Hi im very new to this, My name will be Robert.
This is where im at so far. I have told my parents that i am transgender. I also have an appointment with the man who is head of human sexuality in Michigan. So there are a few questions that i am trying to figure out. I am trying to find a binder, but i dont want to order one online. Is there anywhere i can get one from a store. I also want to know how long it normally takes from the point I see a therapist to the point i get T. I want to get this done ASAP. I have D boobs, so which surgry would i need for those? I Also want to know what surgeys do i need to get rid of my stuff downstairs. Do most people just have it out and not get an actual penis? And if they do get an actual penis, is it abnormally small? Or is it possible to get it to almost or completly normal size? Im really sorry about all the questions but i just am really lost on all this. I need to keep my parents updated, so that means i should probably know what im talking about
Thanks
Hey there. Greetings from another Michigander. Wasn't aware the state had a head of human sexuality, though... I'll answer your questions in list form:
Binder: you can't get a proper binder in a store, but if you can get by with something makeshift, I've heard of some guys who have had luck with neoprene waist trimmers. Ace bandages and/or duct tape are probably a bad idea (they don't allow your ribcage enough 'give' so you can breath).
Hormones: if your therapist is following the Standards of Care, the minimum time to get hormones is three months. This is not always the case. I know there is at least one guy on here who didn't have to go through this and got his hormones a lot quicker. I know of others who had other issues they needed to work through before the therapist would prescribe hormones.
Chest surgery: double incision, which results in two long scars placed below your pec muscles (the scars do fade and chest hair or tattoos can mask them). Nipples and areolae must be placed as grafts, and thus lose erotic sensation but often retain tactile sensation. It is generally not covered by insurance, though I have heard of some large-chested guys getting it covered due to back problems. Doctors Brownstein (San Francisco, CA), Garramone (Florida), Medalie (Cleveland, OH) are generally well-regarded. You can see examples of surgeries at Transbucket . com
Hysterectomy: there are different types of hysterectomies (check here for more info: https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,63193.0.html (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,63193.0.html)) which may or may not be covered by insurance. If you have issues such as PCOS or endometriosis, you may be able to get it covered.
Bottom surgery: there are two options, neither of which create ideal results. You need to have a hysterectomy before/in addition to having bottom surgery if you have urethral lengthening (so you can pee standing up). The metoidioplasty is generally very small but there are exceptions to this. Going on T causes your clitoris to grow into what resembles a small penis (4-5 cm is the average that I've heard quoted). The metoidioplasty works with what you've already grown and you can achieve an erection, though you may not be able to have penetrative sex. Again, there are exceptions to this. You can choose whether or not you want your urethra re-routed into the penis, if you want a scrotum and testicular implants, and if you want a vaginectomy. A phalloplasty yields a much larger phallus (~6", though the size can vary according to personal preference). However, it is at the expense of scarring at a donor site: underside of forearm, abdomen, or side of chest underneath armpit. It is also a lot more expensive than a metoidioplasty. It is unfortunately not able to achieve an erection on its own; for this, a rod must be installed that will allow you to mechanically harden your penis. It is also not fully orgasmically sensate; however, what you've grown on T will be embedded in the base of the phallus so you can still achieve orgasm if the surgery goes as planned. Finally, a phalloplasty will not be the exact shape of a natal penis; some surgeons are better than others at sculpting a glans, and tattooing can yield realistic coloring, but... I've yet to see one that is indistinguishable from a natal penis.
This is kind of the Cliffs' Notes version of everything, but I hope it helps. Try using the forum's search function to check out older threads that deal with these subjects in more detail.
Eryk pretty much covered all your questions, but I wanted to add a really great source of information for you. Hudson's FTM Resource Guide is a web site with tons of great information about virtually every aspect of transition from how to tie a tie to descriptions of each type of surgery.
Also, check out the book linked in this thread: https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,30328.0.html (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,30328.0.html)
It's called "Medical Therapy and Health Maintenance for Transgender Men: A Guide For Health Care Providers" and is offered as a free download by the author.
Okay thank you so much. But the one thing that is bothering me quite a bit is the fact that basically i have 2 choices. 1) have a penis that "looks" normal, but i dont get any feeling or a natural erection or 2) Have an abdonimal looking penis, that is small, might not penetrate, but i can get an erection and an orgasm?
Am i seeing this correctly? And if so is there anyway to have choice 2 look normal or be anywhere to a normal size. Ive seen people talking about HGH, does that help?
Quote from: Robert on August 07, 2009, 04:04:24 PM
Okay thank you so much. But the one thing that is bothering me quite a bit is the fact that basically i have 2 choices. 1) have a penis that "looks" normal, but i dont get any feeling or a natural erection or 2) Have an abdonimal looking penis, that is small, might not penetrate, but i can get an erection and an orgasm?
Am i seeing this correctly? And if so is there anyway to have choice 2 look normal or be anywhere to a normal size. Ive seen people talking about HGH, does that help?
Yes, it can greatly help with a realistic size.
Surgery then can make it look realistic. The most important factor is size, and HGH has been very promising. Do your homework and find a trans-friendly general practitioner who will listen. Hopefully you can get a prescription - but it can cost a lot of money, so insurance is important.