differences in dysphoria; top and bottom.

[jessman3]

so I am a stay at home papa with my 2 y/o son. This being the case, I don't go out a whole lot. When I'm at home I am treated wholly as a guy, my fiance and son both see me as male-no doubt about it. I've found that because of this, my top dysphoria is almost non-existant when I'm home, simply because my boobs dont matter. When I go out my chest dysphoria is MUCH worse-but i have my binder for that.
My real issue is bottom dysphoria when I'm at home. I guess my question is this (or really, 2 questions);
1. For guys who are strapped for cash, whats a good (and simillar in weight) substitution for a packer (and strap? I dont want it floating around down there)?
and 2. To guys who have had top-surgery, do you find its common for bottom dysphoria to worsen after because the chest dysphoria is gone?

thanks for any responses
-jess

[Lee]

If you google around, there are instructions for making a packer out of condoms and hair gel and a strap out of a rubber band and elastic.  I've never tried them, but I've heard good things. 

[Mika]

If you google around, there are instructions for making a packer out of condoms and hair gel and a strap out of a rubber band and elastic.  I've never tried them, but I've heard good things. 

This.
http://ftmguide.org/images/simpleharness.pdf
http://ftmguide.org/packing.html#gak


I haven't tried it though either, because I'me terrified of it exploding in my pants if things get frisky lol. Honestly, you can get a packer for like $15 and its worth it IMO (plus like a buck for a huge thing of corn starch for upkeep). As for straps, you can make them yourself, like the one linked above. Personally, I usually just put my packer in a sock and safety pin it to the front of my briefs (not ideal, but its available and cheap). I also use athletic jock straps with the pockets in front meant to hold a protective cup. I like these, because they hold up well, and I think they look shnazzy.

[Lee]

Thanks for posting the links Milly.  (I'm lazy.  )  I stuff my packer in my underwear without a harness, and it stays in just fine.

Edit - Though, no guarantees if you're a boxers kinda guy 

[Radar]

I'm not quite sure how I feel. With my packer and prosthetic I feel less dysphoric after top surgery. However, I have more of an urgency for different bottom surgeries. But that could just be because it's my next step and I'm ready to progress in my transition.

Even though it may be awhile, and I want to be farther along in my top surgery healing, I want to get the ball rolling in getting a hysto (actually I want everything removed). I've already found a local trans-friendly gyno but I'm not sure if we can get insurance to cover it. I've also found some surgeons who will remove the internal parts and do a meta at the same time. I'm sure there's a massive healing time with that but I like the idea of getting it all done at once.