pleurisy - I hurt my lungs by binding too hard...

[kyril]

Well, I've been binding on and off since I was 12, and I can say authoritatively that mine are less dense than they were when they were growing. Much less dense.

As far as flatness...I can't find any look that makes me happy for more than a day or so. I'd be perfectly happy to look like I have pecs (rather than being completely flat, or having moobs) but there is *nothing* I can do that will make my chest be flat at the sternum, which all guys' chests are. So binding too tightly doesn't really appeal to me because all it does is make the uniboob a little smaller.

I did just order an XS double front though (down from the Small, which I went to after the Medium didn't fit me despite my measurements). So maybe the ultra-flat-chest obsession is sucking me in. But mostly I'm just hoping the arm holes are smaller. If not, maybe I'll alter it so they are...the armpit fat is the worst, but I can't wear the T-shirt style binders in summer because the spandex layer is way too hot.

[zombiesarepeaceful]

Zombie: have you noticed any change in your "denseness" since being on T? I'm really hoping for that side effect, but I don't know how common it is...?

Not much. I mean, the tumors have shrunk a bit. They mostly lost denseness by binding pre-T for nearly 3 years. My issue is the muscle growth. My pecs have grown, so they seem to stick out more when I bind and that's primarily the issue that's bothering me right now. Cause before, one tri top made me as flat as I wanted. Now I'm wearing two of them...and it's still not flat enough to me. Guess I have to quit obsessing. But that's easier said than done.
Post Merge: June 30, 2010, 10:22:57 AM
Oh, and the lack of flatness in the sternum is the MAIN thing that bothers me...cause i'd be flat enough to me if it weren't for that.

[GamerJames]

But that's easier said than done.

^This^

[zombiesarepeaceful]

Update...the increased muscle in my pecs seems to be not as much of an issue...hopefully...cause now the fat in my chest is shrinking. So maybe it'll all level out to a bearable balance of muscle and fat until I can get surgery. My fat pattern is changing alot lately. I've gone from a 30 waist to a 32-36 waist pants, back to a 32. Lol. The same has probably happened to my chest.

[zombiesarepeaceful]

Another note:

I just was talking to another trans guy on the issue of heart palpitations. His were from binding too hard. I've been having this issue since starting T but it could also be from binding. So beware.

[insanitylives]

Another note:

I just was talking to another trans guy on the issue of heart palpitations. His were from binding too hard. I've been having this issue since starting T but it could also be from binding. So beware.

Well.. that explains a lot then. =\

[Raven]

thaxs for the warning get better soon

[xAndrewx]

Thanks for the warning... that could explain why I've never had heart palpitations in the past. I think now that I've gained weight I'm not wearing tight shirts and noticing it as much. Once I loose the weight I'll be back to the obsessing. Who knew gaining weight could be a good thing 

[Jennypenny]

OUCH! You have my sympathy. I've had plaurisy a few times, but it was brought on by bronchitis and ashma + having an inflammatory autoimmune disease. I bound when I was first getting boobs; 13-15, but got over some of my shame, but always wore sports bras until I was older. I identify more as Androgyn, but am probably more male in my brain/heart than female. It upsets me that I can't wear tight sports bras or anything like that now, not even a minimizer bra. I have D cups. Ugh. I've developed costochondritis, which is inflammation in the ligaments and tissue between the ribs, due to the autoimmune disease.  It hurts. Regular bras hurt if they're not loose enough. I wear camis with a tank bra, but of course, that does very little for support and no compression. It's just not an option for me to compress at all.

Please be careful not to hurt yourselves. For those with chaffing issues, I have psoriasis in some not so nice areas(thanks the to autoimmune stuff again) and I found a product they sell in the South(my dad lives in Alabama). It's called "Monkey Butt Powder"  You can find it online.  It really helps.  I've also found that Desitin- aka baby butt ointment heps with bad chaffing until it can heal.  My regimen to keep the bad, irritted, chaffed psoriasis at bay is OTC hydrocortizone cream after shower, followed by "Monkey Butt Powder." In the evenings, after cleaning the area again, I use more hydrocorizone cream, folllowed by aloe vera gel. I know my bad psoriasis isnt the same, but it hurts similarly to the chaffing I had when I would bind.  The hydrocortizone helps the inflammation. Just an idea to try.

[GamerJames]

I've been much more responsible with my binding practices lately (my bf and another good friend were both very persistent in getting me to stop injuring myself), and my cuts are almost all gone now. There's still a lot of bruising and scarring, but those are improving too.

Just wanted to give you all an update since I haven't been around much lately

[zombiesarepeaceful]

Good on the updates...I still have plenty of scars and occasional broken skin/cuts from binding but as of now I wear two tri tops normally. Trying my damndest to save up money for at least a down payment on surgery..that way, it's already there, it's deposited, and I can keep working towards it. A down payment is only $500 at the surgeon I want to go to...and it reserves a surgery date.

[Lee]

Wow, thanks for the warning.  Note to self: avoid the duct tape.

[Kitpup]

I went out today for a short time (two ish hours) bound up a bit tighter than I usually do, and I had some pain in my right side, in the back. I honestly can't tell if I bound too hard or if I just put too much pressure on my back (I have a pretty messed up spine). I had a little trouble breathing but I also can't tell if it was from that or from being out of the house (yay more issues). Thoughts?

[ty.to.the.man]

well i wanna start off sayin thx for the warning. personally since im not on T im only on hormone blockers but my moobs are small wich is good because im starting off early. but let me get to the point i try to not work out my pecs because i feel that makes them look bigger (mayb just my disphoria) as for the showering bit i shower with my binder on (yes i do get clean) wich makes me feel better about myself. the one thing i absolutely hate about my binder is the armpit fat that hangs out. and im not even that fat! it makes me not want to wear tank tops anymore.

[JasonG86]

Wow...no good brother! I hope you start feeling better soon!

[zombiesarepeaceful]

Wow this is old.

I haven't had issues with this since then. I still wear two binders at once. Steadily saving for surgery and get my letter in May.

Andrew, I don't know how you shower with the binder on....wouldn't that make it stretch out? Mine stretch when they get wet and dry on my body. Freaks me out, I hate teh feeling of my binders stretching out.

[ty.to.the.man]

hmmm whenever i shower it doesnt feel like they stretch. and they dont look/feel any bigger. but also putting them in the wash makes them shrink so after a shower if it feels stretched you could put it in the washer/dryer.

[zombiesarepeaceful]

I take that back, I was wearing a new underworks xs tri top along with an old one of the same type, at the same time, and got the same symptoms again. Ow.

[dmx]

Dude I got pleurisy from it too back in March. I have the same binder, same size. 

[ty.to.the.man]

maybe if its not too hot where you live you cud try and under armour tanktop under your binder. im not sure how comfortable it would be but its just a thought.