Interesting Meeting

[LisaMallon]

I went to an image consultant that specialises in people transitioning.

It went quite well, she actually thinks I might not need FFS, since my face is already quite feminine and should soften a bit more when I'm on hormones. Obvious things like hair and better makeup will improve things, as well as good choices in specs

So that was quite positive, so I'll be seeing her for the next few months at least.

Another step on the way. Now if I can just find a great pair of boots ....

[prene]

great news.

I am envious.

I bet the boots will be harder.LOL

[LisaMallon]

It's good to get objective feedback. We all can be our own worst enemies when we look at ourselves.

I know that when I look in the mirror I still see that guy. So I have no idea how I really look and always think I look like crap.


She agreed that my overall shape, though tall, is ok, since I have wide hip bones. When the hormones cut in hopefully I'll pad out my thighs and rear a bit, which will give me some curves to work with.

So you might be surprised at yourself Prene, you need an objective look at you. You are probably a lot more feminine than you think.

As for the boots, saw the perfect apir on Shoes.com. But for some reason they are loading 25% on Australian (and probably other) buyers. You cant buy in US$ form overseas now, only Australia (and other of course) ones and the exchange rate they use is rediculous.

[ColleenA]

Lisa, I think it's cool that she could see feminine features already in your face, though I understand why it had to be pointed out to you.

The night before one of my friends had her first meeting with the surgeon who did her FFS, she asked me to give her an honest assessment of what might need to be done. As I looked, I realized (and told her) she truly had her mother's eyes and didn't need any work done there. Imagine how gratified I felt the next day when the surgeon during his evaluation said he didn't see that she needed anything done with her eyes.

And that was brought home to my friend even more after her FFS when people would compliment her on how beautiful her eyes now looked!

[StephanieC]

I didn't know there were image consultants that did this.

A third-party objective could be most helpful. But I'm afraid of the expense. However, the expense of unneeded surgery is probably worse.

-stephani

[LisaMallon]

Stephani that's partially, but not only, why I did this. Yes firstly to get an objective assessment, secondly to build basic skills.
Note that maybe not needing 'full' FFS doesn't necessarily some 'nip and tuck' wont be useful in the future, but my bone structure, nose etc are reasonable ok.
But given my age I have lines, bit of bagging under the eyes and so on.

My approach is that I have a clear plan for a year. At the end of that reassess everything based on any progress/lack of progress and come up with a plan for the following year.

In this year try to maximise what I have naturally in all aspects. Realistically I can have no idea until I have been on hormones for a year at least, to see what effects they have.
So do the best with my face with hair, makeup and spectacles. See what affect hormones have on my face, then review everything then.
I might even do a proper makeup course. Victoria University has a basic one and there are many advanced ones as well (including diplomas, etc). It is amazing what you can do if you have the skills (which I don't).
Plus I am on the waiting list for a speech therapy course for voice training.

Surprisingly she is not too expensive, except that it is not covered by medicare or my private health fund. So cold hard cash unfortunately.
She has worked with quite a lot of transitioning girls and got recommended by my gender therapist. I like her and her approach, very common sense and a good sense of humour.

Very sensibly she asked what kind of woman I'd like to look like. I expect she has had to let some other down lightly on this as to what they expect. But I'm fairly realistic about this.
Given my age if I can pass for a fairly well put together older (but not old) woman then I'd be quite happy. But a well presented one.
There is no way I'm going to look like 25 or 30 or even 40 and that is just a fact, I am 55.
Am I going to look like a beautiful young woman .. no way.
But there are a lot of older women that look pretty damn good, If I can get half way (even a quarter sounds good) to that then I'll be pretty happy (damn I should have done this 12 years ago).

If can can go down the street and not scare the children or frighten the horses I can live with that. Anything better than that is a bonus.