I'm starting this topic to keep track of all the things that will be changing throughout my transition ( mental, emotional, physical,  and social). Right now I'm in no position to motivate or become a source of inspiration, but I hope that down the road, maybe a year from now, trans people can look at my updates and hopefully see a positive change in my being; physically, mentally, and etc. And give them enough courage to come out so they can be who they truly are, like many transwomen gave me.

Today I went to go see a therapist in order to get a letter to start HRT. he was the first person I've ever told I was trans, so I was beyond nervous to the point of having tunnel vision. There were times I was thinking of just running to the door, jump in my car, and never mention it again. But now that that's done, I feel alot alleviated, like things will actually go the way they were supposed to.
He said I need to come in 3 more times, on the 4th visit he will write me a letter and I'll be able to start HRT. So hopefully I'll be able to start on the first week of March.

While I wait to start HRT, I decided to start waist training, right now I'm at 28" waist and 36" hips. My goal is to get to 24" waist and maintain my 36" hip.
I've also went on a diet so I can lose muscle mass quicker, shaved my whole body, started doing my eyebrows, and using mascara.

Once I start HRT I'll start a blog so it's easier to see my updates and photos.

Thanks everyone who've helped me take the first step, if it weren't for you guys  I'd probably would've waited another 10 years to start!

4 visits just to start HRT? Jeez. I was able to pick up my meds the same week I called to make an appointment here in the greatest city in the world, NYC. Where are you located if you don't mind me asking?

Edit: Also, good luck. Your starting measurements sound pretty enviable by the way.

Quote from: PollyQMcLovely on February 15, 2018, 07:34:49 PM
4 visits just to start HRT? Jeez. I was able to pick up my meds the same week I called to make an appointment here in the greatest city in the world, NYC. Where are you located if you don't mind me asking?

Edit: Also, good luck. Your starting measurements sound pretty enviable by the way.

Yes it's pretty long, but I'm just glad that I'm finally doing it! I live in Michigan. There are places that go the informed consent route, but the clinics were talking too long to reply.

Thanks! Unfortunately I don't have much hips , only butt, hopefully HRT helps me in that area

Quote from: EvaT on February 15, 2018, 09:42:13 PM
Thanks! Unfortunately I don't have much hips , only butt, hopefully HRT helps me in that area

So the hourglass figure that everyone strives for is generally thought of as being near a .75 ratio of your waist divided by your hips. Sometimes they say the waist should be 10" less than the hips. Either way if you're starting at 28 waist and 36 hips you're already at .77 with a 8" difference. That's pretty close and HRT should close the gap.

Quote from: EvaT on February 15, 2018, 06:48:58 PM
I'm starting this topic to keep track of all the things that will be changing throughout my transition ( mental, emotional, physical,  and social). Right now I'm in no position to motivate or become a source of inspiration, but I hope that down the road, maybe a year from now, trans people can look at my updates and hopefully see a positive change in my being; physically, mentally, and etc. And give them enough courage to come out so they can be who they truly are, like many transwomen gave me.

Today I went to go see a therapist in order to get a letter to start HRT. he was the first person I've ever told I was trans, so I was beyond nervous to the point of having tunnel vision. There were times I was thinking of just running to the door, jump in my car, and never mention it again. But now that that's done, I feel alot alleviated, like things will actually go the way they were supposed to.
He said I need to come in 3 more times, on the 4th visit he will write me a letter and I'll be able to start HRT. So hopefully I'll be able to start on the first week of March.

While I wait to start HRT, I decided to start waist training, right now I'm at 28" waist and 36" hips. My goal is to get to 24" waist and maintain my 36" hip.
I've also went on a diet so I can lose muscle mass quicker, shaved my whole body, started doing my eyebrows, and using mascara.

Once I start HRT I'll start a blog so it's easier to see my updates and photos.

Thanks everyone who've helped me take the first step, if it weren't for you guys  I'd probably would've waited another 10 years to start!

