Hello all! My name's Lindsey and I'm a 26 year old, pre-T, pre-op FtM.
I've 'known' since I was 4 and tried to give myself a boy haircut, but because I'm bipolar, my early 20's were consumed by efforts to learn to live with that (and I have, quite well), and fix some of the financial messes I made during that time period, I'm just now getting around to dealing with my transgender issues.
I had planned to wait on transitioning until I had finished my technical degree, but I've been dealing with some rather debilitating gynecological problems that are necessitating a complete hysterectomy (including both ovaries) ASAP and I'm going to have to start some sort of HRT or face menopause at 26. I find it kind of a sick joke to have to take synthetic versions of the same hormones that have caused me so much pain, both physically and emotionally, over the years. The timing may not work out so that I can immediately start on T, but I am making it a goal to get started at some point next year.
A bit over a year ago I broke off a 6 year relationship with a straight, cis-gendered man, so I moved back to my birth city with my mom and brother temporarily until I can pay off the last of my debts and finish recouping financially. I have no idea how supportive my family will be. My mom's pretty liberal, but even still I think me just being a gay (athough I'm actually bi-sexual) woman would be so much easier to take than being a transman. My mom and brother both assume that I'm just butch, and she especially hates my short haircuts and skater-boy clothes. I pay my bills and am generally a good housemate however, so she doesn't ask many questions. The good part about being 26 though is that if she does take it rather badly, I can always just move out and get a couple of roommates, I have awesome friends who are 100% supportive of me, and in that I'm incredibly lucky.
My dysphoria is bad mind you, bad enough to keep me from seeking romantic relationships or even sex, but I'm trying to be as pragmatic as possible. I'm gathering info on top surgery surgeons, and it seems full-time binding might hurt my chances of qualifying for a keyhole procedure. Given my already ambiguous face and voice (I pass about half of the time without really trying), it probably wouldn't be long before I'd pass completely on T, so not binding would just look odd and be awkward. If better long term results means I live as a 'butch dyke' for another year, I'll just have to deal- I've waited this long anyways.
So that's my story, or the somewhat abridged version anyways (and yet still tl;dr worthy). I've read over the rules and newbie info threads, as well as some various discussion threads. This seems like an awesome place for information and support, so I look forward to posting here!
Welcome to the forum Lindsey :icon_wave:
This site is a great place to get info from other guys on different surgeons. Look forward to seeing your posts around the forum. :)
Hi Lindsey, :icon_wave:
Welcome to our little family. Over 3900 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. :icon_hug:
And be sure to check out these links ( MUST READS )
- Site Terms of Service and rules to live by (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,2.0.html)
- Standard Terms and Definitions (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,54369.0.html)
- Post Ranks ( including when you can upload an avatar) (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,114.0.html.)
- Reputation Rules (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,18960.msg146855.html#msg146855)
Hugs and Love,
Janet
Quote from: Michael Alexander on November 03, 2010, 08:18:26 PM
Welcome to the forum Lindsey :icon_wave:
This site is a great place to get info from other guys on different surgeons. Look forward to seeing your posts around the forum. :)
Thanks for the welcome! I'm in Ohio so I'm currently considering Medalie in Cleveland and Fischer in Maryland, but I definitely plan on spending some time reading through the top surgery board threads here before I get any consults. :D