I'm only asking this because I'm afraid that HRT will be ineffective for me as I'm a 46 year old Australian trans woman and I'm still fixating on being passable. I have saved money for my transition which I'm about to start, via HRT, in mid February.

Additionally what are the pros and cons of surgery in Australia versus Thailand for FFS in regards to skilled practitioners and overall pricing?

I understand that HRT will most likely relax my mental and emotional needs for "passability" but being easily seen as a women will add confidence to my need to live and relax as a woman. Besides I  have been both fortunate enough and determined enough to save for FFS.

I choose to live a very active, fit and healthy lifestyle too because this is luckily another part of my character.

Any help would be much appreciated of course

Thanks in advance girls,
Roxie.

I would certainly advise waiting for awhile after you start HRT for FFS as the muscle and fat in your face does change.
Having FFS surgery too soon may lead to a need for revisions.

I would second what Cindy said. If it helps, I am 49, started HRT when I was 47... the changes from HRT usually take at least 6-12 months to become noticeable and chances are you won't have transitioned to full time within that period. You owe it to yourself to first of all see if HRT will help before going under the knife.

Thanks Cindy and Grace, I was told the same thing by my Gender Center counseller and so I will allow 10 months for HRT to work its magic, which will hopefully be enough to lessen my desire for FFS's ministrations.

It does take time, I do know that the Australian GCS surgeon won't even do a BA unless you are at least 18 months on HRT as physical changes are gradual.

As far as the face goes after 2 years on HRT my facial changes meant that I no longer needed the same glasses, my distance vision had returned to normal.

I'd been on HRT for about eight months when people started telling me they thought I was looking younger!

You're right Grace, I will probably not have fully transitioned in this time because I will also be able to use this time to save even more money. I am a well skilled and well paid construction worker in Sydney and thus I will need to change my "career" direction soon enough which in turn requires more dollars!

I don't think there's any FFS surgeons in Australia, but that doesn't automatically mean Thailand. There's a number of other countries. Personally I'd go to Thailand for SRS, but not sure what I'd do for FFS.

Also, did you check what it costs? Its kind of expensive, more so than SRS.

Quote from: roxie rudi on December 28, 2015, 12:53:27 AM
You're right Grace, I will probably not have fully transitioned in this time because I will also be able to use this time to save even more money. I am a well skilled and well paid construction worker in Sydney and thus I will need to change my "career" direction soon enough which in turn requires more dollars!

I have two close transgender female friends in construction. One runs a concrete pour company and the other a roofing company. No problems in their transitions.

Ummm.... Cindy, forgive me if I'm showing my ignorance but I'm unaware of what "GCS" and the other acronyms/abbreviations that you are using actually mean. Remembering please that I have only recently decided to make a long time needed move to transition. This has been for various reasons.

Sorry Hon,

GCS, gender correction surgery or SRS, sex reassignment surgery or or GRS, gender reconstruction surgery -- all acronyms for the female bottom surgery, construction of a neo vagina.

BA, breast augmentation ( a boob job)

FFS, facial feminisation surgery.

There are also surgery for making your bottom more curvy by implants (please don't ever have that) or fat redistribution to enhance curves or decrease waist size.

Tracheal or voice surgery. Tracheal shave reduces the size of the 'Adam's apple. Voice surgery tightens the vocal cords to make a more feminine voice.

Wow. Concrete pouring eh? If she can do it then so can I. But unfortunately I don't see me being able to continue with the same company with which I am employed without a LOT of harassment from who will become my erstwhile "mates". I can do without that drama. Similarly I am familiar with many others across the industry where larger projects are concerned. But that's cool because I have an exit strategy.

Well there's certainly a lot of construction work in Sydney at the moment!

Thankyou very much Cindy, you have taught me some new terms. However apart from FFS the only other surgery which I am considering is GRS/SRS. I would love a nice and girly bum and big boobies but I will let HRT take a natural course in these matters.

I will save assiduously for a "neo vagina" because thinking about having one myself just feels soooooo right.

Do remember that many members of this site are in the USA and sadly in many places the discrimination against TG people is far higher than seen in Australia. Our anti-discrimination laws are very strong, and the level of public acceptance very high in comparison.

Sure we need to keep safe and if a workplace feels like somewhere you will be uncomfortable then do of course change.

But I think I would be correct in saying that few Australians have received the level of discrimination that is seen OS.

In my (limited) dealing with Federal politicians and more involved dealings with State politicians, there is very strong support for TG rights. The police are trained in transgender acceptance and virtually every lawyer I work with is transgender friendly.

All public services in Australia have anti-discrimination laws that they enforce. And I would be very surprised if any major company risked a discrimination case against transgender people. They would be cleaned out.

Certainly is Grace, cranes everywhere! But I have had a past that includes acquaintance with many ne'erdowell fools that my true self can certainly do without. That's the "buildin' game" for me unfortunately. I have on occasion been somewhat self destructive while hiding from this wrong body that I feel cursed with.
Please forgive my prior stupidity but now it's time to stop and do what is right for me! 

You are right again Cindy. Many discussions with my counseller at the Gender Centre bare this out.

Quote from: roxie rudi on December 28, 2015, 01:28:00 AM
But I have had a past that includes acquaintance with many ne'erdowell fools that my true self can certainly do without. That's the "buildin' game" for me unfortunately.

Trans or not, there seems to be a tsunami of harassment and discrimination against women working in construction... as companies that allow it to happen are finding though they risk being sued for it!

Female construction worker subjected to assaults, bullying and rape threats, awarded $1.3 million
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-12-17/female-construction-worker-awarded-1.3m-sexual-harassment/7039062

ABC.net.au/Freya Michie

A female road construction worker subjected to assaults, sexual harassment, bullying and rape threats at a Melbourne workplace has won a $1.3 million payout.

Anyway, do either of you girls have any idea of comparative pricing vis a vis Australia and Thailand? Dr Suporn, from my investigation, seems to be THE surgeon where FFS is concerned. Am I right?

By the way Cindy and Grace you both have lovely, soft and feminine features which I dream of having.

No! That is just evil crap and I'm glad that the girl's struggles were at least recognised. This behaviour can not be allowed to continue.