FTM: 6 weeks on T! facial hair, voice 

It makes me happy to see you so happy! This is definitely making you happy.

Hey dude I didn't know you started HRT. I saw you on Forest's channel awhile back. This is exciting. You started just a week after me:)

To add on physical changes, the stomach may be receiving some fat redistribution, or you could have a early T "pudge" stage on. I've seen other guys vlogs with that phase and fortunately braced myself because I went through it too. I think it's kind of like what happens with my kids when they're growing, putting on weight before height, only we don't get to be taller! More muscle works though. My wife had to get me a new wedding ring, the original is a size too small now. I found initial phases of lower growth to be extremely sensitive. That sensitivity has decreased, but can have some reoccurrance during additional growth. Possibly consider boxer briefs or some other closer-fitting shape, of a softer material. Congrats on the recognition sir, and the long vid was great. Long responses in return.

I just got my first shot today so it's exciting to watch you since you're just a few weeks ahead of me! You're looking and sounding great! I really enjoy all of your videos and look forward to more updates from you :)

I can relate to the "do I really have to do this?" realization that I was going to be explaining myself to everyone, again. It took me a while (half-century) to get to what I deem "the rest of my transition", or the physical part, and I was kinda floored at the coming out again process. I had the the experience of being a significantly warmer person for a period of time. IDK if it's changed or I've gotten used to it - I think a bit of each, but hard to tell now that I may be used to it at 15 mos. on T. I was surprised to be so warm all the time, especially as I am not a big person and so I was not used to it. I also had a higher heart rate, and it accelerated more rapidly, to the point it freaked me out for a bit. That still seems to occur, but not quite as extreme as at first. The voice changes moved right along for me and encouraged me to get around to coming out at work, as it began to be difficult to talk quietly, or softly as I had been trying to do in the meantime. When I changed my gender marker at the DMV, I did not find any rate changes in my auto insurance. As for health insurance, which I am sure varies by carrier and area, etc., I did not approach them to note my gender change as I was concerned about other remaining healthcare needs. Eventually however the insurance contacted the admin folks at my job as they had conflicting gender reports and were getting confused. I wrote a brief note to them explained the date of the gender change and general idea that it was a process and may include the need for healthcare in either gender in the meanwhile. This seemed to have satisfied the concern.

Hey just FYI you can get your ring stretched, if you'll be adding many sizes you'll have to add gold but since it's a family ring it might be worth checking out. P.s. love your vids, they've helped me through some confusing times. Keep'm comin!

Awesome! You're looking great :) What an exciting time! You're very lucky. It's fun to get to watch the transition. (Wish I could)

Looking good man. For the first couple of months I was super sensitive downstairs and walking was painful not to mention I had to invent silly walks in order to try and readjust without using my hands lol. Eventually that will ease up though.

In the country i live in in Virginia, the name change was a snap. $40 and my signature and bio information on three documents and 2 weeks later I received the official change in the mail. I took that to the bank and they change the name on my accounts. Gender market change on DL in VA required a note from my doc saying that I was considered female in the eyes of the med community (pre-op at that point). I sent that to the VADMV med review board and two weeks later I received the ok to change the marker in my license. I called my car insurance and they change my name and gender marker and then... my rates went down!!! Woohoo!! SS was easy. I brought that and gender change letter, along with name change and they had it done in less than 10 minutes. Passport requires an inordinate amount of paperwork, but that's really the only hassle. So far, and I know I'm really lucky compared to others, this whole experience has been super easy.

Having gone the opposite direction, I can tell you that I'm always cold!! I don't get as hot as I used to on hot days, but I freeze on cool days that used to be considered warm to me (and pretty much die a thousand deaths of hypothermia all winter). I also lost weight because my muscle mass plummeted. I've gained a layer of fat, but I'm a marathon runner and endurance biker, so while I can no longer see the veins in my arms (that used to protrude like a freak show) and my shoulders aren't as wide, I still have a good feminine physique. For what it's worth (based solely on video alone), if I didn't know your back story and your video wasn't discussing a trans issue, I would never suspect you had ever presented as anything but male. I've been waiting for an update so I could compare your voice and I can tell the difference. It's subtle, but there is nothing in it, when coupled with your masculine looks, that would make me think you're anything but male.

The higher temperature is primarily a sensation thing. It's likely due to less subcutaneous fat which means the surface nerves fell more of the core temp. Your brain will eventually adapt to the changed sensation. Most guys report that the initial lower uncomfortableness tends to fade over time as the brain gets used to the new sensitivity. One solution to getting a histo covered later on involves not changing the gender on certain documents until after the histo. That, hopefully, is changing. I believe that under the Kaiser policy plan the gender can now be male as long as transition is the needed reason. Check with others about this last issue.

If you go to the DMV in CA to change your gender marker using the physician's form they provide, just make sure you bring the original signed copy from your doctor. I was so mad when I went and waited two hours just to be told that they can't take a copy. Other than that, there can be a lot of other BS to slough through with the courts and etc, but good luck! If you have any questions, feel free to message me. I just got done with the whole thing.

Hi Allen, I'm almost at my 4 weeks on T. I noticed the hotness as well and from what I've read it's pretty much hot flashes, because of the estrogen changing to testosterone. I'm sure it gets better.

Its best to change your name, gender, passports, at the same time. If you find the info about times and things you need to do for name change, gender change (etc)... you can kind of reduce the time of confusing your self or others. I did but my bank account (old name still). I forget slight stuff here and there, but the major stuff is fixed and it makes it a whole lot easier for me

'Manifestation' haha, nice one! Yeah - sunlight helps heaps with acne. Is it possible to get the ring resized at a jeweller's or something? I had a little giggle when you mentioned the change of range in your voice because I can imagine myself in that situation and having way too much fun doing voices and generally enjoying the depth :P

My temperature change has not gone back to how it was pre-t. I am definitely warmer and don't get cold easily, which is nice in winter. I get sweaty pretty easily and also sweat in different places (now i notice it coming from my temples and back more) when its hot out.

If you get to a point where you can't get your ring off your finger, there's a way of getting it off using string so you wouldn't have to cut the ring. I'm sure it'll come up if you search it online. Hopefully it won't come to that though. Your voice is dropping for sure.

Awesome!

Have been following your transition since last year and holy shit you're going well. How tall are you, excuse the question?

Wait on changing gender maker and name until AFTER your surgeries, that way you can avoid most of the bs in trying to get things covered, wait. Til things are mostly complete I would say

I've heard similar stories about guys who changed their gender marker before getting a hysterectomy. They were unable to get coverage because their insurance only covered the surgery for women.

I've been watching your videos for a while and am also an educator (high school, though). I've always related a lot to your words so thank you for sharing! Also we started T within a few days of each other and it's fun watching your progress and comparing it with mine. If you ever feel like comparing your progress feel free to check out my videos haha

Allen, check-out TOMMY JOHN underware. The SECOND SKIN style feels so good...like you have nothing on and they hold " everything " in place. Expensive but totally worth it.

Hola, niño agradable! También soy ftm. escribir de Brasil, abrazo!

Are we going to see your wife on these vlogs?

Wait hold up what's his name? He keeps changing it

How old are you Alan? And do you workout?