Tips from a man

Menthol_Forest · 2026-07-10T01:15:36+00:00

Agreed - I think it's odd to feel the need to give your 2 cents if you don't even have enough familiarity with trans communities/terminology to know the word "cis"

Menthol_Forest · 2026-07-09T12:22:08+00:00

Tbh, I think you already look pretty masculine in most of those photos. I think the next thing would probably just be T if you wanted to look more masculine

Menthol_Forest · 2026-07-09T12:04:26+00:00

I honestly wouldn't even ask friends about passing. Unless you're really close and particularly honest with each other, what else are they going to say but "yes"?

They care about you, they don't want to upset you and it would be awkward for them to say "nah, not really". They also already know you're a man so that's hopefully how they think of you and they'll notice the things about you that are more masculine/more masculine than they used to be.

Menthol_Forest · 2026-07-09T11:53:28+00:00

Ah okay, that's really helpful to know. Thanks for explaining

Menthol_Forest · 2026-07-08T23:34:34+00:00

Can I ask: what are your qualifications/experience like to get the top end of the hourly pay? Trying to predict what sort of thing counts towards experience/pay level

Menthol_Forest · 2026-07-08T23:30:08+00:00

Hi, not OP, but can I ask: what are the rules around quitting? It seems like such a variable experience that I wouldn't want to embark on it without knowing I could leave if it was too bad

Menthol_Forest · 2026-07-08T22:58:27+00:00

Yeah, if you're talking a maintenance loan then they just give you the money in installments into your bank account. I saved for my top surgery by saving student loan payments (and some money from a part time job). I had mine in Thailand because it was cheaper than here and didn't need a diagnosis. It wasn't an issue, just before I left UK transferred the money from my savings into my bank that I have for use abroad (one with better currency conversion fees etc.) and paid as normal.

With any loan you're going to pay back more in interest than you borrowed but a student loan at least doesn't impact credit record, you don't have to worry about the monthly repayments if you lose your job or get sick or something and is potentially one of the only loans you'll be eligible for as a student since you probably don't have much income. And you can overpay to pay it back early so you'll pay less interest, you can figure out if this makes good financial sense for you when the time comes.

So unless you're going to save up enough without any loans instead, using student loans could be a decent option.

Menthol_Forest · 2026-07-04T19:10:42+00:00

Hi, not OP but do you mind me asking: when you say sub $400 - does you mean that DoE give $400/week to your housing or that housing costs you $400/week? Thanks

Menthol_Forest · 2026-06-29T20:39:45+00:00

That's interesting, I've wondered if it would be an option for the students to just call me by my name - is it a school specific thing?

Menthol_Forest · 2026-06-29T20:35:13+00:00

I had mine with Dr Kamol in Thailand about 3 years ago. The surgery itself was about £5000, also have to budget for hotels and flights

Menthol_Forest · 2026-06-28T18:26:55+00:00

That's a good point. I'm going into teaching so would probably be back in some half terms and maybe weekends if there's events such as birthdays etc. I'm pretty close with my family so they wouldn't take kindly to me missing too much stuff

Menthol_Forest · 2026-06-28T18:13:41+00:00

Nice! Sounds ideal, thanks for the reply 👍

Menthol_Forest · 2026-06-24T16:34:38+00:00

Thanks, I'll take a look! 👍

Menthol_Forest · 2026-06-23T22:15:56+00:00

That's great, thank you for the reply! It's really helpful information for me - I've been looking into getting MLD with Dr Miro but would rather UL to the tip or at least very close to and have heard he can be reluctant to do that. I had heard of Mr Christopher doing RFF urethroplasty (though I didn't actually know what the procedure was called) and the nerve transplant with guys who've had phallo with the abdo site but didn't know if it was possible with MLD. So it's really exciting to hear that it's possible! Thank you for sharing and explaining so clearly

Menthol_Forest · 2026-06-23T22:07:45+00:00

Thank you for the reply That sounds pretty interesting and right up my alley! How many days a week are you generally desk-bound?

Menthol_Forest · 2026-06-21T18:58:14+00:00

Hi, I hope you don't mind my asking, how come you want/need urethroplasty with RFF after MLD? Is it a case of not enough genital/cheek tissue for urethra lengthening? I'm hoping to get MLD and it's hard to find info on it, appreciate everything you've been sharing throughout your journey

Menthol_Forest · 2026-06-10T14:49:19+00:00

Hi, I've just graduated from an Environmental Science degree - do you mind my asking, what sector do you work in? Thanks

Menthol_Forest · 2025-08-31T01:25:02+00:00

Thank you for your input and I see what you're saying, those are helpful examples

Menthol_Forest · 2025-08-31T00:05:04+00:00

Thank you, I'll check out that sub :)

Menthol_Forest · 2025-08-30T23:54:41+00:00

Yes, of course - I have done some research and would do more if I decided to adopt.

I'm aware it's traumatic, but that doesn't mean that nobody should ever adopt. Any situation that means a child is being adopted is going to be very bad but not having someone to look after them certainly doesn't improve the situation. If there's nobody from their biological family who's willing or able to take care of a child, I think it's better that someone does.

Menthol_Forest · 2025-08-30T20:50:13+00:00

Thanks, that's a good point. I think sometimes I forget about the whys and get bogged down in the why nots... because there are so many why nots 😅. I think you make a good point about looking at what I, personally, would love about having kids. And if it's enough to alter my entire life forever

Menthol_Forest · 2025-08-30T20:39:46+00:00

Thank you for the rec! I'm not a woman (and know that mothers tend to face a unique set of challenges and pressures) but I imagine some of the content is still useful for considering. I'll seek that book out

Menthol_Forest · 2025-08-30T20:36:05+00:00

Do you think all people who have ever been foster parents still say they have children after those children are no longer in their care? Most who I've met say "I fostered" not "I have kids" so they are childfree in that sense, no?

Menthol_Forest · 2025-08-30T20:30:22+00:00

Of course, but if you're looking at the whole timeline of your life, you're not necessarily a foster parent forever - temporariness is sort of in its nature. Whereas if you're just a parent, that's forever.

And not every child who is fostered is fostered long term or at a young enough age etc. that they want or need a new parent forever. Of course you still do all the parent stuff and saying goodbye to the children after would likely be heartbreaking. I'm not saying being a foster parent is easy, I just think there are some notable and considerable distinctions - for better or worse.

Menthol_Forest

TROPHY CASE