Just a rant about binders!

[JaredLeBlanc]

Guys, i just needed to rant about this, i am so disappointed and sad at the moment...  I hate binders so much!

I bought 2 binders from FTM Underworks and they were too small for me. I only got them this morning. I really have no idea why they were too small because i'd measured myself a lot of times just to make sure and the measurements were 100% correct. So i got the medium size because that's what i had always been. But when i received the package this morning and tried the binders on they were so small and so tight i couldn't breathe at all! There was no way i could ever wear them!

Of course i could exchange them for a larger size but i didn't do that. Even though i only got them this morning i went to the post office and sent them back to the company asking for a refund. It's very bad because this way i will lose a lot of money - i will not get a refund for the postage and also, i had to pay again for sending them back to the company. The company insisted on using FedEx as a delivery service and it was insanely expensive. I could never imagine that sending 2 lightweight binders could cost $50!!!

I didn't want to take a risk again and exchange the binders for a larger size because what if they were too small again? Or what if they were too big? And if something was wrong again i would have to send them back again and pay even more. Plus, since i am prone to panic attacks i am afraid that i will start having panic attacks again  just because binders are so ->-bleeped-<-ing tight. Even in a larger size they are still supposed to be tight.

So, i am very disappointed and sad at the moment.   It's not even about the money and it's not about the binders. I am very sad because i am a FTM and i need things like binders to make me feel normal. OMG, how i wish i was normal and didn't need things like that!!! I really want to be like the majority of people. Normal men don't wear binders. Normal women don't want binders. And i am somewhere in the middle of genders.

What do you think about this, guys? What is your opinion on binding? Have you ever felt bad because of it? Are you planning to get your top surgery asap? For me, this is like the only option. I really want to have it done asap. There is no other way for me. Yes, it's expensive and it's not so easy at all. But it's better than having to bind all the time. Plus, you can't bind 24/7. It's not a permanent solution anyway. What do you guys think?

[Alice Rogers]

MtF lurking here, I have a FtM who does all his binding with stretchy bandages, he swears by it, the result is every bit as good as the binder he used to wear.

My 2 pence worth

[JaredLeBlanc]

alex rogers

I have tried using bandages and stuff but it makes it impossible for me to breathe. Probably it depends on the person because i have heard about other guys who are ok with binding this way.

[wheat thins are delicious]

MtF lurking here, I have a FtM who does all his binding with stretchy bandages, he swears by it, the result is every bit as good as the binder he used to wear.

My 2 pence worth

Bandages should not be used to bind with. 

[JaredLeBlanc]

Bandages should not be used to bind with.

That's what i thought too.

[Jack_M]

MtF lurking here, I have a FtM who does all his binding with stretchy bandages, he swears by it, the result is every bit as good as the binder he used to wear.

My 2 pence worth

This is great advice...if you want to crack your ribs and risk death!

Whatever you do, do NOT use stretch bandages. They're a disaster waiting to happen.

When you say you've always been a medium is this your first binder from Underworks or have you always been a medium in Underworks binders specifically? I ask because the size of binder I use is different from the majority of clothes I wear. The sizing guidelines on there are pretty much always good, so if you measured properly, it seems very odd that it's not the correct size.

Have you been binding with an actual binder before or is this your first binder? It's hard to tell from your post. First thing is first: they are tight and uncomfortable and the first time you put one on it can be a bit of a shock. I remember my first one thinking it had to be too small, surely. But it was the right size, I just wasn't used to the tight feeling. Now I know what to expect. You don't get used to binders straight away, it does take time. They're never easy putting on but, if you actually manage to physically get it on, it's probably a good size. If it's actually too small, you'll never get it on. And if it's too big, it's too easy to get on. To put it in perspective, I have to give myself an extra 15 mins in the morning to get my binder on because I dislocated my thumb recently and have to struggle one handed. And that's a fit that's actually becoming a little too loose! So yeah, they're a pest but you do get used to them.

If you can afford top surgery straight away, then you have that option. If you can't then try getting something and wear it on a day you're doing and going nowhere until you get used to it. However, if you are prone to panic attacks, you might be better off getting one that zips up or something as having a zip that's easy to release would be good over you (or someone else) having to find something to use to cut you out!

[Alice Rogers]

This is great advice...if you want to crack your ribs and risk death!

Whatever you do, do NOT use stretch bandages. They're a disaster waiting to happen.

When you say you've always been a medium is this your first binder from Underworks or have you always been a medium in Underworks binders specifically? I ask because the size of binder I use is different from the majority of clothes I wear. The sizing guidelines on there are pretty much always good, so if you measured properly, it seems very odd that it's not the correct size.

