Hi everyone!
Some of you have reached out through private message to ask how things are going. And being that October is the anniversary of my legal transition, I thought I would post a yearly update. October 5th marks the 2nd anniversary of the day I legally became Sarah and November 5th will mark my 3rd full year on HRT! Wow does the time fly!!! And of course I pulled some photos off my phone to share though not much physically has changed. My endo did tell me that after about 3 years, the changes will settle down and I will look as I will look.



So physically, the most notable changes I can report this year is weight gain! The doc has told me he wants me down at least 15 pounds before my next appointment. But extra fat has helped shape my body...it's just not healthy. In reality I am only up 10 pounds from my last posting but much of the nice clothes I bought 2 years ago looks like hell on me now! The downside to hormones is that it is certainly harder to lose weight.



People have asked about my profile view and whether I look female from another angle. So here is a pic I snapped JUST for you!  I don't know exactly what makes one look male or female from the side but there it is.

From an emotional standpoint, I am still happier than ever! I still light up inside when I hear she, her and ma'am...and my wife recently said "aren't you tired of that yet?" Hell no!! I just cannot imagine that getting old.
My hormone regimen has not been modified and I am still on all the same meds I have been on. My E level is holding firm around 240, my total T level is always around 22 and Free T hangs way down there at 0.7. Do I miss my T? What kind of question in that? LOL

My wife and I are as close as always. We still do not show PDA when in public and we are kind of use to it. But when the sun sets and we walk around town, we hold hands. Work has been wonderful. I love what I do and love all the support I receive from those I interact with. I do however admit that the excitement of transition is over. It had to happen eventually and now being Sarah is just a part of life. There are no longer any "firsts" as a female but I am ok with that. As I said to my therapist when I first started "what happens if after the novelty wears off, I don't like being Sarah?" He smiled and said "do you really think that will happen??" Well the novelty has worn off and I would not trade my life for anything!! I still glow when I pass my reflection and see her looking back. It's a reminder that anything is possible and age be damned! Sure I have wrinkles and I am showing my age but I'd rather look like a middle aged woman than a younger man.

Physically, my breasts have not done much growth. I am still teetering on the A - B threshold though this past year they have taken much better shape that I am happy about. I was told that 3-5 years are breast development time so I will just let it be what it will be. If they do not increase, I do not feel I need augmentation because what I have I really like. And though I do not feel the need for SRS, I am considering removing the testicles just to cut back on the amount of medications I have to take. "Shrinkage" has been wonderful as it is now very easy to hide and doesn't show even with the snuggest clothing. But the belly and thigh fat DOES so like I said, I have to slim that down!

Beyond that, there is not much more to report. It's been a great year and though I am suffering a few unrelated medical problems, I am still quite happy. As always, I thank you all for following up and reminding me where it all started. I have also been told by several "less young" folks that my story is encouraging. It truly warms my heart to share my experiences because it was something so crucial to me when I started. To all those undergoing or just starting transition, I salute you. From a physical standpoint, it IS possible no matter your age! Science is a wonderful thing! ^_^

Love Sarah

looking very womanly .

I don't think being what we are will ever wear off.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts, pics and life.  Beautiful inside and out.

Hugs

Jen

Your Absolutely beautiful. I'm on my fourth week on HRT. I hope I'm as pretty as you.

Thank you Stephaniec and JLT1!

And Revan, congrats on approaching your 1 month mark! That first month is soooo exciting! YOU GO GIRL!!

Congrats Sarah on 3 years.. U look amazing.

Myself, I will be 6 years since starting HRT in January and also 2 years since SRS as well. It was amazing how my SRS and my HRT anniversary fall in the same month.

It amazing how the hormones physically change you, for me.. I actually developed the same body style as the women in my family. A wide pair of hips and bigger breasts (D cups) and the same cup size as my mother..

The no more firsts as a female?? I agree with you its not a big deal and like you I will not trade noleen for anything. I love being a woman. I remember when I started my therapy, I was very reluctant to embrace the woman inside wanting to get out and she said.. embrace your femininity and see what happens. The rest as they say is history.

I cant imagine myself as a man anymore and its hard to believe I was ever one. My roommate who knew me pre-hrt says she cant believe much of a girl I am. I really into makeup, clothes, shoes, painting my nails and love shopping. My roommate I owe a lot to, she basically thought me a lot, things like how to apply makeup, walk in heels ( I love heels, the higher the better), she even took me to get my ears pierced. My roommate also encouraged me to go into therapy and helped a lot with me embracing the woman inside me) or just to listen when I had a bad day.

There were surprises along the way too, like my attraction to men, pre-hrt I was a straight male.. well I am now still straight, but a straight female. This happened sometime in my hrt. I am dating a wonderful man for a year now and I love being his girlfriend. We have a normal romantic relationship and the sex is great

other surprises, well how outgoing I am now.. as a male I was shy and reserved. I even got a tattoo, something I would have never got a a man.. that lead to 2 more. (One on my lower back, one on my lower stomach and one on my right ankle). I want to get one on my shoulder blade.

well sarah again congrats and here to the next 3 years.

