r/transtimelines

3 years apart, but feels like a lifetime.

2023: 5’8” - 235lbs - the worst health of my life - major depression - constant panic attacks - my diet was so bad that my skin had revolted against me - so dangerously close to ending it all - dysphoria was eating me alive.

2026: 5’8” - 180lbs - lots of therapy - 28 months HRT - FFS - much healthier and happier - dysphoria still a struggle at times, but not kicking my ass anymore.

The first image was taken with the selfie lens and the current image was taken with the main lens, so the first image is admittedly a bit distorted compared to the one I took just yesterday. See my previous posts for a better direct comparison. I chose this pairing because of the similar head turn and pose.

AMA

I was happy before, but now I'm happier now

No makeup or anything for an accurate comparison :)

Oh boy.

I was not blessed with great genetics, especially in the teeth department. My family suffers a hereditary enamel production disorder that left us all with pretty shit teeth, no matter what we did to try and take care of them. My mom had a full set of dentures when she was 14 and 2/3 of my sisters also have dentures.

My teeth obviously caused me a lot of pain and embarrassment throughout the years. I was always afraid to smile because I just hated how they looked, and I would often wake up in the middle of the night with debilitating pain.

In 2018 (at age 24) I decided to finally do what I had wanted for years - get a full set of dentures. I took the first picture a few days before that procedure. The recovery was awful, of course, but I knew I’d finally like how I looked in the end.

Except I didn’t.

Yes, I fixed one problem, but I still didn’t like seeing myself in the mirror. I still didn’t like my smile and felt I had to force it for photos. Some months later is when I had some pretty stark revelations about myself - revelations I kept inside until I fully worked through my own acceptance and came out as trans last year.

Now the image I have of myself is finally complete, or at least on its way. I’ve taken more photos of myself in the last year than every other year of my life combined, literally. I don’t have to force a smile, I don’t have to hide any of my features in shame.

It’s been a long and arduous process, but I’m so happy with where I’ve landed. I’ve never felt this positive or confident in anything I’ve ever done, or in any way that I’ve ever looked. I have a lovely support system and a lot of pride.

Reflecting on these old pictures is really crazy to me. I’m different in so many ways - and all of them for the better. Coming to terms with being trans is the best thing that’s ever happened to me and I’m still just getting started!

3.5 years next month, just hrt and a ton of laser.

I did and I made it.

Over 50 months on HRT and believing in myself. I did it and so can you.

This was such an emotional piece for me!

do not get into screamo yall