Will not packing or binding affect my transition time?

[Frazer]

I'm currently on the waiting list for my first gender clinic consultation. And my worry is that, even though I have been sure of my gender identity for the last 25 years, and I dress in male clothing, and I go by a gender neutral shortening of my birth name, I don't pack or bind or use the men's bathroom.

I'm really worried this could affect whoever reviews me at the clinic's decision as they could perceive me to have "not been living as male long enough, or fully enough". But the reason I don't pack or bind is 1. because I have double D's and chronic costochondritis, recurring inflammation of the cartilage between ribs, so the last thing i want to do is tighten and put pressure on that area. 2. I have a feminine voice, so personally I feel that binding would be redundant the second I opened my mouth to anyone. 3. I only pass 50% of the time at best because of my height mostly. Yes I feel out of place in the women's  toilets, but I'd rather feel like that and feel safe or at least not have to feel like crap when someone says "i think you're in the wrong toilet sweetheart".

Although I'm out to my partner, all my friends, my dad, and all my acquaintances down the pub, I don't hide who I am there at all. I'm just so worried as to what constitutes as "living as a man" like its a test I'm not going to pass and thus get sent to the back of the queue again. Do you think anything I've mentioned will affect the decision to be given Testosterone and surgery? or make the wait time longer? and If so, my appointment is in 10 months, is there anything I can do now?

[Dena]

I haven't had experience with your  medical system but normally it's doing the best that you can. Possibly using a sports bra and lose clothing for the chest. I suspect packing really doesn't make all that much difference and other things like a short haircut or taking as much of the male social role as possible. They will understand if you don't pass because T and surgery will make a difference but attempting to pass will show your determination.

[Kylo]

I'm assuming you're in the UK from some of your wording and the wait time.

When I went to the GIC I'd been wearing male clothes for years but not packing. I was binding but nobody asked me if I was. I don't think it makes much difference to them. The only time it was brought up was by myself to the GIC therapist when answering her about the ways I alleviate dysphoria. Nobody stated I needed to do it. They took one look at me and said "so I see you've already been living as a man".

You'll probably have no problem.