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As you have probably seen in my posts that my drive to dress and possibly become a woman 24/7 has been really gotten very stronger lately.

The easiest way would be to simply dress en femme, develop my mannerisms and develop my makeup skill.

The transitioning would be probably too costly.

However, what would the procedures I would need go through, approximate cost and is any of it covered by insurance?

Just a thought and probably not worth the effort.

But I thought I would inquire.

I do enjoy being a woman.

Thanks ladies!

Hi, Martha -

You will need to check out Dr. Harry Benjamin.


- SL

There is a big difference between a desire to dress and find out what it is to be a woman 24/7 and actually transitioning. SL is correct in the place to start is with a doctor, preferably one versed in gender disorder. The first step if you are truly serious is gender therapy where a trained professional can properly assess you for transition, HRT, etc. I would recommend you think this through Martha and start with just spending more time dressed and finding your comfort level before you take the next step.

You ask about costs and I presume you mean financially. They can be quite high and most health insurances will cover at best a small portion of the costs of surgery. Many do cover therapists and as for HRT, well does your insurance cover prescriptions? Additionally there are issues such as legal name change you will have to consider. The other costs are not financial but rather emotional, There can be the cost of friendships and family. Those you cannot put a dollar value on but definitely cost dearly.

Too costly in many ways an too complicated.

Just thought that I would ask.

Dressing, working with my makeup and perfecting feminine mannerisms for 24/7 will do it for me. It's the best way for me to become a woman.

Anyway, some time in the future the feeling will wane and may not want to do the 24/7 anyway.

The feelings do come and go.

Thanks ladies for your advise from a potentially emerging woman.

Being a woman 24/7 is the best feeling in the entire world and not hiding who we are is such a rush of being happy.

I feel the same way too Pam.

I just registered 92% feminine on the how feminine test.

I thoroughly enjoy dressing as and acting as a mature woman!

My feelings and thoughts are with you Martha. I too have the feelings to be female 24/7 but as you say, they come and go.

To transition makes it permanent with no change back when the feelings desert you.

I suggest you go with your feelings and just employ the female mannerisms as required.

Yes. I have decided to enjoy my dressing as a woman.

I am becoming more womanlike and more effeminate as time goes on.

Dressing and developing my feminine traits and mannerisms are the best way for me to become a full fledged woman.

I make an attractive mature woman and will enjoy myself as such.

Already doing it 24/7 now.It shouldn't be long now before my therapist writes the letter for the hrt.The only inconvenience i find now is still using my old name which is still my legal one.The name change will come in the near future.I agree that 24/7 will be hard for some who really are not sure about themselves.

If I might add and give you some idea on cost...

I'm now a little over two years into transition. Total financial cost so far is a little over $12.500 (approx.. my share is $9.250, insurance $3.250)

That's therapy, endocrinology, lab, HRT meds, facial laser hair reduction and facial electrolysis. Plus $820 on my legal transition, but since I am Dutch I had more cost on this part then a US citizen will.

Surgery:

Top = $5.000 to $8.000
Bottom = $20.000 plus
Facial = $5.000 - 20.000

Most likely no income during surgery and recovery for two months.

Something to think about...

Wow, Erin! Not thinking about that now.I will wait till hrt is done.Insurance will cover much, but who knows what it will cover in the future.

A couple of people have raised the issue of costs but the one cost most who desire to transition forget is the emotional costs. I was fortunate that when I came out to my Mother at the age of 15 she sought answers and help and learned to understand and accept as did my sister who is 3 years older than I am. My father, my parents had been divorced for years, on the other hand totally rejected me calling me the usual names and a few more. Very tough for a 15 year old to hear that from a parent and the pain of that conversation still exists over 10 years later. There were divisions in the family over me as well as growing up in a small town where everyone knew everyone caused issues eventually forcing Mom and her now 2 daughters to have to move.

Understand this is not just about you ladies but also those around you, friends, acquaintances, siblings, other family members, parents, grandparents, spouses or SO's, children, even in some cases grandchildren. I understand the motivations and the desire to leave the darkness but you have to understand all the costs, financial and otherwise, when one makes a decision. This is why gender therapy is recommended to help one through all of this.

I am sorry you experienced this Amanda, but thank you for bringing this up. The emotional "cost" can be devastating and should really be considered before coming out.

I am fortunate to have my mom and children supporting and loving me. I did lost some family, but that wasn't already a big issue since I didn't stay within their religious faith anyway after I turned 16. Lost some friends as well, but then again... where they real friends?

Victoria, surgery is not necessary and many opt not to go that route. For me... idk... only time (insurance and money) will tell.

I should have known that when i came out others would suffer.It has cost me a marriage and a dad who now thinks i am gay.He is over 80 with a bad heart so telling him the total truth is not in his best interest.He still loves me and seems to be dealing with what he thinks well.The cost of coming out was great! but the cost of continued hiding was greater.Very happy now and totally female in all that i do.No fear in doing anything that will make me feel more like myself and forgetting past.It really is best to be open about yourself to all! with dad, i do wish he would know the total truth but for now, this will have to do.

I did not raise my own situation in search of sympathy but rather to show the issues one can face, the non financial costs which can run high. Still thank you Erin.

Yes Victoria the costs of staying in the shadows can be high on ourselves and I would never recommend one put other people's happiness ahead of your own. Still we do have to understand how they see things and why they react as they do. You cannot force acceptance and you have to learn you can potentially lose so called friends and family members. I have no idea how I what I would have done if my mother had rejected me back at the tender age of 15, where I would have gone, or how I would have coped.

The question I do ask of those who have not began gender therapy whether your goal is transition or not is to think before you feel the need to unload on friends and family, why? What is their need to know? What do you accomplish by telling them anything personal in your life?