@Felix: It does take a while for changes to come or to even notice. The only changes I've noticed looking back at my old photos was weight and how the fat had redistributed in the face and stomach and that's it. Do you take pics or do videos to see your changes?

Quote from: Dominick_81 on June 02, 2012, 09:19:21 PM
@Felix: It does take a while for changes to come or to even notice. The only changes I've noticed looking back at my old photos was weight and how the fat had redistributed in the face and stomach and that's it. Do you take pics or do videos to see your changes?

I've taken pictures here and there, but I haven't been very methodical and I've mostly been relying on my subjective perception and the comments of people around me. I do have a lot of new hair and I have had good muscle growth and fat redistribution, but a lot of it isn't noticeable except to those who I'm intimate with.

I know that confidence is not exclusively male, but it does tend to come across as masculine in this country. If you OWN it, own your confidence, own your gender, tell yourself that of course you're male, it certainly couldn't hurt.

I'm pretty sure that confidence was the deciding factor for me. At a certain point after starting T, I was still sometimes read as female. Then I had top surgery, and the surge of confidence was...well, huge. I saw my therapist five days after the surgery, and he commented on my sudden change in demeanor. After that, I consistently passed as male with strangers, day after day and week after week. I don't think the T suddenly changed me noticeably in a one-week period.

Arch, thank you. That's kinda what I was trying to say, but you express things better.

I was a hunched over foot watcher most of my life. Standing up straighter and looking the world in the eye have made a huge difference...something my friends have commented on. Had an experience like that soon after making the decision to go forward. Confidence surged. For the first time in years, I was read as male by a stranger...pre T, hair down to my waist, wearing shorts and a t shirt...no binder, no packer, nothing but attitude. Very eye opening.

I can still look in the mirror and see the old me because of the wide hips, fat butt, small hands, short arms and legs, soft skin...and not the best chest surgery. It only fuels frustration and obsession to focus on that stuff. Instead, I make myself go do something positive to help things along and try to be patient with the process. Have not been misgendered in a long time. I don't know exactly why, but it's not because I've gotten all the changes I want.

Of course, there are other reasons to be misread. Just don't underestimate the value of simple things like posture, a confident walk, working out the upper body to balance our shape better, etc...things we can take charge of to build confidence until it comes natural.

Dominick, I've read through a couple of threads you started about frustration from changes not happening fast, and people repetitively telling you YMMV, and you still arguing that changes should've happened by "set amount of time."

I am on a lower than average dose of T, when I started I was on such a low dose my endo told me no changes would probably happen while I was on that dose, I still took it, because at least it was something. Now I am still on a lower than normal dose, and have been on this dose for around a year but I started the lower dose over a year ago. I got lucky that I passed before T, because up until maybe a month ago, I saw no changes in me at all, except a bit of hair on my chin coming in. So changes were quite slow for me, but very recently I am starting to notice changes now at just a bit over a year total on T. When I first started T I was really excited cause I was and am still quite young so I thought changes would happen very fast compared to people who are older than me going on T. Being way too optimistic just made me disapointed when nothing was happening.

You just have to trust that the rate at which changes will come WILL be different for everyone, I'm sure you will start noticing changes soon, keep a positive attitude and positive things will happen for sure.

I also agree 110% with what Arch said, before I decided to present as male, everyone thought without a doubt I was very much female, once I decided to start presenting as male, right away I was passing, and I didn't look super manly or nothing, and nothing had changed. It's all about the "vibes/presence"(for lack of a better word) you give off.

Good luck to you.

@Felix: Sorry your not having more noticeable changes. But it's good your getting some hair, muscle, and fat redistribution. Hope you get some more changes soon.

@The Hawk: What does YMMV stand for? I suck with these abbreviation things sometimes, lol. I'm sorry your changes have been slow for you too. I'm glad to hear that your noticing some changes now.

QuoteYou just have to trust that the rate at which changes will come WILL be different for everyone, I'm sure you will start noticing changes soon, keep a positive attitude and positive things will happen for sure.

I'll try to keep a positive attitude.

QuoteI know that confidence is not exclusively male, but it does tend to come across as masculine in this country. If you OWN it, own your confidence, own your gender, tell yourself that of course you're male, it certainly couldn't hurt.

I've tried this and still got read as female. It's gotta be my height.

QuoteFor the first time in years, I was read as male by a stranger...pre T, hair down to my waist, wearing shorts and a t shirt...no binder, no packer, nothing but attitude. Very eye opening.

That's awesome!

YMMV = Your mileage may vary

Quote from: LordKAT on June 06, 2012, 03:17:02 AM
YMMV = Your mileage may vary

Thanks.