgeons would refuse unless you had done hormones. I think they use the hormone period to test how committed you are before doing SRS, and for other reasons such as getting your body adjusted to such things.
3} Well I can understand that. I've heard word from my granny that my mom thinks I'm starving myself to loose weight in order to make my breasts seem bigger. (I have a bit of gynecomastia/Male breast growth) Now I openly admitted to my grandma that I have been wearing my only small shirt a lot to accent it as it's more form fitting. But not starving myself. O.o Anyway, I understand what you mean. Only my grandma knows, and my mom knows, but knows a lot less. Oh, and of course my boyfriend Li (His name on here.)
4} If you ever plan to undergo HRT or SRS, yes, you should. It'd be bad if your suddenly getting a deeper voice and muscly, looking more manly, and they have no clue what's going on. They'd likely freak out and take you against your will to a doctor. If you do HRT and stillw ant a relationship with them, they must know. Or at least so I would think.
5} I'm almost certainly MtF, with nothing done. As such, I can't say a thing.
I'm only 26 with little expirience here. So don't trust me totally. ^~^