FTM's and Transitioning

[Sam]

I had my consult yesterday, everything went smoothly.

I will be having Top Surgery October 28th, Pre-Op October 25th.

I will be having it here in Georgia.

Now I need to start the process of finding out what my county will want for my gender/name changes. I will start that process right after surgery as i will be here a few weeks recovering.

One thing still confuses, the Dr says he will let me choose where my nipple graphs will be on my chest. Now mind you, im NOT a surgeon so i'm not sure where to put them. i'm guessing that playing around in the mirror will hopefully prove to pick the right spot?

I am so looking forward to POST transition.

I see my T doc today, i'm hoping for an increase in T. But who knows.

One last thing, by looking at myself in the mirror at the Dr's office yesterday i realize just how much hair i have growing on my chest and back. I never payed attention to it before.

I need to write a letter to the courts on WHY i want to change my gender, anyone have any idea's?

*edited by Admin* - Please private message user for any help would be appriciated.

Have a great week

[Thinker]

Originally Posted by Sam

One thing still confuses, the Dr says he will let me choose where my nipple graphs will be on my chest. Now mind you, im NOT a surgeon so i'm not sure where to put them. i'm guessing that playing around in the mirror will hopefully prove to pick the right spot?

!!!! What?

Based on the time I spent with my surgeon right before surgery, there is a whole mathematical blah-blah-blah involved. He measured and drew on me with a marker and did a little calculation on his paper........explaining to me all the while about proportions and distance from clavicle and sternum, etc...

Has he done this type of surgery before? Is that the method he has always used (letting patients decide)? Perhaps you could call a few other surgeons and ask and then take that info back to your surgeon?

This is an exciting time for you, Sam, so I don't want to rain on anything. Just want to make sure you advocate for yourself... You're paying *him*; it's his work to do. It's going to be impossible for your to pick because your chest will look totally different once tissue is removed.

Thinker

[theoddz]

Originally Posted by Sam

One thing still confuses, the Dr says he will let me choose where my nipple graphs will be on my chest. Now mind you, im NOT a surgeon so i'm not sure where to put them. i'm guessing that playing around in the mirror will hopefully prove to pick the right spot?

I am so looking forward to POST transition.

I see my T doc today, i'm hoping for an increase in T. But who knows.

I need to write a letter to the courts on WHY i want to change my gender, anyone have any idea's?

sam.jankowski@gmail.com for any help would be appriciated.

Have a great week

Sam?? I'd be a little concerned if a doctor who was doing this kind of surgery for me asked me "where I wanted my nipples". Not dis'ing your surgeon, but this doesn't sound good. Thinker's right on target with what he says about it being a sort of mathematical equation about ratios and proportions and such. There is a distinct anatomical difference in proportions when it comes to where a male's nipples are, in respect to where a female's are. If your surgeon is experienced in doing this sort of surgery, he should be the one making those decisions. Is he Board Certified in Plastic, particularly Reconstruction surgery??

That sounds totally strange about the State of Georgia requiring a letter (essay??) from you about WHY you want to change your gender marker!! Are you sure that they just won't accept a letter from your surgeon, post-op, saying that you had irreversible surgery for the sole purpose of permanent sex reassignment (as a treatment for gender dysphoria). It's been my understanding that most states only require an official affidavit from a surgeon saying that you've completed sex reassignment via permanent, irreversible surgery. For us FTMs, top surgery is sufficient for this purpose in most states. I'm not sure if there are still some other states that still look to the standards of MTF surgery and require genital reconstruction.

I found this info on the Mega Family Project's web site (http://www.megafamilyproject.org/informed/trans.html) that might be helpful to you:

"Although the state of Georgia will allow all transpeople to change their names, the state will only reissue birth certificates to transpeople that reflect their current gender identities if they provide proof, in the form of a notarized affidavit from a surgeon, that they are undergoing or have undergone gender-reassignment surgery. However, many transpeople who want their legal documents to reflect their true gender identity either don’t have the money to cover the high cost of surgery or don’t feel surgery is necessary to lead fulfilling lives as transmen or transwomen.