Have you been binding with an actual binder before or is this your first binder? It's hard to tell from your post. First thing is first: they are tight and uncomfortable and the first time you put one on it can be a bit of a shock. I remember my first one thinking it had to be too small, surely. But it was the right size, I just wasn't used to the tight feeling. Now I know what to expect. You don't get used to binders straight away, it does take time. They're never easy putting on but, if you actually manage to physically get it on, it's probably a good size. If it's actually too small, you'll never get it on. And if it's too big, it's too easy to get on. To put it in perspective, I have to give myself an extra 15 mins in the morning to get my binder on because I dislocated my thumb recently and have to struggle one handed. And that's a fit that's actually becoming a little too loose! So yeah, they're a pest but you do get used to them.

If you can afford top surgery straight away, then you have that option. If you can't then try getting something and wear it on a day you're doing and going nowhere until you get used to it. However, if you are prone to panic attacks, you might be better off getting one that zips up or something as having a zip that's easy to release would be good over you (or someone else) having to find something to use to cut you out!
[/quot

This is great advice...if you want to crack your ribs and risk death!

Whatever you do, do NOT use stretch bandages. They're a disaster waiting to happen.

When you say you've always been a medium is this your first binder from Underworks or have you always been a medium in Underworks binders specifically? I ask because the size of binder I use is different from the majority of clothes I wear. The sizing guidelines on there are pretty much always good, so if you measured properly, it seems very odd that it's not the correct size.

Have you been binding with an actual binder before or is this your first binder? It's hard to tell from your post. First thing is first: they are tight and uncomfortable and the first time you put one on it can be a bit of a shock. I remember my first one thinking it had to be too small, surely. But it was the right size, I just wasn't used to the tight feeling. Now I know what to expect. You don't get used to binders straight away, it does take time. They're never easy putting on but, if you actually manage to physically get it on, it's probably a good size. If it's actually too small, you'll never get it on. And if it's too big, it's too easy to get on. To put it in perspective, I have to give myself an extra 15 mins in the morning to get my binder on because I dislocated my thumb recently and have to struggle one handed. And that's a fit that's actually becoming a little too loose! So yeah, they're a pest but you do get used to them.

If you can afford top surgery straight away, then you have that option. If you can't then try getting something and wear it on a day you're doing and going nowhere until you get used to it. However, if you are prone to panic attacks, you might be better off getting one that zips up or something as having a zip that's easy to release would be good over you (or someone else) having to find something to use to cut you out!

Set my friend straight, thanks for the warning!

[Squirrel698]

I agree with Jack.  You should give the binders another shot.  The first time you were one, it's so tight you can't even believe it.  It took me about 20 minutes to get it on when I first received mine and twice that to get the damn thing off.  You get use to it, however, and learn all the tricks.  $50 for two binders is on the cheaper side of things I believe.

As an aside I hate Underworks.  Love Boat make high quality binders, that work with velcro.  So you don't need to help them up over your head or step into them.  So obviously it's much simpler.  Of course, they do cost a lot more and are from Korea I believe.   

[JaredLeBlanc]

$50 for two binders is on the cheaper side of things I believe.

I paid $50 for shipping only. I paid $65 for the binders themselves.

[JaredLeBlanc]

This is great advice...if you want to crack your ribs and risk death!

Whatever you do, do NOT use stretch bandages. They're a disaster waiting to happen.

When you say you've always been a medium is this your first binder from Underworks or have you always been a medium in Underworks binders specifically? I ask because the size of binder I use is different from the majority of clothes I wear. The sizing guidelines on there are pretty much always good, so if you measured properly, it seems very odd that it's not the correct size.

Have you been binding with an actual binder before or is this your first binder? It's hard to tell from your post. First thing is first: they are tight and uncomfortable and the first time you put one on it can be a bit of a shock. I remember my first one thinking it had to be too small, surely. But it was the right size, I just wasn't used to the tight feeling. Now I know what to expect. You don't get used to binders straight away, it does take time. They're never easy putting on but, if you actually manage to physically get it on, it's probably a good size. If it's actually too small, you'll never get it on. And if it's too big, it's too easy to get on. To put it in perspective, I have to give myself an extra 15 mins in the morning to get my binder on because I dislocated my thumb recently and have to struggle one handed. And that's a fit that's actually becoming a little too loose! So yeah, they're a pest but you do get used to them.

If you can afford top surgery straight away, then you have that option. If you can't then try getting something and wear it on a day you're doing and going nowhere until you get used to it. However, if you are prone to panic attacks, you might be better off getting one that zips up or something as having a zip that's easy to release would be good over you (or someone else) having to find something to use to cut you out!

Hey Jack, thanks so much for your advice. I really appreciate it.

Yep, i had measured myself a lot of times before placing my order on Underworks because i didn't want to make a mistake. I was 100% sure about my size. But when the binders arrived there was no way i could ever wear them because it was absolutely impossible to breathe. Like no way at all! They were super tight. It was kind of a torture to wear them.

Well i wish i could afford a top surgery right now but i just can't do that right away. But anyway, i guess i will try getting something cheaper at the moment, i will maybe buy some cheap binders. So hopefully it's gonna be ok.