Transgender Teen Survival Guide

Ryn says:

I’ve had some trouble finding bras too recently. Since I have a really broad back, someone close to me recommended that I get a bralette or something similar that has a clasp in the back where everything else (cups, straps, whatever) is right and then getting bra extenders (little pieces of fabric and clasp that extend the band.

You can find them online and probably in stores too somewhere). I haven’t tried this yet but that might work for you. 

Followers say:

celeste-zanotti said: Also try Origami Customs. They are in Canada. Owner is phenomenal to work with. And they cater to the trans community

Ryn says:

So that depends what you mean by “good result.” Hormones do more when you start earlier, but they still work just as well later on. 

For example, if you go on testosterone after your growth plates have fused, then you won’t grow taller, but your voice will still deepen, your face will still reshape itself, and you’ll still have fat redistribution. 

Similarly, going on estrogen later in life won’t make your voice get higher, but you’ll still have breast growth, facial changes, changes to body hair growth, etc. 

It depends on the results you want- the end result is not going to be “better” or “worse” because you waited. There are a number of transition timelines around the internet of people who transitioned later in life, ranging from their late 20s all the way up into their 60s and 70s. 

Kai says:

I’ve hugged people wearing binders before and haven’t felt their chest, it just feels like im hugging them and they’re wearing like a sweatshirt (what they’re wearing) and a tight shirt under maybe.

Devon says:

Since this ask has been in our inbox for a bit, I’m gonna answer it even though I don’t have experience with it!

Your best bet is to ask your surgeon. If explaining chest binding to them is too difficult, you could ask the same question about wearing a sports bra; it’s likely a similar answer.

Here is our binding FAQ, which has some more information about binding that you might find helpful.

Other mods, feel free to add on! Followers, reply or reblog if you have any experience with this!

Lee says:

I would suspect you can bind immediately after surgery, but again, ask your surgeon! 

After I had top surgery, I was told to bind using ace bandages for 6 weeks because it’s important to have post-op compression to prevent hematomas and stuff. 

So it’s likely you’ll be told to use a post-op binder or ace immediately after your surgery, and can continue using it for as long as you want.

Devon says:

Dysphoria can fluctuate, and you don’t need steady/constant dysphoria to be trans. You don’t need any dysphoria at all to be trans!

Our dysphoria page has more information, including what dysphoria is and how to cope with it.

Here is our mental health resources page, which has information about getting help for eating disorders, among other things.

I hope this helps, and I am glad you are feeling better! Best of luck in your transition journey.

Followers say:

clever-url said: I could just mean that you're learning how to deal with and address your dysphoric feelings so you dont feel as bad anymore, and I think that's something to celebrate

Ryn says:

Depends on the dose of E and how your body reacts. So I’ve been on estrogen now for almost a year (I’m about 2 weeks out), and I’ve more recently been noticing some of the more obvious effects. I’m on a lower dose, and everybody’s body responds differently, depending on genetics, hormones, if you’re also taking a testosterone blocker (such as finasteride or spironolactone). 

I started to notice light chest growth over this summer, later in the summer especially. I still find that I can slouch and hide it mostly if I need. I’ve been less able to hide it recently, but I still can if I wear a heavy sweatshirt or some other heavier top over a t-shirt. If I’ve just come in from the cold, they’re harder to hide. I’ve also noticed some facial feminization, and honestly my parents haven’t said anything but they aren’t the kind of people that would. I haven’t changed much about my face though (I don’t regularly wear makeup and I wear my hair down most of the time, but that’s it) and while I’ve noticed a change, it’s been very gradual and so I don’t think it’s extreme to the point where people like would notice anything huge (or obvious. They might notice I look different but likely they wouldn’t guess “hey you’ve been taking estrogen”).

So in short, the major noticeable effects I’ve really hidden if I need to for almost a year. There isn’t any vocal change on estrogen, so that isn’t a concern. I could hide effects for longer if I had to. Some folks see more extreme changes, some see less. 

Lee says:

You can buy and and wear a chest binder if you need to hide breast growth!

Kai says:

To my knowledge, no. When going on hormone replacement therapy you can’t really pick and choose which effects you will or won’t get, and there’s likely going to be at least some breast growth. It might not be a lot, depending on genetics and other factors, but there’s no way to have none at all to my knowledge. You could hypothetically get your breasts removed after they’ve grown, but that would be getting top surgery.

Kai says:

No, that’s not weird. I didn’t really notice my dysphoria about my voice until I started thinking about it. Same goes for my hips, etc. My chest dysphoria was always there, but then I put a name to it and so then I could know what that discomfort was.

Ryn says: 

Genetics are a big factor, as they are in all growth and development. A general rule of thumb for growing breasts on estrogen is that you will end up one cup size smaller than your closest cis female relative. 

Kii says:

Yes, that’s normal!

!!

Kai says:

No, not to my knowledge. You should definitely discuss that with a surgeon if you’re concerned about that, but I don’t think I’ve heard of that happening. I know youtuber Ryan Cassata got top surgery years ago and isn’t and never has been on T. Followers, know anyone else?

Kai says:

We would recommend against doing that, it may restrict your breathing too much or be too much pressure/stretching of your chest

#kai says #binding #kt tape #chest mention

Kii says:

No binder makes someone completely flat. Binders don’t make your chest disappear; they just compress the tissue that’s there. I would recommend checking out our dysphoria page for tips on coping with dysphoria, and our school page for tips on school-specific situations you have to cope with.

Devon says:

Our binding FAQ has information about how to get a binder for cheap or free.

If none of the options linked in our binding FAQ work for you…

The binding FAQ linked above also has information on making your own binder. Also, make sure to read our safety guidelines before binding!

Check our dysphoria page for other ways to cope with dysphoria, until you are able to get your binder. If your dysphoria is impacting your mental health, you should also check out our mental health resources.

Best of luck!!

Lee says:

Gofundme isn’t as good as some other crowdfunding sites like youcaring in my opinion so make sure you do your research on whether you want to use that particular platform or not. https://transguys.com/features/surgery-fundraising

Kai says:

Yes, you can take T until you are satisfied with your voice change and then stop. Your voice could change starting from a few weeks in and then stop changing after two or more years, but you can stop at any point. It will probably start cracking 3 months in and slow down cracking after 6+ months but within a year. It depends on everyone and their T levels.

There will, however be permanent changes such as: increased face and body hair, genital growth, any hairline receding/hair loss on head.

Check out our Testosterone FAQ for more info!

Kai says:

There’s this binder that is marketed towards cis women as a compression sports bra that you might be able to get without suspicion, and it’s made by a company that makes safe binders: If you look at the reviews, a lot of people use it for binding, but I would say from a quick glance there are cws for talking about chest and chest size, etc

https://www.amazon.com/Underworks-MagiCotton-Sports-Binding-Minimizer/dp/B00I54XIHU/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1522119386&sr=8-3&keywords=underworks+binding+sports+bra&dpID=41upQSuLgoL&preST=_SX342_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

Additionally, some people use cosplay or theater as an excuse if that’s not suspicious to your parents.

Check out this page to see if any of our resources help:

https://transgenderteensurvivalguide.tumblr.com/bindingfaq

Followers?

Lee says:

The how to buy a binder without parents knowing post linked in the binding faq says: You can you bought a present for someone. You may have to go to a store in person and buy a physical present to then gift to cover up that it wasn’t in the package. You could also ask a friend to lend you a shirt, tell your parents you won a shirt in a giveaway or bought it but decided to give it to a friend as a present, then give the shirt back to the friend. Be creative and come up with an excuse if your parents notice the delivery!