Binding for large breasts

[Victor]

OK, I have found this problem in the past and have yet to find a solution. I'm a 36DDD, Cup size may be a bit larger now because things are getting tighter right there but still, these things are a, literally, big problem. I've tried the sports bra thing, it doesn't work, tried ace bandages and that just failed, tried both together, no good, and honestly I'm a bit concerned about if a binder would work for me and if so which ones would. I'm mostly worried because, well, I don't have a lot of lower body fat to help mask the lump on my chest since I don't really have a lot of extra weight on me. Does anyone know what binders may actually work to flatten these twin monstrosities to something that'll be acceptable and still allow me to breath? Because loose fit shirts and overcoats can, sadly, only do so much to hide these things. Open to suggestions and possible techniques to help at least get them less noticeable.

[Elijah3291]

I would try the underworks tri top, and I would suggest you invest in tons of button down shirts, those work well to hide the chest because they dont cling, they hang

[Victor]

Didn't know button down shirts would help, I'll have to try that out. I'll look into the tri top one, see what opinions are on it so I can get a better idea the results, thanks for mentioning that one.

[LilDoberman]

I'm a bit smaller than you, 34DD but still up there.  I have the double , 997 from underworks in a medium which is a bit big for me, so would probably fit you well.  I cut the bottom off mine so I could breathe, but it's fine now.  The tritop would give you a little more support, though.  The 997 doesn't get me flat, flat but it's enough  that with the right shirt, you'd really have to stare to figure it out.  You'll won't be able to get away with just a binder and a tshirt over it (just my experience) but with layers it's fine.

[Victor]

Nice to hear from another who's large chested, so the underworks ones are the best of them from what I'm gathering, I mean, have any other types worked effectively or just the underworks ones?

[Nygeel]

I'm about a 38 F and had problems with the tri-top. My main issue is that my chest is "saggy" and large so it tends to poke out from the bottom of the binder. I prefer the 997. It doesn't bind as tight as the tri-top but I feel it's more secure and if I'm standing up it smooths out the gap between my chest and stomach.

I have comparison pictures that I can send to you via PM if you'd like.

[LilDoberman]

Nygeel, can I ask how tall you are?  One of the things holding me back from trying the tritop is that I'm worried it'll be too long (I'm only 5'4ish).  I hadn't even considered it being too short.  If you could measure it, that would be even better but I know it's a pain. 

Victor,
I'm going to try a loveboat for my next binder; I'm hoping to find something more comfortable for summer.  The underworks definately works, but I have to wear a shirt under it and I just can't layer so much in the summer.  I won't be getting one until after Christmas though, so I can't help you with effectiveness yet. 

[Nygeel]

I'm around 5 foot 2/5 foot 3.

[Victor]

Nygeel: If you're willing to send comparison photos that would be appreciated, only if you are alright with doing so. I forgot that the saggyness could be an issue but that is a very good point and one I'll likely need to take into consideration cause, well, umm, they ain't exactly perky on this end either. The smoothing out of the gap at the chest/abdominal bend would prolly be a really good thing come to think of it, to avoid the distinction from chest to abdomen. Hmm, though the height issue is one that I may need take into account, I'm 6'1" so the possibility of one being short for me is there :/

LilDoberman: Layering in the summer is gonna be a worry here too, I'm in the south so, yea, 120 degrees in the shade, that's gonna be fun with multiple layers, but, gotta do what I gotta do ya know.

[LilDoberman]

If you're that tall I would try a 997.  It'll be a little cooler and definately plenty long.  You can cut them off at the bottom to expose a little skin which does definately help but yeah, 120 is hot.  I'm in New England and it doesn't get *that* hot up here, I don't have AC so when it's 86 outside, it's 86 in too.

Oh, and if you want to donate a few of your inches, I would take 3 in a heartbeat!   You're very lucky.

