I want to start binding but not sure that I can at this point. I'm a 44 DDD unfortunately, and I have the feeling that even if I do lose weight (my current plan) that I'm not going to go down enough sizes for it to matter. Would it be a waste of money to buy a binder at this point, and is there anything else I could do?
I know the binders from underworks have a wide range....I wear the same size binder as one of my friends who is 30lbs lighter than I am.
Getting a binder for me was empowering and made me more confident
I'm a 40 DDD so we're in the same boat. I'm still trying to figure out what works best for me. I use underworks tritops. I'm looking into getting the 997 though. I just don't know how it'll work for bigger guys.
I was a 36 F. The 997 has been the best for me. It fills in the gap between my stomach and chest, plus it slims down my hips. It comes in large enough sizes that it should fit you.
Thanks for the replies guys.
The 997 sounds ideal to me; so I'll probably look into getting it. ;D
I also have very large boobs and about 200 pounds. When I was thinner it was actually harder for me to bind. My boobs don't really change size with weight loss or or gain. The double front from underworks works the best for me. I've only tried that and the tri top though.
Okay so I have the money saved up for it... I'm looking at my shopping cart, on the site, but I'm afraid to checkout. ???
I just keep second guessing myself, and I know my parents won't be thrilled when they find out I spent $30+ on this.
Quote from: Shobo on December 02, 2011, 08:21:57 PM
Okay so I have the money saved up for it... I'm looking at my shopping cart, on the site, but I'm afraid to checkout. ???
I just keep second guessing myself, and I know my parents won't be thrilled when they find out I spent $30+ on this.
Well you know you want one don't you? You're gonna have to get it eventually. Just get it over with. I've bought t-shirts more expensive than $30...... it's worth the money.
Yes, I do want one and I probably would buy one eventually anyways.
My parents on the other hand think I'm just going through a phase, so they'll just see it as me wasting $30.
I'm gonna stop worrying and just do it. >:(
Quote from: Shobo on December 02, 2011, 08:47:22 PM
Yes, I do want one and I probably would buy one eventually anyways.
My parents on the other hand think I'm just going through a phase, so they'll just see it as me wasting $30.
I'm gonna stop worrying and just do it. >:(
I've wasted a hell of a lot more than $30 on useless crap. You're fine. Especially if you know it's not a phase.
Okay... so... I got my binder in the mail and am just now trying it on... or trying to try it on. Is it supposed to be ridiculously difficult to get on? :embarrassed:
Quote from: Shobo on December 08, 2011, 07:27:39 PM
Okay... so... I got my binder in the mail and am just now trying it on... or trying to try it on. Is it supposed to be ridiculously difficult to get on? :embarrassed:
Yes. Try stepping into it.
Okay, I couldn't get it on that way either... I tried pulling it over my head again and managed to get it on. I'm assuming it's going to take some getting used to; I mean, it's supposed to be tight right? How would I know if it's too tight?
Maybe if you wash it, and while it's wet try pulling on it and let it air dry a little, it'll stretch out?
For me, the right size binder was VERY difficult to get into for a couple of weeks and nearly impossible to get off during that time. They do loosen up a bit, and I quickly learned exactly how to adjust my body to get in and out of the thing without too much trouble.
I also lost a lot of weight and went from a large to a medium and then down to a small. Every time I went down to a smaller size, I went through the "oh my god, I'll never get out of this thing" experience. Yet I felt that the binder was the correct size--I got good compression and was pretty comfortable except when I put it on/took it off during the first couple of weeks.
It's hard for someone else to gauge whether a binder really is too tight for you; guys vary so much in their configuration and their tolerance for certain levels of discomfort. Some people are built so that the binder digs in somewhere but fits all right everywhere else. The next larger size is too big, though. So they put up with it or try another style or do a little creative sewing.
If you're having real trouble breathing or are in actual pain, definitely consider a larger size.
By the way, I forgot to ask: What type did you get, and is it compressing you enough?
Kudos on going through with it. I waffled around on my first binder, too--had the merchandise in the shopping cart and then delayed till I worked up the nerve to put the order through.
Quote from: Bradd on December 08, 2011, 08:07:07 PM
Maybe if you wash it, and while it's wet try pulling on it and let it air dry a little, it'll stretch out?
I was having some troubles with it after I got it on, so after a struggle I got it off and after another I got it back on and it seems to be fitting better now. Still a bit tight, but I think it's supposed to be this tight. If it turns out I'm wrong and it bothers me too much I might try your idea.
Quote from: Arch on December 08, 2011, 08:31:41 PM
For me, the right size binder was VERY difficult to get into for a couple of weeks and nearly impossible to get off during that time. They do loosen up a bit, and I quickly learned exactly how to adjust my body to get in and out of the thing without too much trouble.
I also lost a lot of weight and went from a large to a medium and then down to a small. Every time I went down to a smaller size, I went through the "oh my god, I'll never get out of this thing" experience. Yet I felt that the binder was the correct size--I got good compression and was pretty comfortable except when I put it on/took it off during the first couple of weeks.
It's hard for someone else to gauge whether a binder really is too tight for you; guys vary so much in their configuration and their tolerance for certain levels of discomfort. Some people are built so that the binder digs in somewhere but fits all right everywhere else. The next larger size is too big, though. So they put up with it or try another style or do a little creative sewing.
If you're having real trouble breathing or are in actual pain, definitely consider a larger size.
So far, no actual pain, some discomfort though I think that's normal. At first it was sort of digging into my pits, but after putting it on for a second time it doesn't seem so bad. I think I'm just a bit paranoid.
