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Stories of successfully transitioning in your 40s

Started by SammyGirl, December 29, 2016, 12:48:37 PM

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0 Members and 2 Guests are viewing this topic.

SammyGirl

I'm turning 45 next march other than going to therapy and the small steps that I have taken.  Like Laser Beard removal (3rd session yesterday), weight loss via diet and exercise, and growing my hair longer than my normal length.  I'm literally pre everything. 

I'm feeling depressed about the future with the prospect of loosing everything and wondering if I will ever make it.  Is there anybody out there that has felt the same and made it?

Samantha
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KathyLauren

I am 62 and still pre-everything.  I also have recently had my third laser treatment.  (Yeowch, it hurt!)  The waiting is getting to me.  Too much time to wonder if I am nuts and if I should really do this.  On the other hand, when I look back, I see that there is no going back.  That other fellow was too shut down, and I just can't see going into old age as him.

Are you planning to start HRT soon?  Is that something your therapist is helping you work towards?  The only thing keeping me sane these last few months is knowing that I have my HRT appointments coming up in January.  (First one on Tuesday.  Squeeee!)
2015-07-04 Awakening; 2015-11-15 Out to self; 2016-06-22 Out to wife; 2016-10-27 First time presenting in public; 2017-01-20 Started HRT!!; 2017-04-20 Out publicly; 2017-07-10 Legal name change; 2019-02-15 Approval for GRS; 2019-08-02 Official gender change; 2020-03-11 GRS; 2020-09-17 New birth certificate
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Cindy

Well I started at 58 full of fear and knowing it was utterly impossible physically, job wise, family wise,  life wise and everything else wise. I'm now 63 going on 24 and have realised that I wasn't very wise! My puns have however got worse :laugh:

Life is wonderful, live it without fear while you can. Fear becomes irrelevant.

Cindy
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Sophia Sage

One of my best friends went all the way, and she started in her early 40s.  And by all the way, I mean she lives without disclosing to anyone anymore -- as far as her professional colleagues and friendships are concerned, she's cis.  And it's not like she's drop-dead gorgeous or anything (which is rare for women of a certain age), she just walks the walks and talks the talk and is smart as a whip, and compassionate as all get out. 

Another dear friend transitioned in her late 30s, then in her early 40s met a wonderful man who inadvertently found out her history six months later, but at that point was so smitten that love prevailed.  The married a couple years later, and are still happily together now in their fifties; she helped raise his kids. 

So yes, it's totally possible. It's going to take a few years.  It's a marathon, not a spring.

Keep up with the beard removal, and be prepared to switch to electrolysis when all the remaining hairs come in white.  Most of all, make your voice training your highest priority, as of now.  This will all take time.  Don't worry about coming out or going full time for at least a year; in the meantime, build up your financial resources, figure out your makeup and fashion inclinations.  Get started on HRT as soon as you feel ready -- I waited until six months of therapy, electrolysis, and voice practice.  There doesn't have to be a rush.

You can absolutely do this.
What you look forward to has already come, but you do not recognize it.
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Dena

It took me about 8 years from coming out to surgery. The first 5 years were therapy only and the last 3 were when I started electrolysis, voice and appearance. It seemed like I was stuck for a very long time and nothing to show for it other than a drained bank account. The information you are receiving on this site and in this thread wasn't  available to me until the last 3 years. I was able to make it and I am sure that if you want it, you can make it.
Rebirth Date 1982 - PMs are welcome - Use [email]dena@susans.org[/email] or Discord if your unable to PM - Skype is available - My Transition
If you are helped by this site, consider leaving a tip in the jar at the bottom of the page or become a subscriber
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Ms Grace

I started transitioning when I was 47. Admittedly I had tried when I was in my early 20s and the effects from 2 years on HRT (plus the hair removal I did back then) probably helped me somewhat from a physical development point. I will say that some of the undeniable benefits for me in transitioning later were... I knew what I wanted with a razor sharp clarity, I understood the pitfalls and danger spots of transition and planned accordingly, I had a lot more confidence and personal insight, and I was also much better off financially. I'm 50 now, almost 51, and consider I've ultimately done as well as I could.
Grace
----------------------------------------------
Transition 1.0 (Julie): HRT 1989-91
Self-denial: 1991-2013
Transition 2.0 (Grace): HRT June 24 2013
Full-time: March 24, 2014 :D
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Sydney_NYC

I started transitioning over 3 years ago at age 43. I went in with a positive attitude even though I was told by nay sayers that it would be hard especially with me being 6'7" tall (thanks to HRT I dropped to a little over 6'5".) I went full time after 3½ months of HRT and never looked back. Even when I first went full time, I was only mis-gendered a hand full of times and it's been over 2½ years sense that has happened by anyone who didn't know me before. Transitioning turned out to be a lot easier and smoother than I ever though possible and I have zero regrets.
Sydney





Born - 1970
Came Out To Self/Wife - Sept-21-2013
Started therapy - Oct-15-2013
Laser and Electrolysis - Oct-24-2013
HRT - Dec-12-2013
Full time - Mar-15-2014
Name change  - June-23-2014
GCS - Nov-2-2017 (Dr Rachel Bluebond-Langner)


