So overall I'm pretty happy with my life, happier than I've ever been in fact, but gawd I hate having to bind, and I hate my chest in general with a burning passion xD The day I get top surgery will be the happiest day of my life - sorry kiddo but that includes having you, and sorry future hubby but that will also include getting married! That will truly be the day the rest of my life begins.
My back hurts, my shoulders hurt, my ribs hurt, and I'm frequently getting really scary chest pains lately.
I have a chest infection at the moment, AGAIN, I get them all the time and I'm convinced that binding is the reason. I've been rushed to hospital on several occasions because I'm unable to breath and my asthma inhalers don't work. This never happened before I started binding.
I find it impossible to effectively and consistently exercise because my lungs are just crap now, I was quite fit at one point and I've gained like 5 stone since I started binding all the time. Even walking from college to the bus station (15 minute walk) feels like torture, and I often have to undo the velcro on my binder when I get on the bus because I feel like I'm going to pass out. I can't breath, everything hurts and I'm disgustingly sweaty.
Even when I try and work out without a binder my lungs give out way before my muscles do; and seeing/feeling them bouncing around while I try to do aerobics or go for a run makes me feel physically sick with dysphoria. The best I've managed lately is around 6 months of jogging/walking at least 5k a day, every single day, I really pushed myself hoping increased fitness would ease the breathing problems. I did not see any improvement in my lung capacity - in actual fact it got worse, so did the pain in my back. (I slipped a disk around two years ago) I had to stop because I was in so much pain and I've never found the motivation to start up again. At the minute the only exercise I get is walking between bus stations to and from college, the occasional walk to the next town with classmates on lunch breaks (which I try to avoid) and the 15 minute walk each day between my house and my daughters nursery....and even that, feels like it's killing me.
My health is suffering hugely because of these horrible things on my chest and I don't know what to do about it....other than just wait until surgery; and god knows when that will be, at least a couple more years.
And I swear to god, the next person to tell me they would "kill for my boobs" or some other expression of jealousy about my giant mammaries is going to get a slap upside the head. If I could take them off and throw them at them, I would.
Ah it feels good to get that off my chest :D
Agreed! Wearing one is almost as dysphoric as not wearing one because it's so uncomfortable and I can't help repeating to myself "If I didn't have these stupid things, I wouldn't have to wear this." But then, of course, when I don't have one on, I can't help but repeat "I wish I didn't have these stupid things."
Quote from: Edge on January 18, 2013, 02:20:26 PM
Wearing one is almost as dysphoric as not wearing one because it's so uncomfortable
Huge plus 1
At least when I'm just sitting around without a binder on I can sort of ignore them and pretend they aren't there. Not a chance of ignoring a binder when you've been wearing it all day :P
It truly is an every day pain in the butt type of thing. Of course, having a proper binder makes it a bit easier compared to ace bandage (damn that thing is awful stuff) but still it would be so nice to just throw a shirt on and be on my way.
It makes me sweat like a little pig in the summer (but keeps me a bit warmer in the winter, lol), leaves marks on the skin where the seams are and whatnot else. Can't go anywhere public without a binder - except for the closest convience stores just 'cause I'm lazy - and sometimes it feels like it's no use since I don't really pass that well. Confidence-wise, I need my packer more. Winter is a great season since it lets me wear lots of clothes to hide any possible bumps.
Can't wait to have my top surgery either. Luckily, I have the consultation appointment coming up Feb 15th so I suppose it won't be too long till the actual thing. But public surgery policlinics are what they are, crowded and going in the priority order. And I doubt one measily transguy isn't very high in their list.
I hate binding too, although I'm lucky compared to most guys I guess. My chest is a modest b, and since I'm fat the binder I swear by is tight enough to give me "typical guy moobs"-flatness, but unless I wear it for way too long, the discomfort isn't too bad. I do get a stabbing pain in my back on occasion, but not too often. Also, it doesn't seem to affect my asthma much, from what I've noticed. Still, I so look forward to putting them away forever.
