VOICE
I just did some scales. I seemed to have dropped an entire octave (for the time being). My previous vocal range was B3 to E5 where as now Im looking at B2 to D#4
HAIR
I have black hairs on my upper lip!! Im so happy! There are about 4 and they are on the right side. I called the biggest one Dave. :)
Tummy is getting hairier and its going not only down towards my groin but a little is going up towards my chest.
*fingers crossed* please no chest hair, please no chest hair.
OTHER
Breasts havent changed btw... and body fat hasnt changed...
Monday, July 21, 2008
Saturday, July 19, 2008
S.A UNIT again...
More discussion on Dr. Lyons and the WPATH SOC which is the 'handbook' for medical standards when treating FTM patients and MTF patients.
Yet again we'll be hearing from the User Maddfish.
I'll be bolding things of interest to myself.
---
Well, I guess I'm only talking about SA, which does have the "one and
one only option" thing happening to a huge degree...
I quote from the WPATH SOC
XI. Breast Surgery
For female-to-male patients, a mastectomy procedure is usually the first
surgery performed for success in gender presentation as a man; and for
some patients it is the only surgery undertaken.
When the amount of breast tissue removed requires skin removal, a scar
will result and the patient should be so informed. Female-to-male
patients may have surgery at the same time they begin hormones (1).
XII. Genital Surgery
Eligibility Criteria. These minimum eligibility criteria for various
genital surgeries equally apply to biologic males and females seeking
genital surgery. They are:
1. Legal age of majority in the patient's nation;
2. Usually 12 months of continuous hormonal therapy for those without a
medical
contraindication (see below, "Can Surgery Be Performed Without Hormones
and the Real-life Experience");
3. 12 months of successful continuous full time real-life experience.
Periods of returning to the original gender may indicate ambivalence
about proceeding and generally should not be used to fulfill this
criterion;
4. If required by the mental health professional, regular responsible
participation in
psychotherapy throughout the real-life experience at a frequency
determined jointly by the patient and the mental health professional.
Psychotherapy per se is not an absolute eligibility criterion for
surgery;
5. Demonstrable knowledge of the cost, required lengths of
hospitalizations, likely
complications, and post surgical rehabilitation requirements of various
surgical
approaches;
6. Awareness of different competent surgeons.
--- In OzGuys@yahoogroups.com, Al wrote:
>
> >could have got less scar tissue and
> >probably kept nipple sensation if I lived overseas
>
> It might be a good time to remind new guys there are three surgeons in
Perth doing various techniques not to mention other surgeons in the
other capital cities.
> IMHO you don't need to go overseas to get a good result
Part of the readiness criteria is demonstrating an understanding of
different methods and results etc (#5 above n reference to lower
surgery) . I demonstratably did this, ending up with two surgeons on my
final list to "interview". They were Dr Katsaros and a NSW surgeon. The
NSW surgeon is very good, I know several guys who have been to the
surgeon and have excellent results, however for no reason I can name, I
felt uncomfortable (in that 'wierded out', something ain't quite right
sense) with this surgeon, so I was happy enough to go with Dr Katsaros.
On the other hand, it's not like I ended up with a choice, once Dr.
Lyons decided to refer me, he didn't even ask what I thought of the two
surgeons - I was just expected to be grateful for what I was given. In
SA, overseas is just as far away as interstate...
In reality, both #5 and #6 are incompatible with the SA unit, where you
can demonstate as much awareness as you like, you will only be referred
locally, even if that is not going to be a good result for you.
You do really need to be careful if you go interstate from SA. Dr. Lyons
will coerce interstate psychs into referring you back to him (and not to
any surgeon) if he finds out.
The situation is also vastly different for lower surgery. Someone
correct me if I'm wrong here, but there are a total of three surgeons
that (to various degrees) undertake one form or another of FtM genital
reconstruction in Australia: Hearsche (sp?) who has been in trouble with
the AMA and gets some really awful results for both men and women; Ceber
(Monash) who stopped operating last year, citing his own complication
rate, which was about double that expected (I believe he is operating
again now); and Kimble down in Tassie, whom I haven't heard a lot about.
These surgeons (allowance for my lack of knowledge re. Kimble) simply
aren't the equal of the Belgian team, Belgrade team, perhaps Stephanides
(USA), Meltzer, the Montreal team... (and of course, Thailand for our
women counterparts).
