I began my transition one year ago at 70.  In sharing my story, I hope I can be of help to others as I have received much from this forum (As a visitor over the years) and other sites like it.   There is more about my life in the Introductions.

I often say that I was TG/TS before it was "cool."   It almost destroyed me.   Fifty years ago after a psychotic breakdown and serious self harming, I told my psychiatrist that I wanted to be a woman, hated my genitals, and hated myself for such thoughts.   No answers then, it just added another line to my mental illness file.   I had internalized a self hatred and shame that took years to overcome.

About ten years ago I began the process of self acceptance, thanks to the fact that modern psychology and medicine finally caught up with people like me and had some answers.  And thanks to the internet and sites like this!  I have been in intensive therapy with a gender therapist for over a year, and she has helped me with my transition.   With her encouragement I began HRT one year ago, and full time livings as the woman I had from earliest childhood always thought I was.  One month ago I had FFS, and I have GRS coming on December 14 in the US. 

Here is a photo from just before starting HRT one year ago.



I was into grey hair for some reason, and plenty of silicone forms and pads.


This is after four months on HRT!  I was very surprised how well my body reacted and changed.   I threw out all my silicone, this is the real me with a padded bra!


This is eight months on HRT.  I am getting younger, my skin is softer and clearer, I have a definite fat redistribution towards a female figure.  Plus I changed my hair color!


This is one month after FFS, just a week or so ago.     The changes inside for me are much more meaningful than the outward changes, as gratifying as they are.   I feel I am being released from years of shame and self hatred into an acceptance and joy of myself.   It is a gift to me, even in the last chapter of my life, to experience life as a complete woman!

Hi Dorit

Its great that you were able to be true to yourself despite the numeropus setbacks you describe. It takes great determination to live a life in the wrong gender and being a spring chicken in my 50's I do understand the type of mentality you describe.  I love the photos the progresion is really great you definitely look younger than when you started. I can still see a smile on your face trying to break out when the photo was snapped but the one of you in the red dress shows exactly how happy you are.


look forward to hearing about the rest of your journey.

Take care

Liz

You look just lovely Dorit.  I am so happy for you.  At 65 myself, I can relate to much of your post, down to a mental health professional decades ago telling me it was like alcoholism and just had to be controlled. It is never an easy hand to play, but easier now than it used to be, for sure.  Much happiness to you moving forward with your life.

Hi Dorit
This is very encouraging for me, because I am even older than you.  I have a little head start because of my intergender condition.  I do not require the feminizing surgery (except the bottom one), because I was born more or less with a female body.
I just started the mental part of the transition and try to catch up with the body!

You sure look like a very elegant lady, and I hope that I will look like that one day, too

Hello Dorit,

I, too, am a late transitioner. I am currently 69 years old and I knew something was not quite right when I was a teenager. The understanding of our condition was minimal at best and outright wrong most of the time when I was younger.

So, many of us just toughed it out and struggled as best we could. For myself, I buried myself in work and did what was expected of me. I was not happy with the life I lived. I seriously considered doing nothing until the day I die, but then several things happened to cause me to re-evaluate my situation.

Self acceptance was the first thing I did. The rest is history and I am much happier now.

This is truly an inspirational story. Thank you for sharing it.

Well done Dorit and more power to you! (And there was me thinking I might be too old to start at 56.) You are truly brave and inspirational!

Like yourself & many others, I struggled to accept my true inner self & buried all feminine thoughts as 'moments of weakness.' Now I realize acceptance of the inner woman & announcing her, was actually true strength.

Thanks for sharing your story & pics, you certainly look more content as the timeline of changes went on. Stay gorgeous ;-) xoxo

Hi from a 61 year old Dorit. I'm so very glad you are sharing your journey with us. I too started transitioning late in life. Your story is very familiar to a lot of us here at Susan's. I am looking forward to hearing more about your journey. Your pictures are all very lovely. I really like your red dress. I have one just like it.

Hugs,
Donica.

Dorit, you look lovely!  Thank you for sharing your photos. 

I am another late bloomer, at 64.  I started HRT almost two years ago, and have been full-time almost as long.  Life is good!

I'm 67

Thank you all for your kind words and encouragement.  I updated my avatar with a recent photo.   With the recommendation of my hairdresser I did a new style and color.   No, it is not real, but a very good wig!    This is five weeks since my FFS-Lite.

Dorit, thank you so much for sharing and showing us what is possible.  You are an inspiration. 

Quote from: Dorit on October 31, 2018, 04:40:52 AMThe changes inside for me are much more meaningful than the outward changes, as gratifying as they are.   I feel I am being released from years of shame and self hatred into an acceptance and joy of myself.   It is a gift to me, even in the last chapter of my life, to experience life as a complete woman!

Hello Dorit!   I completely agree with this sentiment!  You look great.  Thanks for sharing.
Judi

Greetings Dorit and welcome to the mature ladies club,

I am more than three years into this wonderful journey which started when I was 67. Who could ever have expected the joy of being able to find and live as who we really are.

Thank you for sharing your story and please please keep us updated as your journey continues to unfold.

Tia Anne