2012 Annual Report

femaletomale.org launched in September 2012. The site changed platforms in late October and really began to kick off by November. The annual report gives an overview of our 2012 launch.
As of 2013, we’re beginning to have more and more visitors arrive on the site and share their knowledge to the world. It looks like things will really begin to spice up in 2013!
View the 2012 Annual Report

Survey: What do you look for in a binder?

One of our members is doing a survey on chest binding methods to collect information on what the community looks for in a binder. It only takes a few minutes to fill out!

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/JQXQVPF

I am probably doing this backwards compared to what most people do, I had the surgery before taking tesosterone. But let’s start with some basic facts about myself.

Age: 36
Height: 5’3
Weight: 160lbs
Shoe Size: 7.5W/5.5 or 6 M
Chest size pre surgery: 36 D/E

Now that we have this out of the way, I decided I needed the surgery first. This is something I have wanted for a long time. Before I knew being trans was a real option and navigated through all of the negativity of transitioning and learning the facts, I had been wanting a breast reduction for over 10 years. So once I really looked into what was possible, I was set on having top surgery. This was a no brainer. I didn’t feel comfortable starting T first while I had these monsters because I was never comfortable binding. I am very sensitive, bras were already annoying and I had switched to sports bras and that was soon becoming annoying as well. The month before my surgery date, I stopped wearing bras all together and layered up.
My surgery was November 29, 2012 with Dr. Garramone in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. My parents decided to come with me to take care of me. This was a mistake. I should have gone with a friend. I highly suggest the same thing for you if you do not have the best relationship with your family. It was cool that they had come around to support me, but they can be toxic and that is not a good environment to be in when you are going through such a big thing as surgery.
And surgery IS a big deal. I feel like everyone downplays that. It’s worth it of course. But it is not just some little thing you’re having done. You need to really research your doctors. And I don’t just mean their results. You should look into what kind of doctor are they. Don’t get me wrong, most surgeons, especially plastic surgeons can be cocky, egotistical people. Don’t let that sway you, it’s a common thing. A few things you need to check out:

Is the doctor a plastic surgeon or a cosmetic surgeon? Plastic Surgeons have to do a residency in Plastic Surgery. They have much more intensive training. It is a board certified thing. A cosmetic surgeon is really just a doctor. It can be any type of doctor that wants to do cosmetic surgery but hasn't had the residency in plastic surgery. It is always your choice, but you might feel more comfortable with a board certified plastic surgeon.
Has the surgeon ever had a malpractice suit? Have they ever lost their license? Check out their history. Look for these red flags. Your life is not worth losing when they are plenty of other surgeons who have a safe practice.
Where will the surgery be held? A hospital is the most ideal. In case something goes wrong, you want to be in a place that can offer that emergency care, particularly if you need a blood transfusion. Many doctors perform the surgeries at surgery centers and worse, in their office. You should definitely consider and weigh these options. I would avoid doctors that perform any procedures in their outpatient offices. People have died on the table, you don't want to be one of them.
Ask if they will have a licensed anesthesiologist MD or a CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist). Some will say you want the MD and some will say that a CRNA has more experience because they could be at it longer and doing more. I can't tell you which is better but my surgical tech friend who works in plastic surgery says you want the MD.
Since I chose Dr. Garramone I learned that there is also a DO. Understanding the difference can be a little confusing so I won't go into the details but my previously mentioned friend said that DO doctors tend to have better bed side manners than an MD. The training is still as up to snuff as an MD so don't worry that you are getting some sort of hack. (I'll go into later with my experience with Dr. Garramone and the surgery.)

Peecock Products Announces the Gen2 Pee-Cock STP Packer

New 3-in-1 STP Packer and Play is now Available

PeeCock Products Announced the Gen2 Pee-Cock STP Packer in October 2012, available for purchase now at www.peecockproducts.com.

There’s exciting news today in the world of STP Packers. Peecock Products, makers of the original Pee-Cock, has announced that they have released a new and improved design of their revolutionary STP packer.

The Gen2 Pee-Cock is initially be available in 3 skin tones: light beige, light brown, and moderate brown. The new colors are an improvement upon the original shades. The new skin tones are more realistic and the company intends to expand the variety of available colors following the initial launch of the Gen2 Pee-Cock. Although the original Pee-Cock was available in multiple sizes, the Gen2 Pee-Cock is currently only available in a single standard size 5.5 inch size. Peacock plans to offer more size options at a later date.

The original Pee-Cock was a revolutionary STP packer design because it was a 3-in-1 FTM prosthesis for packing, peeing, and playing. Customers could choose from a range in skin tones and sizes, with an option to purchase an erection rod to place in the packer, making it useable for penetrative sex. Furthermore, the packer did not require additional tubing in the STP design. Instead, the STP packer captured and directed the flow of urine via a funnel-like passageway molded into the design, so that no tubing or cupping device was required. The Pee-Cock is made from high grade premium silicone and does not have the sticky texture that cyberskin softies have. Unlike cyberskin, silicone is not porous, making it more sanitary and better suited for bedroom play.