Hi  Eva

Great news on starting HRT.  I have my first appointment in 8 days for the same thing!
If you don't mind me asking, did your therapist ask a lot of questions or was it more of you telling him
your life story? Im just trying to prepare myself for anything and do not know what to expect.

Hugs

Chelsea

Quote from: Chelsea1807 on February 19, 2018, 01:26:43 PM
Hi  Eva

Great news on starting HRT.  I have my first appointment in 8 days for the same thing!
If you don't mind me asking, did your therapist ask a lot of questions or was it more of you telling him
your life story? Im just trying to prepare myself for anything and do not know what to expect.

Hugs

Chelsea

Hey Chelsea,

On the first day he asked me if I'd like to talk about myself or if I would like if he just asked me a few question. Since I'm kind of shy I told him I felt more comfortable if he asked me the questions. He talked about what hormones would do to my body and mentally, who did I came out to and how am I going to come out, what are mg future plans; if I was thinking about getting Srs, ffs, and other surgeries, asked me how long I've felt like this. He also asked me if I had any mental illness, I told him I have anxiety, ADD, and had depression in the past. He told me that in order for me to start HRT I would have to be on anti anxiety meds, just in case my anxiety becomes severe once I start HRT.

Today was my second appointment with him, and I asked if I could get a letter from him the next visit(Thursday) he said he'll write me a letter, but I need the anti-anxiety before then.

So if you're comfortable with talking about yourself, I'd say, tell him/her everything about yourself regarding to being trans. And be honest.

I hope I've answered your question? If not let me know what you need answered

Quote from: EvaT on February 19, 2018, 04:20:56 PM
Hey Chelsea,

On the first day he asked me if I'd like to talk about myself or if I would like if he just asked me a few question. Since I'm kind of shy I told him I felt more comfortable if he asked me the questions. He talked about what hormones would do to my body and mentally, who did I came out to and how am I going to come out, what are mg future plans; if I was thinking about getting Srs, ffs, and other surgeries, asked me how long I've felt like this. He also asked me if I had any mental illness, I told him I have anxiety, ADD, and had depression in the past. He told me that in order for me to start HRT I would have to be on anti anxiety meds, just in case my anxiety becomes severe once I start HRT.

Today was my second appointment with him, and I asked if I could get a letter from him the next visit(Thursday) he said he'll write me a letter, but I need the anti-anxiety before then.

So if you're comfortable with talking about yourself, I'd say, tell him/her everything about yourself regarding to being trans. And be honest.

I hope I've answered your question? If not let me know what you need answered

Yes! Thank you very much!  At least now I know what to expect. I used to be shy also, then that faded away eventually. I think I will just tell her my story if she ask.

Hugs

Chelsea

Update #2

Today I finally got the letter to start hormone! And literally right after I had an appointment with the doctor, I was so nervous to tell another person about my situation. But he was very easy to talk to and understanding. With today's visit I was able to do the blood work, which should be done in 2 weeks, and then I'll finally be able to start HRT two weeks from today.

Meanwhile I'm doing whatever I can on my side to speed up my passing process. I've cut down on my food intake and stopped exercising for one month in order to lose the amount of chest, back, arm muscle I currently have.
I will resume my exercise routine as soon as I start HRT.

Ever since I stopped working out( a little over a month) I've lost about 11lbs, I haven't checked my measurements since last time, which was 28 waist 36 hips,  I'm sure I've lost waist size, but unfortunately butt as well
On top of postponing my fitness routine, I've started doing waist training with corset. I'm not sure if it's help or not. But I just know that it's really hard to breathe, and painful especially on my lower rib cage.

Lastly I just made a personal blog in which I'll keep my updates, pictures, and etc. So I'm not spamming the forum with my updates lol. I'll let you guys know when it's up!