Yeah, I've developed a love and hate kind of relationship with my binder, too. Haven't been out of my house once without it after I finally got it in December. Luckily I don't need to bind enough to hurt my lungs, though - sometimes the psychological effect makes it even easier for me to breathe when I do have my binder on... ::) Gives me a sense of owning my body. But it's frustrating to think that I probably will have to wear one for at least one year, and probably even longer.
Quote from: Tossu-sama on January 18, 2013, 03:00:36 PM
sometimes it feels like it's no use since I don't really pass that well
Another huge plus one to this. There's nothing worse than going to all the effort of flattening everything out and being horribly uncomfortable only to hear "she" ... it's like, why do I bother ;__;
I don't even want to think about summer. I hate the heat at the best of times.
I started wearing a binder as soon as I came out at work, and started T a couple of months later. I think I started passing 6 months after starting T. Annoying indeed.
I'm always wearing a cotton tank top under my binder. Another layer to endure in the summer, but it was more comfortable than just the binder when I got sweaty.
I can't wear mine anymore because of the pain it causes me. I figure emotional pain is better than having to miss one day of school/work for every day I wear the binder (it actually hurts for two days afterwards, but the second day I can at least do stuff and not just lie in bed). So yeah, it sucks. But I sometimes wear it for short periods of time (couple hours) just to feel a bit better about myself.
Quote from: Jeatyn on January 18, 2013, 03:17:17 PM
Another huge plus one to this. There's nothing worse than going to all the effort of flattening everything out and being horribly uncomfortable only to hear "she" ... it's like, why do I bother ;__;
I don't even want to think about summer. I hate the heat at the best of times.
Same here. Both the passing and the heat. My binders don't make me flat enough to pass and too much heat makes me physically sick.
Sitting through a lecture for three hours straight with a chest bound with ace bandages and unable to fix them because you don't know which bathroom you should use.
Ive been there so many times.
I've had some pretty scary marks on my sides and chest from it when I take them off, crazy dents in the skin and once a bruise. Unfortunately I cant acquire a binder at the moment so that's the best I've got.
My binder luckily doesn't hurt me, it's just stretched to the point of I wonder how people continually miss the misshapen chest. ::)
I realized I can't wait to get rid of the fat lumps when I went to a concert and literally thought I was going to die. The air had gotten hot and stale, and the binder made it impossible to get any fresh molecules at all.
Ugh, agree agree agree.
I'm thin but have a fairly large chest. No matter what, I always feel that I look kind of 'top heavy.' Coupled with the discomfort, I do feel that binding adds a dysphoric element all on its own. I'm thinking of trying a few other styles...surely something out there looks ok and feels ok...right? I've got an Underworks one right now, not sure which style.
*joins in on the moaning* I hate how I sweat in them most of all...but I hate trying to move around and go about day to day life in them. It really stinks.
I feel like a fraud because I rarely wear a binder. I'm very small chested and can pass without it as long as I'm wearing something over the top of my shirt. When I'm feeling really dysphoric I do put one on and find that the most annoying thing is itching (I don't get to wash them enough because I'm not out at home). Come next September I will be binding at least 5 days a week though because I'm hoping to go to school as male so maybe then I'll feel like I have a right to complain about being trans.
My binders don't hurt me but they make me dread the hot humid Southern USA Summers.
I think the reason I hate binding so much is because of the things having to wear a binder keeps me from doing. I used to love going outside, swimming, etc and now I don't want to do those things anymore. I know that a day at the lake fishing means I'll be uncomfortable, sweaty, and unable to take a swim to cool off if I need to.
I bind as little as possible. Most of the time I don't bind when I am home. Then there is that. It keeps me from opening the blinds to let the sun in.
At the doctor (I get check ups and scans every 3 to 6 months) it's a constant question from doctors. I refuse to take it off if at all possible. After a surgery when I should be resting I'm up trying to get a binder on. Sitting around the hospital uncomfortable isn't right.
