My progress through the years.

[Guest Sarah Faith]

Well it has been a long while since I've bothered with doing anything like this, both because Ive been busy and just because I don't really worry about it quite as much as I used to when I first started. However Ive been a bit out of it with the pain meds I'm on for my surgery so I was going through my old pictures and decided to update my whole transition timeline just a little bit.

These two pictures were from pre-transition and even before I lost the weight. More or less where I started from when I actually started working on changing things.. As Ive said before, I had very little hope that transition would get me anywhere close to where I needed to be at this point.

These two side by side pictures were taken the day before and I believe shortly after starting HRT when I first decided to make a photo log of my progress. Not too much change here but it shows the changes from losing weight at least. I still didn't have a ton of hope at this point.

This is where I was at after 4 months on HRT, I had already been full time for a month or two by this point and honestly my progress by this point just blew me away and surprised many I knew as well..

5 Months

6 Months here, as well as wearing some makeup, this is actually one of my favorite pictures from my photo log as it turned out really well.

This one is about a year into transition just about, I was dressed up for a christmas party.

This last one is very recent it was taken just a few months ago when I was getting ready to head to classes I think. When comparing this picture with the ones from before it blows my mind how little I resemble the person I used to be.. Anyways Just thought I would share to show that even if it doesnt seem like it, hormones can make a dramatic impact over the course of years.

[Guest LizMarie]

You've had great results, Sarah, and I am very happy for you. Your transition completely turned your life around. I hope that your life going forward can continue to be as rewarding and positive as these last few years have been for you.

[Carolyn Marie]

An amazing transformation, Sarah. You have blossomed into a beautiful woman, and who would have guessed how it would turn out from those first shots? From everything you've told us, your life is the way you wanted it to be, and that is the most important thing of all. Congrats, and wishing you continued progress, and continued happiness.

HUGS

Carolyn Marie

[Guest Jamie61]

Wow Sarah! You are a beautiful young woman, I hope for the brightest of futures for you. So proud of you for your courage and grateful to you for sharing your journey with us.

Thanks!

Jamie

[Guest]

for the wonderful time line Sarah.

I have watched you become the woman who you truly are.

You have made some amazing strides on your Journey.

I wish you continued success on your progress.

Huggs,

Joann

[Guest April63]

Thanks for sharing, Sarah. You're truly inspirational.

April

[Guest]

OMGsarahyouareamazingwhat'syoursecret!!!!!!

Lol, in all seriousness, that's one helluva transition. So happy for you. Please feel free to share more of your story (and hair tips!) anytime. Merry Christmas!

[Charlize]

You have made wonderful changes and are such a beautiful young woman now, both in looks and in the path you have chosen.

All best wishes.

Hugs,

Charlize

[Guest Sarah Faith]

Thanks for all the kind words all, I really wasn't planning on doing much with my photos for the whole photo log thing but like I said all the meds I am on for recovery put in in a nostalgic mood so I put something together lol..

An amazing transformation, Sarah. You have blossomed into a beautiful woman, and who would have guessed how it would turn out from those first shots? From everything you've told us, your life is the way you wanted it to be, and that is the most important thing of all. Congrats, and wishing you continued progress, and continued happiness.

HUGS

Carolyn Marie

Thank you Carolyn, and you are right, short of SRS I have achieved pretty much all of the transition related goals I really ever thought of, and reached some accomplishments that I never really knew I wanted until I found my self there. For me though having once believed I had no real future or chance to build my own life, being where I am now actually working towards a future is an amazing thing. I know we often say that transition will only help with gender dysphoria and that it doesn't make all of our other problems go away, and that is very true.. But for me transition gave me the emotional tools I needed in order to function and finally really grow as a person.

OMGsarahyouareamazingwhat'syoursecret!!!!!!

Lol, in all seriousness, that's one helluva transition. So happy for you. Please feel free to share more of your story (and hair tips!) anytime. Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to you too

Im more or less an open book with my life story, just ask and I'll pretty much share.. My pre-transition history was still pretty much dominated by my gender dysphoria, I struggled with my gender from the time I was a small child all the way up to the point I transitioned. When I hit puberty I basically self-destructed, long story short I ended up living with my great grandparents as a shut-in for most of my teenage years, I dropped out of school before I ever even reached high school. (Yes I never went to high school, and I am now a Pre-Med student). When I finally hit total and complete rock bottom at 24 I knew I couldn't function as a male and I had never been able to, I knew I was slowly killing my self with my weight and emotional eating so I really didn't have anything left to lose in trying to transition. But even with the severity of my dysphoria I still had doubts, needless to say I was a total mess of a human being for a very very long time. It's only been in the last few years where I've actually gotten my self together and my life on track.

That's basically the long story short version. Like I said Im always happy to share more.

In regards to my hair, I am part cuban exile on my mothers side of the family, so I inherited her thick spanish hair.. I also inherited its annoying curliness, so my secret with my hair is my flatiron, and my blow dryer with out those two items My hair would be annoyingly curly which totally conflicts with my desired styles. lol

[Guest Alexx21]

you look amazing

[Guest Lizzie McTrucker]

I'm staring at the very first picture completely dumbfounded, saying to myself "there's no way that was her. no, that had to have been her brother or something."

