Transition
Transgendered  Soul
Educate Yourself First
Things you should know before you get started.  Stop by our Library for more information!
What is GID?  - pdf
Harry Benjamin Standards of Care  - pdf
Unlived lives  - pdf

Are You Starting Your Transition?
The transition sequence list printed below will help you understand the basic sequence of events to help you get started and
plan your transition. For a  PDF copy click on the link.
Transition Sequence List  - pdf

                 



































































Try this simple Diary, it will help you keep on course. We have one for the Gal's and one for the Guy's.
Girls Transition Diary  - pdf
Guys Transition Planner.  - pdf


Do You Need To Find A Doctor?
(For a list of local resources, check out our Resource page)
If you have health insurance, start with your local list of providers.  
If you have no health insurance and can't get any through work or on your own, then contact your County Medical Center,
Hospital or local County Clinic for information on how to get on County insurance.  If you have little or no income, you can
get health care for free.  If you have some income, they may have you pay something based on your income.  

You can get general psychological therapy through the county as well.  

San Bernardino County Behaviour Health Dept
SBCBHD - home page http://www.co.san-bernardino.ca.us/dbh/
To find a clinic near you http://www.co.san-bernardino.ca.us/dbh/resource_information.htm   - pdf

Riverside County Department of Mental Health
RC Department of Mental Health home page - http://appsweb.co.riverside.ca.us/mentalhealth/opencms/
Clinic locations - http://appsweb.co.riverside.ca.us/mentalhealth/opencms/english/facilities/

Questions To Ask When You Call A New Doctor
Do they serve other transsexual/transgendered patients?  
Would they be willing to treat transsexual/transgendered patients.  If they say they don't know anything about treating
transsexual/transgendered, ask them if they would like to learn.  Then tell them that you can supply them with information
about treating transsexual/transgendered people.  (That info you can print from this site, see below)

What To Do If You Have Your Hormone Letter From Your Therapist
And Your Doctor Won't Put You On Hormones.
If you have your therapists letter stating that you can start hormone therapy and your Doctor won't put you on hormones, then
you will have to see a Doctor who specializes in hormone therapy for Transsexual/Transgendered people.  You will have to
pay for this visit out of your pocket (unless the specialist takes your Insurance).  Once the specialist starts you on hormones,
your primary care physician can and will support the care and your insurance will cover your hormone prescriptions from then
on out.  You may need to go back to the specialist a few times a year, for monitoring.  Especially if you are having problems
with your hormone therapy.  Be sure to have your Specialist send a copy of all medical notes and tests to your primary if he
needs them.

Do You Need To Educate Your Doctor?  
Print out a copy of the pdf's below and to take to your health care provider.
For more info, see "Our Library" on this site.

Protocols for Hormonal Reassignment of Gender  - pdf

Health Care Providers:
Basic Tips for Health Care  - pdf
For Nurses:
Competent Care of Transgendered  - pdf
For Doctors:
Protocols for Hormonal Reassignment of  - pdf
Medical Therapy and Health Maintenance for Transgendered Men  - pdf

Are You Ready To Start Hormones And Need A Therapist Letter?
Take the example letter below to your therapist as an example for what they need to write for you to start hormones.
Example Therapist Letter for Hormones  - pdf

Are You Ready To Start Your Real Life Trial?
Print out the form below and take it to your doctor.  He/She needs to fill it out COMPLETELY.  Then take it to DMV and
apply for a new drivers license in your new name.  
DL 328  - pdf

Are You Ready For Your Court Name And Gender Change?
Are You Ready To Apply For Your New Birth Certificate?
Please see our Legal or Library pages.

Need Help With Your Personal Presentation?
Please see our How-To page for helps and links.
If you have reached this page, you are may be wondering if transition is possible for you and what it involves.
This page will give you enough transition information to get you started.
Thank you for visiting the Transgendered Soul Website!!

The Transgendered Soul (TGS)  gives only general information relating to transition for individuals with gender disphoria or Intersexed condition.  We are not responsible for what the individual
does with that information.  We do not suggest any results from the information provided here.  Our purpose is to offer resources and encouragement to individuals suffering with these
conditions in hopes of connecting them with resources useful to them and all aspects of their transition.  The TGS will be held harmless from any results an individual gets from a provider or
information located on this site.   TGS does not engage in the practice of medicine or psychology, is not a medical or psychological authority, and does not claim medical or psychiatric
knowledge. TGS recommends that you consult your own physician and psychologist regarding any course of  treatment or medication.  There are links to other web sites in various places
through out our web site. TGS is not responsible for the content of other websites reached from links on our website.  Use of this site and its information constitutes an agreement to these terms.
How Do I Start Transition?     
This is a basic list of the steps of transition. And only a basic guideline with many options. Your personal transition may vary.