Peecock Products has also announced that the Gen2 Pee-Cock STP Packer has new and improved features. This is exciting news because the original Pee-Cock was already an outstanding product. Customer reviews revealed that some purchasers believed the original Pee-Cock was 1) a little too thin in girth, and 2) the 4″ size was too small to be used for penetrative sex. Overall, customers were extraordinarily pleased with the product. Peecock Products has announced that the redesigned Gen2 Pee-Cock was improved based on customer input.

About Peecock Products

The mission of PeeCock Products is to provide quality and affordable products to pre-op and post-meta trans men, butches, and drag kings. The company designed the revolutionary Pee-Cock 3-in-1 FTM prosthesis and offers a range of harnesses and com fort chest binders. PeeCock Products is FTM-owned.

For more information about the Gen2 Pee-Cock, visit www.peecockproducts.com.

CK Life Surgery Scholarship Fund

CK Life will be accepting applications until December 31st, 2012 3:00AM EST. This is the second cycle of surgery scholarships offered by CK Life.
COMPLETE Applications will be accepted by email only. Send e-mail applications to: Scholarshipfund@cklife.org. Applications must be in DOC or PDF Format. Late applications will not be accepted.
Applications will be considered temporarily complete if all parts are complete but professional letter is pending. A notification of complete application will be given upon receipt of letter. **ANYONE who is a CK LIFE CLINIC PATIENT or Friday H.O.M.E GROUP MEMBER does NOT have to include professional letter in application. For this section of application just note that you are a CK LIFE clinic patient or H.O.M.E. Group Member.
CK Life will accept Provider letters by mail if provider unwilling to give letter directly to applicant to email with application. If this is the case please state it in the application under Professional letter section.
Mailed letters must be postmarked by December 31st, 2012 to be accepted.
Mail: Attn: CK Life Scholarship Fund
P.O. Box 6060
Bronx, NY 10451

Application Criteria

I. Cover Page

Name (Both Legal and Preferred if different)
Date of Birth (Applicants must be age 18 By January 1st, 2013 to receive scholarship)
Contact Info (Email and/or Telephone)
Must State which ONE Surgery* they are asking for assistance accessing
*ONE surgery must be selected (hysterectomy With GRS will count as one surgery. Multiple FFS which are performed by the same surgeon in one operation will count as ONE surgery.
Name of Surgeon(s) you prefer to go to. An alternate surgeon may be named as well if still deciding

II. Personal Statement

Write a personal statement of no more than 1000
Detail what efforts you have made to fund raise or save towards your surgery
Please include in this statement who will care for you and provide support post surgery
Include how having surgery will impact your life

III. Professional Letter

One letter from a Medical OR Mental Health Provider.
Acceptable Providers: MDs, DOs, Nurse Practitioners, Psychiatrists, Social Workers, therapists, licensed/Certified Counselors (if any questions about your provider email us)
Letter must state how long you have been in transition and what steps you have taken/completed in yoru transition process.
Note: CK Life understands there is no one way to transition but applicants must meet WPATH standards of care with regards to being eligible for scholarship approval. For a list of standards check out the WPATH.

IV. Personal Reference

From a family member, friend/associate or co-worker stating why they think we should pick you for a surgery scholarship
Contact information should be included
Must be a maximum of 500 words.

V. Financial Statement

State Annual income and source of income
Annual Expenses
Amount Saved towards surgery, if any, with a break down (I.e. $500 for Travel saved, $1,000 towards surgery saved)
Amount needed toward surgery
State whether or not you have insurance. If you have insurance state what kind.

***Due to non profit status all applicants must be a US Citizen or Legal Resident
All Applicants will be given an application number. You can request an application number now. This number must be included in all application materials to help keep track of application. IF you forget or misplace your application number contact us. IF you applied for the previous application cycle let us know and you will get a SIMILAR application number.
***Any Statements in the application found to be knowingly incorrect/untrue will eliminate applicant from current scholarship cycle and any future scholarship cycles.
Selection of scholarship recipients will be done by a CK Life affiliate with name being omitted from the application to keep the selection unbiased. Applicants must meet WPATH standards to be granted a scholarship. All applicants will be notified of a final decision on their application. Date of Notifications TBA. (check back frequently for updates)
If you are selected for funding all Money will be paid directly to the Surgeon or Hospital/surgical facility.
Any awarded funds MUST be used within 3 months or 6 months (for Genital surgeries) of time they are awarded. If there are extenuating circumstances (such as surgeon has a long waiting list) then that time frame may be extended based on the circumstances. If the funds are not used in an appropriate amount of time then the funds will go back into the pool of money towards the next scholarship Cycle.

Questions? Concerns?

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this application process please email: scholarshipfund@cklife.org
For more information, visit http://cklife.org/Surgery-Scholarship-Fund.php