I am attending a woman's retreat where I am going to learn to surf.

Quote from: Sarah.VanDistel on August 26, 2017, 09:46:24 AM

Well, Sarah, I'm doing it because I'm finally out at work and there's already a vague timetable of my transition in people's mind, and they're fine with it. They expect slight changes in the upcoming months and a big change around February-March 2018 (FFS + BA + official name change), so I don't expect any big reaction about my earrings... perhaps a bit of curiosity, a smile or two... but that should be it. About the public I work with, they're my patients and I don't expect any questions from them. If they ask, my plan is to tell them the truth: "I am transgender and this is just a step in my transition from manhood to womanhood. In case you wonder, this does not change anything about the doctor I am and I'm still going to take very good care of you." ☺

Anyways, my hair wouldn't be of any help. After my recent hair transplantation, I look more like GI Jane... [emoji6] I have nothing to hide my ears! I anticipate that I shouldn't expect to have a satisfactorily long hair before a good 2,5-3 years from now... Lengthwise, I'm looking for something along these lines...



Any idea of how long it will/would take to grow such a beautiful head cover? [emoji7] Do you think 3 years is overly optimistic?

Hugs, Sarah

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After they shaved my head for my FUE,  it took about 14 months to get to a passable short bob. At 18 months,  it's way past the bottom of my ears,  and heading to my shoulders.

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Quote from: meganjames2 on August 26, 2017, 10:32:06 AM
After they shaved my head for my FUE,  it took about 14 months to get to a passable short bob. At 18 months,  it's way past the bottom of my ears,  and heading to my shoulders.

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So about 2 years until what I have in mind... Very encouraging! Thanks Megan! [emoji4]

Hugs, Sarah

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I've just updated my original post with some before and after pics.

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php?topic=205939.0


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Quote from: meganjames2 on August 26, 2017, 11:34:32 AM
I've just updated my original post with some before and after pics.

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php?topic=205939.0


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Just one thing to say: WOW! I hope the gods of hair will be so generous with me! I initially thought of going to Turkey for my hair transplantation, but after the recent turmoil I chose Hungary instead and so far I'm quite happy with the recovery. May I ask if you had only your vertex implanted? How many hairs? As you, I did FUE (6250 hairs) but it was just the frontal area, as my vertex still has a very good density. OMG... I was so happy when I saw your pics! ☺

Hugs, Sarah

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I had 4000 just to the Crown area.  It's still thin there,  and at the front,  but just about good enough with the right styling. I will NEVER let anyone shave my head again, but there is UFUE, if I ever win the lottery.

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Sarah,

My transplant physician said 3 to 6 months for the transplanted hairs to enter their growth cycle. I have both heard and experienced around 0.5 inches or ~13 mm per month hair growth rate. I have to guess that the picture you showed had about 10 inches or 25 cm length so somewhere around 18 to 20 months. My point of reference is the hairs that I had transplanted at the beginning of March are now between 1.5 and 2 inches in length (4 to 5 cm). Obviously ymmv. I am 69 years old and take daily supplements of Biotin for hair and nails but have no data to prove that it works.

By the way, I just love your continued stories of your journey. You give such a fine testimony of what life can be like when you decide to reach out and grab it. Enjoy the ride!

Anne

Quote from: I Am Jess on August 26, 2017, 10:03:46 AM
I am attending a woman's retreat where I am going to learn to surf.

Good luck at the woman's retreat learning how to surf Jess. I've always been very impressed with anyone that can actually surf. It seems like a really difficult skill to master.

The rate of body hair growth is down something like 40%.     I've figured out the best way to shave my upper lip too, good since about 25% of the black hairs are still there and when I don't grind them down it's obvious I'm up to something, not that I care exactly. 

Quote from: Sarah_P on August 25, 2017, 05:18:34 PM
Lucky girl! I'm dying to get my ears pierced, but I'm worried about explaining them to people at work (not my coworkers, the public I work with). Within the next month or so my hair should be long enough to cover them, though!

Sarah,

I work with some very nosey busy-bodies.  No one noticed when I did mine or at least they didn't say anything. 

The joy and comfort that the piercings gave me is indescribable.  I actually, for me, put piercing my ears next in line behind growing boobs.  It was that powerful of a experience.  It just felt right and Nobody cared.  Lots of guys have pierced ears.

BTW it took almost 8 months before I could just put in a new pair without searching for the hole.


