"Newbie" at 49 years old

[Jacob67]

My FTM journey is full of starts and stops. It has only been within the past 3 years (thanks to my amazing wife) that I have been able to truly be "me". Is there anyone that is older and going through transition? Not to say that I can't relate to those in the younger crowd but I feel that the older you get, your transitioning needs and experiences change. I have not started testosterone therapy yet but looking to begin before Christmas. I desperately need top surgery and I bind every day. Fighting with insurance companies is an entirely different story.

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[Clever]

Hey Jacob! I'm 40 and I started medical transition a little more than two years ago. Welcome!

[Dena]

Welcome to Susan's Place. While the site is open to all age groups, most of the members tend to fall in the 25 years of age and above. As our members are scattered all around the globe they check in at all hours of the day and night. I suspect that a few more members will show up shortly to greet you.

We issue to all new members the following links so you will best be able to use the web site.

Things that you should read

Site Terms of Service & Rules to Live By	Standard Terms & Definitions	Post Ranks (including when you can upload an avatar)
Reputation rules	News posting & quoting guidelines	Photo, avatars, & signature images policy

[CMD042414]

I was 32 when I started T and decided to transition. It definitely helps to have support from folks that aren't 15-25. Congrats!

[The Flying Lemur]

I'm 44 and am just starting out too.  I'm currently working with my therapist on my letter for hormone therapy.  Hopefully T isn't too far away!  Welcome to the site, Jacob. 

[cmonahan]

My FTM journey is full of starts and stops. It has only been within the past 3 years (thanks to my amazing wife) that I have been able to truly be "me". Is there anyone that is older and going through transition? Not to say that I can't relate to those in the younger crowd but I feel that the older you get, your transitioning needs and experiences change. I have not started testosterone therapy yet but looking to begin before Christmas. I desperately need top surgery and I bind every day. Fighting with insurance companies is an entirely different story.

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I am 64 yo and just started on hormones 2 months ago.  It has been a wild ride.

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[JayBlue]

My FTM journey is full of starts and stops. It has only been within the past 3 years (thanks to my amazing wife) that I have been able to truly be "me". Is there anyone that is older and going through transition?

Hi Jacob,
I am also 49! I started T two weeks ago after a rather quick decision to do this. I am planning on top surgery next May (if all goes as planned). I have to pay out of pocket for everything. I am only out to a few people, but obviously that will have to change. I just bought my first binder, and it's supposed to be here on Friday. I have little hope that they will be that hidden. I need to lose about 70 pounds before the top surgery so hopefully they will go down and be easier to bind at some point. 

When I was first thinking about this decision, I was afraid that I was too old to go through with it, but a counselor I'm working with said that he knows people who had transitioned that were older than me, and then I found this forum, which has been a huge help to me.

It's great to meet you!!

[MeTony]

Hi Jacob. I'm 40. I'm on the right track too. Waiting til september to get my letter sent to a gender therapist. My psychiatrist told me to think it through until september. I guess she wants to be sure it's not just a crazy thought in my head.

I'm out to two people. My oldest son and my best friend. Going to tell my sister and mom this summer. Soon. In 3 weeks.

[Laurie]

Hi Jacob,

   I'm Laurie, I'm MtF and 64. I started hrt last December. There are a bunch of us older folk that made the decision to transition later in life. So to us Jacob you are getting an early start. It isn't when you get your start that's important, it's that you start at all if that is what's right for you. I wish you well in your journey and hope it goes as smooth as possible for you.
  I would also like to welcome you to Susan's Place. You are wanted here and we hope you like it enough to keep coming back.

  Hugs,
   Laurie

[Kylo]

I'm 38 now. I am treated as younger (I look about 25) and the GIC staff keep forgetting I'm older. In some ways I'd prefer they actively recognize my age because at this point I'm not in any doubt about what I'm doing or what to do, but looking younger tends to have people assuming you're clueless, especially about transition. Once corrected they tend to take what I say with more seriousness - I'm older than some of my doctors which tends to change the dynamic between myself and them. Being older has its advantages.

