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Started HRT Today at 37 years old

Started by BrandiMcC, November 20, 2014, 09:41:06 PM

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BrandiMcC

And also making my first post here! Hello ladies!  :) 

I've always known to some degree that I was meant to be a girl.  I tried living as a gay male, and eventually realized I was going to self destruct if I didn't transition.  Today has been a long time coming.  I've taken all the necessary steps as far as therapy and labs etc.  So here I am, taking this major step toward becoming who I am meant to be. 

I have been lurking on Susans and ->-bleeped-<- forums for a long time as I worked my way through waiting for dr. appointments and therapy sessions, and laser hair removal, until I was approved for HRT.  One thing that keeps coming back to me that I see in the forums a lot (more so on ->-bleeped-<-) is that "starting n your middle or late 30's you'll never pass, so you better save for FFS".  I am not sure people realize, especially girls in their 20s with big boobs and long hair and glowing skin, how cruel and destructive this mantra is.  It's so easy to just rattle that off and scare women out of transitioning, or cause them to put it off even longer until they finally cave in their 40's/50's, robbing them of years of happiness. 

It's left me feeling really depressed on what I thought was going to be one of the happiest days of my life.  So... I hope to buck that trend and be a trans woman in her late 30's  that transitions beautifully.  I want to inspire others to not be afraid and to listen to their hearts.  Please, if you want to feel special for starting young, then just say something like "the younger you start the faster you get results" or "it will take longer to get you where you want to be in your 30's/40's/50's but you'll get there" and then pat yourself on the back for starting at 18 or whatever.  But please stop discouraging people by saying they'll never pass.  It's destructive language.

Anyway, sorry for rambling... any helpful/hopeful advice you can give would be appreciated as I start down this road finally.  Your posts have mostly been a wealth of encouragement and information, so thank you for that over the past several months. 
HRT 11-20-14 !!! 37 years old MTF, better late than never!!
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kelly_aus

The simple truth is, they are full of crap.. Age isn't really a huge factor.
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Jill F

Hi Brandi,

Welcome to Susan's Place and congratulations for finding us. 

Here's some quick links to help you along

Please be sure to review


I started at 43, and the results really amazed me.  I thought I'd look like a shaven ape in a dress, but I think I did just fine.  Anyway, congrats on finding yourself and being proactive.

Hugs,
~Jill
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mrs izzy

Welcome Brandi to Susan's family.

Never a bad time to transition.

Life is a valuable commodity to waste not being happy.

Walk your path. Be happy.

Congrats on the HRT step, its a big one in the scheme of things.

Hugs

Mrs. Izzy
Trans lifeline US 877-565-8860 CAD 877-330-6366 http://www.translifeline.org/
"Those who matter will never judge, this is my given path to walk in life and you have no right to judge"

I used to be grounded but now I can fly.
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angie

hi brandy I just started HRT 3 days ago myself at 40 congratulations
:icon_chick:
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ImagineKate

I'm 36 years old and not on HRT yet but did self med in the past for a short time. My avatar has no makeup on and I'm wearing boy clothes because I'm not fully out at work. And I have short hair because I just started growing it.

Some people are full of crap I found. In your 30s you can get good results. You just need to work at it. Sure you won't be like Kim Petras or Jazz who started as adolescents but you can be passable.
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Jessica Merriman

I STARTED HRT at age 47. Do you think it has worked for me. Before picture was 1 year ago. My current avatar is me now.

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Jenna Marie

There is a whole thread on women who started in their 30s, including lots of pics of beautiful women. :) I think that idea is not only destructive, but it's a myth; it sure doesn't look to me like the *vast majority* of those who started HRT in the 30s are having problems blending in, as is claimed.

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php?topic=86568.0

(I started at 32; I haven't been misgendered since some jackass did it one last time at six months in. I've had excellent results, and I'm content to look like a boring mid-30s woman, which I am.)
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Jerri

hi Brandi,
i started in my 50's and do  pass most often, it is more about attitude and actions that anything else.
congrats on getting started for me it has been the best thing I have ever done in my life
one day, one step, with grace it will be forward today
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ImagineKate

Quote from: Jessica Merriman on November 21, 2014, 07:50:28 AM
I STARTED HRT at age 47. Do you think it has worked for me. Before picture was 1 year ago. My current avatar is me now.

Jessica,

Every time I see that picture I am absolutely blown away... no way that is you.
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Illuminess

#10
I started today!! I took my first doses at 2:45pm (CT)!!





