This story is from the comments listed below, summarised by AI.
Authenticity Assessment: Not Suspicious
Based on the provided comments, the account "Reasonable-Path6843" appears to be authentic. There are no serious red flags suggesting it is a bot or an inauthentic detransitioner/desister.
The user shares highly specific, personal, and emotionally resonant details about their detransition experience, medical procedures (top surgery, laser hair removal), relationship dynamics, and ongoing struggles. The narrative is consistent over time and reflects the complex, often painful, personal journey typical of the community. The language is natural, varied, and includes personal anecdotes and advice that would be difficult for a bot to fabricate convincingly.
About me
I started testosterone at 18 after a single, brief appointment and had top surgery at 20, which left me with lasting numbness and pain. I began my detransition at 24, realizing I had made a mistake in trying to change my body. It's been a difficult journey to rebuild my self-image and find medical care, as even a cancer center refused to help me with reconstruction. I am now almost 29 and working towards feeling like a whole woman again, supported by my wonderful boyfriend. I focus on my hobbies and the present, believing I still deserve a fulfilling life.
My detransition story
My whole journey started with a deep envy of other women. I would see a beautiful girl expressing her femininity in a way I internally wanted to, and I’d think, "Wow, do you think that could be me?" I missed being in female social settings and I missed expressing my femininity. I felt a huge pressure to push those feminine feelings away because I felt like I’d already put my family through my transition and couldn’t backtrack. It felt like there was a hole in my life, and I realized I needed to be my true self or my life would never feel fulfilling.
I started my medical transition when I was 18. My "informed consent" process was just a single one-sided piece of paper I signed at a 20-minute appointment. I walked out with a six-month prescription for testosterone with zero follow-up from the clinic and no discussion about my mental health. It’s insane that they allow young people to get life-changing hormones the same day without a real mental health evaluation.
I got top surgery at 20. I wouldn’t suggest it unless it’s your absolute last option. I’ve lost so much feeling in my chest. The first two years post-op, the numbness was mixed with pain. The scars are massive, and you aren’t guaranteed even or straight scars.
Over time, I began to realize I had made a mistake. I started my detransition around age 24. The beginning was the hardest part, but I kept telling myself that there was still so much in life for me and that the only way to go was up. I’ve had to work hard on my self-image. When I feel down, I remind myself that I wouldn’t judge another woman for losing her breasts, having a deeper voice, or being unable to conceive, so why should I judge myself so harshly? A woman’s worth isn’t rooted in those things.
My detransition has been physically and emotionally challenging. I’m now almost 29 and I haven't been swimming in over six years because of my surgery scars. I’ve spent a lot on laser hair removal for my face, and I have zero regrets about that. It increased my confidence tons and made my life better. People noticed I was happier. I’ve also been trying to regrow my hair with minoxidil, spironolactone, vitamins, and a healthier diet.
Finding medical care has been difficult. My regular doctor tried to refer me to a cancer survivor center for reconstruction, but they refused to even have a consult with me, saying they were "uncomfortable with my situation." I’m now working with a transgender surgery center whose surgeon also does reconstructive surgery.
I’ve been lucky to find a wonderful, supportive boyfriend. I met him very early in my detransition and was completely open with him about my past from the beginning. He’s been nothing but kind and respectful; he’s never said anything negative about my voice. He even helped pay for my laser hair removal and got me better insurance to work towards breast reconstruction. We’ve been together for over four years now and are planning to get engaged and buy a home.
I’ve filled my life with hobbies to help me enjoy the present. I took up sewing, altering thrift store clothes, and making new pieces from patterns. I go hiking with my boyfriend and our dog, and I got a digital camera to make photos feel more special. I do yoga, bake, cook new recipes, and grow my own herbs and vegetables. Taking life slow and enjoying the little things has been huge for me.
