Well, I began my physical transition in my early 40's. I also was transitioning from a dyke to a gay man... so it's complicated. I did a lot of research, had a good therapist, took my time in making decisions, had a good surgeon....

Still there were and are difficulties and surprises. Most of them have to do with being a gay transman attracted to biomen. If you are attracted to women or transmen, I think you will have it easier. I couldn't summarize my experience here, except to say that it was worth it, and the difficulties and surprises were nothing I couldn't handle. If you have specific questions, feel free to email me.

I also moderate a tribe called "Ask a Transman Anything", if you want to post your question there.

tribes.tribe.net/transmen_edu

I started transitioning at 31 (now 33), although I had been in queer community circles for the last seven years, I've never ided as a dyke. I'm happy I waited to transition until now as it gave me personally time to deal with other issues, be clearer as to who I am and be able to handle any delays or complications from transitioning. I've been financially and emotionally independent from my parents for more than a decade so I personally didn't have to worry about financial or mental issues with them. I don't relate all that well to guys who are 18 and transitioning as I find I have different concerns or expectations about transitioning(which are also influenced by issues of class and education I think). I do have accept that I do have an work and education paper trail of my former name and gender and it has been harder as I'm trying to change my birth certificate in a state I don't live in and have to change info for another country as well. I starting thinking about it at 27 or so but wasn't certain about what I wanted physically to do.

I think it was also different in that like some people in their thirties and ol I'm married and was more concerned about how it would affect my marriage than how it would affect my parents. Also workplace issues were more important than say college or high school issues (not to say you can't be a college student at 30 or any age).

I think because I had been female and even femme there was more disbelief from people especially from some of the younger trans guys I knew. for me having had other life experiences I guess I wasn't as gungho as they thought I should be but I was concerned about my long term health on T and on mimimizing the amount of surgery I might have.

It's took me a year to get on T from the point of deciding to try it, and another couple of years working with the my gyno and the breast cancer center to get top surgery covered by my insurance. I could of gone to the local clinic and got the T right away and gotten in debt to get my surgery sooner but I have to think about my future and about my spouses too.

I still have lots of fear around employment and for me working overseas as a guy but I am so much happier than I even thought I would be having physically transitioned.

Glad you posted. I just got on this site a week or so ago seeking the same info as you. I am 43 and just now making the realization that I can do something about this body that isn't quite how I feel it was intended. I hve already had much of the anatomy changes thanks to cancer but I am cancer free as well as boob and uterus/evary free! My relationship will never be the same now that I have " comeout", and I am praying that we can work it out. We have a life together and I hope to stay united.