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Emileeeee

I started out of desperation at 40 and I have my surgery date next month. Maybe I would have gotten better results if I did it 20 years ago, but I wouldn't have been as strong emotionally. For me it really was the perfect timing.
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Donna

Yes, I am planning to start HRT soon, pending.
Kathy, you know my story by now. I was all set to go with informed consent from my physician. Then it hit me that I really need to have a deep heart to heart conversation with my loving and lovely wife of 41 years. I was head strong and ready to go and surprise her months later with my physically feminizing body. The good advice from my women friends on this forum, including you Kathy, made me think better about honesty.
So, instead of the informed consent track I could have taken, I have made some appointments with a gender therapist recommended by my health insurance HMO. What I seek from gender therapy is a sounding board therapist who might also help guide me and my wife as a couple into a brave new world of hopefully happily ever after wife and wife.
I really want that HRT soon.
I am already ready emotionally for an orchiectomy, but just need one year on HRT for my medical go-ahead.
Soon I will be of Medicare age and will possibly looking into options for GRS. Yes, I really do want to have a vagina. I have as long as I can remember.
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JessicaSondelli

Ok, so I'm 45 and started hrt 10 months ago so I guess I fit the age group perfectly.

Today is actually my last day presenting male. My wife is leaving for Europe today and I will stay here in the US completing my transition. I'm very excited about this and feel like a teenage girl about to go on her biggest shipping trip ever.

I'm far from calling it a successful transition but the first 10 months with the right fuel were absolutely phantastic.


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Feel free to PM me, I'm happy to help, don't be shy... :)
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Mia

It's really heartening to see the commonality in these posts!

I transitioned at 49. While it is deeply disappointing to have missed all of the socialization of growing up female, and to know I'll never look appropriate in a lot of the awesome young women's clothing, the wisdom and life experience at this age made making the decision to take care of myself easier with probably better self-confidence. And as others have said, there is a better chance at having obtained financial stability at a later age.

One thing I can say with all certainty - it has been the single most important thing that I have ever done, and it gave me a reason for living that I never felt before. Even my worst days during transition have been far more rewarding than anything in the previous 50 years of my life. The only caveat here is that you need to do your homework - speak honestly and openly with a therapist, and at great length, before you embark on this life-changing experience.
Mia


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Beth Andrea

Define "successful"....

I started at 47 (52 now), 1st wife of 23 years left because of it (truthfully the marriage was already on the rocks, transition was the final straw for her. I'd already decided to "D", but I digress)

My work was very affirming, I am also very affirming/confident in what I've done (except for GRS (soon!)). I'm basically all done with the transition.

Met a woman who loves me as I am, either way surgically as well.

My kids are coming around to acceptance, it's all about having patience as *they* complete their portion of the transition.

I am completely happy with how I am, and never thought about not transitioning after I experienced the hell of testosterone therapy, and then the blissful effect of estrogen (even though it was a phyto-E). Real E is even better!

Everyone's journey is different, but as long as you are happy and your obligations are met...that's success, in my book.
...I think for most of us it is a futile effort to try and put this genie back in the bottle once she has tasted freedom...

--read in a Tessa James post 1/16/2017
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SammyGirl

I have a very important milestone that will signal my transition into motion.  After discussing the details with my therapist I plan on reducing my weight to below 200lb (Since my GD was primarily the cause of my weight gain) before she well give me the letter I've wanted for as long as I knew it was feasible to correct my gender.

With letter in hand I plan on finally sitting my wife down and reveal the fact that I have been medically diagnosed with having gender dysphoria and my desire to start hrt.

I've heard mixed advice about revealing how far I want to take my transition (ie SRS, FFS, etc).  I'm tempted to start hrt when i get the letter then telling her but I worry that she would consider that a betrayal of trust.  But I have not disclosed to her that I have already had three sessions of laser beard removal.

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OCTrisha

My 40th birthday was this past October and through some awesome encouragement from my girlfriend, I booked my first appointment with a transgender therapist as a birthday present to myself.  I still don't know where my journey will end, but I already feel so much happier being honest with myself for the first time in my life.  I'm spending my day off today researching local endocrinologists for a consultation on starting HRT. 

I can't thank all of the contributors to this thread enough... this is all so inspiring to hear!
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Rachel

I started HRT when I was 50.

I definitely recommend telling your wife before you take HRT.

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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AlyssaJ

I don't have much to add here other than that I'll be watching this thread develop as well.  I'm haven't decide what if any transition steps I plan to take.  But as I ponder the options, the fact that I'm almost 40 always enters into my internal conversation.  Seeing other beautiful women who began their transition in their 40's makes me a little more comfortable with the idea should I determine that transition is where I'm headed.
"I want to put myself out there, I want to make connections, I want to learn and if someone can get something out of my experience, I'm OK with that, too." - Laura Jane Grace

What's it like to transition at mid-life?  http://transitionat40.com/



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