Looks like it will be two years before I can get my top surgery but I can deal until then. I've dealt with them this long. I just know the moobs have gotta go.
God, I miss swimming...
I should be getting my top surgery in 2013, maybe I will dare hit the pool again in 2014.
Well don't pass one way or another so I feel less pressure to bind. I try to layer stuff and am lucky I can do this and feel at least semi- happy with it (I wouldn't say happy). Hate the binders so much and haven't found one I really thought was "comfortable". Of course it does have the word "binder" in the title, so what about that sounds comfortable?!
--Jay
all i want is to go out with just a t-shirt on. to feel the soft fabric against my chest. binders are so irritating, i want top surgery sooooo freaking badly.
I feel the same way. Binders suck.
Once my pecs and shoulders started to get too big, my binder actually didn't even want to fit right anymore.
I had top surgery just today, so I'm only going to have to wear a binder for a little longer though, and even then, it's going to be a surgical one - not the one I was wearing previously.
Quote from: Jeatyn on January 18, 2013, 01:59:54 PM
My back hurts, my shoulders hurt, my ribs hurt, and I'm frequently getting really scary chest pains lately.
I have a chest infection at the moment, AGAIN, I get them all the time and I'm convinced that binding is the reason. I've been rushed to hospital on several occasions because I'm unable to breath and my asthma inhalers don't work. This never happened before I started binding.
I know having a big chest sucks first hand. 100%. I empathize with every single point you just made about how awful it is. I try to do cardio binding because I can't stand to work out with my chest not flat.
But seriously? You've been to the HOSPITAL for chest problems and binding is contributing to it? Multiple times no less? And to the ER? Dude. I can't believe no one else in this thread has said it.
Your health >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Binding
Dysphoria is rough, I get it. But you know what is even worse? Destroying your lungs. And I don't mean the damage we all get from binding normally. It is putting you in the HOSPITAL. Save your body so you can enjoy it fully after top surgery eventually.
Quote from: spacerace on January 19, 2013, 01:18:37 AM
Your health >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Binding
Spacerace is completely right.
If you're having such issues with the binder you currently use I'd suggest finding something else. Have you tried neoprene waist trimmers? They're cheap so if it doesn't work you're out $5. I've only used them because I've heard of other guys hurting themselves by wearing Underworks (and binders like them). To me it's just not worth it.
I've tried a variety of styles and the one I have now from les love boat is by far the most comfortable. It's a god send having velcro I can undo when I need to. I often wonder if my classmates think I have bladder issues, I must go to the loo at least 5 times a day to open it up and have a breather, and rearrange everything.
I wear it at little as possible, but there's no way on earth I could go to college without it, I'm stealth (or out in public at all, but that's pretty much the only place I go)
The worst part is, I really wish other people understood. I just come across as lazy and unsociable to my friends
"lets walk to the next town for lunch!"
eugh....erm....how about we take the bus?
"it only takes half an hour don't be daft"
....;___;
"coming out for a few drinks?"
eh no thanks I'm just gonna go home
PS: JasonRX, congrats man :D absolutely cannot wait for my time
Quote from: Jeatyn on January 18, 2013, 01:59:54 PM
I have a chest infection at the moment, AGAIN, I get them all the time and I'm convinced that binding is the reason. I've been rushed to hospital on several occasions because I'm unable to breath and my asthma inhalers don't work. This never happened before I started binding.
I find it impossible to effectively and consistently exercise because my lungs are just crap now, I was quite fit at one point and I've gained like 5 stone since I started binding all the time. Even walking from college to the bus station (15 minute walk) feels like torture, and I often have to undo the velcro on my binder when I get on the bus because I feel like I'm going to pass out. I can't breath, everything hurts and I'm disgustingly sweaty.