△ ☾ Rıνεя Aяıп Lαυяıε ☽ △

"Despair holds a sweetness that only an artist's tongue can taste."Illuminess
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AnneB

Starting late... let me tell you about starting late... I am 55 right now, Tuesday, I turn 56 (thank you) I started hormones, first, herbals Oct '13 ago at age 54, switched to drug hormones June, '14..  Look at my avatar.. Do I pass?   Sure, 'long as its a dark room..    :p

You, starting at 37?   'piece of cake!
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BrandiMcC

#12
Thank you all so much for your thoughtful replies!! What a kind, considerate, and BEAUTIFUL group of ladies. Yay! I found a place with good people!  :)  I appreciate the feedback, encouragement, links, etc.   I feel better today, happy and excited again, so thank you!! Now can the next two weeks fly by while I am on low dose??
Currently just on  Spiro twice a day  E once a day.  E doubles in two weeks, and in a month I go in for labs to see how things are going.  I want to be on the max!! I mean, i am 37 and all... no time to waste! Hahaha. Jk.  Seriously, thank you!!  ;)
HRT 11-20-14 !!! 37 years old MTF, better late than never!!
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Jessica Merriman

Quote from: ImagineKate on November 21, 2014, 10:13:27 AM
Jessica,

Every time I see that picture I am absolutely blown away... no way that is you.
My hand to G-D sweetie! Ask anyone here who has met me in real life!  :)
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NightAngel

Hi Brandi,

I was started hormones at 45 and i do pass here and there but not always because of the hight  5.8'' ... btw .. if you can than start with electrolysis it is way better than laser hair removal ... i did laser but it is not so good as it is electrolysis ... I wish you all the best and don't worry you will be all right!!


btw that's me ...
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Lostkitten

You will be fine ^^. Passing is 70% attitude, and it seems you got plenty of that.
:D Want to see me ramble, talk about experiences or explaining about gender dysphoria? :D
http://thedifferentperspectives3000.blogspot.nl/
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Rachel

#16
Brandi and Illuminess, congratulation on starting hormones.

I started 3 days prior to my 51 birthday. I will need another year then maybe I will pass sometimes. I am 6'3" so that will be an issue. So I am going for pretty trans woman (with a beautiful body :) ). FFS, I would love to but I need to be me fully first then I will see.
HRT  5-28-2013
FT   11-13-2015
FFS   9-16-2016 -Spiegel
GCS 11-15-2016 - McGinn
Hair Grafts 3-20-2017 - Cooley
Voice therapy start 3-2017 - Reene Blaker
Labiaplasty 5-15-2017 - McGinn
BA 7-12-2017 - McGinn
Hair grafts 9-25-2017 Dr.Cooley
Sataloff Cricothyroid subluxation and trachea shave12-11-2017
Dr. McGinn labiaplasty, hood repair, scar removal, graph repair and bottom of  vagina finished. urethra repositioned. 4-4-2018
Dr. Sataloff Glottoplasty 5-14-2018
Dr. McGinn vaginal in office procedure 10-22-2018
Dr. McGinn vaginal revision 2 4-3-2019 Bottom of vagina closed off, fat injected into the labia and urethra repositioned.
Dr. Thomas in 2020 FEMLAR
  • skype:Rachel?call
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AnneB

Ok, seriousl, this thinking you will not pass because you are over 5' 2" has got to stop!  I fly for a living, & I see women from all around the country, a lot of them way taller than my 5 foot 10. You would not believe the number of women taller than 6 foot. So stop your whining that you are over five foot three, and you cannot pass because of that!!  That's just so wrong thinking!
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Lostkitten

Very true :P. All those tiny countries anyway.. in the Netherlands a native Dutch girl shorter than 6ft is, well, normal if not short =/.
:D Want to see me ramble, talk about experiences or explaining about gender dysphoria? :D
http://thedifferentperspectives3000.blogspot.nl/
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Amy The Bookworm

Hi Brandi.

I started HRT 1 month ago and I'm 34. I wasn't too worried about not passing eventually, but I was under the impression that HRT would start working at a glacial pace, and that I wouldn't see even minimal changes until 3 to 5 months in. In one month, I've noticed a lot of changes. At this point, I'm actually starting to wonder how I'm going to get a bunch of clothing, because I suspect I'm going to need a new wardrobe much sooner than I was thinking. I was originally thinking it would be 2 years or so, so I'd be gradually picking up an outfit here and there a month, and that I'd just replace a few things as I continue to develop. But now, if things keep developing, I'm probably going to need the whole shooting match in 6 to 8 months ... and that's a conservative estimate.

My only other worry is, like most women, that I feel I could stand to loose about 20 to 30 more pounds.

I should add, I've worked extremely hard. I don't use recreational drugs, nor do I smoke or drink (I've given up drinking entirely). I've done 4 rounds of laser. I need a little more, but I've done enough to where what I still have to deal with is easily covered up with foundation. I've lost 80 pounds (and am still working to lose weight). I've grown my hair for nearly 2 years (college helped with this!). I've also come out to nearly everyone who matters in my life. The last people I need to tell are my daughter, who's young enough and open minded enough that i'm not worried about her reaction, and my mother in law, which is why I haven't told her and that last one is up to my wife. There's a whole lot more to transition than HRT. People aren't kidding when they say confidence is a big part of it. And with all this other stuff out of the way, even with some things I still need to work on, that's going to be easier for me.
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