Quote from: Caleb on January 18, 2012, 01:40:20 PM
I feel you Malachite. Don't get me wrong, I love the state. And I love some of the people, but it's just so close-minded. Believe it or not though, there are actually people who are understanding. Mostly people my age (22) and younger. The older generation isn't having it though. Lol. But yea man, I'm going to be going to this appointment on Monday. It's in Charlotte. So if you need any help when you get started, if you haven't already, just let me know.

Yeah, believe it or not though - the only person that I have lost from my life was a cousin. My grandparents are supportive - and that shocked me. They used to be the most homophobic, transphobic people in the world. I have just learned that most of the people in your life will surprise you. Who I thought would be the most understanding, turned out to be the least, and who I thought would be the least turned out to be the most.

Man I'm sorry you lost someone from your life... but I feel personally that if they want to walk out on me because I choose to be who I feel I am, then I don't need that person in my life. I feel like none of my family will be supportive, but they will all need to eventually know. Haha that's going to be a whole other story when that day comes. I think they all just assume I'm a lesbian.. expect for my parents. They know. They just don't know I'm going through with the hormones and all.

Congratulations Caleb! I remember reading some of your posts ages ago, so its great to hear things are finally happening for you!
An obvious one here, but go in with knowledge of T and its effects. Show them that you understand the risks and bla bla bla. Either, youre moving forward and thats great to hear for you
In terms of changes, your hunger, sex drive and energy levels may be the first things to change (They were for me), but as for outward changes, itll probably be the voice to go. Mine took 3 months to properly drop.
   Your skin will become oily, and maybe you will experience acne for awhile. But all the other joys will follow, which Im sure you are very excited for.
From your picture, I bet T will work really well on you.

Again, good luck with everything!

(And Kreuzfidel, good luck to you too!)

Make_it_good... thank you so much man. And yea it's been a long time coming! So my question I guess would be since your hunger increased... did it make you bigger or because of being on T did it not affect you as greatly? And good to know that the acne won't last long, hopefully! And also.. your chest looks awesome... who did it?

Thankyou very much My surgeon was done by a UK surgeon here in England called Mr.Ward.
   I put on a bit of weight, probably about 7Ibs in the first say, 6 months. Its not loads (and that was me trying to gain weight :p ) Though I was eating more, I was doing more activities. And I have always had a high metabolism, and it just increased.
   In terms of the weight gained, I noticed fat redistribution, but I think the weight was from muslce gain, as that definitely became easier on T, thankfully.

The oiliness of my skin did subside after not too long. Probably no more than 2 months.

My acne however, it seems to have its moments. Itll flare up abit, clear up, then show again. I still have that problem (28months on T), although I havent experienced it in about a month, so Im hoping thats the end of acne!
I am on Nebido though, I have my shots every 12weeks, so I dont know if that makes any difference.

Again, congrats! And I hope all goes well.

Thanks man, I really appreciate it. And thanks for all the feedback! 

I find that when I am active; I eat more and don't gain weight.

Congrats! 

Shorter temper, darkening of body hair, acne, voice changing, weight loss (in my case), hair pattern changing not less hair just different, hot flashes (yuck) as your body is forced to go through extremely early menopause, easier growing muscle, some facial hair, protruding veins on arms and hands, increased appetite, genitals changing, sweatier and stinkier ....

That was my first couple of months

Squirrel698, I have wonder about getting those menopause effects and how bad they would be.  Can you explain a little about those effects?

I had about 2 or 3 hot flashes.  Basically your entire body gets tingly, itchy and uncomfortable.  Then no matter how cold the room is, the whole thing sudden transforms into an oven.   They last about 30 minutes to an hour.  My partner said my face got obviously flushed as well.   

That was about the size of it for me.  The first one was worrying because I didn't know what was going on.  The others were easier to handle.  I just sat still and waited for them to end.  My heart did race each time but not to dangerous levels.     I haven't had one for awhile, so hopefully after 19 months on T they are gone for good.

mm: I hope the same goes for me. Haha I like to eat already, so hopefully an increased appetite won't be too bad on me.

Squirrel: Thanks for all the feedback man. How bad was your acne? And did it go away or get better after a certain amount of time?

My acne was really really bad for awhile.  I had cyst acne which is deep acne like a hive on your face.  Really gross.

I was in and out of the dermatologist for a year before I found a combination which works relatively well.

For face wash and toner I use Oil-Free Acne Stress Control

Then I use prescription Differin  http://www.differin.com/differin.aspx

On top of that I use Acne Therapy Lotion by Menscience which is mail order  http://www.amazon.com/MenScience-Acne-Therapy-Lotion-1-55/dp/B000SAHD5W

When my flare ups get seriously bad I use the antibiotic Solodyn

It's just not great but it's much better then it use to be.  Really a pain and it's like fighting a war but what are you going to do?