[Alexmakenoise]

I'm a 36D and struggling with the same thing.  The Underworks 997 in medium is comfortable, but doesn't get me as flat as I'd like.  I need to get some new button down shirts, and a sports bra to wear under the binder, and I might try the tri top to see if it gets me flatter.

[ilanthefirst]

I'm another DD-sized guy without enough body fat to make a poor binding job look like natural man-boobs.  I've done well with the Underworks Tri-top and 988, but I have the opposite of nygeel's problem in that even when I try to push the extra flesh down and out to get me flatter, it just migrates right back up to front and center, so I can't say if it'll work for you; it may help to wear a sports bra underneath to keep everything positioned where you like before adding compression. 

But if you're looking at Love Boat, too, this is the binder I'm likely to get from them: http://www.lesloveboat.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=77_66&products_id=236.  I certainly like the idea of using something designed for FTMs rather than just plain ol' gynecomastia, because when there's a >4" difference between the relevant chest measurements, the differences in design should be significant.  According to its reviews, it should be good for hot weather because the back is just mesh and it's shorter to begin with, and I like the idea of a velcro binder because I could adjust the compression based on how much I can stand and how tight my shirt is.

[LilDoberman]

I just ordered the high strength short v-neck binder http://www.lesloveboat.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=78_80&products_id=98  and should have it by mid January.  I have some old pics of me in a medium 997 and I'll get pics in this one as well and do a good review.   It's so hard being big-chested; I think we're all sooooo afraid to throw money down the drain but hey, someone has to, right?   Cross your fingers guys, and I'll let you know how it is. 

[Victor]

A review would be great, thus far I'm leaning towards the 997, it's long enough to not roll up on me which, considering my body type, is a big concern, thank goodness for the old 'tuck it un and wear a good belt' route to help there as well.

[LilDoberman]

Here you go Victor, this might help.   Mind you, the medium is a little big on me, but here I am (5'4.5, 140 lbs or so 34DD) in a 997 from underworks.  I've taken about an inch out of it and it makes a HUGE difference, but since you're a little bigger than I am this might be fairly close to your results.
Like I said, I can't just wear a t-shirt over it but in a sweatshirt or button down it's fine. 



Here's me in the adjusted 997 (over a tshirt) and just a t-shirt over. Not bad, if I do say so myself

[Victor]

Not bad at all, the second looks as flat as one would expect for such size, a slight alteration certainly did make a good bit of difference there!

[Darrin Scott]

I bought the 988 back in October. I got the large and it makes me look like I have one large lump. Weird...would this be because it's too small? I'm about a 40DDD. I'm looking to get the XL. Would that help?

Sorry if I'm hijacking the thread.

[LilDoberman]

I bought the 988 back in October. I got the large and it makes me look like I have one large lump. Weird...would this be because it's too small? I'm about a 40DDD. I'm looking to get the XL. Would that help?

Sorry if I'm hijacking the thread.

Not hijacking in my opinion; the more the merrier.  I had the huge lump with my unmodified 997 (was too big) but I think it's just the mass that there is to compress lol.  Now that it's tighter I actually have less um, lump since it's more compressed but it's still nowhere near pec sized.  I'm hoping the loveboat binder may be a bit better since it's specifically for ftms, we shall see.  If the binder isn't uncomfortably tight, I wouldn't personally size up since you're just going to lose compression.  Good luck!

[Victor]

Nah, ya not hijacking Fumbling, specially considering ya question is quite in line with the original.

[Darrin Scott]

Cool.

Ok, I put on my binder tonight to see if I can "rearrange" some things..all to no avail. I'm too big! I currently have the 988 underworks binder in a large (which I think I stated) and my boobs don't even fit. They stick out. Not just a little underarm fat...the actual boob sticks out. Way out and the only way to get them to stay in is  to push them in and down. Which creates the uniboob. Yuck. So, I think going smaller would magnify the issue, not solve it. I think I'll try a tri-top XL next...any thoughts?

Hope my post can help bigger people too.