Hi.

Um. I'm a young adult (late teens) looking into hormones (MTF) and electrolysis in the Chicago area, and I was hoping someone would be able to help me with that.

I know there are directories and so on that can list appropriate services in a given area, but that's not exactly what I'm asking for (I know how to use the telephone book, not to be rude or anything). What I'm looking for specifically are people who have personal experience with the services in question. In other words, somebody who's actually been to the place they're telling me about. Obviously I'm aware that results will vary, but getting personal reviews about a place (or places) would really make me feel a lot more confident and informed before I go spending my time and money looking into it.

So, basically I'm looking for anybody who can personally recommend a particular Chicago-area business that specializes in either HRT or electrolysis. There are a few factors I'd like to consider (in no particular order):

(1) Cost vs results. Obviously.

(2) Expertise. There are plenty of lists of 'TG-friendly' businesses out there, but what I wonder about is whether their expertise is actually in that field. In other words, is serving the transgendered something that they do specifically (is that their target market), or is it something they do just because they don't mind the backgrounds of their customers.

(3) Comparisons. It would be immensely helpful if anyone has any experience with more than one business (even if they're not both in Chicago), so that they can compare the two in quality.


I hope this is not too specific of a request. I just haven't found any resources that offer an individual perspective or any kind of comparison regarding these services, and that to me would be much more helpful than just a list of businesses I have to look into at random. Thanks.

Hi, Lilith!  Welcome!

I don't have any direct experience with transgender services in Chicago but I can offer you some advice on how to get some more direct opinions on what is available.

When I decided that I had to make some changes because the pain was becomming too hard to bear I decided to find a gender specializing therapist.  Expensive but worth it since any HRT providers worth their shingles will not take you on without a referral from a therapist.  A therapist that's experienced in helping gender problems will be able to point you towards a local support group (or you can find one in your area by searching the web).  In a major city like Chicago there may even be more than one.  The therapist can also provide guidance in the best ways to go about transitioning.  Once in the support group you will be able to find out from the customers themselves who they went to and how they liked them.  My support groups website even has a published list of recommended providers, but unfortunately they're in Buffalo New York.

So, the first two things i would suggest you find are a gender specializing therapist and a transgender support group.  There are quite a few websites that list support groups by area.  I know Susan's has links and I don't know them (maybe a Links admin or someone can help with this?).  The same sites will list therapists.  I used one of these lists to find mine and I'm very happy with him.

I'm happy that you found Susan's and I hope you come back and post some more.  You'll find tons of information and personal support here.  That's my own experience and I'm sure it will be yours also.

Again,
WELCOME!!! 
helen

Lilith, it looks like you may have hit paydirt!

But I must first put a damper in your quest.  No respectable doctor will start you on hormones without a letter from a qualified therapist.  Any therapist following the Standards of Care will need to see you several times and wait three months before writing the letter.

No on the paydirt...

I live in the Chicago area and am in the process of having electrolysis and just started hormonal injections (after a year on transdermals).  You said you want comparisons.  I can't give you first hand comparisons.  I did my homework and talked to other TSs for over a year and the unanimous favorites for both are the ones whom I'm seeing.  If that's not good enough then you'll have to ask others about the practicioners they stopped seeing. 

Check your PMs.  I'll leave the info there.

Well, regarding therapists (as in, psychiatry-type stuff), I think I have that covered. I went to a therapist for quite some time and although she didn't specialize in gender issues, we did discuss that and I'm pretty confident that she (and/or the psychiatrist she worked with) could provide the letter I need to start hormones. If not... whatever. I can find a therapist if I have to, I'm not worried about that. A bad therapist can't screw my body up, they can only take my money.

As far as support groups, I've been trying to avoid that option for several reasons I'd rather not get into, but I'll keep it in mind.

Anyway, thanks for the replies.

I'm not in Chicago but thought I'd ask a question/plant a thought.  I'm not sure why anyone would opt for electrolysis as a first line treatment for facial hair removal anymore.

In the past, laser treatment was not a viable option for one with light hair or darker pigmentation.  That is no longer the case.  My intent here is not to provide a firm recommendation but simply to give you an avenue to research.  There's a new type of "laser" that proportedly even works on gray/white hair.  Contrary to what some will tell you, hair removal by laser is permanent.

I've only had two of my six treatments so I can't reliably report on final results yet.  [I do have areas where no hair has grown for 12 weeks!]  The cost for my face and neck is a fixed fee of $2,105, financed interest free over 18 months.  After the sixth treatment, they will retreat me for up to two years if any hair reappears.

Whether you choose electrolysis or laser, good luck as you transition. 

