I think you could say it's both. I also kind of cringe when people talk as though its about denying that you were born with female anatomy. I don't think many out there actually deny that, since it's a little hard to deny with it in your face every day. Personally, when I reject the word "trans" it's because I don't like its implications for me, and I consider my mental/neurological sex more important than the biological sex I was born into, since that is what determines my consciousness as an individual. I know a lot of guys my age see it this way, too, so it may also be generational.

Personally, I don't think saying "I'm not trans, I am a man" is necessarily denying having been born biologically female (I didn't get the impression that Kye was denying that fact), but taking the mind as more important than the physical manifestation of sex one was born into.

That's my two cents, anyway.

Edit, wanted to add that I don't think this kind of statement necessarily severs one from the LGBT or trans community. It's simply a different way of seeing your situation.

Ender, thanks for giving your perspective. Your post helped me get a better understanding of where you and others are coming from. On this particular nuance, we differ.

For me saying I am a "Transman" lends clarity to those that are trying to fit me somewhere on the gender spectrum. I do want them to know, I was born into a female body and my gender expression, how I think, how I feel, how I move through this world, did not and does not fit the constructs of how gender is perceived, critiqued. (BTW, I don't agree with how gender is broken down by the larger culture. Femininity and masculinity are not exclusive to either female or the male sex.)

I am right here with you Greyson. I claim "transguy" because for me, I am on a spectrum. My upbringing and experiences when I was young and in the closet have shaped me and are part of who I am. But I am a guy, not a woman. For me trans means I stand outside the gender norms. It just fits for me and how I feel as a person.

There is nothing wrong with guys IDing as men and not trans. That is their sense of self and should be acknowledged and respected. We are a diverse population, not completely homogenous. But its that way with any of the "letters" in the LGBTQ community.

TG vs TS?
 

Joe Mario-
Trans covers a lot more guys,than just guys on T. For example, a guy decides to only get top surgery but never use T. His opinion would be just as influential to the conversation. I am going to assume you thought out your question because of it being only specific to guys on T so I need some clarification as to why. Thanks in advance for taking the time out to answer this question.

I have a question for those who have had top surgery: how long before you were "fully" back to "snuff" for work (that is, back at a 100%). My work wants to know if I would be ok with traveling for work on the week of June 13th (about 3 weeks after surgery)

Hey Linus,

I just had my surgery yesterday. My doctor told me not to lift anything above 20lbs for 4 weeks (right now I am too sore to lift anything above 5lbs). My concern for you is lugging your baggage around. It tugs on your sutures and makes the scarring worse from what I have been told. If I were you I would give yourself 4-6 weeks til you travel. Hope that helps.

Drew

Grant,

I know you directed this question to Joe, but I guess I'm curious.... why does Joe have to explain why he chose to direct his question to a certain group of people?

If I remember correctly I took 6 weeks off. When I did return, I wished that I had returned to half days; I would hit a wall around 1:00 and was just useless after that.

When I returned, we had just moved in to new office spaces. I remember attempting to spray and wipe down my work surfaces and feeling pretty nervous about that kind of reaching.

Like Drew said, you really won't want to lift even your laptop case at 3 weeks.

Even if things are healing well and you're feeling good at that time, the incisions and tissue will still be very tender and not even close to "healed".

If you have the gift of time, I'd sure take it.

ETA: To answer your real question, I'd say I was feeling good to go at about 8 weeks. I had my energy back, and I was doing some mild stretching. Keep in mind, though, that I literally laid around for 5 or 6 solid weeks......did only the bare minimum.

I thought of you yesterday morning. I'm glad you're already here and checking in; that's a good sign!

I don't even need to say I hope you're feeling good..........cuz I know you are!

Linus,

There are so many variables. Much depends on the type of surgery you have, how well and fast your body heals, how long the drains remains in etc. I drove a pick up truck from Maryland to TN 8 days after my bilateral chest surgery. Three days later I was outside pressure washing a house. lol Was it fun? No. Fact is. I had to do it so I did. But I also am blessed with a high pain threshold and did not have to take any pain meds after my surgery.

Truly if the healing process all goes as it should and you have even a decent pain threshold I would think you could travel as long as you are not lifting heavy suitcases, and you probably should get somone else to lift your carry on in and out of the overhead as well.

Good luck you you.

Linus

I was back to work full-time after 5 days. I only took off the five days because work made me. I felt good after 3 days and wanted to go back to work then.

Rufus

Welp. As I trek towards surgery date, I've done a few things. One of the first was get this (La-Z-Boy Roland La-Z-Time Reclining Chair with special coating in case of puppeh disasters):

http://www.la-z-boy.com/Pages/ImageC...3d1%26res%3d28

Big enough for me, the two pugs and, if they are eager, our soon-to-have two new kitties. :)

I also moved my "surgery money" over to one of my credit cards so I can get air mile points for paying for the surgery. (win-win for me, IMO).

Number one, GREAT looking chair! I still have my threadbare Lazy boy that was once my father's b/c it is wide enough for my jack russell to sit beside me. (and yes, it really is threadbare!)

Number two, awesome plan for air mile points!

Actually that is one way to do it. The Insurance Company cannot verify how the procedure is done (HIPPA violation), just that the surgeon has done it. I will be applying to see if my insurance will cover mine (Dr. V. has said that I'm large enough and with the back issues I've had to potentially qualify this way).

That said, I still have to cover it on my own and apply for insurance coverage. For me, I had some money saved to pay for taxes I thought I'd pay but turned out I didn't need to and that I actually got a refund. The combination of the two was enough to cover the cost of surgery.

There are some grants you can get. Look for the Jim Collins Foundation. They were created to cover surgery costs specifically for trans individuals in need.

Hey, Linus.

I thought you had Aetna? Do they no longer pay for male chest reconstruction/gender identity medical services?

They do. I have to prove all that. Dr. V indicated that I could probably apply under either. The downside is that I have a $5K+ deductible so.. I'm still paying for the majority of it :P

5K? Holy Crap! That stinks! Sorry, man.

Once you hit that deductible make sure to get any and all medical stuff needed done before years end!