Binding while sharing accommodations.

[Jamie-o]

It's fairly common knowledge that it's not a good idea to bind 24/7 (and besides which, it's bl**dy uncomfortable to do so.)  So does anyone have any tips on how to handle binding, or more importantly, not binding, when one has to share accommodations, and therefore has little to no privacy?  I'm going to be spending 3 days over the holidays as a guest at my Aunt's house along with a bunch of other relatives.  My relatives know about my transition, but there will also be some of her husband's relatives there whom I have never met.  Besides which, even among those who know, I'm still not comfortable flashing my over-sized man-boobs about, come bedtime.

For those of you who don't already know me, I've been on T for about 18 months, but I have not had surgery yet, and my unbound chest is very obvious under any shirt.  How should I handle taking off and putting on my binder (or the trip between air-mattress in the living room and bathroom where I can change) without being super-obvious about it?

[kyril]

Can your aunt arrange for a more private sleeping area, since she knows about your transition?

Alternatively, if you can handle the sleep deprivation, stay up until everyone else is asleep and set an alarm to make sure you're the first to wake up.

Second alternative: If you can manage it, take off your binder under the covers at night and put it back on under the covers in the morning. You'll have to run to the bathroom to adjust it, but at least it's on so things will be less obvious.

Worst-case scenario where you simply can't get the binder on/off in bed without being obvious: change into a sports bra (ideally the kind that fastens in front) or an abdominal binder or other tube-style binder (one that you can just slide down to your waist) before bed. You should be able to get one of those on/off or unfastened or slid down fairly surreptitiously.

[JohnR]

Gather your clothing, wash bag and towel and clutch them in front of you, holding them to your chest. No one is going to check you out for chest lumps if you're doing that, and you get to put on/take off your binder in the privacy of the bathroom.

If you have your belongings right next to the air mattress, you can gather them up as you get out from the covers.

[sony]

I think I will have the same problem. I will go with my friend to a holiday during Christmas time, she knows about me but I think it would be weird that she sees me when I dont bind :S I guess, trying to bind under the cover or wakeing up earlier and going to bed after could be the best method, like someone said.

[Nick Aiden]

Here is what I do. At my gym there is no where in the shower room to put things except on the floor. So when I'm done in the shower I have to get back to my locker to change. I drape the towel around my neck and in front of my shoulders. The towel hangs down and obscures the masses. I also hold anything I have in front of me(gym shirt/shorts/binder).

Everyone will be so busy "not looking" at you if your partially dressed and obviously busy on your way to the bathroom. You should be okay for only 3 days with this method.

[emil]

i have a binder i can sleep in and not feel uncomfortable....it mostly just "camouflages" my boobs, not really "pressing" them flat. i don't know if it will help any of you but just mentioning it since it turned out to be a very useful investment for me:
http://www.lesloveboat.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=52_56&products_id=124
you could also sleep in a sports bra. e.g. this one is perfectly fine to sleep in:
http://www.lesloveboat.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=22_36&products_id=90
and of course you can always sleep in a wide hoodie....in a hoodie with a sports bra underneath moobs shouldn't be tooo visible

[Jamie-o]

Thanks for the ideas, guys.  You've been a lot of help!

P.S.  Congrats on starting T, Kyril.  It looks as if it's agreeing with you. 

[Mr.Rainey]

If everything fails and he does see, just say you have gynomastesia (sp?) its a condition men get if they have too much estrogen and grow "breasts".