Binding at work. Help please.

[pianoforte]

I carry a backup binder that is slightly looser fitting, and change into it as needed. If you have to take a bathroom break (even if it's to change & ease discomfort) I'm pretty sure they have to let you. Someone can take over the headset for two minutes, surely.

If it's absolutely impossible to get away, maybe you could change into a larger binder on your lunch break? It would provably better accommodate having a full stomach, too.

[Ayden]

Man, if you have the right size then change brand or style. I wore mine for 10 hours a day and I worked with 15+ preschool kids all day. I had no trouble running around the park and wrestling with them and still being flat. Improper binding can really be damaging. You may think you'd prefer the pain now but it's not worth it. I know a guy who can't even bind now because of the pain.

[Tripdistrans]

I seriously need to find my gc2b..

[RaptorChops]

http://www.gc2b.co/

Bought my binders from here. $33 bucks and they are the best to flatten your chest (from my personal experience) They are also comfortable and they won't hurt your back and all that.

[Tripdistrans]

$33?! Man, I paid about $60 when I got mine. .

[AndrewB]

$33?! Man, I paid about $60 when I got mine. .

$60? Woah! Was it from that same site, just like, a long time ago? I just got two for $70 a little less than a month ago.

[Tripdistrans]

Its probably the whole living in Australia thing.

[AndrewB]

Well, hopefully you find yours or get another for a cheaper cost; would hate to see you get injured using whatever binder you're using (can't remember if you specified?). Good luck!

[Tripdistrans]

Underworks binders.

I've been intrigued by the cheapo ones on eBay, they're size adjustable which means hypothetically I could adjust it to be looser when it gets painful/too compressive ? I think?

[Elis]

Underworks binders.

I've been intrigued by the cheapo ones on eBay, they're size adjustable which means hypothetically I could adjust it to be looser when it gets painful/too compressive ? I think?

You mean the ones from Asia called lesbian binders? I heard they can be really painful to wear as they're not made from a stretchy material. I hope you find your gc2b binder.

[Tripdistrans]

You mean the ones from Asia called lesbian binders? I heard they can be really painful to wear as they're not made from a stretchy material. I hope you find your gc2b binder.

Yeah that's probably them, haha. At times I figure that they're cheap enough to order just for the sake of review/trial. I moved all of my clothes into my cupboard today (by moved, I mean shoved), and I still didn't see it. I've recently moved back into my parents' so my belongings are spread all over the place and I know it was in the wash at some stage, but I've not seen it since then. I sincerely hope the washing machine didn't eat it.

[Eiahn]

If you were wearing the next size up before you lost weight, it probably has stretched and lost some of its compressive capabilities.  Binders do get worn out:).

It is worth it for you to find what works best, because as stated by others, if you injure yourself, you won't be able to wear a binder at all until healed...

Hope things turns out good:) This whole binding thing is unfortunately a try this, try that adventure, until you find what works for you. 

[Tripdistrans]

My father has located my gc2b! That being said, I have no idea where he put it! :')

HOWEVER,

I had an 8 hour shift today, starting at 6am, and by 9am I was feeling compressed and achey (like period pains tbh) all around my mid back where the binder ends, as well as the sides and front of my ribcage at times, and I was having moderate to decapitating chest pains that occur ed on and off (more on than off) for the remainder of my entire shift. Came home, took my binder off for the four hours between McDonald's and Coles, and had no problem for my 3 hour Coles shift.

The chest pain isn't new, I had it a while back and left shift to go straight to the hospital. The doctor said she could find nothing wrong, and after a chest xray they still found nothing. It's really quite bad when it happens, and dad continues to insist I see a chiropractor, and that it MUST be a problem in my spine or something, however I really don't want to waste the funds I get for chiro from our health insurance until after surgery, because my posture really will never be good until then due to dysphoria (Does anyone else find attending chiropractors to be an overtly dysphoric experience?) and trying to hide my chest.

On a plus side, the 12 month waiting period for Hospital Cover ends on the 16th of June, so hopefully with some expressed urgency to my doctor at RCH (Dr. Michelle Telfer, who I shall once again say is absolutely lovely and highly recommended for any Australian underage people going to the RCH) she will be able to shove me in to see Andy Ives within the next three months to make sure I can get my surgery as soon as possible. That, however, is relying solely on her and Andy being able to work out a situation in which she can refer me to him herself. I'll email her within the next few days regarding the pains and new found urgency.

I wish I could just put the chest pains down to bad reflux, but I'm fairly sure it's not that, mainly because I've had reflux for many years (woo coeliac disease) and I know quite well how that feels.

I need to stop working so I don't need to be binding every day for so long, however, I need to work so I can save for surgery. Gotta love life.

[Tripdistrans]

If you were wearing the next size up before you lost weight, it probably has stretched and lost some of its compressive capabilities.  Binders do get worn out:).

It is worth it for you to find what works best, because as stated by others, if you injure yourself, you won't be able to wear a binder at all until healed...

Hope things turns out good:) This whole binding thing is unfortunately a try this, try that adventure, until you find what works for you. 

The binders I'm wearing at the moment have also been stretched out a fair bit from their original state, and I have worn these at a larger weight without issue. I have however been binding every day for about 4 years now, and have been in situations where I have (and yes, I know it's stupid and we're not meant to, bad Riley, slap on the hand) had to wear them overnight. I'm thinking my ribcage may finally just be giving up on me.

[Alexthecat]

Most chiropractors around here have like a 20$ consultation. They do xrays and tell you how you can get better. They don't charge for the first xrays. Look for a chiro that does practice like that so at least you will have an xray of your spine and neck.

[Tripdistrans]

I wish they were that cheap. General consultation here is at least $45, that's three hours of work straight up, and there is no point in even the thought of asking my parents to lend a hand with it. Dad got really angry because I refused to go with the family about six months ago, but he doesn't understand that because the Chiro they see is a family friend, she still gives me 'I know you're trans and still see you as a girl' vibes, and I hate that. I want to go and see a Chiro that thinks I'm cis, but he said if I do that I have to pay for it completely myself.

[Alexthecat]

Any chiro is going to notice the difference in bones or they are not a very good chiro. If your parents will pay for the family friend then go so you can get free care.

Binding plus computer use probably means your head and shoulders are too far forward. That is probably your problem because thats what mine was.

[Tripdistrans]

Alex, they are indeed too far forward. To add to that I actually lean backwards as well. I'm like a big question mark shape. Flat feet, rolled ankles, wonky, rotated hips, I'm surprised I'm still in one piece.

Dads offer has 'expired' and he will no longer pay for my Chiro. I get $500 anually from the health insurance that he failed to tell me about before last year ended, otherwise I would have used it all up in the last few months of 2014. That's what I'm holding out until after surgery to use, and I'll use it all within a couple of months so that the Chiro can get stuff well underway.