Does this method of binding work?

[perrystephens]

Okay I know ace bandages are bad but it's the only way I have access to right now. And I saw this thing on Pinterest that said: "If you're using an ace bandage, wrap it around your chest, over your shoulder and back around your chest (It keeps a lot of damage from happening.)" And so I have a couple of questions: First, how long would this work before it starts doing damage. Could I go through a school day (maybe taking it off in the restroom during lunch to breathe for a minute before putting it back)? Also do you wrap it once and then go over the shoulder and just keep repeating the process or do you wrap it more around the chest than the shoulders? Or is there a better way to bind without a binder?

[LordKAT]

waist supports from a local department store in the sporting goods section.

[captains]

waist supports from a local department store in the sporting goods section.

You can also get them at places like Walgreens or CVS. Pretty much anywhere you'd buy an ace bandage, actually.

[Jaded Jade]

Be careful with the binding, I have two FTM friends at work that have hurt themselves doing it.  One broke ribs... 

Find a safe way to do it, I'm sure someone here knows.  And ACE bandages isn't it.

I have no practical advice though, what works for my modest MTA chest bumps might not be enough for your purposes or clothing preferences.
(I use loose shirts, sometimes an unbuttoned button down shirt, sometimes a band bra to reduce pointiness, and being 6'1" with broad shoulders helps...)

A compression shirt from the men's section might help allot, it is what males with gynecomastia often use.   Everlast and underarmour make them.


-Jaded Jade

[Taka]

many who've used ace bandages have reported that they had difficulties getting top surgery because of inflammations caused by bad binding. you can also easily get to a point where even safe binders will hurt like hell, and thus have to stop binding at all.

if you want better advice on how to bind safely without having access to actual binders, try looking in the ftm section, more specifically the "ftm gear" subsection.
the guys there are much more knowledgeable than what is common around here.

[lorax]

I have two suggestions:

If you do it right, tape is probably the healthiest DIY binding technique. The trick is to use paper tape, like painter's tape, first and then go over it with duct tape. This ensures that your skin won't rip from being pulled off.

Also, don't just wrap it around your chest, put a vertical strip on each nipple and then use longer strips crossing over that strip and pulling back and up, and anchor it to your shoulder blade. This technique doesn't compress your chest, and if you use painter's tape beforehand there is minimal risk of ripping your skin. You can also use this method if you want to show more chest, like unbuttoning your shirt if it gets hot, because your boobs are flattened to the sides and not the front. Drawbacks are that it can get itchy and takes a long time to do, and if you have an allergy or have sensitive skin it can cause a rash.

Another way I've found to be very helpful is by taking control-top tights or compression shorts, cutting the crotch out of the middle, and cutting the legs off and wearing it like a sports bra. You may need to trim it a little to fit properly, and the shoulder straps can sometimes dig in to your shoulders, so you may need to put some padding (i.e. a small sock) between it and your shoulders. Also, the armpit area is a place that is easily chafed. When cutting the crotch, make sure to leave one edge of the stitching attatched and one separated, to ensure that it will be sturdy enough but you can also fit your head in.

Also, as with any binding technique, make sure you listen to your body. If you start to get chest or back pains, or find it hard to breathe, or get lightheaded or dizzy, TAKE IT OFF. There can be serious complications involving heart attacks, strokes, paralysis, pneumonia, broken ribs, etc. if you don't listen to your body. Don't bind when you go to bed, either, because you won't be able to get out of your binding in time to have yourself.

Hope that helps! <|:)