Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Hi fabulous people!

I have top surgery schedule for the end of the year and just recently I got very, very interested in trying low-dose T to gain some of the benefits I'm seeking, such as voice drop and hopefully some more 'masculine' features like jaw line and broadening for the back, shoulders (I currently bodybuild so I'm already in very good shape). I'm obviously concerned I'll end up looking too masculine and lose my androgynous look but from what I've been seeing, low dose seems pretty safe?

Starting T is a much bigger (perhaps scarier) thing for me than top surgery. I'm curious to hear people's thoughts on whether they started T first than did surgery?  ??? Was it overwhelming? Did you wish you had done them in different orders?

Thank you so much! ?

Maybe top surgery first would be the better idea so you don't overwhelm yourself. You might want to also check with your doctor if going low dose hormones will affect the surgery in someway.

This is coming from a female perspective, so please keep that in mind:  I think it depends on what it is you like about your androgynous look.  If not having body hair or facial hair is important to you, I suggest not taking T.  I grew up being very androgynous looking, and puberty (T) completely ruined the effect of looking androgynous.  I didn't gain any extra muscle even though I was very athletic.  I suppose it won't be the same for everyone, but I think T is an extreme move for anyone attached to androgyny.

Also, I had gynecomastia since before the effects of T on my body.  I have considered top surgery for years, because my gynecomastia was not a result of being overweight.  I appeared as masculine (because of facial and body hair) but with no extra muscle and with an obvious "problem" with my chest.  I can definitely relate to wanting the top surgery and I say go for it.

Nobody can say for sure how T will affect you. I started on low dose T and got just as many changes as guys starting on a full dose. If you can't handle all of the possible changes that come with it, I don't recommend it.

I started T first and had top surgery 4ish months later. Order didn't matter to me. I would've done top surgery first if it had worked out schedule-wise. But I was positive from the start that I wanted both.

T is a powerful hormone and there's no gurantee how the changes will develop or how quickly. If you're not prepared for the effects you don't want or to possibly lose your androgynous look I wouldn't recommend it.

As for top surgery; if you're considering taking T in the future it's best to take it for at least a year before surgery; in order for the muscles in your chest to develop so that the surgeon can correctly reposition your nipples  (if you're getting a double incision procedure). But  if you're also doing chest/shoulders excersises then top surgety first will be fine

Sorry I'm new here so I don't know how to respond to each individually but I wanted to thank you all for the responses! They were really, really helpful.

I agree that waiting for after the surgery will give me a better sense of who I am and what I want for myself, so it's not super overwhelming and I may feel like I'm losing control.

I've been queer since 13 years old but now over 30 I identify as non-binary and it's a HUGE change for me. SO, I still have a lot of questions and fear that T may take me way too far from what I may want to be but I'm also not 100% sure if that's just because I genuinely don't want to go there or if I'm scared because I want to go there but can't find the courage to!

And yes, I already work out really hard, bodybuilding style so I have good muscles on my pecs.

So, basically yes. I should chill, stop watching so many videos and wait for until after the surgery to think about T lol. I'll do my best cause I feel like I'm going a bit overboard with my thinking.

raffic,

Sorry for being so late to welcome you. Welcome to the site.

Looks like you got some good info from the guys here. Not much more I can do except to share some links with you. They are mostly welcome information and the rules that govern the site. If you have not had a chance to look through them, please take a moment:

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Once again, welcome to Susan's. Look around, ask questions and join in.

With warmth,

Joanna