all these answers are so wild and surprising to me. I really thought majority of people on here was because of money issues because that's 99.99% my issue. not to sound shallow or materialistic, but I can barely afford to live so I feel like I can't "make the cut" of being alive and functioning
do you think surgeries would help you feel more yourself?
my best friend is trans, and i've watched him go through a lot of life. I obviously don't know what that feeling is like and I never will in this lifetime. but he's one of my biggest role models and if you ever need to talk i'm here. I am very understanding and try my best to be open minded and kind
There is nothing shallow about being in need of society's major currency.
Don't feel materialistic.
Dire financial straits are nothing to scoff at, when there's no funds for basic needs or distractions from a living nightmare..money and the hunt for it takes precedence.
Either the other stuff takes a backseat for awhile (no matter how significant), or as someone else suggested..suicide happens even earlier than it may have.
Then you also have less pressing problems that money could solve.
It can open doors, it can give certain people (who already have others things in place) vast amounts of freedom and independence, peace of mind, security..
People are full of shit when they generalize and say that money can't solve your problems, because there are
plenty of valid problems that a good amount of money can absolutely solve.
All problems? Of course not.
But a lot of problems? Yes.
As far as the surgeries you are suggesting to the other member..my guess is that no surgery can properly mimic the natural state that they desire. Not exactly. Not enough. And perhaps too many years of youth have been lost already.
(I could be wrong, but this is what I've heard and read others state. I can also relate myself, in a different way.)
It's the same for having appearance issues in general and turning toward cosmetic surgery.
Sometimes it works out for people..but to be frank, cosmetic and elective surgeries run an astronomical risk of being botched, appearing "off", making the person look worse, being rife with complications and dreaded "trade-offs", etc.
They are not the panacea for gripes with one's looks (or even gender expression) that the industry makes them out to be.
(This should not be a controversial observation, but sometimes it is.)
They are not a guaranteed solution with the result of finally being able to feel comfortable in your own skin nor finally being able to move through the social sphere with ease.
Winning the "genetic lottery" is a massive privilege for a reason.
Nothing quite compares.
There is nothing wrong with desiring change or even pursuing these surgeries but patients in those spaces have no rights, even the best surgeons will leave you to rot if you're unsatisfied and there will be nothing you can do about it..it's still taboo, shame silences people, and others are very very unkind to those who have had these types of surgeries and then end up in a position where they need emotional support afterward.
Especially if the surgery didn't go well..or perhaps was unnecessary to begin with (surgeons make bank off your suffering).
The "professionals" are not held responsible.
They will not care.
A lot of people commit suicide
because of these surgeries, whereas others will end their lives for being barred from them.
It could go either way.
Even so, we have a long way to go before the benefits drastically outweigh the risks.
The field is nowhere near as advanced as it needs to be.
Very good of you to remain open minded about the topic though, that is certainly helpful to those around you who may find themselves in a position that warrants the possibility of that sort of surgery (or similar).