[Newbie] Questions about Transing

[Peaness]

Hello... I just joined today, and wanted to ask some questions/seek advice.

I'm still not sure whether I'd do any serious things like surgery or hormones, but I do have a desire to become male somehow... I don't really care if my family rejects me for it, since I know I have friends who are willing support me(and some who also want to become male), which is what matters for me.

One question is, is it possible to become male without growing facial/body hair? Will I be able to keep my face shape? Will I still be able to have a slim body? I would like to be able to look slightly like a "femboy", basically. I am Asian, so I am trying to go for an "cute/bishounen Asian guy" look. I am 5 feet tall and about 95 lbs, so I might look like a preteen or teenager, but I don't mind that much.

I'm 20 years old, but struggling to become independent, due to my parents' over-protectiveness, so I probably wouldn't be able to afford anything until I moved out.
Also, if I have a bra size between A and B, what would be the best way to obtain a flat chest(does binding decrease the size)?
How does meto/phalloplasty work? Should I get surgery/name change if I decide to trans?

Sorry for asking so much... Thank you.

[xACEx]

hey bro,
whether you identify as trans is up to you, no one else. they say that every trans guy is different...me personally, i do take T and i am having top surgery...taking hormones is a big step..if you so choose to do that, awesome, if not thats cool too...it's all in how YOU identify....

testosterone does however make you grow facial hair and causes growth plates in the face and stuff to shift which is often why peoples bone structure changes in their face...you are 20 still young, plenty of time to decide on what you do and do not what to do....do your homework tho!

flattening your chest, yes binding will "flatten" your chest...all up to you in how you chose to do that tho...there are binders out there or you could wear two sports bras (a few sizes too small) and some type of compression, there is ace bandages...lots of ways...

this is a process so dont feel overwhelmed at first...it's a marathon not a sprint

[Peaness]

Thanks for the advice. I think I will start with binding, probably. Off to the store to find some sports bras.

Until I get a flat chest and/or name change, I will probably identify with androgynous or gender-queer.

My current name is Angela, which is just too girly, so I want to change it to something unisex(been thinking Fran or Ciel).
I'm not sure about my middle name, because even though it's a girl's name, it's a nice name. It's a Japanese name, but even in English it would sound like a girl's name(Kimiko). Most likely I won't change the middle name since it won't matter that much.

I am still not sure about T, though... I would like my clitoris to form into a semi-penis, as close as it can, but I do not want my facial features to change... I have never tried a strap-on, but I don't enjoy vaginal sex as most biological females do, have never really tried anal, and have only been able to orgasm via clitoral masturbation...

[Teknoir]

Welcome.

What will happen to you on T is all down to genetics. Take a look at your male relatives to get a general idea. Everyone is different, and changes in different ways. There's no sure way to tell what you're going to end up looking like.

The easiest way to get a flat looking chest is to buy a binder. Underworks and T-Kingdom are two popular sites to buy one. Failing that, there are other methods of flattening - compression shirts (from sports stores), sports bras, and home made solutions (like creatively cut pantyhose).

Do a quick google for "Hudson's FTM Guide", that site has a good section on binding (and other tips for "Presenting as Male").

Avoid using compression bandages. They have been known to cause injury. Also avoid tape of any type for the same reason.

Binding will not reduce breast size - it's only temporarily squishing them down. Over time, repeated binding can cause the breasts to sag, but they won't get smaller... unfortunately! (That's what top surgery is for!)

There's a nice section on this sites wiki (link at top of page) that sums up Genital Reassignment Surgery (GRS) for FTM's much more neatly than I could.

[Silver]

Just because you went through a female puberty you will be a little more feminine (short, etc.)

Think about it before you take hormones and such though.

[LordKAT]

FYI, Angel is a guys name.

I hope that you do read up on the effects of T, both permanent and temporary changes, before deciding to go on it. Binding is a good place to start.

[Lachlann]

FYI, Angel is a guys name.

I hope that you do read up on the effects of T, both permanent and temporary changes, before deciding to go on it. Binding is a good place to start.

Yep, Angel is a guy's name, although it tends to be more popular with Hispanic culture. I've considered that one before myself, hah.

The thing about transitioning without T is that you're only going to pass as a young boy. And as you age, you're going to age like a woman, and your features are going to end up looking less androgynous as you age. This is one thing to consider. If you're not going to go on T then you have to be prepared for that and understand that. If you are considering T the best thing, like Teknoir said, is to look at the males in your family. From my understanding, Asian males tend to look more androgynous, at least to Caucasians they do. And there's nothing saying you can't look androgynous with Testosterone either (I've seen tons of Asian male singers who go for an androgynous look, there are also men like David Bowie as well.) Most of men that I see that look androgynous, seem that way because of how they dress or act. AKA, it's mostly in the style.

[notyouraverageguy]

Im not sure about T and surgery yet either, for sure I don't want bottom surgery for what's available.

You're somewhat like me, you want some changes but not all. Which is why im still on the fence about deciding. Just exploring my options and waiting for scientists and what not to come up with something new.

If you're looking for a flat look in the chest area try binding. There are many ways to bind: binders, sports bras, compression shirts, layering.

If you feel male and want to be perceived as male, than you should start by telling ppl to use male pronouns and choosing a  non female name(if you want).