Simply stunning

And go girl rock those kitty ears XD

Wow, Sarah Anne!  You were really an inspiration to me just 10 months ago.  I'm so glad I found this thread and your willingness to share your journey.  I am in complete agreement about rather being a middle aged woman than any sort of male.  Thank you for checking in.
Hugs,

-Alana

Noleen  - Thank you so much! It sounds like you had a great support system in place with your roommate. Congrats on that and getting a body that sounds like you are happy with! It's fun to be a girl isn't it? And you mentioned that HRT changed your sexual preference....I hope that is not the case for myself. I do notice men now where I did not before, but I still do not have any pull towards them. I would be devastated to lose the attraction to my wife. My personality is still pretty much the same as well. But now I can act the way that has always felt natural. 

Frae - Thanx! I was a vendor at a pumpkin festival and my mother-in-law made me my own kitty cat apron. My wife gave me the ears to help complete the look. I am a crazy cat lady 

Alana - Glad I could help is some way! Middle age ROCKS! Ok, no it doesn't! I hurt constantly, I soon need bifocals and I go bed early. But damn it, I go to bed as a woman!!! 

Hi SarahAnne -  big hugs.  Shannon

Hi Shannon! Great to hear from you and hope all is well

Sarah Anne - How are you doing?  Your updates are so wonderfully detailed and inspirational.  Hugs Shannon

OMG Sarah,
This is a blast from the past for me. You inspired me... I can't believe I have fully transitioned now.. and remember your before and after and was like.. that bitch... LOL.
So, anyway I know how you feel.
Life goes on and we just become who we are... amazing how that happens.
Estrogen really kicks our butts. But we like it or we would not have taken it.
You look great....
Keri

Hi Keri!
Congrats on completing transition! You look absolutely stunning hun (AND happy!) There is indeed something calming and satisfying about getting past all the paper work and awkwardness of the "in-between" stage. Yet it was an experience I wouldn't trade for anything!

And because Shannon so thoughtfully asked...here's an update

I know it's true now when people say, after 40, it's all downhill! I have more creaks and cracks in my body and days when everything just hurts. There have been some medical debacles that I am currently ironing out but highly doubt HRT has contributed to any of them. 3 months ago my E levels were down to the lowest point in my transition so my endo upped the dosage. I had blood drawn yesterday so I don't know if it recovered or not yet. Health is indeed a pain in the ass. Having lost several close friends and family in the past few years to cancer, it's always in the back my mind "WHEN will I get it", not "IF I get it". To me, it's not ironic to finally be given what you always wanted in life and have it snuffed out before you really get to enjoy it. Life just seems to work out that way and being a pessimist doesn't help!

Anyway, let me throw "Debbie Downer" to the curb (sorry if someone out there is named Debbie Downer! ) On the grand scheme of things, not a day goes by that I don't stop and reflect on the gift I've been given. Seeing Sarah in the mirror has not gotten old and I truly am happy deep down regardless of influences of the reality world. Here are 2 pics from the past 2 weeks.



Last week we celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary by going away to the same bed and breakfast we visited on our 1st anniversary. The big difference was, on our 1st anniversary, I was still male. So we check in and the owner is giving us a tour of the property (which we already knew about from being there before) and she says "So are the two of you related?" And I said "well, yes we are!" She smiled and said "you must be sisters then!" I cringed at her and said "no, actually we are married and this is our 5th anniversary." And as has become the norm, the look on her face said it all..."OH! Well congratulations!" and she continued on with the tour. So I spouted out "we were here 4 years ago for our 1st anniversary" but did not mention I was trans. This is an area of the world where I doubt they see many lesbian couples so I could see the wheels turning in her head as if to say "gee, I would have remembered that!"

Here is a selfie of us we took upon our arrival.



Last night we were walking through a mall and my wife said "I still really miss holding your hand!" I know the time will come when we just won't care what people think but neither of us are there yet. From the years of hoping to fit in, attention is the last thing I want to draw to us. And with trans in the media more than ever these days, it's like being on "high alert" all the time. And yet I would NEVER go back to the life I had the first 40 years!

I hope you all are well...this has been my 4 and half year update! ^_^

Sarah

Am I glad to see you are doing so well! 

As Keri said, you are an inspiration to many of us.

We will keep in touch.

Emily

Sarah Anne, you look absolutely fantastic!  Wow, I hope I look as good as you if/when I start my transition.  You are truly an inspiration.

Jenny

Hi girls.  Hi Sarah Anne!  How is everyone doing with their transition?  Probably sweating. Lol. It's hot this summer.   I'm not ready to put up any photos yet.  I'm brave but not that brave.  I'm filling out and it feels so good.  Keep up all the various updates.  Hugs Shannon

WOW Sarah you look gorgeous as always . You are an inspiration.

So authentic looking! And so happy ... your pictures make me smile. 😄

Quote from: Sarah Anne on June 03, 2016, 07:09:03 AM

Thank you for giving me and others the courage to start and continue down this path.

I have been on HRT (Spiro and E) for a month and my face is going through the same changes as yours.  I am amazed at these things.  Like you, the laser seems to have taken care of 90% of my hair and even the tech is amazed at the progress and while I continue with the laser, I am using electrolysis to eliminate the small white hairs.  One other change is that while I have always had small feminine hands, it seems as if my fingers are getting even more slender.

My Doctor said, despite all I have read to the contrary, that the pitch of my voice will rise.  It has always been a high feminine pitch so I never worried about it but did you notice any changes in that area?