Again, for guys, there is no one "magic bullet" operation. Even if the
most competent surgeon in the world was Aussie, any particular man might
prefer a different result (maybe meta vs phallo, or buccal graft vs
vaginal graft or forearm vs abdominal flap etc..)
Personally I feel that part of the problem is:
a) lack of population. Australia could maybe sustain one surgeon doing
GRS - and this really doesn't help us guys given the plethora of
techniques around
b) the attitude (problem) here. When I was doing the psych thing, Dr.
Lyons tried to convince me that it was OK for a surgeon not to want to
show anyone their results or publish in academic journals because they
didn't want it publicly known that they were undertaking genital
reconstructive surgeries on trans patients (2)- that it was only a small
part of their practice and I should be happy I had the option at all. I
tried to convince him that whatever, but I was more inclined to
investigate and eventually visit a surgeon who didn't find their work
shameful and that I could investigate and understand *before* I spent
the time and money travelling to see them.
------------------------
(1) I was told that I had to have T for 12months before I could have surgery.
(2) This is odd and I can really see any reason why a doctor would want to without evidence of the surgery.
Something smells really rotten in the SA Unit.
The things I find most odd is that Dr. Lyons has mentioned that the Melbourne clinics work faster and that if I found the support of a political party Id be able to have all I wanted tomorrow. Why would he put all these ideas to me?
I have my next appointment in August. I'll be asking for:
- My script for T
- If no, then why not?
There is a triad mentioned in the WPATH SOC. It goes Real Life -> Hormones -> Surgery. That is the path Im suppose to follow. Its been over a year now of my 'real life experience' and Im doing well. Only through help have I managed to obtain Hormones and have been on them for about 2 months now and Im doing well.
I see no reason to be denied hormones. Im mentally able (being labelled a Drama-Queen) and ive cleared all other standards... so why am I still here?
--
Now to completely contradict myself Ive become all paranoid. Im trying to find out what triggers it and so far all I have is stress. The only thing is.. I dont feel stressed so it becomes harder to measure what's going on in my head. I came to the stress conclusion based on their were stressful events happening around the time of my episodes of insanity.
At the moment, school is starting up and Asuka is coming next week. Those are my 'stress factors' I think.
What's crazy? Umm... normal objects have been mistaken as scary things. You know, the stuff that use to happen to you as a kid. Its happening to me now. Usually if you stare at something it would go away and you'd recognise it but for me they arent going away.
I refuse to go back onto anti-depressants so Im going to focus on taking the Fish Oil cruddy tablets like my GP suggested.
TRANSITION UPDATE
HAIR
Im getting black hairs on my belly (more and more) and some of them are appearing over night. Its rather odd. I look like that Sand monster from Return of the Jedi.
No dark ones on my face though :(
VOICE
There is a pattern! Deep -> Cracky -> High -> Deep ->Rinse and repeat.
Yesterday was my Cracky day so now Im kind of high. It was suggested I go to a voice trainer and Im still giving it more thought. Id rather do it myself and save the $60. There should be a voice training videos for FTMs like there is for MTFs.
Yet again we'll be hearing from the User Maddfish.
I'll be bolding things of interest to myself.
---
Well, I guess I'm only talking about SA, which does have the "one and
one only option" thing happening to a huge degree...
I quote from the WPATH SOC
XI. Breast Surgery
For female-to-male patients, a mastectomy procedure is usually the first
surgery performed for success in gender presentation as a man; and for
some patients it is the only surgery undertaken.
When the amount of breast tissue removed requires skin removal, a scar
will result and the patient should be so informed. Female-to-male
patients may have surgery at the same time they begin hormones (1).
XII. Genital Surgery
Eligibility Criteria. These minimum eligibility criteria for various
genital surgeries equally apply to biologic males and females seeking
genital surgery. They are:
1. Legal age of majority in the patient's nation;
2. Usually 12 months of continuous hormonal therapy for those without a
medical
contraindication (see below, "Can Surgery Be Performed Without Hormones
and the Real-life Experience");
3. 12 months of successful continuous full time real-life experience.
Periods of returning to the original gender may indicate ambivalence
about proceeding and generally should not be used to fulfill this
criterion;
4. If required by the mental health professional, regular responsible
participation in
psychotherapy throughout the real-life experience at a frequency
determined jointly by the patient and the mental health professional.
