Gaggle of hormone questions on an unusual case

[marriedtgdad]

I'm back after an absence where a lot of things happened. My wife has agreed to let me start taking hormones, as long as I don't immediately start living as a woman (which I didn't plan do right now anyway). I'm still looking for a therapist who will understand my situation and prescribe the proper medications. So to tell you about my current situation:

-I'm 5'7", 250 pounds, and OK with being a "BBW," so I've decided I don't want to wait until I lose weight to start hormones. I resemble Jack Black, but I have been told that I would make a pretty girl more than once... I have pretty eyes and soft facial features. Given my weight, how would that affect the effectiveness of HRT? Would it give the medications "more to work with," so to speak?

-I have a beard, and plan to keep it for now. Does anyone know A) what effect HRT will have on my facial hair and/or B) will it help conceal facial changes for now?

-How much time would I have before changes from HRT were REALLY noticeable (to co-workers and family)?

-My wife is particularly interested in this: How long would it be until I was sterile, and will I still be able to get erections? Would viagra help a guy on HRT?

I'm very glad to be back. I'm sorry for my long absence.

[Imadique]

It'll hardly do anything to your beard, maybe slow the growth down a little bit and  possibly turn it white but it'll be as thick and coarse as ever.

Sterile I think is about 2 months, I'm sure I heard someone say Viagra still works for MTF's somewhere on these boards.

Not really sure about the other questions, I'm a similar build to you - 6' and nearly the same weight - but I've only been on HRT 3 and a half months so can't really say much. So far there's breast growth a bit beyond what is normal (according to my Endo) but I have no idea if that's in any way related to build. I've also seen my waist reduce a little bit but I've been dieting also.The main thing I'm worried about is that I'll never overcome the broad shoulders and very large chest, but we'll have to wait and see...No obvious facial changes yet, there is a small difference but again - can't say whether it's HRT or the fact that I've lost a bit of weight.

[Audrey]

My dad, who happens to be a dr,  suspected I was on hormones only about a month or two into HRT on half doses.  I hadn't told him anything prior to that either. 

Audrey