possible trigger. How safe are swimming binders for MtoF people?

[Dee Marshall]

I'm not ready for a lot of reasons to transition fully this summer. However, my girls are too big for me to get away with topless in a public swimming situation. I was going to ask this in a thread  on the FtoM forum, but I was afraid I might trigger someone.

How safe and/or painful would it be to use a swimming binder with growing breasts? Glad to hear from anyone on the spectrum who has any info at all.

[Ian68]

You should re-post this is the guys forum.  To my knowledge, I'm the only guy who frequents the womens threads  , and I have never bound (and will have top surgery without having done so).  My gut feeling is that it would be OK for a couple of times, but over time, binders break down the collagen, and cause drooping and skin damage - they're not recommended for kids either for this reason.  Still, if you just mean to swim a few times this summer, you're probably OK.

I definitely recommend re-posting in the binding forum where someone with experience can respond.  I'm just the neighborhood pitbull so, I'm pretty useless in this area. XD. Best of luck!

[Mariah]

If your trying for a lager audience I would recommend the transsexual forum outright instead of picking the MtF or FtM forums directly. I can move it there if you like.
Mariah

[adrian]

Hello there

I think you need to be as careful about binding as any of us afab folks. Don't go too tight so you can breathe :-). I assume if you're still getting some growth you're a bit more sensitive than an afab person post-puberty, so that may also be a reason no to go too tight.

[FTMax]

My advice would be to:

(1) Buy a size larger than you need
(2) Limit your time wearing it (both hourly and over time generally)
(3) Put some kind of barrier between it and your nipples, as those are probably more sensitive than the rest

I've never personally worn the swimming specific binder, but AndrewB posted a review earlier that makes is seem as though they are just as effective as the normal ones. I think to prevent tissue breakdown, the best thing you could do is get a size larger. I think you'd still need to be very on top of how long you're wearing it in order to not cause any lasting damage.

Another option - google 'modest swimwear'. My family are very devout Christians and don't like to show much skin. They get what are essentially knee length body suits that come up to a t-shirt top. They kind of look like wetsuits, but there is usually a top layer that's more fabric-y to hide the chest and ladybits. Many of them come in neutral coloring, and I'm sure you could make some modifications to it.

[Dee Marshall]

If your trying for a lager audience I would recommend the transsexual forum outright instead of picking the MtF or FtM forums directly. I can move it there if you like.
Mariah

I suppose that would be best. I was really concerned about triggering someone.

[Dee Marshall]

Everyone is telling me what I had basically already concluded. I saw the swimming binder thread and thought about posting there, but feared triggering someone. Short term I can use a loose wickaway shirt. I'm 8 months on HRT with lots of growth to come. By October when I cruise to the Western Caribbean I'll likely have to bite the bullet and go full time. That will be 13 months. Sweetie wants me on the cruise so she'll just have to deal. Need to change my driver's license and passport before then. Thank goodness I'm keeping my name.