Shayna
[edit]Removed 2 urls - Nero[/edit]

Um, not to get all argumentative, but it doesn't say on either of those pages that the hair removal is permanent. If it were, I don't see why they'd only re-treat you for 2 years (as opposed to... forever). I'm interested, though. If you have any sites that directly support the claim that laser hair removal is permanent I'd love to see them and would definitely consider that route.

(edit: Is that Aurora thing even a laser? It looks like it's just regular light....)

Lilith, did you get my PM?

I did. I don't think I have enough posts to reply to it, but thanks.

Hi Lilith,

The claim that laser treatment is permanent comes from consultations with two separate facilities, both of which are run by RNs and/or MDs.  The 2 year guarantee is not related to whether laser is permanent.  If you do some consults, you'll likely find that most facilities charge you for however many treatments you require.  Some require 6, but others can require as many as 20.  The guarantee is saying, in effect, that even if you need more than the 6 for which you are being charged, treatment will continue until you're "clean".

In fact, the Aurora isn't just laser.  It's laser combined with radio frequency waves.

Again, my purpose is not to "sell" you anything and in the end we are all responsible for our own research and decisions.  I was simply suggesting another path. 

Good luck
Shayna

Hi Lilith!

Just a short note to welcome you to the forums!    Do you have an introduction posted?  Somehow I missed it.... 


I like your name by the way....one of the many names from the book THE INFERNO OF DANTE....and LA DIVINA COMMEDIA by the same author



tinkerbell

Quote from: Shayna on August 13, 2006, 07:04:39 PMIn fact, the Aurora isn't just laser.  It's laser combined with radio frequency waves.

The vast internets says it's intense pulsed light, not laser. But whatev. I'll keep looking into it.


Tinkerbell, no, I don't.

lilith

If I could send you a private message I would but on this board I cannot so here it goes in public.

  First and foremost you need to get on hormones ASAP.  The sooner the better.  There are people who have been on mones since pre purberty and before 20 who look indistinguishable from XX girls.  You have a chance to be one of them. 

Your first step is to go the the Howard brown health center or their Broadway youth center.  At the Broadway youth center they may treat you for free.  In my case, I prefere howard brown, (the parking is better easy access from the El) as I have little doccumentalble income I get treated at Howard brown for $5 per therapy session.  I get a months supply of legal hormones for ~ $35.   

But it took six months of sitting there talking about my life and answering questions about my sexuality to get offical diagnosis of GID.  Then the letter for hormones.  

I will see you around town.

Oh, awesome. That helps, thanks.

Hey Lillith! ^^

Well, since I live in Chicago myself and facing some of the same problems, I suggest the Howerd Brown Clinic for your therapy and eventual HRT. My counsular gets lots of goverment grants and due to this and a sliding scale I don't have to pay for sessions, which can become rather exspensive. Check them out on a google, they are very nice and have a whole bunch of resorces for you to tap, including a youth support group which I try to attend when possible. Hope this helps.

Chio,
       Elisa

Lilith:

If you are not 21 years of age is not right That I give you advice, your Doctors advice is appropiate though. Ask your Doctor or therapist if your parents consent.
In reality many  of the transgenders anxiety has to do with passing without girly outfits and accsesories and make up.  Work places are a typical example because at work how can you focus on your job if you are constantly fuzzing about how you look.  No one want to look weird we can tolerate looking awkward or even ugly but not weird.
  People  respect a person who is  properly  attired with circumspect but this took a lot of effort and time for me, some times it was a cinch and looked fabulous, but often it was a hassle defenitely.
Often we talk about the sexy and fun side of life but the reality for transexuals is the daily dull moments like going to the Post office or buy groceries ar pay the gass bill standing in line at the bank or DMV.
  A transgendered person is willing to forgoe this unplesantness because of an unknown drive to be a female and all that it entails according to their personal understanding of what living as a female is.
  Also if you have limited residual resources electrolisis is nice but the roundedness of features that hormoes produces at early age has no competition. Yet because you are under 21 I suggest consult with a Family or personal Phisician(an MD) first. There are several sirious health issues to consider.
Your therapist will also help you  deal with other issues that require a more proffesional support for young people.
  Good luck and do it right, you wont be sorry, Sheila18

Umm, I'm not really sure what most of that had to do with anything i said, but thanks I guess.

In any case I've researched and also personally contacted Howard Brown and they seem like the way to go, so I suppose that particular question is answered. Now I just have to wait for my therapist to get back from vacation to see if she feels qualified to sign the recommendation.

very little i guess if my words did not convey my agreement with BrendaGQ and as to why, while trying to keep it clean for an underaged person.
  You seem to kow what you want.
Good luck I hope all goes well
Sheila18