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OK, I have found this problem in the past and have yet to find a solution. I'm a 36DDD, Cup size may be a bit larger now because things are getting tighter right there but still, these things are a, literally, big problem. I've tried the sports bra thing, it doesn't work, tried ace bandages and that just failed, tried both together, no good, and honestly I'm a bit concerned about if a binder would work for me and if so which ones would. I'm mostly worried because, well, I don't have a lot of lower body fat to help mask the lump on my chest since I don't really have a lot of extra weight on me. Does anyone know what binders may actually work to flatten these twin monstrosities to something that'll be acceptable and still allow me to breath? Because loose fit shirts and overcoats can, sadly, only do so much to hide these things. Open to suggestions and possible techniques to help at least get them less noticeable.

I would try the underworks tri top, and I would suggest you invest in tons of button down shirts, those work well to hide the chest because they dont cling, they hang

Didn't know button down shirts would help, I'll have to try that out. I'll look into the tri top one, see what opinions are on it so I can get a better idea the results, thanks for mentioning that one.

I'm a bit smaller than you, 34DD but still up there.  I have the double , 997 from underworks in a medium which is a bit big for me, so would probably fit you well.  I cut the bottom off mine so I could breathe, but it's fine now.  The tritop would give you a little more support, though.  The 997 doesn't get me flat, flat but it's enough  that with the right shirt, you'd really have to stare to figure it out.  You'll won't be able to get away with just a binder and a tshirt over it (just my experience) but with layers it's fine.

Nice to hear from another who's large chested, so the underworks ones are the best of them from what I'm gathering, I mean, have any other types worked effectively or just the underworks ones?

I'm about a 38 F and had problems with the tri-top. My main issue is that my chest is "saggy" and large so it tends to poke out from the bottom of the binder. I prefer the 997. It doesn't bind as tight as the tri-top but I feel it's more secure and if I'm standing up it smooths out the gap between my chest and stomach.

I have comparison pictures that I can send to you via PM if you'd like.

Nygeel, can I ask how tall you are?  One of the things holding me back from trying the tritop is that I'm worried it'll be too long (I'm only 5'4ish).  I hadn't even considered it being too short.  If you could measure it, that would be even better but I know it's a pain. 

Victor,
I'm going to try a loveboat for my next binder; I'm hoping to find something more comfortable for summer.  The underworks definately works, but I have to wear a shirt under it and I just can't layer so much in the summer.  I won't be getting one until after Christmas though, so I can't help you with effectiveness yet. 

I'm around 5 foot 2/5 foot 3.

Nygeel: If you're willing to send comparison photos that would be appreciated, only if you are alright with doing so. I forgot that the saggyness could be an issue but that is a very good point and one I'll likely need to take into consideration cause, well, umm, they ain't exactly perky on this end either. The smoothing out of the gap at the chest/abdominal bend would prolly be a really good thing come to think of it, to avoid the distinction from chest to abdomen. Hmm, though the height issue is one that I may need take into account, I'm 6'1" so the possibility of one being short for me is there :/

LilDoberman: Layering in the summer is gonna be a worry here too, I'm in the south so, yea, 120 degrees in the shade, that's gonna be fun with multiple layers, but, gotta do what I gotta do ya know.

If you're that tall I would try a 997.  It'll be a little cooler and definately plenty long.  You can cut them off at the bottom to expose a little skin which does definately help but yeah, 120 is hot.  I'm in New England and it doesn't get *that* hot up here, I don't have AC so when it's 86 outside, it's 86 in too.

Oh, and if you want to donate a few of your inches, I would take 3 in a heartbeat! :)  You're very lucky.

I'm a 36D and struggling with the same thing.  The Underworks 997 in medium is comfortable, but doesn't get me as flat as I'd like.  I need to get some new button down shirts, and a sports bra to wear under the binder, and I might try the tri top to see if it gets me flatter.

I'm another DD-sized guy without enough body fat to make a poor binding job look like natural man-boobs.  I've done well with the Underworks Tri-top and 988, but I have the opposite of nygeel's problem in that even when I try to push the extra flesh down and out to get me flatter, it just migrates right back up to front and center, so I can't say if it'll work for you; it may help to wear a sports bra underneath to keep everything positioned where you like before adding compression. 

But if you're looking at Love Boat, too, this is the binder I'm likely to get from them: http://www.lesloveboat.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=77_66&products_id=236. (http://www.lesloveboat.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=77_66&products_id=236.)  I certainly like the idea of using something designed for FTMs rather than just plain ol' gynecomastia, because when there's a >4" difference between the relevant chest measurements, the differences in design should be significant.  According to its reviews, it should be good for hot weather because the back is just mesh and it's shorter to begin with, and I like the idea of a velcro binder because I could adjust the compression based on how much I can stand and how tight my shirt is.

I just ordered the high strength short v-neck binder http://www.lesloveboat.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=78_80&products_id=98 (http://www.lesloveboat.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=78_80&products_id=98)  and should have it by mid January.  I have some old pics of me in a medium 997 and I'll get pics in this one as well and do a good review.   It's so hard being big-chested; I think we're all sooooo afraid to throw money down the drain but hey, someone has to, right? :)  Cross your fingers guys, and I'll let you know how it is. 

