I've posted a couple times what I looked like before - when I went in for therapy. Fat, neckbearded, 5'11", hairy, slob. Pretty much the exact polar opposite of me as I am today.

I had an idea that maybe I'd get somewhere - but to be honest I was only expecting to pass after a great deal of work.
Then I met my new best friend Estrogen, and her buddies Laser and Diet. Under their strict tutelage I went places I never dreamed of going, and I'm mostly incredibly thrilled with the end result.

I've already vastly exceeded the limited expectations that I had when I started. I mean, God, when I started HRT I weighed 270 lbs, had a hideously-masculine face, brow bossing, a big chin, a huge build, my hairline was receding, I hated my smile, I hated my body, and I seriously believed that although maybe I'd look female, probably just barely enough to pass. I never believed that I'd ever look pretty. The sheer amount of comments that I've gotten as I've feminized and lost weight have completely blown my mind.

With that said, though, at the same time, I guess I still really don't know whether I blend in or not. Because I've still only really gone out socially among the protection of other trans friends. So I still pretty much have no idea how the big bad cisgender world is going to treat me.

I'm still in the middle of transitioning, so my response may be premature, but I had no idea how I would end up and still really don't know.  When I came out and started down this path my entire family was deadset against it.  They made sure to tell me all the time that I would never pass and that my life would be terrible.  After hearing all these things and feeling concern myself, I wasn't sure if there was hope but I didn't let myself give in when I knew how badly this was needed.  As of now, I do believe in time that I will be able to pass, but I feel like it's going to take more work.   Still, I feel it will happen and that is an amazing feeling.  It's like it won't always be a dream, one day it will actually come true.

I didn't think I would at all. It was a huge fear of mine, and sometimes still is when I feel insecure. But I went on with it anyway because I knew I couldn't be happy as female and I had to hold on to hope that I'd pass and blend in.

Quote from: ZoeM on March 12, 2014, 01:58:37 PM
Then I met my new best friend Estrogen, and her buddies Laser and Diet...