Dang man that really sucks! I don't know... I guess I'll have to wait it out and see how bad it gets.

Quote from: Caleb on January 17, 2012, 10:01:57 PM
Haha very good to know Felix. So has the skin oiliness caused acne or are there things your having to do to prevent that?

And it's good to hear that you're bulking up quicker. I really wish to drop a couple pounds and start getting right with my body!

I got acne at first, but I don't have any now. I do have blotchier skin and bigger pores. I had to increase my showers so as to not look and feel gross. I used to shower maybe twice a week and now I have to shower every other day at the very least.

I'm mostly vegan and have dealt with a lifetime of being too thin, so my habit is to consume as many calories as possible anytime I'm hungry. Lol that is a BAD habit on T. So there's that. I really needed to gain about ten pounds, but I've gained 20 in 6 weeks. Some of that is muscle. My bmi is still good, but I think I need to change the way I eat.

Also, I have a gut now, and my belly is not squishy like it used to be. My thighs are smaller, and my arms and legs have more definition. My voice is getting funny, sometimes deeper and sometimes just hoarse. Lots of genital change.

I have chronic pain because of some old injuries, and that is so so much better. My normal physical therapy is more tolerable, too.

I still have periods, which sucks.

I used to get hot flashes occasionally, before I started T, but I don't anymore. The first time it happened it freaked me out. I covered myself with ice packs and wet washcloths, and it got better within the hour. After figuring out what it was it was easier to deal with. Pretty much Squirrel's experience, but mine was not triggered by hormone therapy.

Caleb, in order to become a guy, all you have to do is harden yourself, so to speak.

Same reason that, to become a girl, all you have to do is soften yourself.

Look at me. I'm actually going in stealth right now. I'm actually living AS A "GUY" right now. I mean I'm in community college taking computers and, yes, AUTO LAB, one reason to "prove my "masculinity"", another so I can fix my car one day without having to shell out big dollars, also to paint my car pink and redesign it.

I'm softening myself as I speak.

I'll especially need to "prove my "masculinity"" when people start questioning my sex. When it gets too obvious, and when I look silly as a dude, I'm gonna pull it, and live as a girl.

Quote from: ~~BebeLyss~~ on January 20, 2012, 10:38:02 PM
Caleb, in order to become a guy, all you have to do is harden yourself, so to speak.

Same reason that, to become a girl, all you have to do is soften yourself.

Look at me. I'm actually going in stealth right now. I'm actually living AS A "GUY" right now. I mean I'm in community college taking computers and, yes, AUTO LAB, one reason to "prove my "masculinity"", another so I can fix my car one day without having to shell out big dollars, also to paint my car pink and redesign it.

I'm softening myself as I speak.

I'll especially need to "prove my "masculinity"" when people start questioning my sex. When it gets too obvious, and when I look silly as a dude, I'm gonna pull it, and live as a girl.

That's kind of a stereotypical black and white way to view it. He's already a guy, and he doesn't have to be "hard". There are sensitive cismen

Felix: So these are your experiences after 6 weeks on T? It hasn't even crossed my mind about the period having a chance to go come on. Hopefully yours will go away once your on it a bit longer. I hate it of course, so I know how you feel. I usually take a shower everyday, so fingers crossed that will be beneficial to odor, acne, and such. And as far as your body fat distribution to your belly... did you have any love handles before and dont anymore?

Babelyss: I can sorta see what you're saying, but I guess I see it a little differently. Such as, I would never do anything to "prove" my feminitity. But that's just me.

It would be great to be rid of periods, the mess every month.  I am using the mensroom now and have to be so careful when I have to change a tampon at school, get the old one rapped up and into the trash without being seen.  I hope to start t soon and end the situation forever.

I feel you mm. I feel you man!

Quote from: Caleb on January 21, 2012, 08:45:32 AM
Felix: So these are your experiences after 6 weeks on T? It hasn't even crossed my mind about the period having a chance to go come on. Hopefully yours will go away once your on it a bit longer. I hate it of course, so I know how you feel. I usually take a shower everyday, so fingers crossed that will be beneficial to odor, acne, and such. And as far as your body fat distribution to your belly... did you have any love handles before and dont anymore?

Babelyss: I can sorta see what you're saying, but I guess I see it a little differently. Such as, I would never do anything to "prove" my feminitity. But that's just me.

Yeah most people I talk to lost their period by 3 or 4 months, but nothing feels like quickly enough. As far as love handles, I actually had none, was kinda creepily skin and bones, and now I'm starting to get a touch of them. My mild binder-induced armpit boobs are gone now. Yay.