Quote from: EvaT on February 22, 2018, 04:47:46 PM
Update #2

Today I finally got the letter to start hormone! And literally right after I had an appointment with the doctor, I was so nervous to tell another person about my situation. But he was very easy to talk to and understanding. With today's visit I was able to do the blood work, which should be done in 2 weeks, and then I'll finally be able to start HRT two weeks from today.

Meanwhile I'm doing whatever I can on my side to speed up my passing process. I've cut down on my food intake and stopped exercising for one month in order to lose the amount of chest, back, arm muscle I currently have.
I will resume my exercise routine as soon as I start HRT.

Ever since I stopped working out( a little over a month) I've lost about 11lbs, I haven't checked my measurements since last time, which was 28 waist 36 hips,  I'm sure I've lost waist size, but unfortunately butt as well
On top of postponing my fitness routine, I've started doing waist training with corset. I'm not sure if it's help or not. But I just know that it's really hard to breathe, and painful especially on my lower rib cage.

Lastly I just made a personal blog in which I'll keep my updates, pictures, and etc. So I'm not spamming the forum with my updates lol. I'll let you guys know when it's up!

Great News!  I can't wait until I get started. I just wanted to say be care full with the corset. They are not supposed to be painful at all. Uncomfortable yes maybe. I had mine on everyday at work for over a year very tight until I noticed a small lump right under my last rib on the right side. I went to the doctor and found out it was a cyst under the skin from me wearing it way to tight. I didn't want that to happen to anyone else.

Hugs,
     Chelsea

Quote from: Chelsea1807 on February 22, 2018, 05:18:18 PM
Great News!  I can't wait until I get started. I just wanted to say be care full with the corset. They are not supposed to be painful at all. Uncomfortable yes maybe. I had mine on everyday at work for over a year very tight until I noticed a small lump right under my last rib on the right side. I went to the doctor and found out it was a cyst under the skin from me wearing it way to tight. I didn't want that to happen to anyone else.

Hugs,
     Chelsea

Thanks for the advice! I might be wearing it too high. Might lower it a little

Okay... So... I hit my 2 week mark on Monday, so, two days ago. I've been overwhelmed with work, school, transition, etc... so it's been hard to keep my updates... updated.

Well anyways... A few things happened this week, but what's most noticeable are my nipples. Whenever I grab them, it feels bigger not a whole lot, but it feels foreign in my fingers, so I'm sure it's not just a placebo effect, in addition to that, they are a bit more sore than last week, if I lightly squeeze them, especially my left one, it kind of hurts! However, my areolas still looks tiny... unfortunately.

Aside from my nipples there hasn't been much change in my body or emotionally. There was a subtle change in my skin, it feels sort of smoother or softer, especially when I rub both legs against each other, it actually feels nice.

Other than that nothing else has changed... so I'll just leave this weeks body measurement. I'm kind of embarrassed to say that I've gained quite a bit of fat:

Height: 5'5″
Weight: 147lbs

Bust: 36in
Waist: 30in
Hips: 37in

Shoe Size: 8.5 US(W)

Aside from all the stress I've been having, I have an appointment at the sperm banking this Friday, since I'd like to have my own kids some day in the future, and next Monday I have my first laser hair removal appointment to get rid of my beard for good!

I don't know if this would help on what to expect in HRT for you since everyone is different. Im 3weeks infirst thing I notice within 1.5weeks if my face its was softer and smoother. 3weeks my shoulder hair even if its like super small (I call it cat hair) when I touch it, it falls off and it seems the hair reduction kept on progressing lower I'm already experiencing the same with my arm hair. This morning when I look in the mirror my face seems to be softer and it seems glowing. *I might be wrong with glowing though it might be related with my bf. we had a great night last night.* but I hope this helps with your expectations.
My doctor started me with <dosage removed by moderator> estradiol (sublingual) once a day. Then my tblocker with come in 6months down the road. He said tblockers can slows down breast growth so he will start me withit 6months down the road so my breast buds are already completely active and he will double my estrogen prescription in 2months.