Hello everyone! Sorry for the long time since my last time to say hello!
I am in need of some assistance, since my research is quite limited, as all my funds and time go towards getting ready for my significant other to come home from Air Force Basic Training!
I don't know if it's alright to post my question as this, but I'm gonna try! What I'm gonna do is put my description down, and what we have as kind of a "picture" as an end result, and I want to see if someone can give me some kind of path to follow from what i am now to reach that end picture! Okay, so lets see how this goes!
I am 5'9"
Coarse Brown Hair
Heavily freckled(face & arms)
I have an extremely feminine figure: wide hips, narrow shoulders, thin neck, and low amount of body muscle.
Not super skinny, but on the verge of being flat stomached, some would call it a "pudge"(but a small one)
My weight is at a steady 170-180 range
And I'm 20 years of age.

The end result we have pictured go as this:
Not a specific height(I'm a small built anyways)
Mid length red hair(to go with my freckles and emerald eyes)
Flat stomach, as I can maintain once there!(looking for a procedure maybe, as working out hasn't accomplished anything!)
mid size, below average, B cup breasts
Facial surgery(my facial structure is a bit more rigid and angled, giving it that dominant male aspect)
And the normal MTF things, to complete the transition.

How can I take the first, and make it the second? What procedures/steps would I have to take? Money isn't an issue, and I haven't done anything to begin the transition as of yet, as we expect we can begin by February or March of 2016. Anything I have to do, I will do, as this is my dream!
As a second note: what can be done about my voice? It's not rather deep, but a little scratchy-ish. Would it make it easier to develop an accent? I have no idea where I read it, but past reading has suggested such a thing!

Thank you for all your love and support!!
~Anah Rabekka Ariana Venezia:D

My recommendation is to start these things as soon as possible, because they take so long:

Grow your hair out: It takes 1 year to grow 6" of hair, so if you want mid/shoulder length, that's going to take 1-2 years.

Start getting laser hair removal on your beard: It take 1.5 years, going every 8 weeks, to clear it completely.  You might need electrolysis if the hairs are actually red and not "coarse brown", which will take longer.

Find a gender-specialty psychiatrist and get the medical process rolling to eventually get on HRT if you do want to transition.  You want to be sure it's what you want before you make permanent changes to your body, like ear piercings.

I agree with MFOX. Is your SO aware of your needs? if not then that will need to be addressed too.

Welcome to Susan's Place. In addition to the above, you should wait on FFS until you see what hormones do to your face. The changes aren't great but when combined with hair and makeup your face may appear feminine. HRT acts pretty slow at times so give yourself 3-4 years before deciding on surgery for appearance reasons. Many people are able to develop a feminine voice but in some cases like mine, voice surgery helps. For me to reach a feminine pitch I need to combine surgery and therapy because surgery can only do so much by it's self.

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Quote from: AnahBear95 on October 10, 2015, 04:59:17 AM
How can I take the first, and make it the second? What procedures/steps would I have to take? Money isn't an issue, and I haven't done anything to begin the transition as of yet, as we expect we can begin by February or March of 2016. Anything I have to do, I will do, as this is my dream!

Oh, wouldst that our transitions be so simple as feigning an accent and a brief schedule of physician visits... 
Take the time to read, read and reread the posts on this forum and will see that almost everyone here in on a journey with many stops (not just steps or procedures) along the way. 
mfox and Cynthia Michelle offer sound advice. I was lucky in that my bride was accepting and encouraged the development of a differently appearing "me" - but not all SOs are equally accepting.

Thank you all for your support!!

Yes my SO is completely aware of everything, as it was her who pushed me towards it! I was willing to give up this dream for her, and she won't have it. The only reason I made it as far as this forum is only thanks to her.

My hair is steadily growing out, I've been on it for... 4 months I believe. My facial hair is black/brown, with some "invisible blonde", as I call it, thrown in there in the mustache areas. I keep it shaven fairly often, as with 90% of my entire body; legs, arms, underarms, midsection, thighs and sides.

I'm sorry for my lack of knowledge, I've been more of a backstage trans my entire life, doing everything in secret and with no motivation, I've almost given up a few times. At 18 I was working warehouse and when I noticed I was gaining muscle mass, I quit. I was shoved in the way of the military by overbearing family and spending 10 months in the Marine Corps DEP led me to leave home.
Until may of 2015, my SO hasn't always had the full story, as we have been together for 2 years and with many life issues, most wouldn't call it "together" as staying with her family has led to very few months to spend with one another.

I'm scared, honestly, because I don't know exactly what to expect long term. I just want to be a normal girl. I don't want to hide things, or be scared to be myself in front of anyone. I don't know exactly what the protocol is for once you start everything, because I'm extremely self conscious of my appearance to the outside world. I've tried to be a "I don't care what you think of me, I know I'm beautiful" kind of person, but I simply can't. It's not in my nature. When I start hormones, will I start to grow.... More unattractive for some time before things settle out? I'm okay with that, as I can lock myself in the house, but it something I'd like to know.

I know many of you here are strong, independent individuals, but I'm not. Some have said I have the heart of a teenager at age 20, someone who just wants to be loved and have fun, where at the same time I can take care of myself and my SO, because you can't forget experience. Ive been living on my own since Christmas 2013, so I must not be too bad. I get a constant flow of checks from my investments in the stock market that keep me afloat, and I was raised to cook, clean, and kick ass(as my daddy used to say to my sister).

Once more, thank you everyone for your love and support though these stressful times and rough patches. If my curiosity crosses any lines, just let me know. I'm an open book.
~Anah

If you want to get rid of your facial hair you'll need to start laser and/or electrolysis.
If you want to start hormone therapy, depending on your local laws and whether or not informed consent is a thing, you may need to talk with a counsellor or gender therapist before being referred to an endocrinologist.
If you want to transition to 100% full time, start thinking about who you want to be - wardrobe, mannerisms, walk, presentation.
Voice - generally doesn't change on HRT - you will either need to learn how to change the way you talk (it is possible!) or look into surgery - some people do this but I'd suggest trying to change it yourself first.

Thank you for the very informed response! I only have one issue: my significant other is in the military and we will most likely be moving around ratheruch for the next 6 plus years. Is there a preferred place where I wouldn't have to see a gender therapist?

I found a gender therapist to really help sort out my thoughts and needs.

My first therapist said for me to focus on one thing at a time and one day at a time. That was perhaps one of the best things I have done, otherwise my transition would be overwhelming.

Dear Anah:

It would be inaccurate to think those of us who are further down the path than you are more courageous than you . . . it makes me giggle to think how I was and to have someone think I was brave back then - a big NOT! 

In time however, things did begin to get less scary.  I think the three most important aspects of that occurring were: 1) a good gender therapist, 2) two terrific support groups, and 3) the passage of time.  It was ~18 months when I didn't think much about being embarrassed or doing something 'stupid' as a tyro-woman, all of which continued to occur regularly    but I was able to cope and grow from those experiences and often viewed them as part of the natural process of becoming a woman.

Concerning the details of transitioning you've gotten some good advice - stay in touch and begin to nudge yourself a little to make your dreams real, take a little step - just one, then another when you can.  Transitioning is many things but ultimately it's a doing thing; you simply cannot think your way into womanhood, which isn't to say the state of mind and soul aren't important.  However, there's little substance behind the mind and soul if they do not influence the lives we live and of those around us.  That's just part of the design of life! 

Vive la vie!!!   

Luv,

Rachel

P.S. I left out HRT, which just shifted everything in about four months.