Binding at work. Help please.

[Tripdistrans]

I work usually between 6 and 8 hours. I've got 7.5 today, I've been here for six hours, and my binder is starting to hurt my chest. I'm short of breath and really light headed, but I've got two hours left and can't take it off..

Any tips would be appreciated.

[palexander]

are you able to go to the bathroom and take it off for a few minutes? you could say that you didn't feel well/needed to poo.

[Tripdistrans]

Unfortunately no. I'm taking orders in drive through,.

[AeroZeppelin92]

Sounds like you need to get a larger size to be honest. And  if you're in pain, short of breath and light headed... Take it off!! Seriously! There are no other solutions. Take a bathroom break and take it off. 2 hours of not binding is a lot better than several days or weeks if you injure yourself.

[Tripdistrans]

The size is fine, its just that I have to wear it for so long.

I'd honestly rather work injured than with without a binder on, as bad as that sounds..

Is it safe to say we're nil point in terms of finding a way to ease compression pain?

[AeroZeppelin92]

It should not be causing you pain after only 6-7 hours. There is no other way to ease the pain than to take it off.

[Tripdistrans]

Binders just gotta suck bad don't they

[palexander]

try ordering a gc2b binder, if you can? most people say they're really comfortable.

[Tripdistrans]

I've actually got one, funnily enough, They are really comfortable, I've never work it to work however, perhaps.I should and see if it's better.

[AndrewB]

I bind around 15 hours a day, give or take, during the week and have absolutely no breathing problems, have never felt light-headed, and have never felt that my body was in danger due to binding. The most I've ever experienced is a little upper back soreness near the end of the day, which I totally expect after 15 hours or so. If you're feeling this horribly after 6 hours, listen to Aero (and now myself) when we say to get a bigger size, because clearly the one you're wearing is too small. Trust me, giving yourself a serious injury and not being able to wear your binder for weeks or months is a lot worse than having a little more chest -- even cis guys aren't completely flat, despite what your dysphoria might be telling you. I'm by no means a small guy and my gc2b binder, sized correctly, has never endangered my health.

[Tripdistrans]

Its not too small. Its a medium, and I've got a large, and the large is now more like an uncomfortable tank top than a binder, practically useless.

McDonald's is actually a pretty stressful job, especially in Australian summer, when our owner forces us to short staff, so I am actually doing pretty strenuous work.

The other thing is my really bad posture, but I won't be fixing that until after surgery..

I'll wear my gc2b tomorrow, hopefully that will be okay.

[adrian]

I personally think a binder can be the right size and still give us difficulty breathing etc. It depends on our individual posture/build, the kind of work we do, how stressed we are (I have experienced difficulty breathing in stressful phases and had to take the binder off). The cut probably makes a big difference, so I'd also suggest you try how the other brand works.

[FTMax]

I'm going to agree with all the wrong size comments.

I'm actually between sizes in Underworks products. I have 1 medium full-length and 2 larges (full length & tri-top). The only time I have ever experienced any shortness of breath was an extended period of time (upwards of 10, probably closer to 12 hours) wearing the medium. I don't have issues at all wearing the larges, and the tri-top is excellent for the more active days at work. Even on long days with the two large styles, I don't experience any pain or discomfort.

Hopefully the different style works better for you. If it doesn't, I would strongly suggest going up a size.

[Tripdistrans]

As I've said, I've got the next size up, I was wearing it before I lost weight, and its too big to the point that it doesn't even bind properly.

I usually wear a tri-top, but yesterday I wore a full length.

[AndrewB]

That doesn't necessarily rule out what ftmax suggested, which is that you're between sizes, as he was. Which, even if you are, I still wouldn't recommend wearing the smaller size if it's causing you breathing pains and other symptoms that are never usually good to experience. I recommend trying a different brand (such as the gc2b one you have), correctly sized according to their specs, and see if it's any better.

[FTMax]

As I've said, I've got the next size up, I was wearing it before I lost weight, and its too big to the point that it doesn't even bind properly.

I usually wear a tri-top, but yesterday I wore a full length.

You could also consider wearing the larger binder with an additional layer. I like to wear a tanktop between my binder and my top layer of clothing. When tucked in, it enhances the compression and gives a better overall shape. It doesn't make me any warmer.

I know you want to be as flat as possible, but personally I'll take being less flat over passing out from lightheadedness and having to deal with all that comes from that.

[Tripdistrans]

I'll check my measurements and double check the size when I get home tonight. I was going to wear my gc2b today but couldn't find it, which sucks.

Ill try out wearing a layer under it when it's not 35C ( 95F), but I honestly hadn't even thought about that.

See, I'm one of those skewed people that would rather pass out if I can't find any other alternative.

[FTMax]

I've done the looser binder/tanktop/shirt in all kinds of weather, so you should be okay Not comfortable, but you'll live.

It'd be miserable to pass out at work. Everyone would make a huge deal out of it, someone would probably call the paramedics, you'd have to file workers compensation papers, etc. And hopefully you wouldn't hit your head or fall on anything that could really hurt you.

It's going to suck no matter how you decide to approach it, but personally, I'd rather be the sweaty dude wearing 3 shirts than the dude with boobs who passed out.

[Tysilio]

I'm one of those skewed people that would rather pass out if I can't find any other alternative.

Passing out is just one of the risks of binding too tight and/or for too long at a stretch. Doing so can also:

• Distort the alignment of your spinal column
• Cause broken ribs, or dislocate them from your sternum
• Cause fluid buildup in your lungs
• Put you at risk for pneumonia

We're talking life-long health problems here -- it's seriously not worth it. No level of dysphoria merits putting your long-term health in jeopardy.

[Elis]

Definitely wear your gc2b binder, I wear it all day and never have any problems.