I am 10 months on hormones next week. I have had a lot of changes...my face is more feminine but I feel like I will need FFS to be passable at this point. I sent a request to Dr Toby Mayer. He emailed me back on what he recommended..The problem is I can't afford it for at least another year or so. I just dont feel like waiting to be able to go fulltime

No hormones - May 2011


10 months on hormones

some pretty feminine coloured clothes would make a great difference...and some makeup would soften the features.
there's plenty advice about feminising so read and try some before thinking about FFS.

have a look at some of the photo makeover sites for GGs to see how makeup can make an ordinary plain girl look lovely with makeup, hair and accessories.

http://www.newidstudios.co.uk/index.php/public/galleryshowpix/id/28

I think the brow bone would be the main issue for you, the rest seems ok, but it's hard to tell from those 2 pics

Just my opinion, but I don't think you need FFS.  You've got a really cute face!

I don't think HRT is nearly done with you yet. They say it takes 2 years or so to get to that stage where fat stops moving around in the face. You need fat to collect closer to your cheek bone and with that you'll look passable I think. That's your problem, you still have fat around your jowl area and none in the upper face. Your skin is there, but the fat proportions aren't.

The only thing I would look at for FFS right now is probably the nose and the upper lip, and those are cheap surgeries. You could benefit from those right away too because those features do not change on HRT.

Also keep growing that hair out. Hair is unbelievably femininizing.

Actually, I think you have lots of hope. I was very suprised at the the difference between the two pictures after 10 months on hormones. The change is large and shows that things are progressing well.

I don't see much in the way of makeup so there may be things there that could add another dimension to your presentation that would soften some of your features and that doesn't require any more hormonal magic. I also think that another 2 inches or so on your hair would help to soften your look especially where it angles toward your cheekbones makes things look a little sharp to me. I would love to see your pictures in 6-8 more months because I think that you will have continued to move forward and I hope you will be pleasantly surprised although no one should expect perfection.

Hugs to you.

Quote from: J S on August 24, 2012, 05:32:36 PM
I think the brow bone would be the main issue for you, the rest seems ok, but it's hard to tell from those 2 pics

I have nearly the same deep set eyes and brow bone. My suggestions is first you need to do something about your hair to compliment your head shape and facial features. Different lengths and styles will make a lot of difference in how you present. Second would be makeup. You don't need a lot. Again it helps to redefine what your face looks like and helps in the presentation.

When I go out, at 6ft tall, super extra large feet, and tree frog hands along with my cromagnan face, I always go the extra mile to look as unambiguously female as possible. Be it in jeans or in a skirt. So far it is working 

You look to be early to mid 20's in the first pic, probably 18-20 in the second, so no problem as far as I can see.
As you are growing your hair, the fringe will cover the brow area as Joanne says.  The usual laser/elctro when you can afford it is worthwhile and a lot less painful and cheaper than FFS.  By the time that is finished HRT will have given you a better idea of whether FFS is worth it.
I am 6'2" so I just put on a skirt, tights and long boots and stride like a fierce femme.

Karen.

You look fantastic an I would advise you to be a little more patient with hrt before making a decision but it's ultimately your call an whatever you choose you'll still be beautiful; as mentioned by others look into what you can do with make up because that can have tremendous effects when it comes to smoothing out undesirable features.

First of all, it is impossible to tell if FFS if needed or not to "pass" by looking at a photograph, (except in extreme "hopeless" cases where it is obvious that FFS is needed) there are too many other factors involved. Also, a side view photograph will show how "bad" your brow bossing is but based on what I can see, I would say you would benefit greatly by addressing the forehead. The jawline looks pretty good and you have nice lips.  And nice hair. And yes, as a guy or girl, you are "cute." FFS makes "cute" beautiful.

That said, you look a lot more "passable" than I was when I went "fulltime." (I actually should have waited a little longer myself but it worked out.) So if your economic situation permits, go for it.

You look gorgeous. I don't think you'll require FFS.

