Question about binding

[Guest Toby B]

Hello!

Its been ages since I've posted in here (college-- kinda eats up all of my freetime). But I had a question because I've recently come into some money and had something to ask about binding if anyone could help? It would be much appreciated.

I bought my first binder last year. It was an Underworks pullover one, but I can't remember the exact brand because I haven't worn it in months. And the reason for that is whenever I wore it, I would get dizzy and light headed and have breathing problems and severe rib pain if I left it on for more than thirty minutes. And now it doesn't fit me anymore because I've grown since then so I should probably get a new one anyway but...

My question is, is that normal? Am I supposed to feel like that and this is just the shock of feeling something incredibly new? Because if I am, I'll write it off and try to withstand it a bit more and maybe try to grow accustomed to the feeling, but it felt unbearably uncomfortable to the point that my boyfriend was afraid I would pass out.

And if its not supposed to feel like that, do you have any advice of what to do? I'm cautious about buying another one and going in blind. I'm not out officially and have no one in the area to talk to about this. My friends who I'm out to are supportive and my younger sister even helped me measure my chest when buying my binder last year. But I'd really love to talk to someone who has experience with binding and who could help me determine if I was just being a wimp or if that was really not supposed to happen. I'd love to get another binder again because even though it made me feel woozy, I loved how it looked.

Thank you,

Toby.

[Guest lukas64]

It shouldn't be causing any sort of real pain like that at all. If in doubt get the larger size if you're in between. Don't go smaller, it hurts a lot and it really isn't that effective usually. I have a large chest and bind for 10-14 hours a day often (recommended is seriously 8) and at most it's uncomfortable, especially when exercising. I had some rib pain after binding for 2 years and my doctor recommended I get a full length binder after doing some ultrasounds. That way, the binder doesn't end on the ribs, so there's less pressure there. The downside is it also binds your stomach which can be pretty uncomfortable (for me: 20 km bike rides in the full length are impossible, although it's fine with the tritop and eating a lot makes me feel nauseous in the full length one). The first time putting it on though it was pretty tight for me too though, but they stretch out pretty quickly. Maybe stretch the binder over a chair (another thing recommended by my doc - especially the bottom of it) or buy it used, that way it doesn't have that initial claustrophobic feel to it? Just some ideas... but I really want to reiterate that it shouldn't be too tight because it doesn't look natural often and it's unhealthy. Also, start slowly, your body needs to get used to it as well.

I hope that helped some... good luck

[Guest Toby B]

Thank you for your help! I gotta see if I can refind it, because its somewhere in the depths of my closet which is always an experience to get into. The stretching it over a chair is a really good idea and if I can find it I'll definitely try. I wasn't sure if I got the wrong size or my body can't handle it or maybe I'm just not good with pullovers? I was thinking about maybe trying out a velcro one, cause I've heard its not as intense as a pullover. Though, that could just be rumors.

Hopefully I'll be able to find one that I can wear for more than an hour!

[JJ]

Toby if you haven't already please read this thread. It sounds like you are binding too tightly. Which makes us less rather than more male looking because over binding compresses the chest and leaves a smaller area for the tissue so you actually have a funny shape while looking and moving like you are uncomfortable which draws attention in ways you don't want. It also leads to the weird and all too common uniboob which no guy ever had naturally. The medical dangers are real and I have read many threads here from guys who had serious damage. Including visits to the ER and never being able to bind again

http://www.lauras-playground.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=10254&page=6

My biggest issue is chest dysphoria. I work out and have pecs-which don't compress because they are muscle and not fat and it drives me crazy. I have to keep reminding myself that one of the things men are doing frequently now is getting silicone chest injections to look like they have the pecs that are bothering me. I keep reminding myself that this focus and worry about my chest is not a natural male reaction but something I focus on because my chest is a symbol to me of what I hate about my body and want to change. That doesn't make it a reality that it in reality a minor and not the central issue.

Somehow we focus on the least important part - maybe because we feel more able to take direct action about it-our chests, and feel if we just bind flat we look male. Look around carefully. There are plenty of flat girls and men who are well endowed. Have you ever in your life heard someone say "That person has a flat chest so he must be a man?" I haven't. They listen to the voice and watch how they move and express themselves. Over binding can actually interfere with being seen as male -especially with the latter two because you can not move like a man all restricted and will be concentrating on that tight chest instead of male posture and expression. But it also can keep you from breathing deeply enough to get the timber and resonance of a male voice.

Johnny

[Guest Toby B]

Yeah, the health problems should have been a major red flag for me-- I thought I had bought in my size (I didn't learn until a couple of weeks later that underworks tends to size down so going one size up would have been better-- I guess I should've looked into it a bit longer before buying) and didn't understand why it was making me feel like that. Buuuuut I was stubborn and determined to get past it and it lead to some very frustrating and uncomfortable situations. I think I stopped wearing that binder um... in september, I believe. So its been quite some time since I've worn any kind of binder aside from like a sports bra or something.

I've been working on the mannerism/voice and I do find its much easier to accomplish without that distracting feeling of pain.

Thank you for sharing and for the help! I definitely don't want to end up with permanant health problems because I binded incorrectly.

[Guest Alexthecat]

Even if it is a "pullover" you should step into it so you don't dislocate an arm.

[Guest Zayden]

My experience with underworks full length is that I get nauseous after eating and have stomach issues when I wear it for long periods of time (6-8 hours). I also find I get much more quickly out of breath but my stamina is not the best anyway.