Voice It

I want to get some of your feedback. I want to know your opinions on things. I want to get to know you. I am going to post some opinion questions below and I would appreciate it if you would take a little bit of your time to share your opinions with me. I'd love another point of view. Thanks!

1. Would you ever date someone who is transsexual? Pre-op? Post-op?

2. Which surgeries are you interested in? (If any)

3. How do you feel about the word "passing?"

4. Do you own/want a strap-on?

5. Do you go swimming? If so, what do you wear?

6. Do you wear a binder and/or compression shorts? Do you like them? Would you reccommend it?

7. Do you pack? If so, what do you use to pack with?

8. Are you interested in or do you have an STP device? If you have one, do you like it? And which one do you have?

9. What is your preferred name?

10. Do you plan on taking T?

As I said, I would love to hear from you. I want to post your opinions and things. I want to discuss with my readers. Please, do this little survey. It would mean a lot to me and could help add more depth to this blog.

Email your answers or anything else to TheAidenApocalypse@gmail.com
Thanks again! :D

Sex II

Alright, we're gonna talk about sex. I'm gonna try my best to make this not awkward. I'm not 100% comfortable with this subject so hang in there because I will still present some good ideas.

For bros who haven't had surgery or anything, sex is an uncomfortable topic. I haven't had surgery, nor am I on T. I have a strap-on. You have to have an uncomfortable talk with your partner ahead of time. But most will be fine with that (assuming they already know you're trans). After the awkward discussion, the fun part is next. You have to make sure you have lube or a lubricated condom. Obviously a strap-on doesn't respond like a normal dick does. And after this stuff, you just get to it.

I hate being naked. Hate it. I dread taking a shower every morning. I hate that I can't feel my skin against someone else's during sex. But this is being a transsexual. I don't let people touch me, if you get what I'm saying. I have more of a mental release. I don't really know how to explain it. When the girl (since I'm straight) orgasms, it's like I do too without being touched. It kinda sounds like some other transmen have this too.

If you don't own/want a strap-on, you can always do things with your hands or oral. I just never felt like that was enough for me to feel like a man. You know what I mean? But that's just me.

And if you have had surgery, I can't really help you since you kinda don't need it. You got what you need. This post isn't really for you.

Anything to add? Shoot me an email TheAidenApocalypse@gmail.com

Some VIdeos

I have found a couple videos that I would like you to watch. They are FTM videos. I found them inspirational/beautiful and I hope you will too.

http://youtu.be/2xpf2aYbyWk


http://youtu.be/UHIhf7u6E00


And this video has good tips:

http://youtu.be/6HgkX--VZaQ

Therapist Surgery Letter

   I found this while searching on the internet. It has taken me a really long to find an example of what has to be in the letter for surgery. I thought it might save you guys some time if I shared it with you.


[Name, address, and phone number]

Dear [ Dr. Preforming Surgery]:

   [Patient name] is a [Patients appropriate age] year old female to male transgender individual who has established a longstanding and strong identity as male. He has been living as male consistently and on hormones since [date patient start HRT or social transition]. He has had [if any previous surgeries put here with dates if no other procedures remove this line]. He is now seeking [name of surgery] to aid in his complete medical transition.
   [Patient name] reports a prior history of anxiety which appears to have been in response to the stressors during his early stages of transitioning. He was entered into therapy in [date patient began therapy]. At this time, he presents with no apparent residual psychiatric symptoms and is quite stable. He intends to continue his therapy regime which he believes has been helpful.
   [Patient name] seems to have significant progress in his transitioning and seems very happy in his decision to be male. He has a strong support system that includes a loving partner and family. He has steady employment that provides his benefits and is attending school for his professional aspirations. His judgment appears sound and good. He has good knowledge of, and had the ability to follow to Standards of Care for surgery.
   I met with [Patient name] for an evaluation on [date of evaluation] . I have no hesitation in recommending him for the procedure he has requested. He meets and exceeds the criteria as set forth by the Harry Benjamin International Gender Dysphoria Association. If you need any more information or have questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at [therapist phone number].

Sincerely,

[Therapist name], [qualifications]

Therapists

So there are tons of great therapists out there. I have found huge lists all over the web. I'll give you links to some of those lists at the end of this post. I want to talk about some therapists that look really good, have good reviews, or just seem interesting that you might want to check out. I'll try to get at least one for every region of the U.S. Hope it helps.


