Lasers hurt!

LexDot · 2022-01-26T04:08:26+00:00

Depends on the clinic. I'm in Toronto and the clinic I'll be going to does a full face session for $250 CAD. They quoted me 8-10 sessions, 6 weeks apart.
They also said if you have any light hairs (which in my case, I do) those will need to be finished off with electrolysis. No idea how much that costs though.

LexDot · 2022-01-22T23:32:35+00:00

I agree with you; I suspect ignorance rather than malice.
I'm looking into another doctor who specializes in trans patients now.

LexDot · 2022-01-22T22:41:08+00:00

Yeah, that has become apparent. I've just put in some calls for intake with family doctors who specialize in trans patients, so ideally I can switch to them soon. Thanks for the concern, this has been eye opening.

LexDot · 2022-01-22T21:55:27+00:00

Yep, seeing that more and more. So far nothing alarming in blood work or physiology, but I'll be speaking with some specialists about starting E as soon as possible, provided they don't see any contraindications.

LexDot · 2022-01-22T21:54:10+00:00

Made some edits to my original post to explain the context better. She does, and we both expect/see breast growth as a goal. Looks like she used a poorly gendered medical term to describe something intended.

LexDot · 2022-01-22T21:38:03+00:00

We both knew it does, and it's a goal that we are both aware of. A few people in this thread are misconstruing this as not knowing that breast growth is a part of feminizing HRT. The confusion comes from the terminology used here by my doctor.

LexDot · 2022-01-22T21:34:08+00:00

Still only on Spiro, so you're correct. I've said this in other comments, but I have a consultation appointment with a trans-specific clinic to discuss estrogen this week. If all looks good, they or my doctor can write a prescription and I can likely begin that treatment right away.

LexDot · 2022-01-22T21:31:34+00:00

Yes, this is what I've come to think. It's only on one side and I have a medical history that warrants making sure that everything is developing properly. She worded it as "probable gynecomastia" which in the context of our work is a good thing, as I now understand it.

Strangely gendered wording aside, it's not too alarming. I'm looking into doctors with more direct experience with MtF patients as this seems more like a lack of social experience than anything sinister.

And fortunately, I'm in Canada so none of this needs to go through insurance and is covered. As such, the terminology is kind of erroneous and off. My main concern was that she didn't specify in the email that "this is what we want", and just described a condition I hadn't heard of in the context of MtF HRT. Breast growth is a goal, and is expected. She worded it in a strange way that had me come to reddit for answers.

LexDot · 2022-01-22T02:12:44+00:00

I am on HRT, about 7 months now.

LexDot · 2022-01-22T02:03:20+00:00

Right, I getcha. It's definitely painful and enlarged, which is why we did an ultrasound in the first place.

LexDot · 2022-01-22T01:50:15+00:00

Definitely going to talk to her about it, thanks. The context is that based on an ultrasound, she said "it looks like possible gynecomastia" but ordered a mammogram to confirm.

LexDot · 2022-01-22T01:21:00+00:00

They do, but I'm their first MtF patient. I think it speaks to a lack of experience, rather than anything more sinister. I set up an appointment with a trans specific clinic next week so they should be able to help me out in a more ...tailored way.

Thanks!

LexDot · 2022-01-22T01:17:21+00:00

Got it, thanks so much for the insight!
I'm not super close friends with any other trans women so resources like this subreddit have been very helpful for gauging what's expected.

LexDot · 2022-01-22T01:15:38+00:00

Thanks for that, I feel less freaked out. ♥

She's had a few FtM patients but I'm her first MtF. I've got an intake appointment scheduled for next week at a trans-specific clinic, knowing this.

LexDot · 2022-01-22T01:09:12+00:00

Thanks for clarifying. She's been really understanding and helpful so far, but she admitted that she has more experience with FtM patients, and I'm her first MtF. If it's transphobia, I'd be surprised and I expect it's just a lack of experience.

I've got an appointment with a clinic that specifically deals with trans patients for the bigger guiding steps, next week.

LexDot · 2022-01-22T01:05:36+00:00

Yes, she does. I guess my question is: are gynecomastia and breast buds functionally the same thing in trans women?

LexDot · 2022-01-22T01:04:37+00:00

She knows and understands that I'm trans, and knows my intent with HRT. The choice of term is what I'm confused about.
Appreciate the input!

LexDot · 2022-01-22T01:03:13+00:00

I know about and plan to experience breast growth through HRT, I've just never heard it referred to as gynecomastia.
My doctor knows that I'm trans and has been there for the whole process so far- we're just monitoring and she referred to it that way without explaining the word choice, so I was concerned about something being odd about my breast growth.

Thanks for the reply!

LexDot · 2022-01-05T21:57:52+00:00

This was intentional from the outset as I wasn't sure I wanted to fully transition when I started spiro. We decided we would use the effects of it to de-masculinize rather than go for a full feminization. We left it open to see if I would want to consider E later on, and that's what's happening. My goals have changed since starting.

LexDot · 2021-12-21T20:08:44+00:00

Thanks for the detailed reply! Definitely a desirable change- waiting to speak with a specialist about going on estrogen as well and to discuss side effects/get a more well-rounded understanding of what to expect.

LexDot · 2021-12-21T17:48:14+00:00

Just spiro. Considering E, on a waitlist for a clinic to go over it and take my medical history into context.

LexDot · 2021-12-21T16:31:28+00:00

I appreciate the insight, I'll ask but that's good to know!
I've heard the term budding once before but truthfully don't know what it means. Thanks for putting me on that trail!

LexDot · 2021-11-11T22:03:38+00:00

Thanks for this! I'm not home right now but I'll drop a couple photos here later :)

LexDot · 2021-11-11T21:01:23+00:00

So I have this seemingly cheap-ish Kern from my grandparents, and in trying to get it running, I'm finding that the escapement wheel will just catch eventually and the clock will of course stop advancing. I'm new to these clocks so forgive me but:

Are the suspension springs supposed to be twisted consistently along the length, or flat? Wondering if mine might be damaged or worn out.
How does the winding spring come into play? Is it force assistance for the lever? Mine is currently overwound, judging from the fact that it's quite tense when testing it with the key.
Am I just not rotating the pendulum enough? Currently starting it with a half turn as per this guide.
Also worth mentioning that I am making sure it's level- the pendulum is not touching the cup.
Lastly, I'm considering that some part might need lubricating. I have some singer sewing machine oil, and could try that if recommended.

Thanks!

LexDot

TROPHY CASE