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Quote from: Denise on August 26, 2017, 05:21:11 PM
Sarah,

I work with some very nosey busy-bodies.  No one noticed when I did mine or at least they didn't say anything. 

The joy and comfort that the piercings gave me is indescribable.  I actually, for me, put piercing my ears next in line behind growing boobs.  It was that powerful of a experience.  It just felt right and Nobody cared.  Lots of guys have pierced ears.

BTW it took almost 8 months before I could just put in a new pair without searching for the hole.


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Funny... I never got my ears pierced or felt any big need to do it... Once in a while I think I should but I guess that feeling hasn't been enough to get me somewhere to get it done... Maybe one of these days!!!

Onward we go!!!

Ashley

I just went to a voice thing and the instructors were complementary that I'm sounding pretty good.  And these people tell it like it is.

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Okay, yesterday, but had to share.

I needed something at work related to my transition. So i wrote an email to the person who could help me - fretted about it, probably spent a couple hours rewriting it, deleting it, restarting it, etc.  I'm not out at work.  I prayed for discretion in the person receiving it.

Finally I sent the dang thing.  The response coming back was fairly slow, which surprised me somewhat but I attributed it to someone who didn't know how to handle a trans person and was nervous or something. Then I got the response after waiting what seemed like forever.

The person disclosed that they too were trans and they understood (also said some really helpful stuff).  I ended up crying. I'm glad I work much of the time from home because my coworkers probably would have been very worried about me.

I went shopping for clothes at a thrift store today with my SIL. I got out of my truck and put my keys in my pocket, turned around and she was gone! She was there for my moral support but I thought to myself, just do it. I did and it was a blast! And those stores are great for figuring out what sizes I need.

A girl friend and I had a girl's day out shopping trip today!  Went to lots of great stores, and we had a ton of fun trying on different clothes!! We even ended up buying the same dress!   
Charming Charlies, Nordstrom Rack, Bath & Body Works, and several other wonderful stores, plus a delicious lunch at Panera Bread. Oh, and some desert at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. I am now firmly of the opinion that it takes a certain minimum level of estrogen to truly appreciate chocolate. 
One of the (if not THE) funnest days I've ever had!

Finally came out to some of my family members.  The plan going in was only telling my two sisters.  Well both nephews got involved and now they know.  All of them are for it so that was a good thing.  I had a feeling they would be ok with it all.  Now I just need a way to tell my mother.  That one won't be easy.

Quote from: RobynTx on August 27, 2017, 06:01:12 AM
Finally came out to some of my family members.  The plan going in was only telling my two sisters.  Well both nephews got involved and now they know.  All of them are for it so that was a good thing.  I had a feeling they would be ok with it all.  Now I just need a way to tell my mother.  That one won't be easy.

Great news...well done, congratulations, taking that first step is always the hard part. 

This is going to sound like a strange thing to be happy about, but after being my own furnace for all these years, this makes me happy.  I feel the cold way more now.  Today our house is 17 degrees C and I am sitting wearing long sleeve PJ's instead of my usually shorts and t-shirt.  Used to be anything over 15 required shorts. 

Was looking at my shirts I wear to work...not one of them is long sleeves.  I haven't worn long sleeves since ever.  I do have a few sweaters for those -20 to -30 days on the drive to work but never wore them in the office.  I think this winter it is going to be different.   

Quote from: ElizabethK on August 27, 2017, 06:42:12 AM
Great news...well done, congratulations, taking that first step is always the hard part. 

Exactly, the hardest part was telling my wife. After that it's gotten easier each time.

It's been a while since I've posted anything.  The last few weeks, quite a bit has happened.

During my vacation in late July, I went out as Victoria for the first time.  It was very special and I'm still smiling about it.  (Thank you Jessica [emoji847])

After some consultation with my endo, I doubled my spiro dosage and finally this week, I took my first E pill!  I'm starting with a low dose, but I have been smiling inside ever since! [emoji4][emoji4][emoji4]

Less than a week in...I can definitely understand how powerful the placebo effect is!  LOL

The wife is partially on board but still very anxious about it, so I'm not showing all smiles yet, but I am buzzing [emoji4][emoji4][emoji4]


On an unrelated note, if anyone knows how to change my name on Susan's, please Let me know...I just can't figure it out - LOL.

Thanks for all the support on the site!

Victoria [emoji274][emoji274]