Online:

John D Moore LCPC, CADC
E-mail: john@johndmoore.net
Website: http://www.johndmoore.net/
You must be a resident of Illinois


http://www.gendertherapist.com/


Caroline Gibbs
Transgender Institute
7140 Wornall Road, Suite 203
Kansas City, MO. 64114
Phone : (816) 305-0943Email : gibbsassist@yahoo.com
She does appointments using Skype. She will provide you with a Skype camera free of charge.


B.E. Budd
699 B Piedmont Ave, NE
Atlanta, Ga. 30324
Phone : (404) 873-5517
or
1216 Mars Hill Road, #C
Watkinsville, Ga. 30677bebudd@bebuddphd.com
http://www.bebuddphd.com/ 


South East:

Daniel McKeever, Ph.D.
Hill Crest Associates
6869 5th Avenue South
Birmingham, AL. 35212
Phone : (205) 838-2031

Margaret Morgan-Cohen, LCSW
210 Pulaski St.
Little Rock, AR. 72201
Phone : (501) 255-0561
Website : http://www.margaretmorgancohen.com

Jennifer McBlaine MA, RMHCI
Diplomate, American Board of Clinical Sexology
Professional Counseling Centers of Sarasota/Manatee
1808 Orchid Street
Sarasota, FL 34239
Phone : (941) 951-0548jennifer@sextherapysarasota.com
http://www.sextherapysarasota.com 

Joel Bagby
7193 Douglas Blvd, Suite 205
Douglasville, GA. 30135
Phone : (404) 920-0551

Northeast:

Gary E. Alger, M.Div., LADC, CEAP
Counseling Psychotherapy EAP
670 Prospect Avenue
Hartford, CT. 06105
Phone : (860) 233-4022
Cell : (860) 309-7655garyalger@sbcglobal.net

Amy L. Herb, L.C.S.W.
4735 Ogletown-Stanton Road
Medical Arts Pavilion 2, Suite 1201
Newark, DE. 19718
Phone : (302) 623-4335aherb@christianacare.org

Maine Gender Resource and Support Service
c/o Jean Churchill
P.O. Box 1894
Bangor, ME. 04402-1894

Midwest: (My area)

Michele O'Mara, LCSW
2680 E. Main Street, Suite 121
Plainfield, IN. 46167
Phone : (317) 517-0065
TG Counseling : http://www.transgenderindiana.com
michele@micheleomara.com
Main Website : http://www.transgenderindiana.com
Net Counseling : http://omaram.hypermart.net/thelesbiantherapist/online-counseling/
orhttp://www.onlinegendercounseling.com
Her online scheduler : http://www.appointmentquest.com/provider/2000319224
Social Networking Website : http://www.genderconnection.com

Milwaukee Transgender Program
Gretchen Finke, MSSW
Roger Northway, MS
Pathways Counseling Center
2645 N. Mayfair Road, Suite 230, First Financial Building
Milwaukee, WI. 53226-1304
Phone : (414) 774-4111
This is what I'm looking into for myself.

Willow Counseling Services, LLC
Veronica L. Senkyr, MA, LMFT
1821 University Ave. W., S329
St. Paul, MN. 55104
Phone : (651) 647-1022vsenkyr@willowcounselingservices.com
http://www.willowcounselingservices.com

Southwest:

Lewis Nemes, Ph.D.
8005 Pennsylvania Circle, NE
Albuquerque, NM. 87110
Phone : (505) 248-0698

Gender Center Of The Southwest
Transitions Medical and Counseling Associates
3626 Nort Hall Street, Suite 623
Dallas, TX. 75205
Phone : (214) 528-8901

West:

Roberta Vande Voort, MS MFT
AAMFT Approved Supervisor
9402 W. Lake Mead Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV. 8914
Phone : (702) 878-0554roberta@kayentabhc.com
http://www.kayentabhc.com/index.html

Joshua M. Simmons, Psy.D.
Clinical Psychologist (PSY 23334)
3821 23rd Street
San Francisco, CA. 94114
Phone : (415) 820-1554drsimmons@sftherapy.info
http://www.sftherapy.info

There are tons and tons more. I just wanted to list some of them for you. Find one in your state/near you.

