GC2B - I almost died and had to cut myself out of it.

[KamTheMan]

Okay, maybe 'almost died' is a little dramatic. But it sure felt like it. I somehow managed to get my new binder on and immediately felt like my ribs were being crushed. I tried to get is off but couldn't even get it back over my chest again. I started to panic. I live alone most of the time and there was nobody around to help me. My girlfriend was an hour bus ride away and I couldn't drive with it on. After about a half hour of yanking and freaking out I went and got the kitchen scissors and cut the damn thing off. Now my $30 binder lays cut open on my bathroom floor.

[Nygeel]

That really stinks. I think there needs to be a better way to measure for sizing.

[Ms Grace]

That would have been a freaky experience! Shame you lost your binder but I'm glad you're OK.

[CursedFireDean]

I am ordering large from them because I'm so scared of this. I followed their charts then asked for advice bc im a weird size, and the one I got won't fit over my shoulders. Literally won't stretch enough to fit. That scares me. But it looks and feels comfortable if I can get the right size.

[Tysilio]

That would have been way scary, and it's too bad about the binder.

For future reference: with binders that don't stretch enough to clear one's shoulders, it's usually possible to get them on and off by stepping into them and pulling them up. To get it on, turn the binder inside out and hold it upside down, with the straps at the bottom and the front of the binder facing forward. Step into it and pull it up by the bottom until most of it is past your hips. Now reach down and pull it up by the straps so that it slides over itself and ends up right-side-out. Pull the bottom down to straighten things out, tuck yourself into it and pull the straps over your shoulders one by one (for me, this is the hardest part). Last, just arrange things however you want them so you're as comfortable as possible. To take it off, reverse the process. I find it's actually easier to get out of it than in, using this method.

I have pretty big hips (), but I've found that this works fine with binders that I can't possibly get in and out of over my head. The trick is that when the binder is sliding over itself, there's less friction than when you're pulling it directly over skin.

[CursedFireDean]

That would have been way scary, and it's too bad about the binder.

For future reference: with binders that don't stretch enough to clear one's shoulders, it's usually possible to get them on and off by stepping into them and pulling them up. To get it on, turn the binder inside out and hold it upside down, with the straps at the bottom and the front of the binder facing forward. Step into it and pull it up by the bottom until most of it is past your hips. Now reach down and pull it up by the straps so that it slides over itself and ends up right-side-out. Pull the bottom down to straighten things out, tuck yourself into it and pull the straps over your shoulders one by one (for me, this is the hardest part). Last, just arrange things however you want them so you're as comfortable as possible. To take it off, reverse the process. I find it's actually easier to get out of it than in, using this method.

I have pretty big hips (), but I've found that this works fine with binders that I can't possibly get in and out of over my head. The trick is that when the binder is sliding over itself, there's less friction than when you're pulling it directly over skin.

They way they are made, there is literally no more room to stretch without ripping it :/ The front panel is not elastic at all. Since my hips are larger than my shoulders, that wouldn't work at all sadly :C I did try.

[Athena]

Binders can be replaced, I'm just glad your ok

[Contravene]

I saw a YouTube video a while ago where a guy had to cut himself out of his GC2B binder so he wrote the company, I think, and they replaced it for him. I'm sure they can't do that for everyone but it might be worth trying to at least get your money back.

[AndrewB]

Definitely glad you're okay, I had a freaky experience with binders when I was first trying to find one. A friend of mine let me try on their old medium-sized one, which was way too small, and I almost got stuck in it in the women's bathroom at school. I'm just glad you're okay; a torn binder is a lot less expensive than bruised/cracked/otherwise-damaged ribs. Be careful next time! 

[King Malachite]

It sucks that you had to cut out of that binder, but I'm sure you can do something else with the material.....maybe cut them up into small rags or something.  On the plus side, at least you really won't have to worry about binders anymore after you get your top surgery! 

[JLT1]

I'm still trying to figure out how you got into it....You must have really been determined.  I shouldn't be surprised as that helps you feel more you until you can do something more permanent.   

I got stuck onetime while I was running plumbing under a cabin.  I needed to reach a shower drain pipe and glue a 90 PVC pipe in.  I had to exhale to make the last few inches.  I just forgot I needed to breath while I was doing it and there was no room... 

It was as serious for you as it was for me. 

One day, when your surgeries are done and you are you, you will have to decide to laugh at his or to be intimidated.  Take the laughter route.  It will make a good story if you tell it to the correct audience. 

Jennifer. 

[Maleth]

Binders can be replaced, I'm just glad your ok

This^. Sorry about your bad experience Maybe you could email the company and let them know about this?

[RomeoEcho]

Depending on how exactly you cut it, you may be able to rescue it. You'd need a sewing machine or someone with one that can help you, but you might be able to sew an extra piece of fabric between the two sides of the cut.

[KamTheMan]

Thank you everyone for the replies and support. I was pretty salty about the whole ordeal for a minute there and didn't really know what to say. But a few of you make a very good point, I am getting top surgery by the end of this summer so I'm going to focus on that and just deal with my old binders until then. Be very careful getting into these gc2b binders guys! I'm sure it's great if the size is right.