A review would be great, thus far I'm leaning towards the 997, it's long enough to not roll up on me which, considering my body type, is a big concern, thank goodness for the old 'tuck it un and wear a good belt' route to help there as well.

Here you go Victor, this might help.   Mind you, the medium is a little big on me, but here I am (5'4.5, 140 lbs or so 34DD) in a 997 from underworks.  I've taken about an inch out of it and it makes a HUGE difference, but since you're a little bigger than I am this might be fairly close to your results.
Like I said, I can't just wear a t-shirt over it but in a sweatshirt or button down it's fine. 

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi22.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fb305%2FSherryDeanne%2F102_1683.jpg&hash=44c92297d1e18f0764b7f2cc119327ca685ed7e0)

Here's me in the adjusted 997 (over a tshirt) and just a t-shirt over. Not bad, if I do say so myself :)

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi22.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fb305%2FSherryDeanne%2F102b1860_00.jpg&hash=d5d03f5f2cdd0d646a0cf6751f53b18dfe268e04)

Not bad at all, the second looks as flat as one would expect for such size, a slight alteration certainly did make a good bit of difference there!

I bought the 988 back in October. I got the large and it makes me look like I have one large lump. Weird...would this be because it's too small? I'm about a 40DDD. I'm looking to get the XL. Would that help?

Sorry if I'm hijacking the thread.

Quote from: Fumbling Towards Ecstasy on December 21, 2010, 04:41:21 PM
I bought the 988 back in October. I got the large and it makes me look like I have one large lump. Weird...would this be because it's too small? I'm about a 40DDD. I'm looking to get the XL. Would that help?

Sorry if I'm hijacking the thread.

Not hijacking in my opinion; the more the merrier.  I had the huge lump with my unmodified 997 (was too big) but I think it's just the mass that there is to compress lol.  Now that it's tighter I actually have less um, lump since it's more compressed but it's still nowhere near pec sized.  I'm hoping the loveboat binder may be a bit better since it's specifically for ftms, we shall see.  If the binder isn't uncomfortably tight, I wouldn't personally size up since you're just going to lose compression.  Good luck!

Nah, ya not hijacking Fumbling, specially considering ya question is quite in line with the original.

Cool.

Ok, I put on my binder tonight to see if I can "rearrange" some things..all to no avail. I'm too big! I currently have the 988 underworks binder in a large (which I think I stated) and my boobs don't even fit. They stick out. Not just a little underarm fat...the actual boob sticks out. Way out and the only way to get them to stay in is  to push them in and down. Which creates the uniboob. Yuck. So, I think going smaller would magnify the issue, not solve it. I think I'll try a tri-top XL next...any thoughts?

Hope my post can help bigger people too.

Hmm, I get what you mean.  Have you tried a sports bra or compression tshirt under your binder?  A sports bra especially might help things stay closer to where they should be.  I get some pretty decent underarm squishage but you can't really see it under another shirt.  You might also look at the wide coverage from loveboat if you haven't seen it yet.
http://www.lesloveboat.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=78_80&products_id=236 (http://www.lesloveboat.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=78_80&products_id=236)
Underworks does have a good return policy, so you can always try the tri-top and see how it does :)

Thanks. I'll look into the lovesboat thing.

Is loveboat's sizing chart more accurate than underworks?

I just ordered my first one, but from what I've heard it is pretty accurate.  Everyone says they're a ton more comfortable than the underworks which is what is swaying me to try one.  I figure that since they're actually made for ftms they should fit better and be cut better.  **crosses fingers**  If you're not  in a huge rush, I'll do a good review once mine gets here (they're estimating 2-3 weeks from now).  I ordered the v-neck though, not the wide coverage.  Check the Christmas binder thread, I think Noah may have gotten the wide?

Ok guys, it's on.  First of all, I have the v-neck http://www.lesloveboat.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=99 (http://www.lesloveboat.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=99) in size Large.  I'm a 34D/34DD.  It's a bit big.  If you're any smaller than me or the same, I'd get a medium.  The other bad thing:  underarm bulge.  I don't think it would be as bad if I had a medium, and you can't really see it with a shirt, but it affects how well I can adjust. 

Now the good:  It's comfortable.  Seriously.   Feels like a tight sports bra made of swimsuit material.  It binds just as well as my 997 double front, if not better.  I'll get pics up when I have a chance.

I'll never wear my underworks again, seriously.  I'm going to try their wide coverage and see how that goes.  I know there was some worry that these are cut for smaller statured people but I don't think that's true in this case.  Plenty of length from neck to bottom.  It's about 16 inches total in length which is plenty long for me.

Comfort is certainly a major factor for me, if the loveboat ones are that comfy I may have to go with onea them, cause, well, don't wanna bruise my ribs, the things attached to my chest do that enough on their own, no need to get a harsh binder which will worsen that issue.