[FTMDiaries]

Hi, and welcome!

I'm 45, and I started transitioning at 40. I'm completely passable even though I started relatively late, so I get to choose if & when I come out to people. I happen to look about 10-15 years younger than most guys my age, which is very handy!

I have zero regrets about transitioning; apart from the fact I wish I'd done it much sooner.

[Jacob67]

I really want to thank all of you for your replies...truly. My parents are 70 and 75 (mom and dad respectively) and they have no clue. Mom will be alright with it but Dad...no way. He has that "girls shouldn't swear" mentality...lol. So this will be extremely interesting.

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[Jak]

I'm 60! I identify as NB trans-masculine. I had top surgery in 12/15. I started low dose T 12/16. Welcome!!

[coldHeart]

Hi Jacob
I,m 45 & have just started down the road of transitioning I holding to start HRT as soon as I can.

[Clever]

Jacob,

My folks were 71 when I came out to them. My dad is a very conservative, Republican, "guy's guy" type of man--hypermasculine and proud of it. I was 96% sure he would never have anything to do with me again.

I was very wrong.

It's been tricky, I'm not gonna lie. He still mixes up pronouns (which just makes him look batty at this point as I have a beard and a receding hairline), but he always corrects himself and apologizes. And honestly, things allllllmost feel normal again.

Two months ago he shocked me by giving me a hug and telling me "you're a good man." You could have knocked me over with a feather when that happened.

So, anything could happen. Your folks may surprise you. I know mine surprised me.

[Dan]

I'm 47 and about a week away from starting T, if all goes well with the doctor next week.

It does seem that most folks that transition seem to be much younger, but maybe because they don't mind baring all on Youtube

It is, however, heartening to know that, based on the few older guys sharing their journey on Youtube, the transition does seem to be as effective as in the younger crowd. Although I have noticed ( 2 out of maybe 3) that the voice drops are not always as good. As I said, it's a small sample and therefore rather meaningless. Nevertheless, it does worry me somewhat. If my voice doesn't drop noticeably, and I end up looking rather masculine, that I might appear somewhat comical. I'll cross that bridge if I do get to it...

[arice]

I'm 39. I am still pre-T (I'm on the waiting list for our gender clinic). I bind every day and I'm desperate for top surgery.
I'm out to my spouse and a few friends but not my kids or parents. I can't come out to my kids until I'm ready to come out to my in laws... a terrifying prospect for me.

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[Ryuichi13]

My FTM journey is full of starts and stops. It has only been within the past 3 years (thanks to my amazing wife) that I have been able to truly be "me". Is there anyone that is older and going through transition? Not to say that I can't relate to those in the younger crowd but I feel that the older you get, your transitioning needs and experiences change. I have not started testosterone therapy yet but looking to begin before Christmas. I desperately need top surgery and I bind every day. Fighting with insurance companies is an entirely different story.

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I'm 55 and I finally started on this journey in September when I began seeing a gender therapist.  I started on T in December, when I was still 54, and now, almost 8 months on T, I'm happier with myself than I've been in a very long time. [emoji4] 

I'm out to my daughter, son-in-law and grandkids, who are starting to call me Grampy. [emoji7]  It was kind of cool when she told me, "somehow, I've always known." 

Some of my siblings also know.  I'm from a large family that's scattered all over the US, and we mostlu communicate by either facebook or texting, which makes being stealth to them easy.  It also makes coming out to them difficult, but I'm slowly telling them all.  I haven't told my parents yet, but I was always called "a tomboy" growning up, so hopefully it won't be too much of a surprise to them. 

I moved to the East Coast 2 and a half years ago, and most of the people who know me here also know me as male.

My voice has definitely deepened, I have the facial hair of a 13 year old boy [emoji23] and I've finally been able to outwardly start doing many of the mannerisms I see cis men do without worry.  Its liberating to not worry about someone (usually my Mom or one of my sisters) telling me something like "cross your legs, you're a lady" anymore! 

I haven't read any other remarks people have made to your comment yet, but its great to know I'm not the only one over 40 that's just now walking down this path.

Ryuichi

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