Psychotherapy per se is not an absolute eligibility criterion for
surgery;
5. Demonstrable knowledge of the cost, required lengths of
hospitalizations, likely
complications, and post surgical rehabilitation requirements of various
surgical
approaches;
6. Awareness of different competent surgeons.
--- In OzGuys@yahoogroups.com, Al wrote:
>
> >could have got less scar tissue and
> >probably kept nipple sensation if I lived overseas
>
> It might be a good time to remind new guys there are three surgeons in
Perth doing various techniques not to mention other surgeons in the
other capital cities.
> IMHO you don't need to go overseas to get a good result
Part of the readiness criteria is demonstrating an understanding of
different methods and results etc (#5 above n reference to lower
surgery) . I demonstratably did this, ending up with two surgeons on my
final list to "interview". They were Dr Katsaros and a NSW surgeon. The
NSW surgeon is very good, I know several guys who have been to the
surgeon and have excellent results, however for no reason I can name, I
felt uncomfortable (in that 'wierded out', something ain't quite right
sense) with this surgeon, so I was happy enough to go with Dr Katsaros.
On the other hand, it's not like I ended up with a choice, once Dr.
Lyons decided to refer me, he didn't even ask what I thought of the two
surgeons - I was just expected to be grateful for what I was given. In
SA, overseas is just as far away as interstate...
In reality, both #5 and #6 are incompatible with the SA unit, where you
can demonstate as much awareness as you like, you will only be referred
locally, even if that is not going to be a good result for you.
You do really need to be careful if you go interstate from SA. Dr. Lyons
will coerce interstate psychs into referring you back to him (and not to
any surgeon) if he finds out.
The situation is also vastly different for lower surgery. Someone
correct me if I'm wrong here, but there are a total of three surgeons
that (to various degrees) undertake one form or another of FtM genital
reconstruction in Australia: Hearsche (sp?) who has been in trouble with
the AMA and gets some really awful results for both men and women; Ceber
(Monash) who stopped operating last year, citing his own complication
rate, which was about double that expected (I believe he is operating
again now); and Kimble down in Tassie, whom I haven't heard a lot about.
These surgeons (allowance for my lack of knowledge re. Kimble) simply
aren't the equal of the Belgian team, Belgrade team, perhaps Stephanides
(USA), Meltzer, the Montreal team... (and of course, Thailand for our
women counterparts).
Again, for guys, there is no one "magic bullet" operation. Even if the
most competent surgeon in the world was Aussie, any particular man might
prefer a different result (maybe meta vs phallo, or buccal graft vs
vaginal graft or forearm vs abdominal flap etc..)
Personally I feel that part of the problem is:
a) lack of population. Australia could maybe sustain one surgeon doing
GRS - and this really doesn't help us guys given the plethora of
techniques around
b) the attitude (problem) here. When I was doing the psych thing, Dr.
Lyons tried to convince me that it was OK for a surgeon not to want to
show anyone their results or publish in academic journals because they
didn't want it publicly known that they were undertaking genital
reconstructive surgeries on trans patients (2)- that it was only a small
part of their practice and I should be happy I had the option at all. I
tried to convince him that whatever, but I was more inclined to
investigate and eventually visit a surgeon who didn't find their work
shameful and that I could investigate and understand *before* I spent
the time and money travelling to see them.
------------------------
(1) I was told that I had to have T for 12months before I could have surgery.
(2) This is odd and I can really see any reason why a doctor would want to without evidence of the surgery.
Something smells really rotten in the SA Unit.
The things I find most odd is that Dr. Lyons has mentioned that the Melbourne clinics work faster and that if I found the support of a political party Id be able to have all I wanted tomorrow. Why would he put all these ideas to me?
I have my next appointment in August. I'll be asking for:
- My script for T
- If no, then why not?
There is a triad mentioned in the WPATH SOC. It goes Real Life -> Hormones -> Surgery. That is the path Im suppose to follow. Its been over a year now of my 'real life experience' and Im doing well. Only through help have I managed to obtain Hormones and have been on them for about 2 months now and Im doing well.
I see no reason to be denied hormones. Im mentally able (being labelled a Drama-Queen) and ive cleared all other standards... so why am I still here?
--
Now to completely contradict myself Ive become all paranoid. Im trying to find out what triggers it and so far all I have is stress. The only thing is.. I dont feel stressed so it becomes harder to measure what's going on in my head. I came to the stress conclusion based on their were stressful events happening around the time of my episodes of insanity.
At the moment, school is starting up and Asuka is coming next week. Those are my 'stress factors' I think.