Here's the link to the list that I used for this post: http://www.lauras-playground.com/gender_therapists.htm

Some states don't have any listed. You should always check other lists and google search. Make sure you find the right therapist for you.

The 3 Magic Steps

There are three general steps to transitioning: thearapy, hormone treatment, and surgery. I will outline the steps and how to go about them. I haven't gone through them yet, but I have a job and am saving every dollar for it.

1. Therapy:
   - You may be thinking to yourself "I don't need therapy, I already know everything I need to." WRONG! You can learn a lot through therapy, if you have a good therapist.
   - Now is the time to make sure this is what you really want. Some of the changes from Testosterone are permanent, so be 100% sure this is what you want before you move on to step 2.
   - This part won't be fun: calling to set up your appointment. You have to be brave and make the call. When they ask what you need to be seen for, you must tell them "Gender Dysphoria" or "Gender Issues."
   - Depending on the person, this step could take months or longer. It's life changing and shouldn't be taken lightly.
   - You may lose family. You may lose some gay friends if you are active in the gay community. You could lose your job. You could get harassed at school. The list never ends, but if you want to transition, just do it. Be strong.
   - You will face challenges. Be brave and face them head-on!
   - I will be posting more about therapy and therapists soon.


2. Testosterone Hormone Therapy:
   - I have posted a bit about testosterone on this blog. Please make sure to look at those posts.
   - Get the letter of recommendation for hormone therapy from your therapist. That letter will halp you get your prescription for testosterone.
   - Testosterone is a steroid; it's not to be played around with.
   - T is a safe drug when it is used under supervision and is controlled. So use the correct dosage and see your doctor as regularly as you are told to.
   - The changes take years, taking more will not make changes happen faster. You could end up really ill or dead.


3. Surgery:
   - Quite a few surgeons require you to have had hormone therapy before they will operate on you, but just as many don't require it.
   - If you were planning chest surgery first, you don't need to be on testosterone (in most cases) before surgery.
   - You need to have a letter from your therapist recommending you for surgery before a surgeon will operate on you.
   - You can read about the types of surgeries in my "Types Of Surgeries" post.


If I missed anything, send me an email. TheAidenApocalypse@gmail.com

Surgeons

I will be listing some of the top surgeons for FTM surgeries. I'll say what they will perform (top, bottm, etc.) and contact info. I might add some pictures too. I'll tell what I have heard about each surgeon (if I have heard anything). I hope this list will help you.

Dr. Beverly A. Fischer, M.D.
Advanced Center for Plastic Surgery
12205-12207 Tullamore Rd.
Timonium, MD 21093
0r
2 Colgate Dr.
Suite 101
Forest Hills, MD 21050
Ftm top surgery
I have seen a lot of her work in photo galleries. It seems to vary greatly. I have seen amazing/perfect surgeries, but I have also seen surgeries that I thought looked very poorly done. The best and worst surgery photos I have seen have come from her.
http://www.beverlyfischer.com/



Dr. Yvon Menard, M.D.
Dr. Pierre Brassard, M.D.,
1003 East Boulevard St. Joseph, Montreal,
Quebec, Canada H2J 1L2
Phalloplasty, Metoidioplasty, Clitoral Freeing Procedures, Mastectomy
http://www.grsmontreal.com/anglais.html





Daniel A. Medalie, MD
Assistant Professor of Plastic Surgery
Metrohealth Medical Center
Case Western Reserve University
http://www.clevelandplasticsurgery.com/transgender-surgery



 
Dr. Raphael
1600 Coit St 105
Plano, Tx 75075
Ftm top surgery




John G. Gregory, MD, FACS
Deaconess Institute of Sexual Medicine
6125 Clayton Ave., #141
St. Louis, MO 63139



Eugene A. Schrang, M.D., S.C., Theda Clark Regional Medical Center
125 E. Forest Avenue
Neenah, WI 54956
Ftm top surgery
I was considering going there because it's pretty close to home and he seems pretty skilled.