Additionally, in the last few years the Georgia Department of Motor Vehicle Safety has issued a regulation that requires transpeople to show a notarized affidavit of genital surgery to have the sex marker changed on their driver’s license. This policy is enforced unevenly, however, and many times a person who presents with a certified copy of their order for name change and legal change of gender can get their sex marker change, depending on who is working the counter that particular day."

I have my own physician's post-op affidavit that I will post, minus names, of course, if this would be helpful to others here.

~Theo~

[Rufusboi]

Sam - Here is the information I found on Georgia:

Georgia will change both name and sex, and will issue a new birth certificate rather than amend the old one.

Contact Information:

Vital Records Service
State Dept. of Human Resources
47 Trinity Avenue SW, Room 217-H
Atlanta, GA 30334
(404) 656-4750
Email: GDPHINFO@dhr.state.ga.us

Mr. Michael R. Lavoie
Director, Vital Records Unit
mrl0600@dhr.state.ga.us

Please contact the Legal Section of the Vital Records office (404-656-4901) and ask for instructions for correcting a vital record.

I would give them a call and ask exactly what is needed.

Rufusboi

[Jet]

Sam,
I think you're really blessed to be so free and excited about this change in your life, and I'm very happy for you. We'll have to get together after you have your surgery. I've stopped T after 15 weeks. The only changes are more body hair and my voice. I had a long talk about health with the doctor i saw about my shoulder and prescriptions and so forth. I went to a gay/gay friendly practice and I felt very comfortable. He was concerned that I wasn't involved with a trans support group which I probably should have been.

At bothers me that, at 54, I feel bound by family and jobs. I came to the conclusion that I don't think I can face my family or tell them in a way that they could understand. This isn't etched in stone by any means, but it's a huge stumbling block for me. I'm gun shy because I've been in one physical fight with an uncle and I've never forgotten it.

The other thing that weighs heavily is the kind of work I do. I'm in the communications industry and I'm trying my damnedest to go from freelancing to a full-time position as a senior designer or art director. The market sucks, the competition is high and I don't want to jeopardize my chances of landing a job. Being a designer in advertising involves working with 3rd party clients. and it's always about impressing them and selling them on concepts. That's if I work at an agency. If I work corporate side, which I have, there's that uptight structure that's always there in PR and marketing. It's a very different baby and a difficult one.

I don't think I was as prepared as I should be. I miss taking T because even the minor changes that I gone through, I like. I haven't given up the idea and time will tell. I just think it would be better if I went through the change after I get a job. I could work out of the industry, but after 30 some years of being in the field, it's all I know.

I'm also working through an 18 year bout with severe PTSD. Now, I feel more like myself than I have in years. This is about coming back after such long dark struggle. What saddens me is that if things hadn't happened to me, I'm sure I would be much more ready to go through a transition. I was TG when TG wasn't even heard of in my 20s and 30s. Now it's at the forefront and I'm not able to go through it—at least not right now. Life is damn funny.

So Sam, I think you're very blessed and I'm happy that you don't have these kinds of obstacles. Best to you, bro.

[Sam]

John

thanks i totally appreciate your words. i'm sorry your going thru all thios, i wish it was easier on you and for you. and maybe things might fall into place.

just be you.

Pre Op is over
EKG done
blood work done

wed the 27th i go in to get marked up
thursday i go under the knife
fri i wake up being me

[Logicaly]

Video blogging is awesome for those of you that feel comfortable doing it. I plan to try and video blog as much as I can as well once I start the process.

I have an appointment on the 15th to meet with a doctor to do a general health exam and find out what I need to have done in order to start hormones. I hate doctors, but they are a neccessary evil in this situation.

[atomiczombie]

A recent new effect of the T: I'm perpetually hard. Oy. Nothing seems to make it go away. I feel like a 13 y/o boy. O.o

[Sam]

Hey ya'll

i havent said much, but my surgery was last thursday the 28th, everything went great. by saturday i was walking around, i had alot of discomfort from the drain area. But NOT much pain at all. I had alot of clotting on friday morning.

I was suppose to go back to get drains out on monday, but he had an emergency so i went in today to see him.

Had my dressings taken off, drains removed and saw my graphs. i absolutely love the results so far, i do have some swelling, may get more.

But overall, im extremely happy.