"There never was much hope, just a fool's hope." No sorry, I couldn't help but drop a Lord of the Rings joke. Anyway, that second picture where your hair is longer, looks pretty good. I would agree with others who say that you should grow your hair out. I think that shoulder length hair with layers and a side swept fringe would work really well for you. And also, you should wait till two years have passed after starting hormones to consider any surgery. Never know what fat is going to go where till it has done it.

Rhinoplasty - especially nostril reduction. That's all you need really.

Thanks for all the sweet replys! I really appericate it!

I tried to get some more pictures with a little makeup on

If you click on them they will be bigger.

Looking even cuter and...wow...you are going to have a nice body!

Super cute! In my opinion, I think all you need is time!   

Thank you everyone for being so sweet! It's really nice to hear it!

Quote from: lilacwoman on August 24, 2012, 05:30:00 PM
some pretty feminine coloured clothes would make a great difference...and some makeup would soften the features.
there's plenty advice about feminising so read and try some before thinking about FFS.

have a look at some of the photo makeover sites for GGs to see how makeup can make an ordinary plain girl look lovely with makeup, hair and accessories.

http://www.newidstudios.co.uk/index.php/public/galleryshowpix/id/28

I totally agree ^_^ .

For some reason I was stuck on a black v-neck, long-sleeved sweater and jeans when I was first starting out and I didn't stray very far from that theme.  Now I can see that colorful, especially floral clothing does bring out the feminine (done right).

I tend to be disgusted with the clothing for sale at Ross and Target in the last couple of years, the bright, hideous colors that don't go with anything.  But colors you would find in a garden are usually a safe bet, whether it would be a flower, fruit or vegetable garden.  At least that is my theory anyway.

Quote from: alice89 on August 26, 2012, 12:15:17 PM
I tried to get some more pictures with a little makeup on
....

You are looking really good. There is far greater variation and variety in ciswomen than most people realize, and you already fit on the woman side of the gender chart. Time is going to do wonders for you, I would second, that taking care of facial hair with laser or electro if you haven't already done so, would come before FFS (if you need it at all).
Women have developed an entire art form of using hair to enhance and highlight the features of the face. It pays to find a stylist who can help you discover what makes you look terrific. You have great hair to work with. Not only get a cut, but also pay to have them teach you how to style it, preferrably with a couple of styles that you can do with the same cut and length depending on what you intend to wear and what your activity is going to be.

Women have developed an entire art form of using makeup to alter the contours and appearance of the face to enhance each woman's natural beauty. You have a very symmetrical and aesthetically pleasing face, which makes the artist's work that much more powerful. Find a good makeup artist, and have them teach you how to do a full makeup face and a light makeup face that you can use depending on your activity and dress. Every woman can look fabulous, especially you.
   Clothing and accessories (including earrings, rings, bracelets, necklaces, scarves, etc) do make the woman. Eventually you will appear as a woman to every stranger even exhausted, with dark circles under puffy eyes from crying, on a bad hair day, wearing men's jeans and boots and a dirty t-shirt, and spitting tobacco. But early on it sure helps people to give them enough clues up front that they see you how you want to be seen. Women use clothing to create the silhouettes that most flatter their form and suggest the image they want to create in those who see them. Dressing is a whole art form of self-expression and self-enhancement.
And finally, work on your attitude - how you carry yourself, how you look at the world, how you radiate. I was much less feminine appearing that you are now when I went full time, with only 8 weeks of HRT, extreme hair challenges, a mixed face, and a grab-bag of ill matching makeup with zero experience. What I did have in spades was absolute radiant joy at finally being able to live openly as the woman that I am. As long as I took care of my hair, my makeup, and feminine accessories and clothing, my attitude took me the rest of the way.

One more thing: As long as you are safe and in an accepting environment, there is nothing wrong with not passing. Some transgender people for physical, medical, financial, or personal reasons can't or don't want to pass as cisgendered; you can still give people enough clues that any decent or polite person will treat you as the gender you are presenting as. It can be hard on the ego, believe me, but it is a perfectly fine way to live. Then attitude becomes everything, as everybody loves a person with an infectious smile and infectious sense of humor. Getting out of your bubble and making friends, putting others at ease, being a blessing in the lives of others, you can do this as your unique self whatever your appearance may be.