I'm just curious about this. On the off chance that after a frekin year of therapy, I decide my transition would not require T, would there be surgeons willing to operate on me? I know more than anything that my chest is the biggest issue. It is what truly causes me dysphoria.
Any advice would be much appreciated. The only hesitation I have towards T are the pretty much horrendous side effects found on WPATH. Such as cancers of all sorts, etc....

I'm curious.  Besides cancer what are the other side effects that turn you off?

Quote from: Andy8715 on June 26, 2012, 06:30:29 PM
I'm curious.  Besides cancer what are the other side effects that turn you off?

I know an ftm who passes wonderfully just without the hormones. The only thing that could be clockable about him is that he has a smooth face but other than that he is very passable. SO maybe people who pass already dont feel the need to be on T?

Also, doesn't it cause balding? ehhhhh

Balding is a possibility but personally I would rather be ass bald with the masculinization that T has given me than not take T.

Quote from: Andy8715 on June 26, 2012, 06:57:32 PM
Balding is a possibility but personally I would rather be ass bald with the masculinization that T has given me than not take T.

Bald+beard+in shape equals very sexy...

There are a lot of cis guys who would love to have a smooth face. Of course I understand that it helps with passing so I get the appeal.

I think Dr. Medalie doesn't require it.  I KNOW Dr. Garramone doesn't.

This is quoted from his website the exact requirements he has:

"Dr. Garramone's Office Policies for Transgender Surgery Patients


All transgender patients are required to have a letter from their Gender Therapist, Psychiatrist, Primary Care Physician, or Psychologist stating "Transgender Surgery is the next step in their treatment for Gender Identity Disorder or Gender Transition", and "they are psychologically ready for this next step in their therapy". This is a WPATH guideline for standards of care. Be careful of surgeons not requiring a letter within the WPATH guidelines.
FTM (female to male) patients are NOT required to be on any hormone therapy. All transgender patients 35 years of age and older, must have a normal baseline mammogram prior to surgery. A prescription for a mammogram will be provided to you from our office.
All transgender patients must undergo medical clearance by their primary care physician prior to surgery.
All transgender patients must be at least 18 years of age or older prior to having FTM Top Surgery ® (Female To Male Transgender Chest Surgery) or ManSculpture ® surgery. "


Source: http://drgarramone.com/transgenderflorida/html/requirements.html

There are plenty of surgeons that will provide chest surgery without T. There are less (however) that would be willing to work on you without "the letter."

Thanks so much to everyone for the replies! I'm so glad Garramone does it. I do recognize that I have to get the letter but it's a good feeling that I can work towards it.

This resource would probably work. It is for FAAB non-male identified persons.
Some require letters and some don't.
http://butchinthesouth.tumblr.com/post/15313152104/resources-for-faab-non-male-identified-people-who-want

I don't know about all these people, so you'd have to do your own research.

--Jay Jay

Quote from: Malachite on June 26, 2012, 07:06:32 PM
[/b] All transgender patients 35 years of age and older, must have a normal baseline mammogram prior to surgery.
http://drgarramone.com/transgenderflorida/html/requirements.html

If your under 35 you don't need to have a mama-gram, it's not require for the surgery? I don't understand why having a mama-gram is required if your getting rid of your breast?

Probably to make sure you don't have cancer or anything.  Once you reach a certain age the risk of cancer in certain parts increases.

Dr. Steinwald in Lake Forest, IL doesn't require you to be on hormones, or even have a letter from a therapist. He's one of the more expensive options out there, though.

Dr Tholen in MN doesn't require you be on T or have a letter

Quote from: Andy8715 on June 26, 2012, 06:57:32 PM
Balding is a possibility but personally I would rather be ass bald with the masculinization that T has given me than not take T.

I second that!! Being on T and seeing the changes would be all the motivation I'd need to get anal about my health, nutrition & fitness!

Quote from: Andy8715 on June 26, 2012, 08:51:57 PM
Probably to make sure you don't have cancer or anything.  Once you reach a certain age the risk of cancer in certain parts increases.

Thanks. I hope I get my surgery before I'm 35, I don't want to have to get a mama-gram done.

Quote from: Dominick_81 on June 28, 2012, 08:21:11 PM
Thanks. I hope I get my surgery before I'm 35, I don't want to have to get a mama-gram done.

Exactly what i was thinking

Quote from: Traivs on June 28, 2012, 08:32:41 PM
Exactly what i was thinking

Same here

Quote from: Dominick_81 on June 28, 2012, 08:21:11 PM
Thanks. I hope I get my surgery before I'm 35, I don't want to have to get a mama-gram done.

I hate to say this, and I don't know if all surgeons are the same way, but I'm pretty sure Steinwald told me I'd still have to get mammograms, due to the fact that top surgery doesn't remove 100% of the tissue. I can double-check the literature he gave me at the consultation, but I'm fairly certain that's what he said.

However, this may be because I'm not on T and still have estrogen as my dominant sex hormone. I've read that estrogen can play a role in the development of breast cancer. So this may not apply to guys on T.

Quote from: Julian on June 28, 2012, 11:17:30 PM
I hate to say this, and I don't know if all surgeons are the same way, but I'm pretty sure Steinwald told me I'd still have to get mammograms, due to the fact that top surgery doesn't remove 100% of the tissue. I can double-check the literature he gave me at the consultation, but I'm fairly certain that's what he said.

However, this may be because I'm not on T and still have estrogen as my dominant sex hormone. I've read that estrogen can play a role in the development of breast cancer. So this may not apply to guys on T.

Estrogen (every notice it is never called "E") very definitely does does increase the risk of breast cancer (though men can get it). I am guessing the mama-gram  is done as the surgery might increase the spread of cancer? Just a guess.

--Jay Jay