Ok, quick comparison.  Sorry the second pic is blurry, my batteries died.

Underworks medium on left, then loveboat on right.   Obviously both are minus overshirts LOL.

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi22.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fb305%2FSherryDeanne%2F102_1683.jpg&hash=44c92297d1e18f0764b7f2cc119327ca685ed7e0)   (https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi22.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fb305%2FSherryDeanne%2F102_1884.jpg&hash=a2040d4d88905520699c6c990d051889c5abb82c)

I have to add that even though this is one of their high binding styles, I have so much skin showing above and to the side that I'm not in love with it.  It's definately comfortable enough to wear without an undershirt though, so that makes me ridiculously happy.  I'm going to try their wide coverage.

I'm not as big as you guys (34C) but just to chime in on the loveboat thing: They're fantastically comfortable.

Issues with loveboat (at least the model I have, which they don't sell anymore):
- Very large armholes allow more underarm squish than I'm happy with
- Can look like a sports bra under clothing, if you don't layer
- Outer layer of stretchy fabric on mine wrinkles up and can show through clothes.

Advantages:
- Flatter than Underworks could ever get me
- Supremely comfortable, even though it restricts breathing more
- Can't roll up
- No band around the chest like a sports bra

I'm planning to try the wide coverage one they have next, but I keep hoping they'll start selling it in white, because as much as I like black I can wear white under black shirts but not black under white shirts.

 LilDoberman, you look great nice flat looking chest with the loveboat binder.  I am not as large in the b-c range but very firm and don't want to flatten as I would like.

Hello!  I know this thread is quite old, but I really hope for a response!  My boobs are seriously HUGE.  I mean, 34O in US sizing (which sadly doesn't even exist in the market) or 34JJ in UK sizing if that's easier to wrap your head around.  I'm most definitely not perky by any means, and I'm about 5'5".  I'm brand new to the idea of binding and really want to give it a go, but I've no idea what I'm doing.  Help?

I don't see Loveboat working for that size. The thing is the sizing doesn't tend towards the larger sizes. I actually wouldn't recommend them over a C cup.


--Jay

I'm a 38E, so I'm probably going to struggle with the same thing. I'm waiting for a 997 Underworks to arrive, and I'm not too bad with a needle and thread, what are some adjustments that are good to make?

Have you tried underworks 997 with it folded in half to give you four compressive layers? It also covers the underarm more, but you might need to tape a little to keep it folded up properly.

I've only ever used the 997 folded in half, and it's pretty decent. I have it in M and L, but I found L actually works better for me as far as situating and being able to wear t-shirts. In bras I used to wear a DD, but I might be bigger by now. I had to get measured for a play and my waist was 41" and my chest was only 43" with the 997 folded.

I like to put it on over my head upside down and situate the bottom under my arms, then pull the arm hole up folding it in half. That way the bottom part doesn't roll down.

Hey guys, does anyone have advice on binding when you're really skinny with a very large chest? I'm about 32E with a tiny waist, and I've always had major problems because no matter how much I squash them down, I don't have enough bulk on my body to disguise the bulge and my chest is always disproportionately huge compared to the rest of me... I've never used a proper binder- for a number of reasons (I live in South Africa and currently don't have enough money for both a binder and postage, etc), but also because I'm worried that most binders will end up not fitting properly (ok on my chest but bulky around my waist perhaps), just looking like sports bras, or causing the dreaded uniboob...
Has anyone else had this problem? Is there some miracle-binder out there that can fix it, and if not does anyone know another binding method that might work?

Help!!

Hey Laz, I have similar problems, skinny with big tits. So far, I've found no miracle binder. The best bet is just binding, put on a compression shirt, then layer your clothes.

One option is to bulk up on your arms so you look like a beefcake with massive upper body. 'Cept that would take a lot of work, and might not look right. You might be able to get a reduction covered by insurance at least.

I'm kind of worried about people with larger chests spending money on loveboat. I really like them but I am not so large and the other thing is that the sizing is really odd. I got a XL and I have a 34 C chest. Now admittedly I am not binding really tight, might get away with a L, but you might see the problem here. I should wear a M.

@Darrin, I'd say the sizing is really odd and probably not as good as underworks.

--Jay

LazerusRex, I can see where you have a problem and can see no real solution.  With a small waist and probably fairly firm tissue to flatten there is no way to move the tissue around to give you a flat appearing chest.  I have fairly firm b/c size mounds and a 997 does a reasonable job for me.  I wish I could suggest a possible solution; top surgery is first on my list.

Thanks guys!
I guess I'll just have to keep binding as best I can while I work towards saving enough for top surgery... But if I do end up getting an Underworks binder (probably the 997) I'll let you guys know how well it works on a guy of my build.

@Nygeel, oh I have been trying for so long to bulk up, but I seem to be cursed with eternal skinniness- damn my anatomy!

 If you naturally have a more ectomorphic (skinny) body type, you may need to give yourself a pretty substantial caloric surplus to put on muscle. You can find ectomorph-specific diet and workout plans online.