Didn't get a chance to talk about it yet, she has been busy and so have I but will get to it soon.

A+ for thoroughness. Everything you said was what I figured, but I still got the metal because I have a thing for stainless steel! I'll see how it goes. If I have problems with them I will order the plastic. Thanks.

Endocrinologist
 

I live in Corpus Christi Texas and my local Doctor passed away. No other endocrinologist in the area will prescribe testosterone. So I am looking for a Doctor in the Austin or San Antonio Area or any other Texas city who treats FTM's. Does anyone have a doctor they would recommend. Your help would be most appreciated.

Rufus

I found my Dr in a kind of bassackward way but it worked and I have a fantastic one. I don't know if you are aware but some of the Planned Parenthood offices now treat trans w/hormones (so maybe that would help). Now, the one in my area does not BUT they gave me two Dr references and when I looked them up individually on the interwebz they both listed trans services as a specialty. It would have been a needle in a haystack to find them any other way. I got in with the first one and couldn't be happier. To clarify, I'm not on T at this time but she has said that the endo's in my area are jerks so she would just take care of me herself if that time comes. She is a great overall GP and knows where all the insurance lines are and is careful not to cross them.

ETA: Here is a sample link to Colorado (too bad I don't live there...) You can plug in your zip code to see if there are any near you, if not, ask anyway.

I can't find anyone on wpath.org

I would suggest calling a therapist on this list who is closest to your area. They should be happy to tell you where you can get hormones. I am surprised to think that a PCP wouldn't just keep up the hormones if you already had an endo prescribing them.

Good luck.

http://www.drbecky.com/therapists.html

My providers have always coded "hypogonadism" - if that helps encourage a reluctant PCP. It's for damned sure not a lie --

Endocrine Disorder, NOS is what I always see/hear being used for diagnostic coding.

My problem is finding a doctor in this town who will take on an FTM. When I call and talk to them they say they do not take transgender patients. This is my big problem here and is why I am seeking doctors in other cities.

Rufus

Any of you guys used any of the GC2B binders? I hear they work great for big chested guys like me, but before I buy, I would like to hear why they are better then Underworks!

Hey, JDeere. I had top surgery before they came out, but I can tell you that I have consistently heard/read guys saying they are more comfortable thank Underworks and bind just as well.

I was a die hard Underworks fan wearing the Tri Top for many, many years, and I would have tried one.

So, in sum, I have not heard that they bind better than Underworks, just that they bind just as well. The selling point is that they are more comfortable. Assuming you have been wearing Underworks, you know the material is very harsh on the skin.

You may want to ask the same question on the FTM Gear thread as well. There may be guys who read that thread when it pops up, but not this one.

http://www.butchfemmeplanet.com/foru...read.php?t=608

If you get it, let us know what you think!

Yes the Underworks binder I use doesn't bind like it need it to at times and I do scratch and it becomes uncomfortable!

Will go post in the FTM Gear thread! Thanks!

I'm starting therapy so I can get T and I am wondering what kind of questions does a therapist ask. I'm extremely introverted and talking to a stranger about personal things is worrying. Does anyone remember?

Are you going to a self identified gender therapist?

Then they will ask about your gender dysphoria. The specifics of it.
They will ask when it was you first realized you were transgender. Your "journey" so to speak of discovery. One thing to know that you shouldn't feel like you have to have the traditional story of "knowing for as long as I can remember". It is not like in the old days. Gender therapists know that everyone is individual and even if you just figured it out last year, that doesn't mean you are less trans than the guy who knew at age 3.

What goals do you have in transition? It sounds like you already know you want testosterone, so I assume you want to be seen as, and live your life as male.

The person will be interested in what emotional supports you have in place to help you through transition. They will want to know if you have any people in your life that will make it harder, that you care about (like parents, spouse).

How will your job respond?

Another thing they should decipher is if you have any mental health problems that may not have anything to do with gender dysphoria ... Depression? That may just be due to dysphoria, but it could also be a "stand alone" sort of problem. Trans people are just like anyone else (they could have mental health problems). The only difference is that they have gender dysphoria, on top.

You will be fine.

Let us know how it went.

Thanks for that and answering the other question. I was hoping that was about all. I think just getting to talk to someone will help, but even if this one doesn't work out I will keep working through the lists. No appt until the 4th. I will post back here though.

The usefulness of a therapist longer term than just the letter is support, planing, and trouble shooting while coming out in the various areas of your life. It can be helpful to have someone help you navigate the process. Just my opinion.

Also the MOST important thing (which I suggest you ask before the appt), is if the therapist is willing to write a letter for testosterone (assuming your T provider requires one). Non-gender therapists often are uncomfortable with this.

First therapy session went great. She was very supportive and thought I needed to go ahead with getting t right away. She didn't think starting at my age was a big deal and she encouraged me to start and at least live my last years as authentically as possible. I will see her at least until I get approval for any surgeries I can get. She sees many transgendered teens and young adults now. It was a happy surprise.

This is fantastic! Seems to me it couldn't have gone any better!

Congrats!

Keep us updated here, or make your own thread to share your journey!

I'm no spring chicken either, so it was great to hear that your therapist considered that and understood it was important that she not "require" therapy in order to write you a letter.

Any of yall had weight loss surgery?

I'm looking into it, just wanted to see if anyone else has.

No
I just changed my lifestyle and lost weight,then I was told that on T you can eat and not get fat,not true for me.
I have an eating disorder,and put on more weight after I started T.
I decide after having a tumor removed from my head/neck,I would get fit,I was 52,it took time but I got super fit,unfortunatly in 2014,I got cancer and a bone disease,but now I'm on a get fit again,I'm 59 in 8 weeks.

JD just start slow,I used a overeaters annonymous group food plan,but mainly just ate small amounts,but really just stopped sugar and processed foods.
I hope this helps
Also exercise,Tetosterone will build muscle,like crazy.
I never had shoulders,now I have that square look,really broad shoulders,but I swam for years the T just seems to have made them big.

Ive been way overweight since I was 13, im 41 now, I lost 60 pounds back in 2010 but that was due to being in a coma for 5 months and dying twice on the table to save my life due to a blocked bile duct/dead gallbladder with sepsis. It all came back and I've been on different diets, several from my doctors approval to no avail, he may say no but its worth a shot to get off a lot of medications I take.