Terms
MTF - male to female
FTM - female to male
GID - Gender Identity Disorder
HRT - Hormone Replacement therapy
SRS/GCS - Sex Reassignment Surgery/Gender Confirming Surgery
Transition - the process of changing physical gender identity role.

The Steps
  1. Find a good support group, either on line, or a group that meets face to face. These are the people who will help you
    through your transition!
  2. If you are an MTF, find an electrologist and begin electrolysis. Preferably one experienced with MTF hair removal
    issues, including hair removal for SRS/GCS.
  3. If you are MTF and overweight, go on a weight loss diet NOW! Your body will not be able to loose that weight as
    easily after you start hormones! You can get a trainer to help lean out muscle mass. If money is an issue read up on
    cross training techniques that lean muscle mass and burn fat.
  4. Seek a therapist, with experience treating transsexuals and start therapy. Your therapist may want to schedule you for
    special testing for Gender Identity Disorder for a proper diagnosis. It usually takes 3 months of therapy or more to get
    a letter from your therapist to start HRT. You may have to interview several therapists before you find one you can
    work well with. Refer to this article on the web: http://www.grohol.com/therapst.htm.
  5. Seek out a doctor willing to work with you towards transition and start HRT as soon as you have your letter.
  6. Start getting advise from genetic women or man, or your support group about clothing, hair, makeup, etc... Start
    working on your female or male look. MTF's start working on you feminine voice. Learn the vocabulary of the
    desired gender.
  7. Go out in public as often as you can. Go with someone, do not go alone! Avoid isolated places, especially after dark!
    This will take courage and build your confidence. It is highly recommended that you have a letter from your therapist
    stating you are in therapy for GID, before you go into a restroom.
  8. Watch and imitate mannerisms of other women or men. Learn the fundamental difference in the male and female
    anatomy and how it affects the way you walk and carry yourself.
  9. Be aware that you will have to deal with what others think of you and your transition. You will need your therapist
    and support group at this point. Never let anyone dictate the direction of your life. Be true to yourself!
  10. When you are ready to go full time as your true self, start your name change. Get a name change form from DMV, it
    is DL328. Take it to your doctor and have it filled out COMPLETELY! Take it to DMV and get your new license.
    There is a small fee. Then go to social security and get your new SS card. Make appointments for your visits, it will
    save time!
  11. Begin contacting all companies you deal with and inform them of your name change and gender change.
  12. You will have to open a new checking and savings account.
  13. Get a new credit card in your new name separate from any you might have with a spouse.
  14. If you are employed, you should speak to personnel about your transition. Try to get management on your side. Be
    well informed of how to transition at work before your meeting. Know your rights, but be flexible. Get advise each
    step of the way.
  15. Research surgeries and begin saving for the surgeries you feel will make you whole. It is usually better to wait a few
    years for hormones to take their effect before getting surgery. You may find you don’t need as much surgery as you
    though t if you wait and see how your body changes.
  1. a.) For MTF, usually facial feminization and/or breast Augmentation are the first surgeries of choice.     But if
    money is an issue you may choose to save for SRS/GCS instead.
  2. b.) For FTM, usually breast reduction is the first surgery. FTM’s often elect not to have SRS/GCS  because
    of     the quality of the procedures available at this time.
  1. Sex reassignment surgery is usually the last event in transition. The average time till surgery is about 2 to 3 years or
    more into transition.
  2. After SRS/GCS get your name and gender change through the court. Don’t forget to apply for your birth certificate.
    FTM’s don’t need genital surgery to get their name and gender changed through the court or to get their birth
    certificate.
  3. Continue with therapy for up to 6 months after SRS.
  4. Depression is a common problem after transition due to the realization of the limits of transition on what you see in the
    mirror.
  5. My personal advise and a good rule of thumb. Do not focus your attention on what didn’t change to your liking,
    rather focus on what you DO have. Realize, that your body is not “who” you are. It is only an accessory of who is
    wearing it! “Be” who you are inside, don’t “be” your body.
            
Transition Sequence List