How bad do I have it?

[transtastic]

I think I have
- extreme frontal bossing
- very prominent jaw
- square face
- deep seated eyes
- masculine bone angles

My fears: HRT would do little for me. FFS would not do enough.



What do you think? How bad do I have it?

[Newgirl Dani]

Hi transtastic,

I cannot be any expert on hair as this has not been one of my obstacles (native american hair), although I certainly have my own difficulties.  That said, I think you will be very nicely suprised by looking at some of the before and after pics here.  In my time here I have seen many many cool changes, and some of these are truly dramatic.  You also have youth on your side, my feeling is that you will be fine, just take your time, do not expect things to happen too fast, and enjoy the small changes when you see them.  And a big welcome here      Dani

[Tessa James]

You have detailed some specific concerns that none of can honestly answer IMO.  There are services available for a digital reconstruction so that you might consider possible results before making an even bigger investment.  Many people wait for a year or two after HRT to see what changes they get and how they feel before deciding on surgery.  As Dani notes you have some youth on your side.  To me the bigger question is are your fears stronger than your dysphoria and need to transition and how will that get better for you?

Personally I think you will do just great.

[transtastic]

Maybe what I want to know is if I strike you as having an extremely masculine face or of I am exaggerating?
I mean I know I'm not feminine, but maybe I'm over exaggerating?

[Tessa James]

Well you did use the word "extreme" so I will answer yes, you probably are exaggerating your fears as many of us have.  In my experience, fears become even more pronounced and toxic as they are bottled up and left to fester in the dark.

If you actually do transition you may find your face is no longer the biggest concern and many of us have found a smile and some confidence is even more important.  Women come in all shapes and sizes and you may feel different with a focus on just being the best you possible.  There will always be someone younger, cuter and more glam but who matters most, you or the peanut gallery?

[Newgirl Dani]

Well in many ways living as male (speaking on birth gender) I believe there is a certain amount of social conditioning that we cannot help avoiding.  This continued conditioning forms perceptions of ourselves that is just one of those things that will take time to dissolve away.  HRT is an excellent solvent to accomplish this task.  In short, exaggeration? yeah probably, its normal though, I did it too.   Dani

[transtastic]

Thanks for all the kind replies