The Transmasculine Guide to Physical Transition: For Trans, Nonbinary, and Other Masculine Folks

by Sage Buch

This in-depth exploration of all aspects of physical transition is an accessible and supportive guide for transgender men, transmasculine people, and nonbinary people. Drawing on their personal experience and extensive research, Sage Buch walks you through a wide array of safe transition options. Inside, you'll learn about non-medical interventions like chest binding and packing, explore the varieties and effects of hormone replacement therapy, and get a comprehensive primer on choosing, preparing for, and recovering from top and bottom surgery. Medical research and jargon is made accessible, side effects and pros and cons are clearly spelled out, and empowering perspectives help you consider what transition path is right for you. Everything always comes back to checking in with yourself at every step of the way so that you can enjoy the unique self-expression that comes with finding yourself and who you are meant to be. Reading can be enhanced by working through The Transmasculine Guide to Physical Transition Workbook as you read.

Genres: Nonfiction, Transgender, LGBT, Queer, Genderfluid

192 pages, Paperback

Published February 7, 2023

Reviews

[seasalted.citrus (Topaz, Oliver) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can’t really write a proper review for a standard informative nonfiction book like this, but all I’ll say is that if any transmasc people are early in their transition or contemplating options, please check this out!!! (Me personally, I have horrific dysphoria and medically transitioning might turn out to be a life-or-death for me, but I haven’t thought of it super often due to “not feeling dysphoric enough” for most of my time knowing I was under the trans umbrella, so I’d say this reached the right demographic.) Its style is easy to read, each chapter is cohesive and there was so much vital information throughout (backed with pages of references that are listed at the end)! I appreciated the occasional visuals, too.

Anyhow, for those this book might benefit that want a personal reference for different physical transition steps/questions outside of Google, I think this works pretty well.

(P.S., spreading the Queer Liberation Library agenda bc if it weren’t for their Libby, I would’ve never had access to a digital copy of this! Go support them. There’s tons of other beneficial LGBTQ+ fiction and nonfiction in their catalogue.)

[alexander shay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Most helpful for those living in the US or perhaps trying to get coverage to get their surgery in the US, as a lot of the book talks about insurance, paying for the surgeries, finding and approaching surgeons, etc., and in Canada none of that really applies. Going through insurance in Canada dictates who you go to see, especially for bottom surgery there really is only one place in the country to go. Outside of that, however, a very detailed book and still good for learning the processes of HRT and the various surgical options available to transmasc folk. There was actually a lot I wasn't aware of, and I don't know if that's because it's newer information or just things my practitioners didn't know or think to tell me. It's a resource I wish I would have had before getting some of the surgeries I've had, in case there were other options available to me. Would recommend regardless, but especially pre-HRT and/or pre-surgery.

[Theo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a recommendation from my therapist, and they were correct that I should read this. This is an excellent guide about transmasculine physical transition, as the title promises; it covers everything from non-medical ways to alter appearance to HRT options to surgeries (top and bottom surgery possibilities).

Buch goes just into enough depth so you understand what to expect and can figure out what you need more information about or what may interest you in transition options. The writing is straightforward, inclusive, and easy to read. It is also comforting to have a reference book on my shelf instead of relying on random internet searches or memory. I do wish I had read this earlier in my gender journey.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was a super helpful and informative guide to transitioning!! it’s way easier to digest and understand than anything else i’ve read personally

[scottie · Rating 4 out of 5]

while i did skim or outright skip certain parts of this book that were not relevant to my personal journey, overall i found it to be quite thorough and a useful resource, and i would recommend it to other trans people who are questioning whether to transition or who intend to physically transition but don't know where to start or what they want their transition to look like.

[R · Rating 5 out of 5]

very helpful to have all the different like big words/surgeries named and explained in one book!! Super liked all the pictures as well. Looking forward to getting the workbook :)

Also the dedications were so 🥹🥹

[Finnegan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I borrowed this book as someone who has already had top surgery, started HRT, and a gender affirming hysterectomy, and was looking for more information about bottom surgery. I read parts of that section aloud to my partner, and we were both pleasantly shocked by how accessible the book was and how easy the author made it to understand everything they wrote about.