I myself have chosen a unisex name as well.

[Janet_Girl]

Hi Peaness,

Welcome to our little family. Over 3600 strong. That would be one heck of a family reunion.

Feel free to post your successes/failures, Hopes/dreams.  Ask questions and seek answers. Give and receive advice.

But remember we are family here, your family now. And it is always nice to have another brother.

And be sure to check out

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Blessed Be.
Janet

[emoglassesenvy]

yo i live in japan and including my boyfriend and one of his friends is ftm.

the friend has decided that he won't ever take T or get surgery because he doesn't want to risk modifying his body for health reasons. however, he lives everyday as a guy, has a girlfriend, and though bishonen-y, still looks dude-ish. he has chosen a clearly masculine name.

my boyfriend has been on T for 4 years and has had top surgery. he has a little bit of facial hair but his face is still quite feminine and bishonen-y. luckily for asian ftms, there are so many bioguys here who already look quite feminine that it's easier for him and his friends to pass. the name that he chosen is actually more common for girls but it is not unheard of for boys to have it, too. an english-speaking world equivalent would be like "Ariel" i guess

so i think whether you take T or not, you will still keep your androgynous look. however T might make you feel less like a girl on the inside and would probably be better in the long run... my boyfriend said even if his life span is shortened 10 years he would still take T because it's that important and effective for him physically and psychologically.
Post Merge: November 19, 2009, 05:00:24 PM
also do you know the kanji your parents wanted for Kimiko?? If so, you can pick a name or middle name with one of the same kanji

for example
紀美子：　尚紀  Naoki
貴美子：　貴雄  Takao
喜美子：　勇喜　Yuki

[LordKAT]

yo i live in japan and including my boyfriend and one of his friends is ftm.

the friend has decided that he won't ever take T or get surgery because he doesn't want to risk modifying his body for health reasons. however, he lives everyday as a guy, has a girlfriend, and though bishonen-y, still looks dude-ish. he has chosen a clearly masculine name.

my boyfriend has been on T for 4 years and has had top surgery. he has a little bit of facial hair but his face is still quite feminine and bishonen-y. luckily for asian ftms, there are so many bioguys here who already look quite feminine that it's easier for him and his friends to pass. the name that he chosen is actually more common for girls but it is not unheard of for boys to have it, too. an english-speaking world equivalent would be like "Ariel" i guess

so i think whether you take T or not, you will still keep your androgynous look. however T might make you feel less like a girl on the inside and would probably be better in the long run... my boyfriend said even if his life span is shortened 10 years he would still take T because it's that important and effective for him physically and psychologically.
Post Merge: November 19, 2009, 02:00:24 PM
also do you know the kanji your parents wanted for Kimiko?? If so, you can pick a name or middle name with one of the same kanji

for example
紀美子：　尚紀  Naoki
貴美子：　貴雄  Takao
喜美子：　勇喜　Yuki

A number of terms that I don't understand here.   

bishonen-y: I am guessing means like girly.
kanji: no idea
Kimiko: again, no idea

Can you define these better please?

In english, Ariel is a distinctly female name. I guess different cultures can mean different things when it comes to names.

T seems to have different effects for different people. Some change more or faster than others. I think that is the thing to remember with HRT whether  T or E. Each person must make the decision that works for them.

[DamagedChris]

A number of terms that I don't understand here.   

bishonen-y: I am guessing means like girly.
kanji: no idea
Kimiko: again, no idea

Can you define these better please?

In english, Ariel is a distinctly female name. I guess different cultures can mean different things when it comes to names.

T seems to have different effects for different people. Some change more or faster than others. I think that is the thing to remember with HRT whether  T or E. Each person must make the decision that works for them.

Bishonen-y = means he has the popular "girlyboy" andro male appearance that is really popular in Japan...think anime, and how a lot of the male characters are really feminine looking. This is practiced a lot in Japan as a style as well...google TM Revolution and I bet you won't be able to tell which one's the bio-boy.

Kanji = one of the three writing systems used in Japan...Katatana, Hiragana, and Kanji. Kanji is the most complicated of the three forms and is mostly derived (if not identical to, little fuzzy on that) from some written Chinese characters. Of the three, it's also the only one not simply phonetic.

Kimiko = happens to be the OP's original middle name.

>.> I'm not an anime/game geekboy, I swear. Ok, that's a lie.

[LordKAT]

Thanks for the definitions. The posting makes much more sense to me now.

[emoglassesenvy]

Thanks for the definitions. The posting makes much more sense to me now.

about lack of definitions.... sometimes i forget that words that are completely clear to me are not so for everyone!  my sincere apologies!


Ariel is distinctly female?? I have known 2 boy Ariels... (30 and 20 years old)

[jesse]

as this is a guys thread i will not add any input other then to say welcome hun there are plenty of great transmen here to help you with your issues
jessica

[Miniar]

I am not looking forward to the bodyhair myself, but I've decided that once transition is over and done with, I'll save up, and then have it all removed..

but mind you.. I know a few "asian" cis-blokes, and none of 'em are "hairy" so ...

[Silver]

Why are we still replying to this thread?

It seems as though peaness (lol) has left the site a while ago.