I don’t regret my laser hair removal, but I have serious regrets about my medical transition, especially the testosterone and top surgery. The informed consent model failed me. I believe no one under 25 should be able to get hormones the same day without extensive mental health support. I just want to feel like a normal woman again, to be able to wear what I want, go swimming, and not have my past define how people treat me. I’m working towards breast reconstruction because I believe that while I’m still alive, I deserve that opportunity.
| Age | Event |
|---|---|
| 18 | Started testosterone after a 20-minute informed consent appointment. |
| 20 | Had top surgery. Lost significant feeling; experienced years of numbness and pain. |
| 24 | Began my detransition. |
| 28 | Met my current boyfriend, who has been incredibly supportive. |
| 29 | Currently seeking breast reconstruction and continuing laser hair removal treatments. |
Top Comments by /u/Reasonable-Path6843:
Thank you!! :)
Honestly found myself feeling envious of other women and that was the seed that started it all. Wishing I could wear what they were, have long hair to style, put on makeup for myself, and other stereotypical feminine situations. I realized I missed being in female social setting with other women and I missed expressing my femineity. I felt pressure to push away feminine feelings, I mean I already put my whole family through this I can't be thinking these things was my internal dialogue. After a certain point I couldn't stop thinking about the things I was missing out on and who I was missing out on being. Literally felt a hole in my life as time went on with these thoughts and realized I need to be myself or my life would never fulfill me.
The right person will love every aspect of you even if you don't! I'm blessed enough to have a normal boyfriend that loves me even with all the things that have happened to me so I can confirm it's possible! Don't give up on yourself and what could happen. 😊
Informed consent for hormones started in what the early 2010s? Now we so happen to have an influx of people detransition, seems off to me.
My "informed consent" when I was 18 was a single one-sided piece of paper that I signed at a maybe 20-minute appointment, then walking out with a 6-month prescription for T with zero follow up from anyone at the clinic. Zero talk about my mental health from any clinic or Dr when I was "transitioning."
It's insane to allow anyone under the age of 25 to same day acquire a life changing hormone with zero mental evaluation and without the recommendation of a mental health professional that has an extensive history with you. Just my opinion, I miss the days of therapist letter requirements.
Whenever I'm feeling like this I remind myself would I judge a woman because she lost her breasts, she had a deeper voice, couldn't conceive, ect. No I wouldn't so why am I judging myself so harshly. Sometimes we need to show ourselves the compassion we would show others. We are just as valuable as other women since a woman's worth isn't rooted in these aspects.
it's a personal experience and you have the right to choose if that's something for you or not. But trying to tell others it's not okay, now that isn't right.
You wouldn't tell a woman that had her breasts removed due to cancer to just "love herself." the right move would be to accept other people have a right to make choices even if you don't agree with them.
While I'm still alive I deserve the opportunity to wear what I want again, go swimming, and feel like a normal woman again. If you don't want that, that's totally cool but spreading negativity on something so personal is not tasteful imo.
I relate to your feelings in your post and this comment. I also had surgery at 20 I'm almost 29 now and I haven't been swimming in 6+ years. It's a struggle some days, but bigger picture I'm happy to be alive and grateful for the good qualities in my life. I find if I have a hard day I hyperfocus on the negative and feel hopeless. Working on having a more positive outlook on life has helped me at least cope with my bad days. Best of luck <3
He knows I'm upset, I immediately told him to just be quiet if he's gonna be rude. He's been apologizing and saying that's not how he meant it but it's difficult for me to just be like oh okay it's fine lol.☠️
It shocked me he would say something like that and it just made me feel ashamed.
I met my boyfriend very early detransition and he has been nothing but kind and respectful. He never has said anything negative about my voice, when I've made negative comments about it he disagrees. He's honestly been really helpful, he's paid for all my laser hair removal and got me my current insurance to work towards breast reconstruction. I was very open in the beginning of our relationship about my gender experience to avoid confusion/conflict later on.
I think it really depends on the man, I've definitely had negative reactions from men because of my voice before I met my bf.
Wouldn't suggest unless it's absolutely your last option. I've lost so much feeling in my chest and the first two years post op the numbness was mixed with pain. The scars are massive and you aren't guaranteed even/straight scars. Definitely think you should get a few other opinions from different surgeons. Best of luck!
You're so young and still have so much time! There is still so much in life for you! The beginning is the hardest part imo, there's nowhere else to go but up from here. Can confirm there is still a chance at a normal life with a normal partner. Msg me if you need an ear, I totally understand how you feel but the feeling is temporary hang in there. 💜