What's crazy? Umm... normal objects have been mistaken as scary things. You know, the stuff that use to happen to you as a kid. Its happening to me now. Usually if you stare at something it would go away and you'd recognise it but for me they arent going away.
I refuse to go back onto anti-depressants so Im going to focus on taking the Fish Oil cruddy tablets like my GP suggested.
TRANSITION UPDATE
HAIR
Im getting black hairs on my belly (more and more) and some of them are appearing over night. Its rather odd. I look like that Sand monster from Return of the Jedi.
No dark ones on my face though :(
VOICE
There is a pattern! Deep -> Cracky -> High -> Deep ->Rinse and repeat.
Yesterday was my Cracky day so now Im kind of high. It was suggested I go to a voice trainer and Im still giving it more thought. Id rather do it myself and save the $60. There should be a voice training videos for FTMs like there is for MTFs.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
S.A. UNIT
A member from the FTMAustralia forum posted this and I thought it would be nice to share as it mentions my pysch (Dr. Lyons) and addressing some ideas I was toying with in my mind.
--
With all the new SA guys, I feel compelled to say that it is possible
to fight the SA unit - to an extent.
Two examples, Rob Lyons won't tell you that the minimum he needs to
see you (to ensure his duty of care) is every three months, not every
month.
Also, if you get referred to Dr Tony Roberts as your endo, he will
insist all he is allowed to prescribe is Sustanon 250 / three weeks.
However, he has a habit of giving you a bit more than a year's worth
on one script (I actually couldn't fill my last repeat because the
script was too old). Ask him to give you 6 shots at once (saves
pharmacy dispensing fee, if you go to the Chemist Warehouse near DJ's
you'll get it for the authority script price, i.e. ~$62). When you
start getting the new script six weeks early, all you need to say is
that your GP adjusted the dose (mine did after blood tests). Two weeks
is the standard dosing schedule (it even says so in the patient
information), so the pharmacist shouldn't have too much of a problem.
Unfortunately, for surgery you're kind of stuck. This one, even I went
interstate for. I'd recommend against allowing Lyons to find out
you're seeking care elsewhere as he will be a real pain about it when
he sees you and he will jeopardise your treatment interstate (i.e. by
instructing an interstate psych not to treat you). But you have to
weigh up how you feel about being dishonest, depending on how you play
this one.
FWIW. The SA unit doe not conform to the WPATH SOC and is in fact
moving against those treatment guidelines.
--
With all the new SA guys, I feel compelled to say that it is possible
to fight the SA unit - to an extent.
Two examples, Rob Lyons won't tell you that the minimum he needs to
see you (to ensure his duty of care) is every three months, not every
month.
Also, if you get referred to Dr Tony Roberts as your endo, he will
insist all he is allowed to prescribe is Sustanon 250 / three weeks.
However, he has a habit of giving you a bit more than a year's worth
on one script (I actually couldn't fill my last repeat because the
script was too old). Ask him to give you 6 shots at once (saves
pharmacy dispensing fee, if you go to the Chemist Warehouse near DJ's
you'll get it for the authority script price, i.e. ~$62). When you
start getting the new script six weeks early, all you need to say is
that your GP adjusted the dose (mine did after blood tests). Two weeks
is the standard dosing schedule (it even says so in the patient
information), so the pharmacist shouldn't have too much of a problem.
Unfortunately, for surgery you're kind of stuck. This one, even I went
interstate for. I'd recommend against allowing Lyons to find out
you're seeking care elsewhere as he will be a real pain about it when
he sees you and he will jeopardise your treatment interstate (i.e. by
instructing an interstate psych not to treat you). But you have to
weigh up how you feel about being dishonest, depending on how you play
this one.
FWIW. The SA unit doe not conform to the WPATH SOC and is in fact
moving against those treatment guidelines.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Progress Report
5 Week Mark...
Muscles
Very nice.
Not fat movement yet.
Ive been doing a lot of chest exercises (push ups and that tuggy thing that builds your pecs). I read that if you have a good amount of muscle definition your chest reconstruction will look better because the surgeon will have something to work on.
Makes sense.
Da Wang
He's fine. Im looking into stretching it and making it bigger. 2" is a high goal but Im gonna shoot for it.
Sex Drive
Loving it.
Im having trouble making sex last though. Im usually cuming before Ive even got my pants off. Then Im very sleepy and just wanna crash.
Hey! Not a problem for me! But Ive gathered women dont like that so much...