You've really blossomed into a beautiful young lady.

[KathrynJulia]

Hi Sarah

Its amazing the changes we are capable of achieving when we put our mind to it. Transitioning takes work the whole journey. I've watched your progress and determination to change your gender so that you can live a happy life.

To those of you who say you'll never look and pass as a woman. Let Sarah be your inspiration. Im rarely misgendered anymore. All it takes is a little confidence, a couple years of hormones, some will require some facial surgery while others won't. Work on your voice and get rid of the facial hair. And find a good gender. Therapist to guide you along. Make. Friends. In or near where you live and here on Lauras. Before you know it, you will be in turmoil like the rest of us woman. Should I wear slacks or a skirt with this or that top. Shoes, OMG which pair?

And Sarah, you look amazing. Hugs Kathryn

[Guest]

that's great, you look amazing

[Guest Gregg Jameson]

Hi Sarah,

I am a little late in responding.

Wow! almost unbelievable!

Nice job! I am sure the amazing transformation took a big commitment on your part. Congratulations!

Congrats, too, on medical school!

In Celebration,

Gregg

[Guest Sarah Faith]

Hi Sarah

Its amazing the changes we are capable of achieving when we put our mind to it. Transitioning takes work the whole journey. I've watched your progress and determination to change your gender so that you can live a happy life.

To those of you who say you'll never look and pass as a woman. Let Sarah be your inspiration. Im rarely misgendered anymore. All it takes is a little confidence, a couple years of hormones, some will require some facial surgery while others won't. Work on your voice and get rid of the facial hair. And find a good gender. Therapist to guide you along. Make. Friends. In or near where you live and here on Lauras. Before you know it, you will be in turmoil like the rest of us woman. Should I wear slacks or a skirt with this or that top. Shoes, OMG which pair?

And Sarah, you look amazing. Hugs Kathryn

Thanks Kathryn and you make a lot of good points.. That is something I often tell others as well, that you can achieve a lot as long as you are willing to see the problems and work towards fixing those areas. I have seen some often avoid getting surgeries or procedures that would make their life much better entirely because they feel like natal women don't get work done so neither should they. (Completely ignoring the fact that the majority of women today get some kind of work done, just the nature of the beast of our society.)

So I would say you are spot on with the majority of what you are saying. Too often do people look on transition with a rose colored glasses view, with out really understanding the reality that sometimes to reach a goal you'll have to do things You never really wanted to.

Hi Sarah,

I am a little late in responding.

Wow! almost unbelievable!

Nice job! I am sure the amazing transformation took a big commitment on your part. Congratulations!

Congrats, too, on medical school!

In Celebration,

Gregg

Thanks!

[Guest]

Maybe it's because I'm still often bogged down by depression, but I often feel like that because I don't want to do the things necessary to get to the goal that I must not really want the goal. It's not a terribly useful thought pattern - any suggestions for seeing it differently?

[Carolyn Marie]

Maybe it's because I'm still often bogged down by depression, but I often feel like that because I don't want to do the things necessary to get to the goal that I must not really want the goal. It's not a terribly useful thought pattern - any suggestions for seeing it differently?

I think this would make a good thread, Kira. Goal setting and goal achievement are worthy of discussion, but not appropriate for this thread. Thanks

Carolyn Marie

[Cyndee]

Very nice indeed Sarah, you should be proud

C -

[Guest Edu]

Wow! I think that's proof enough that there is no "impossible"! I hope seeing how much change is possible will help inspire those who are still at the start of the road.

Congratulations for all the progress, and my best wishes for your remaining goals!

Hugs,

Edu

[Rowan]

Wow! I can't believe how much you have been able to accomplish. I'm new here, and you are my first true inspiration for how much I might someday be able to achieve. Congrats on becoming who you truly are.

[Celestael]

You look incredible! Honestly stories like this are what I need to kick out the mental devil in my head, making me stress out about being in such a heavy depression these past years and how it'll affect me going forward. It's total bull and I know it, but I still need to hear and see people like yourself to fight back and believe in myself again.

Thank you for sharing this here, it really helps to see such inspiration, especially for young ones like me that don't have the experience of years to tell themselves they're being silly in their heads when they worry about 'being too late'. ;p 

[Guest]

Just wow. I never cease to be amazed at how beautiful so many of you are. I'm so very happy for you 

[StephanieVikingGirl]

Yep, it is amazing how much change occurs during transition.  Speaking of which, you certainly are looking good nowadays Fiona, you are in danger of becoming quite beautiful.  

hugs,

Stephanie

[Guest]

Wonderful transition Sarah!  Congratulations beautiful!

[Guest]

2 hours ago, StephanieVikingGirl said:

Yep, it is amazing how much change occurs during transition.  Speaking of which, you certainly are looking good nowadays Fiona, you are in danger of becoming quite beautiful.  

hugs,

Stephanie

Why thank you!! I really appreciate that.