The First Steps

Coming Out

Whether you're coming out to a partner, a parent, a friend, or a family member, there are a few handy tips to help them better understand what this is all about.

Counseling to Begin Gender Reassignment

Your doctor may require a letter from a qualified mental health care professional to begin hormone treatment. This guideline is recommended in The Standards of Care.

Saving Money for Gender Reassignment

Money saving tips to prepare for the cost of transition. Saving money for gender reassignment by creating a budget and making smart financial choices.

Testosterone Hormone Replacement

Testosterone is commonly the first step in the transition process. Learn how to begin the process to achieve your transition goals.

Legal Paperwork

Court ordered name and gender changes are required to change your drivers license, passport, state ID, and other official forms of identification.

Surgery

Reconstructive Chest Surgery

Details about chest reconstruction surgery: Double incision bilateral mastectomy and the keyhole Peri-aeriolar incision.

Hysterectomy

Hysterectomy involves the surgical removal of the female sexual organs. Hysterectomy in female to male transsexuals has many benefits. It can increase the effects of testosterone and potentially decrease the chance of cancer.

Metoidioplasty

Metoidioplasty (meta) is a female to male gender reassignment surgery (GRS). Metoidioplasty surgeons have a high success rate for the before and after surgery results. Metoidioplasty is a highly customizable female to male surgery that allows each candidate to choose the options that best suit their needs. Because each person who chooses to have metoidioplasty is different, there is a wide range of options that candidates can discus with their metoidioplasty surgeon.

Phalloplasty

Phalloplasty is a type of gender reassignment surgery for female to male transsexuals. Phalloplasty surgeons are able to construct a phallus and achieve successful before and after results. Erectile implants may be added following surgical construction of a phallus, allowing the female to male patient to achieve an erection.

Passing Tips

Binding to create a male-appearing chest

Before surgery, if chosen at all, female-to-male transsexuals may chose to bind their breasts to further their masculine appearance. The goal of binding is to flatten the breasts down to create the illusion of a flat chest.

Packing to Create a Male-Appearing Bulge

Soft packing devices (a.k.a. “packers” for short) add a bulge in the pants and help make FTMs feel more at home in their bodies. Many FtM’s find it necessary to pack in certain environments, such as the gym or locker rooms where the lack of a penis, or for that matter, penis looking-part can be an obvious alert to those with wandering eyes. Generally, what the natural born man has, is what the FTM wants, and so it goes that the packing device was created.

Passing in the Mens Restroom

Prepare for the challenges that different locations can yield for a trans man who is just beginning to transition. Bars, rural locations, or upscale restaurants each present unique challenges in etiquette, and even safety.

Clothing

Something as simple as the cut of your pants can make a huge difference in reducing or emphasizing your physical attributes.

Hairstyles

Along with dress and binding, the haircut is another key to being perceived as male. Women tend to cut their sideburns at angles, whereas men cut their sideburns straight across–this is one of those things that we perceive but don’t pay attention to when talking to people.

Male Mannerisms and Body Language

Appearing male isn’t just about physical appearance. There’s a social aspect to it too.

Shaving

Manicured facial hair accents can increase the appearance of a more squared jawline, which can result in a more masculine appearance.