I found this forum through a Google search and I think it's probably one of the largest on this topic?  Well, lately my dysphoria has been overwhelming and I needed some help.  I'm 38, Asian, and lived uncomfortably as a male for all my life.  The past 2.5 years I've slowly come out by cross dressing and posting some of those photos on social media, but I don't think I'll ever find happiness unless I go all the way.  I've always been shy and now that I'm older I'm afraid of things I can't change such as thinning hair, voice, skin.. I really want to look real and function as much as possible as a female someday.  So I hope to find some advice on HRT, FFS and SRS surgeons who are good with Asians.

I've skimmed through a few subforums already and it seems there a quite a few more MtF than FtM but I think it will be a great place to share.  Thanks

Hi Shoko 

Welcome to Susan's    Glad to have you here, join on in the fun

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Hugs

V M

Hi shoko,

A big Aussie welcome to Susan's family. It's good of you to drop in and say "Hi". Hope you like it here, and you stay for a while.

There is a mountain of information, resources and friendship waiting for you here, you just need to jump in start talking and ask any question you like. You're quite safe here and we are very accepting.

Glad you found us. I'm sure you'll find what you're looking for here.

Looking forward to hearing more of your story in time to come, but in the meantime, be safe, well and happy.

Speak to you as soon as I finish breakfast.

Lotsa huggs
Catherine

A hearty welcome to Susan's, Shoko.

Welcome to Susan's Place. We have at least one member of the board who is Asian who had FFS and I think turned out stunning. For GCS, Thailand is one of the major centers of care so they should be aware of any special issues that you might have. Age is not really a limitation because a number of our member transitioned late in life with good results. Sometimes hair will regrow and skin will improve with HRT but wigs aren't all that uncommon among the users of this site. You want to stay away from the cheap wigs and have a professionally fitted wig. Synthetic wigs are pretty good now days but you might prefer human hair.

I can't provide hard numbers on MTF vs FTM but I tend to deal with new members who have problems and at that level it seems to be about 50/50. The MTF seem to be more active on the site but I have found the FTMs are very sportive of others needing help.

I don't know if this is the largest TG site but over a day, about 700 users log on to the site. For every registered user on the site there are about 5 or 6 guest making it possible that as many as 4,000 people a day view the site. We also have about 21,000 registered users.  If we aren't the biggest, we are right up there.

Thank you everyone!  I've been trying to filter through this board but there's so much it's hard to find exactly what I'm looking for.

I've already contacted my local LGBT center but the first appointment is in January   My goal is to start with sperm banking, then HRT and FFS, followed by SRS within a year.  I don't like this requirement for letters in order to get surgery, though.  I'm sure someone knows tips for getting letters, if so please PM me!  I've thought this through so I don't think I need counseling.

I wonder how much this all would cost, too.  I don't have good health insurance

You might have a look here and the links there:
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,194986.msg1737439.html#msg1737439

You might also ask at plannedparenthood for counseling...

and there might be programs for people with low income...

here were some infos on costs...
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,199106.msg1770213.html#msg1770213

concerning letters there are online therapists...
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,187135.0.html
some surgeons abroad can refer to counselors... you might ask...

concerning coverage you might simply ask or look it up. It might even be possible to ask without giving a name. More and more is covered.
For srs you might look at kamol or sanguan if going private (do your due diligence and compare and research).
For FFS some people simply start out with a rhinoplasty.
And many people do not need any FFs because of hormonal influence of hrt.
Hair style also can make a difference. Growing hair out, with bangs covering the forehead and maybe even the brow area can make a difference.
Also trimming the brows or having them trimmed (careful if doing it yourself... some people trim from below... take your time and check results...)

Concerning private messages you can receive but its necessary to have 15 posts before sending.
Also no more picture confirmation is necessary, and an avatar pic can be uploaded.

There are two things you may not be aware of. Often the letters will require a year of RLE - real life experience - living in the desired role. The other issue is you may not require intensive therapy but the doctors would like to be sure you are ready to face the problems that will occur living in the new role. We are all sure we know what we want but it's a good deal different living in the new life and often there are unexpected adjustment problems.

I had two years of RLE and about 8 years of therapy of which the last 3 really made a huge difference in preparing me for the new life. After surgery I had no issues to deal with and have lived a great life as the result.

There may be a way to avoid this but personally I wouldn't recommend it.

Thank you so much for those replies, and especially for those links, Laura_7!

I'm going to look into those online psychologists, hopefully I can get a local MD here in LA to help with the Endo stuff.

In the past I had surgery before (Rhinoplasty) overseas but the lack of after care makes me hesitant about Thailand, although it probably is safe since they do so much there.  Right now I'm more concerned about the FFS since I need to do that first and it's important I get a really good result for an Asian..

Quote from: shoko on November 16, 2015, 11:31:59 AM
Thank you so much for those replies, and especially for those links, Laura_7!

I'm going to look into those online psychologists, hopefully I can get a local MD here in LA to help with the Endo stuff.

You might have a look at plannedparenthood, or other places...

CALIFORNIA- LOS ANGELES
DR. MADELINE (MADDIE) B. DEUTSCH, MD, Main practice is in San Francisco but she also travels to Los Angeles 1-2 times a month to see patients there.
LA Gay and Lesbian Center: (twice a month) 1625 N Schrader Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90028 323-993-7518
http://laglc.convio.net/site/PageServer?pagename=YH_Transgender_Health_Care
LAGLC accepts insurance and does sliding scale. On site pharmacy. Serves both trans men and trans women. There can be a
backlog for accepting new patients.

Just look up reviews and do your due diligence...

Quote
In the past I had surgery before (Rhinoplasty) overseas but the lack of after care makes me hesitant about Thailand, although it probably is safe since they do so much there.  Right now I'm more concerned about the FFS since I need to do that first and it's important I get a really good result for an Asian..

You might have a look here:
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php?topic=150470.0

and you might ask this member:
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php?action=profile;u=42538


hugs

^^ thank you

I guess I have to post a few more to contact people.  Anyone know who did the FFS for Ai Haruna?

I called the LA LGBT Center but the first appt is in January.  So I need to look around for a private doc.  I'll try to upgrade my health insurance, too.  But if I end up doing things out of the country it would be a waste.. Right now I'm assuming it would all cost around 30-50k?

Quote from: shoko on November 16, 2015, 01:35:40 PM
^^ thank you

I guess I have to post a few more to contact people.  Anyone know who did the FFS for Ai Haruna?

I called the LA LGBT Center but the first appt is in January.  So I need to look around for a private doc.  I'll try to upgrade my health insurance, too.  But if I end up doing things out of the country it would be a waste.. Right now I'm assuming it would all cost around 30-50k?

The member has info in the signature for contact...

as said additional to the lgbt center plannedparenthood might be tried...

well costs depend on how extensive ffs would be...

Ai Haruna transitioned over 20 yrs ago...

Ooops that's true lol (Ai)

I must say getting this process underway makes a huge difference.  I finally feel happy and looking forward to the future now, whereas in the past I always hoped to meet a quick demise on an airplane or something.  I just don't want to be too frustrated by the red tape involved.  It would be wonderful if it could all be done within 9 months, kind of like a rebirth