Dr. Kenneth L. Stein
414 N. Orleans, Suite 209
Chicago, IL 60610


Dr. Alan N. Wilson
Detroit Medical Center,
573 Fisher Theater Building,
Detroit, MI 48202





Dr. Marci Bowers
406 First National Bank Building
Trinidad, CO 81082.
Ftm bottom and Mtf surgeries
http://www.marcibowers.com/grs/gender.html


Dr. Gary Alter
435 N. Bedford Dr. Suite 300
Beverly Hills, CA, 90210
http://www.altermd.com/

           


Dr. RE Moulton-Barrett, MD
2070 Clinton Av, Alameda, CA 94611
http://moulton-barrett.com/



These are obviously not all of the surgeons available. I just wanted to give you some to start looking at and comparing.

Surgery Types

I will be discussing a few different types of surgery and will probably add more information later.

There are three general types of surgeries:
1. Chest reconstruction surgery (sometimes called top surgery or male chest contouring)
2. Hysterectomy and oophorectomy (removing the uterus and ovaries)
3. Genital reconstruction surgery (sometimes called bottom surgery)

Within the Chest reconstruction surgery group, there are two subgroups:
1. Double incision/Bilateral mastectomy
2. Keyhole/Peri-areolar incision

Double incision/Bilateral mastectomy:

• usually used for guys with larger chests (usually B or higher)
• two incisions are made across the breasts, right below the nipples
• the skin is peeled back and the fatty tissue is removed, using a scalpel
• the skin is then trimmed and put back over the chest

Pros:

- best method for guys with large chests
- muscle growth and hair growth can help hide scars
- resizing and placement of the nipples make the chest more masculine looking

Cons:

- huge scars
- little or no nipple sensation
- may require revision
- areas of numbness
- appearance of puckering along the scars

Keyhole/Peri-areolar:

• effective for individuals with small chests (cup A or smaller is preferred, but a lot of surgeons will do size B)
• incisions are made around the areola
• fatty tissue is "scooped" out
• areola might be sized down
• skin is pulled taut toward the incision
• the incision is closed

Pros:

- minimal scarring
- sensation in the nipples

Cons:

- nipple placement might not be ideal
- possibility of sagging skin
- chest may not appear completely flat
- may need revision
- risk of nipple loss

Genital reconstruction surgery:
1. Metoidioplasty
2. Centurion
3. Phalloplasty

Metoidioplasty:

• clitoris grows because of testosterone
• the ligament holding the clitoris is cut, bringing the clitoris forward
• it will look like a small penis
• scrotal implants may be available

Pros:

- unassisted erection when aroused
- natural looking
- no visible scars

Cons:

- too small for penetration
- sometimes the clitoris doesn't get big enough by using testosterone


Centurion:

• round ligaments are freed from the labia majora and brought together along the shaft of the clitoris
• it provides girth
• the extraction of the round ligaments leaves a pocket
• silicone scrotal implants are placed into the pocket
• a urethral extension is made by using a catheter, which will be removed when it is healed

Pros:

- natural looking
- erotically sensate penis
- unassisted erection
- no visible scars

Cons:

- too small for penetration
- sometimes clitoris doesn't get big enough by using testosterone

Phalloplasty:

• many different types
• Gillies: flap of abdominal skin is rolled into a tube to create a penis
• Suitcase handle: improvement on the Gillies, flap is attached to the abdomin for a few weeks for proper blood supply and then released to hang down
• Free tissue flap transfer: more recent and improved; a flap of skin is removed, nerves and blood vessels in tact, and transferred to the groin area
• MLD flap: skin is taken from the torso, under the arm; considered to produce the most realistic looking penis; more erotically sensate
• scrotoplasty: paired with the phalloplasty; labia majora hollowed out and silicone implants are inserted to create a scrotum

Pros:

- average-sized penis
- realistic looking
- can urinate through
- can engage in penetrative sex

Cons:

- multiple surgical visits
- may need revisions
- expensive
- scarring
- pain
- long time for recovery

Personally, I am planning to get peri-areolar chest surgery and the MLD phalloplasty. The chest surgery will leave little scarring and that's what I want (also I have a small chest). The MLD is the best bottom surgery available. The pros outweigh the cons for me.

Even though I told you what I want for myself, only you can decide what's best for you. Even if you choose not to have any surgery, you will always be a man. Think very seriously about all your options before you make the choice. Surgery is serious and can not be undone.