Quote from: Arch on December 08, 2011, 08:34:08 PM
By the way, I forgot to ask: What type did you get, and is it compressing you enough?
Kudos on going through with it. I waffled around on my first binder, too--had the merchandise in the shopping cart and then delayed till I worked up the nerve to put the order through.
I think a couple people suggested the 997 so I got that one. I'm not sure if it's enough... looking in the mirror I can still tell I have breasts, but it makes them look
a lot smaller? I could probably hide them with baggier clothes. Is that normal?
Layering helps--I think most of us do it whenever we can. I was super-paranoid about my bumps after a little while, so I wound up double binding. Then I wore a not-too-tight t-shirt over the binder, and an open button-down shirt over that.
I wasn't small-chested, but I was in my forties by then, and I had some, uh, droopage. They were still pretty dense, but they hung lower than they used to. So they didn't really mash, but I could tuck them down reasonably well, if you know what I mean. I looked pretty good.
I was lucky because I had top surgery after only a few months of binding. I don't think I would have been too comfortable in the summer with two binders and two shirts.
Quote from: Shobo on December 08, 2011, 08:48:49 PM
I was having some troubles with it after I got it on, so after a struggle I got it off and after another I got it back on and it seems to be fitting better now. Still a bit tight, but I think it's supposed to be this tight. If it turns out I'm wrong and it bothers me too much I might try your idea.
From my experience, new binders are usually a little tight at first and very difficult to get on. I'm pretty sure the first few times I tried to put on my first binder, I pulled a couple muscles or something in my shoulders, lol. I was stubborn, though, so I kept taking the thing off and putting it back on - sore shoulders and all - until I found the easiest way to maneuver into it.
Quote from: Shobo on December 08, 2011, 08:48:49 PM
So far, no actual pain, some discomfort though I think that's normal. At first it was sort of digging into my pits, but after putting it on for a second time it doesn't seem so bad. I think I'm just a bit paranoid.
The binder's gonna stretch with time, and you'll also get used to it. Mine used to be uncomfortable, but now I've gotten so used to them, I could fall asleep in one. Did that once on accident, actually.
Quote from: Shobo on December 08, 2011, 08:48:49 PM
I think a couple people suggested the 997 so I got that one. I'm not sure if it's enough... looking in the mirror I can still tell I have breasts, but it makes them look a lot smaller? I could probably hide them with baggier clothes. Is that normal?
The underworks binders aren't designed to flatten the chest completely, but rather simulate a bioguys pecs, so no worries - it's normal. I'd suggest standing in front of a mirror with the binder on and positioning your breasts in a way that makes you feel most comfortable with the appearance. Then you can either layer or wear baggier clothes to achieve the desired look. I'd definitely advise against double binding, though. Some guys agree, some don't, but in my personal experience, it hurts a ton after a while.
Quote from: Noah James on December 08, 2011, 11:56:10 PMI'd definitely advise against double binding, though. Some guys agree, some don't, but in my personal experience, it hurts a ton after a while.
Depends on the person--and the binder. I used an Underworks Cotton Concealer because I was allergic to synthetics before T; I couldn't use anything else. It was super comfortable, but it didn't get me as flat as I wanted. I would double bind all day with no problems.
Eh, like I said, some guys would agree, others wouldn't. I have a pretty large chest for my small frame, unfortunately, so my experience with double binding isn't the best.
I wouldn't want to double bind with one of the more extreme binders, that's for sure.
I haven't had my binder for very long at all but I really like it. I really like the results I get with it. But there's one thing that bugs me... I can't get it on right unless I'm wearing a bra underneath. I'm kinda worried it's going to ruin my bras though because I still present as female at work and around certain relatives, so I need those bras. I feel weird asking this, but will it damage them if I wear them under the binder if they're wireless? I seriously can't get the binder on fully otherwise... I've tried and tried... :embarrassed:
What exactly do you mean when you say that you can't get it on "right"? Why do you have to wear the bra?
If you have to have a bra, then choose a couple that you only wear under the binder, and save the rest for non-binder wear. You might wind up washing them more often, or you might have to buy a couple of new ones, but do whatever works.
I don't know why, but when I try to put the binder on without a bra, I can't seem to pull it down all the way... I think it's because my breasts tend to move more into the middle of my chest... at least that's my guess. While when I'm wearing the binder with the bra underneath I don't have that problem. And I have trouble maneuvering them when I have the binder on... so I guess the bra just helps.
I'll probably end up doing that; doesn't sound like a bad idea.
Hmm. Do you wear sport bras? What if you got a couple of tight sport bras and then wore the binder over them?
You said that you have a 997--that's not one of the shorter binders, but you say you have trouble pulling it all the way down. Yikes! I'm having trouble visualizing this...I used to tuck my parts down and to the sides, and they stayed in place reasonably well for quite some time. I had no trouble tugging the binder all the way down. A couple of times a day, I would readjust while I was in a bathroom stall.
My tumors were still fairly dense, but they had started drooping more the last few years. And they weren't as big as yours.
Urgh... I have to retype this because I hit the back button on my keyboard with my chest :icon_anger:
Anyways... I don't really have any sports bras. Wasn't sure I could even find any good ones in my size.
I don't really have any problems pulling the binder all the way down if I'm wearing a bra underneath... it's just when I'm not wearing one for some reason, and I really think it depends on the positioning of my breasts, but again, I could be wrong. I really liked your suggestion though and will probably single out a couple bras specifically for the binder.
I also have a difficult time with my breasts fitting in the binder. One way to deal with it is to push them up and out. That way they fit all the way in. If you do go the bra route DO NOT use a bra with underwire. Very painful.