Facial Hair
I shaved everything back and Im watching it closely as it grows back to see if there are hairs that are growing faster or what the hell is the deal.
Acne
Im 13 all over again. However, when I was 13 I didnt have much acne so perhaps it's waiting around the corner.
2/3 of my brothers had TERRIBLE acne so Im on edge.
Body Odor
Problem Solved.
Thank you Adidas and thank you Waffles!
Voice
Settled.
It's still a shock for me to try and sing and make dinosaur noises (A hobby of mine)
Emotions
Normal.
Depression - Normal in occurance but not as crippling.
Muscles
Very nice.
Not fat movement yet.
Ive been doing a lot of chest exercises (push ups and that tuggy thing that builds your pecs). I read that if you have a good amount of muscle definition your chest reconstruction will look better because the surgeon will have something to work on.
Makes sense.
Da Wang
He's fine. Im looking into stretching it and making it bigger. 2" is a high goal but Im gonna shoot for it.
Sex Drive
Loving it.
Im having trouble making sex last though. Im usually cuming before Ive even got my pants off. Then Im very sleepy and just wanna crash.
Hey! Not a problem for me! But Ive gathered women dont like that so much...
Facial Hair
I shaved everything back and Im watching it closely as it grows back to see if there are hairs that are growing faster or what the hell is the deal.
Acne
Im 13 all over again. However, when I was 13 I didnt have much acne so perhaps it's waiting around the corner.
2/3 of my brothers had TERRIBLE acne so Im on edge.
Body Odor
Problem Solved.
Thank you Adidas and thank you Waffles!
Voice
Settled.
It's still a shock for me to try and sing and make dinosaur noises (A hobby of mine)
Emotions
Normal.
Depression - Normal in occurance but not as crippling.
Friday, July 4, 2008
Progress Report
Muscleshttp://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1809858_1811192,00.html
Still good. No change in any thing else fat/muscle wise. Exercise apparently helps the T
Da Wang
Hasnt changed
Sex Drive
Managable. I like these morning boners (currently has one). Its got to be the best way to wake up.
Facial Hair
In Japanese we call them TAKARAGE. They are these hairs that have excelled growth compared to the rest. Well, Ive noticed a few on my upper lip.
Acne
Doing ok.
Body Odor
My cat likes the smell. She has taken to cleaning my (my armpits mainly). I dont mind really because it takes the smell away faster than any deodorant.
Voice
Settled down a bit. Im in the habit of trying to use my old pitch which then makes my throat hurt. So Im trying to break that and get use to this new soothing tone which makes my chest vibrate..
Emotions
Emotions? What emotions? Bah!
Other
Yes my period came! In very painful clots and I went insane. Im usually very unhappy and desperate when I get to my period but this...was... well, not the worst but I was surprised. Dont you think Id have gotten use to it? Its been 5 years already!
Anyway, after my booster shot of T it kind of...stopped.. ish... and now its just been very mild.
I definately prefer it in the arm. However when the doctor had the needle in there I was tempted to say "You know, Ive never had a man penetrate me so deeply". Then I thought, Hmmm lets not anger the man with the pointy sharp thing....
Still good. No change in any thing else fat/muscle wise. Exercise apparently helps the T
Da Wang
Hasnt changed
Sex Drive
Managable. I like these morning boners (currently has one). Its got to be the best way to wake up.
Facial Hair
In Japanese we call them TAKARAGE. They are these hairs that have excelled growth compared to the rest. Well, Ive noticed a few on my upper lip.
Acne
Doing ok.
Body Odor
My cat likes the smell. She has taken to cleaning my (my armpits mainly). I dont mind really because it takes the smell away faster than any deodorant.
Voice
Settled down a bit. Im in the habit of trying to use my old pitch which then makes my throat hurt. So Im trying to break that and get use to this new soothing tone which makes my chest vibrate..
Emotions
Emotions? What emotions? Bah!
Other
Yes my period came! In very painful clots and I went insane. Im usually very unhappy and desperate when I get to my period but this...was... well, not the worst but I was surprised. Dont you think Id have gotten use to it? Its been 5 years already!
Anyway, after my booster shot of T it kind of...stopped.. ish... and now its just been very mild.
I definately prefer it in the arm. However when the doctor had the needle in there I was tempted to say "You know, Ive never had a man penetrate me so deeply". Then I thought, Hmmm lets not anger the man with the pointy sharp thing....
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