Thanks for all the well wishes. if you are on my facebook i have uploaded some pics and will be uploading more.

just ask sam.jankowski on fb, have a great week.

Thanks Liam, i have been to GNC.

Sam

[sweetfemme247]

this isnt a place for me, but congrats sam

[Ebon]

Congrats Sam!!

Has anyone tried the T Cream? I know it takes longer but I'm interested to know what people thought about it.

Thanks
OB

[Sam]

OB i never tried it, but they say it takes forever to soak into your skin.

Good luck

[lipstixgal]

I'm not transitioning but good luck to those who are...

[Corkey]

Originally Posted by Organicbutch

Congrats Sam!!

Has anyone tried the T Cream? I know it takes longer but I'm interested to know what people thought about it.

Thanks
OB

Brother O, I had some good effects with the T cream, it gave me more energy, and the chin hairs grew a bit. I'm a pluckin fool anyway but it did make some more pop up. I'm off it until I get my blood work done, my Doc is checking on my hormone levels, He said I had low T the last time he looked. The T cream is homeopathic and not regulated under the FDA, so the contents of how much organic T one gets is up for grabs, but it also did help the libido. Your mileage may vary as with all things.

[Jesse]

Organic,

Corky has already given you some good advise on the cream. I just want to add that if you use it you need to be careful and make sure it has absorbed completely into your skin, before hugging on Gemme, otherwise it can get on her skin and she will absorb it. Can't have Gemme growing goatees and such! Lol!

P.S.This is especially important for women who are pregnant.

Originally Posted by Organicbutch

Congrats Sam!!

Has anyone tried the T Cream? I know it takes longer but I'm interested to know what people thought about it.

Thanks
OB

[Jet]

Originally Posted by Sam

Hey ya'll

i havent said much, but my surgery was last thursday the 28th, everything went great. by saturday i was walking around, i had alot of discomfort from the drain area. But NOT much pain at all. I had alot of clotting on friday morning.

I was suppose to go back to get drains out on monday, but he had an emergency so i went in today to see him.

Had my dressings taken off, drains removed and saw my graphs. i absolutely love the results so far, i do have some swelling, may get more.

But overall, im extremely happy.

Thanks for all the well wishes. if you are on my facebook i have uploaded some pics and will be uploading more.

just ask sam.jankowski on fb, have a great week.

Thanks Liam, i have been to GNC.

Sam

thumbs up Sam.

[atomiczombie]

I am now on a higher dose (twice as high as before) of the daily Androgel. My doctor finally increased it. I hope something dramatic starts to happen soon, cause it has been since May that I have been on T and not much to show for it at all.

[Leigh]

it'll take a little time Drew, but I'm sure things will start happening soon. I've been on the injections now for about 1 1/2 months, and I'm noticing some changes ~ mostly chin hair. I've always had a fair amount of chin hair but it was never dark always fairly light but I knew it was there, and now not only is it longer and more noticeable but its darker in some areas. I get My third injection this morning and will be hoping for more changes in the future!

[The Oopster]

Originally Posted by atomiczombie

I am now on a higher dose (twice as high as before) of the daily Androgel. My doctor finally increased it. I hope something dramatic starts to happen soon, cause it has been since May that I have been on T and not much to show for it at all.

Unfortunately drew the process is really slow for topical T. I did not do the androgel but the creme and was on it for i think 3 years before I started injections. I can tell you i have great body hair on my inner thighs where i applied it the most ... and my voice and some features changed a tad. Also for a time my sex drive increased. Major changes in body hair, voice, and that monthly crap didn't happen til I went on injections and even there they didn't happen on the initial low dose ...

What the creme mainly did for me was it provided me a safe slow platform to see how my body would adjust. Maybe it can be the same for you. I know there are concerns you and your drs have about the T and maybe this is just the pathway to the changes you desire.

[Rufusboi]

Originally Posted by Sam

I need to write a letter to the courts on WHY i want to change my gender, anyone have any idea's?

sam.jankowski@gmail.com for any help would be appriciated.

Have a great week

Sam - Why do you need a letter for the courts to change your gender? I changed everything this summer and never set foot in a courtroom.

What state were you born in? Each state of birth has different rules for changing gender. Let me know and I will try to help you.

Rufusboi