Is this true??!!!

[OtokoSuki]

I just got an email from one surgeon so far and he was explaining how surgery is done and such. By the way my question was about the bottom surgery (penile construction)...But I want to know from the ones who actually had the experience. I got the "living as a guy" and needing 2 letters from psychiatrists/therapist part down but do you HAVE TO TAKE testosterone for at least a year???  And if I don't does that mean I can't even have a mastectomy?  Will they allow it? If anyone knows I would highly appreciate it, thank you.

[Nero]

You can have a masectomy or top surgery (masectomy including male chest reconstruction) without taking testosterone.
Of course some surgeons have different requirements,  but there are many reputable surgeons who don't require testosterone use. Although you do need a letter of course.

As far as bottom surgery, metaoidoplasty requires at least a year of testosterone. I don't know about phalloplasty. And both probably require 1 year Real Life Test, which usually includes testosterone use.

Dennis probably knows more than I. Dennis? Help!

[Dennis]

I'm not really sure, actually, but for meta you'd definitely have to take testosterone. Probably for phallo as well.

Dennis

[OtokoSuki]

I see...thank you guys for your answers.  By the way, are meta and  phallo the only bottom surgeries out there? 

[Nero]

I've never heard of any others. Though there are many options for meta -there's the whole shebang (clitoral release and shaping, vagina entrance walled up, urine spout rerouting, and silicone testicles) and any combination thereof.
The phallo options are arm donation or stomach donation.

[Jay]

stomach donation

I didn't realise that they did it from the stomach! I am seriously thinking about getting Phallo.. and thanks for the info Nero the only thing holding me back was having skin taken from my arm.. because of the scar would be on show all the time. but the stomach yay!

[Nero]

stomach donation

I didn't realise that they did it from the stomach! I am seriously thinking about getting Phallo.. and thanks for the info Nero the only thing holding me back was having skin taken from my arm.. because of the scar would be on show all the time. but the stomach yay!

I think there's a drawback though. I'm not sure, but I think there's more feeling in it if done from the arm.

[mikke]

stomach donation

I didn't realise that they did it from the stomach! I am seriously thinking about getting Phallo.. and thanks for the info Nero the only thing holding me back was having skin taken from my arm.. because of the scar would be on show all the time. but the stomach yay!

I think there's a drawback though. I'm not sure, but I think there's more feeling in it if done from the arm.

They can also take a graft from the thigh. But you're right, there are more nerve endings in the arm.

[Snowdoggy]

From what I have heard they can take the skin graft from the stomach, the underside (smooth side) of the forearm or the inner-upper part of your leg but you will need to have electrolysis if it taken from the upper part of the leg which I think may be the best option as it will be hidden most. I am now looking to having phalloplasty after my chest surgery and would like to hear from anyone who has had this surgery, particularly in the UK.

[OtokoSuki]

No, I really DON'T want to because I am not a "typical boy" meaning I really only want my body to be a boy and nothing else like not a face change...unfortunately I can't have all I want because facial hair comes with testosterone...but I do have to get my voice lower so I am only planning to take it for a month because from what I heard thats when I really notice the change..and I was wondering... do I get male baldness if I take it only that much?

[Nero]

but do you HAVE TO TAKE testosterone for at least a year???

what do you mean, do you have to? don't you want to?

i mean, i wouldn't want to either, i hate testosterone, but i'm MTF.

i'm just totally loving estrogen, so i'd have thought it'd be natural for an FTM to want T...

Well, you already know my situation, but I'll comment anyway. I just look at it as a means to an end. If I already passed as a man, I would not take it. I need it, but that's the only reason I want it.

I think the hormone issue is unequal in terms of mtf vs ftm. First off, T is a much harsher chemical and it's effects are dramatic and inalterable.
There's a significant number of ftms that pass well enough without it that never take it. There are also plenty natal men who don't really appreciate the nastier effects. I have observed that the ftms obsessed with T - charting progress, measuring the sum total of their flesh mass every week, relishing every new hair, etc. worship all things somatic.

Another truth often overlooked - estrogen bestows beauty. T mars it.

[Izaia]

It depends on which bottom surgery we're talking about, though I'm pretty sure both would require it. If you want a metoidioplasty, then most surgeons need at least 1 year(usually 2) of testosterone therapy in order to have enough clitoral growth to work with.

From what I've seen, you'll need more than one month for the changes you want to occur. For the voice, I would give it at the very least 6-8 months to finish evening out. Facial hair is usually one of the effects that takes longer, so don't think a full beard is going to sprout within a month or two. And if you're young, male baldness shouldn't be too much of a worry either(unless your family is notorious for it at such a young age), though your hairline will likely become more masculine.

Think of it as a boy going through puberty, it takes a while.

[Dennis]

Another truth often overlooked - estrogen bestows beauty. T mars it.

I disagree. I'm much better looking as a guy than I ever was as a girl. All people are different. For some of us, it's an improvement.

Dennis

[Nero]

Another truth often overlooked - estrogen bestows beauty. T mars it.

I disagree. I'm much better looking as a guy than I ever was as a girl. All people are different. For some of us, it's an improvement.

Dennis

You do make a cute guy, but you made a cute girl, too. 

[OtokoSuki]

This also came to my mind just now... You know how your face changes, aside from the facial hair being grown...when you stop taking it does your face come back to the way that it was before testosterone?

[Nero]

This also came to my mind just now... You know how your face changes, aside from the facial hair being grown...when you stop taking it does your face come back to the way that it was before testosterone?

I would say yes, as those are 'fat' changes. The body fat shift stuff is temporary.

[Andrew]

I wouldn't say that T really changes your face that much. It's very subtle. You'll look like a more-grown-up version of yourself. It's a fat thing -- your cheeks won't be as round and your jaw will be better-defined. All in all, though, it doesn't make a big difference. The main difference in how people look at you will be the voice.

[Nero]

I wouldn't say that T really changes your face that much. It's very subtle. You'll look like a more-grown-up version of yourself. It's a fat thing -- your cheeks won't be as round and your jaw will be better-defined. All in all, though, it doesn't make a big difference. The main difference in how people look at you will be the voice.

Ok thanks for easing my mind.

[Andrew]

Addendum: be prepared for a BIG voice change. My voice dropped more than an octave before it finally leveled out. It might be different depending on whether your father and brothers have low voices or how old you are right now, but for me it was pretty jarring to listen to my own voicemail message! Still is!

Also, if you're a somewhat-sexual person now, you'll be humping everything you see after T. Cosmetic differences aren't the only change, and you gotta be prepared to deal with that!

[OtokoSuki]

Also, if you're a somewhat-sexual person now, you'll be humping everything you see after T. Cosmetic differences aren't the only change, and you gotta be prepared to deal with that!

Lol, I am asexual but do you think it would really affect how I think?