Pre-HRT Preparations?

[Guest Oasis]

I was wondering what sort of things you all made sure to have finished or at least started before starting HRT

OR

What sort of things do you all wish you had WISHED you started on or finished before HRT.

[Cyndee]

Good Morning Oasis,

For me it was loosing 30 + lbs and getting in better shape before starting. This made a huge difference in my development now, I love my body.

Hugs

Cindy

[Guest Shari]

Hi Oasis,

A little more for me but I don't know if it was because I knew I should do it first, or I used it as an excuse to delay starting. Anyway, I lost about 40 pounds, changed my diet and lowered my cholesterol, quit smoking, corrected a skin problem I had on my face and then I corrected years of dental problems. That was followed by therapy and finally HRT. I wish, big time wish, that I worked on my social issues more and concentrated on building stronger relationships (not directly related to HRT, but, we shouldn't ignore the emotional support we all need).

Some of the people I've met, and I love them all, seem to be in such a hurry. I've read on the forums here that baby steps are the order of the day and I think it's good advice.

Hugs,

Shari

[Guest shadowghost21]

I will start HRT hopefully in June if everything goes as it has been. Some steps I have taken leading up to this point are: Loosing weight, a lot of it! I was 215 in January, I'm 190 now. I have another 20lbs to reach my first milestone and get back to my college weight. But ultimately I want to get to 150. I'm 5'11" and it sounds like a healthy weight for my height even as a guy. On top of losing weight I am eating right again, part of any good weight loss plan. So when I start HRT I can gain a few and have them go to my butt and legs which are currently very muscular and in need of some 'filling out'.

On top of losing weight, I also work on my feminine voice daily. I practice my mannerisms (walking, hand movements, body posture) all the time. Even at work. I figure at this point some might start thinking I am weird but I really don't care. I use my voice only in my car and when alone though I don't use that at work! People would really think I am losing my marbles. Also started growing out my hair. Got used to shaving legs and armpits, I have been doing both for about a year or two now so they are used to it.

I have had a ton of female friends over the years, in fact more than guy friends so my feminine social skills are better than having sat around drinking beer and talking about guy stuff all the time. But I do love to people watch. I'm sure women think I am checking them out and I am, i'm checking out how they move and interact with their surroundings. I also browse a lot of fashion sites, I'm a girly girl and want to stay classy year round, since in guy mode I wear shorts and a hoddie for the cold months and shorts and a tshirt for the warm ones.

[Guest Elizabeth K]

A post-op transwoman friend of mine said - lose all the weight you can before starting the HRT. I went from 136 to 198. I have put some of it back - but it's a woman's fat distribution.

Also - get off ALL herbals or illegal hormones of ANY KIND! You should not be on them, but if you are - stop. Any amount in your system will give higher estrogen readings and your doctor will reduce the starting dose. Even the phydoestrogens mess up readings.

Finally - make certain you know how to take the HRT in a proper manner - be very careful listening to the dosage and time schedule. DO NOT up any of it hoping for better results. It doesn't work that way. DO NOT go back to phydoestrogens as they will block the effects of the prescribed estrogen.

Then? Start your journey! POW! Roller coaster ride until your body adjusts, so hang on!

Lizzy

[Guest Oasis]

The big thing I'm seeing both across here and reddit is really only weight loss. Are the other things really safe enough to start once/after you start HRT? I'm really surprised that I'm seeing weight loss in every post and little of other factors.

[Cyndee]

I would echo what Shari says above and simply have your head in the right place before starting most certainly. I'll advised to have pre-existing emotional baggage before starting, issues that can and do get magnified with increasing estrogen levels. Have any family or people you care about concerns in order. Have a councilor or therapist to work with as the changes unfold, your perceptions or values can and do change over time. Be prepared for larger emotional swings, and perhaps unexpected reactions to events that may occur in life.

Good luck

Cindy -