In my opinion, this is a great book for anyone looking for information related to physical transitioning. I really benefitted from the information the author included about bottom surgery, especially because the author got into the smaller details of what goes into both types of bottom surgery, and had a FAQ section at the end. Also had pro/con lists for each step of the surgery and other things that may be done during the surgical process.

[Verdant · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have already physically and socially transitioned but picked up this book from my local library to review on what I know about my transition as well as the other ways other people physically transition. I also wanted to see if it'd be a good resource for my other trans+ friends whose physical transitions would match these pathways. Needless to say, I highly recommend this book! It isn't too dumbed down nor is it too wordy in ways that you can't understand. It has great information and references and easy to go through. A lot of the stuff it brought up even made me do some reflection on my own physical transition. I plan to buy a copy of the book for my trans+ friends when I can.

[Marty · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love that this exists, but it's broader and more simplistic than I needed. Also nearly 70 pages of the ~170 page book were devoted to bottom surgery, which isn't relevant to me at the moment, so I technically only read about two-thirds. A lot of the resource suggestions felt obvious. Like yes, I have tried Google/reddit searches, and if I had transmasc friends with whom to share tips and equipment, I wouldn't need a book like this. The 2 stars are for my personal experience - I love the idea of a community resource like this, and I'm sure it's helpful for someone. That someone just wasn't me.

[miles z · Rating 5 out of 5]

A comprehensive, no-nonsense guide to medical transition for non-binary people and trans men. They include plenty of relevant information about things like the effects of top surgery and hormones as well as risks of bottom surgery, the different types of surgery, etc. What I found particularly useful, is that they include questions at the end of each section that help you consider and determine what kind of surgery or result that you wanna pursue. They also consider questions that are relevant to disabled folks, people of color and people with different body sizes.

[Jay Boardman · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most detailed and rounded guides on physical transitions, specifically on the medical routes and things that are SO crucial to be mindful of, both for experience in gender and also staying medically safe. The FAQ sections throughout the book and the thought in accessibility were greatly appreciated in how many fox go through transitioning while also being mindful of additional situations in their life. Will be keeping this book handy 💛

[Eurydice Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

For someone who is not a doctor, this book is impressive! It is very well researched, goes into a lot of details, and has so many resources.

I've been transitioning for a while, and I still learned some things for this. I recommend it for anyone AFAB looking into physical transitioning or any ally that wants to know how to support better.

[Iris Corona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informational and detailed! This is a pretty good guide on things to expect when you start, sources for you and even your doctor, and it has pictures that aren't too graphic to get an idea of the procedures being done. I actually enjoyed this very much.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solid, in-depth, well researched guide to chest binding, HRT, and gender affirming surgeries - the physical side of transitioning for FTM/transmasc people. I think we all end up just frantically googling for this information early on, totally wish I knew about this book sooner!

[kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

informative, helpful, straightforward. my only complaint i found it to be written with a smidge too much certainty/conclusiveness for a medical system/county that can be quite variable. and in a reality where medical treatments are ever-evolving

[Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely informative while being easy to read. Answered every question I had and I few I hadn't yet considered. Includes all the necessary info about hormones, surgeries, etc. while also taking the time to relate with, reassure, and support the reader.

Can't recommend enough!

[Heather Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very insightful read, detailed in personal experience and knowledge as well as informative in the lack of research for trans folks.

[Emily Cyr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really great gathering of good information. Reads more like a reference which it is so while everything was interesting not all parts applicable to me. Grateful for such an awesome resource!

[Art Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book, answered many of the logistical questions I had regarding T, top, and bottom surgery.

[V · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informative and affirming, laying out the variety of options for transitioning, how they work, tips that can help, including the author’s personal experiences and insights.

[Liza · Rating 5 out of 5]

9.5/10, very helpful

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

encouraging and inclusive guide to a lot of different steps you can take in physical transmasculine transition.

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5⭐️