Experiences with my first Testosterone Shot

I begun Hormone Replacement Therapy on 28th February 2014.
My Endocrinologist (Dr JD Wilson) said he would only start me on Testogel, as the effects of one dose, which is applied daily, last only 24 hours. That way, if I "change my mind" I could easily revert any changes.
I took applied one 5mg satchet of Testogel every day for a period of 3 and a half months, before finally getting my prescription for my first Testosterone injection - which is a 4mL injection of Reandron.

I visited a new Doctor for this shot, as I usually skip between any bulk-billing Doctors who can fit me in on the day. My new (and now, regular) doctor - Dr Tuck Meng Soo - has experience with Transgender patients, and I felt that paying roughly $100 for a visit and injection would be worth it, as he is not only accepting/understanding, but can accurately monitor the injection effects and my medical transition.

So, my Endocrinologist gave me a prescription for the Reandron shot, which I got made up at the chemist (RRP $147 - as I am on Government benefits/concession I paid a mere $6) and took to my appointment. First I chatted with Dr Soo and gave him my medical history, and explained my medical transition and that I was here for the Reandron shot. It was great to finally have a Doctor who knew more about Transgender Medical Transitions then myself - which was the result of any GP 99% of the time.

He then showed me to a bigger room with numerous beds, and explained that a nurse would be along shortly to administer the injection.
Both Dr Soo and my nurse explained that because the shot would be intramuscular (into my butt) the needle would be fairly big, and to expect a decent amount of pain. So I rolled over on one side, dropped my dacks and in the needle went (I didn't look at the size of the needle - I figured if I didn't see it I could pretend it was tiny.)
It really didn't hurt that much. The injection is a slow release, and because of the needles size/the size of the injectable liquid, the nurse also injected the liquid slowly; it took around about two minutes. When she pulled the needle out was when it hurt the most. For anyone who has had a tattoo, it does not hurt anymore than the tattoo gun. It can also be related to having blood out for donations or blood tests, the only difference is the length of time you feel the needle, and the unusual feeling of having a needle go into a muscle.

Afterwards I drove the short distance home, it wasn't overly uncomfortable to be sitting down. It took about two days before I felt a bit of discomfort where the injection had been, and that lasted two to three days. I would say it is similar to getting corked, but in the butt!

At the moment I am scheduled to have 1 Reandron injection every three months, but that is subject to the results of my blood test when I go in for my next shot. I will keep this blog updated!

Transition Comparisons

I have been photographing my physical changes from day 1 transition to the body I should have been born into. Here are some comparison shots.
It can be useful to note the following;
- I begun using T-Gel on 28th Feb 2014
- I stopped T-Gel and had my first Reandron shot on 3rd July 2014
- I had Chest Surgery (Double Bilateral Mastectomy) on 11th July 2014

36 Days Post-Op

Today I am 36 days post-op for my chest surgery with Dr Vlad Milovic, and I am feeling great!

I have been back at work for 3 weeks now, and theres not a lot I cannot do. I am still restricted with my arm movements above shoulder/head height, and with lifting heavy weights.
With arm movements above shoulder height, until about 1 week post-op there was simply none of it. But from 1 week post-op onward, I found I was slowly able to increase my arm lifting height (with less pain). Eventually I was able to do things like reach coat hangers in my wardrobe, reach up to grab a plate from the cupboard etc etc.
I have pushed the point and found I can actually lift 25kg (for a few seconds assisting my mate at the gym) but in terms of working out at the gym myself, for upper body exercises I have found so far I can only do dumbbell bicep curls with about 5-8kg each dumbbell.

..However, it is not recommended to do neither heavy lifting or reaching above shoulder height as you risk stretching the scars.

My scars are healing well, and while i still have a bit of swelling, there is next to no pain anymore. Since surgery, my drainage bag for my right pec was always full of more blood, and consistently my right pec has been more swollen than my left.
After surgery I woke up in a surgical compression vest, which my surgeon asked me to wear for as long as possible to minimise swelling. At week 5, I begun wearing it only during the day and taking it off too sleep.
A few days ago, I tried leaving it off for an entire day and night. The result was my right pec's swelling flaring up, which obviously is not good, but shows that the compression vest does work!
Here is a picture of my chest at 1 month post op (with silicone strips over my scars.)

I see my surgeon again this Friday 22nd, exactly at my 6 weeks post op date.