Even when I try and work out without a binder my lungs give out way before my muscles do; and seeing/feeling them bouncing around while I try to do aerobics or go for a run makes me feel physically sick with dysphoria. The best I've managed lately is around 6 months of jogging/walking at least 5k a day, every single day, I really pushed myself hoping increased fitness would ease the breathing problems. I did not see any improvement in my lung capacity - in actual fact it got worse, so did the pain in my back. (I slipped a disk around two years ago) I had to stop because I was in so much pain and I've never found the motivation to start up again. At the minute the only exercise I get is walking between bus stations to and from college, the occasional walk to the next town with classmates on lunch breaks (which I try to avoid) and the 15 minute walk each day between my house and my daughters nursery....and even that, feels like it's killing me.
My health is suffering hugely because of these horrible things on my chest and I don't know what to do about it....other than just wait until surgery; and god knows when that will be, at least a couple more years.
And I swear to god, the next person to tell me they would "kill for my boobs" or some other expression of jealousy about my giant mammaries is going to get a slap upside the head. If I could take them off and throw them at them, I would.
Ah it feels good to get that off my chest :D
Do you do any breathing exercises? If not, I think you should look into trying to fit two 10-30 minute sessions into your schedule.
Has your doctor suggested anyway to help increase lung capacity? I do second the others, though. Your health is more important than anything else. It would no one any good if something major occurred to you such as being hospitalized or worse. Would there be any way to layer clothing to hide the chest so you wouldn't have to bind all of the time while at college? It might be a little easier on you than the binder.
__
Anyway, I dislike binding and rarely do it. I can't pass so there's no real point and binders only get me down to a C size so I'm quite prominent unless I throw on a hoodie over the shirt. My binder, which is fitted properly, also just makes things generally uncomfortable. I can't stand the heat and it makes my asthma act up so the binder just increases my risk of having an attack.
I haven't done any breathing exercises in a while no, I used to, forgot about them! I'll have to start doing them again, see if it helps.
The only advice my doc has is "stop binding" and "get rid of your cats" - both not really an option xD
Even with layers I have obvious boobage, I need binder AND layers to achieve any sort of pass-ability
Quote from: KyleXX on January 19, 2013, 12:10:18 AM
all i want is to go out with just a t-shirt on. to feel the soft fabric against my chest. binders are so irritating, i want top surgery sooooo freaking badly.
Hahaha, I just want to go out topless. All the time. Even in below zero temperature and run around (for a few minutes).
Quote from: Jeatyn on January 19, 2013, 04:30:36 AM
I often wonder if my classmates think I have bladder issues, I must go to the loo at least 5 times a day to open it up and have a breather, and rearrange everything.
Oh well. Hope it doesn't bother you too much. I mean, what people might assume about you that is.
At work, we drink so much coffee we're using the bathroom just about every hour.
Quote from: Tejas on January 19, 2013, 12:58:34 PM
Hahaha, I just want to go out topless. All the time. Even in below zero temperature and run around (for a few minutes).
SWIMMING
SO MUCH SWIMMING
And fixing random crap on summer Sundays shirtless.
Or heck, being a fat old man in tighty-whities sitting in a lawnchair.
Quote from: Jeatyn on January 19, 2013, 12:55:50 PM
Even with layers I have obvious boobage, I need binder AND layers to achieve any sort of pass-ability
Have you ever seen the movie Albert Nobbs? When Hubert was first introduced on screen, I was like, is that person a woman dressed as a man... no... yes... uh... I think my brain stopped for a moment. I think it was because I wasn't expecting it. Also, that was a lot of layering.
I always thought that I would put my health before my passing, and was quite proud of that fact. Then this winter I got one of the nastiest lung infections of my life. I hadn't had one this bad since I was a small child. I started off as a simple cold, but soon led to several weeks of fainting spells and dread that I was finally going to accidentally kill myself @_@. Finally I was one day asked why didn't I just keep the damn binder off if it was that hard to breathe. I was quite surprised by how I responded. I simply said, "because I'd rather be dead." That's when I realized that I'd reached a level of crazy of no return XP. Thankfully my mom finally managed to get me some back market antibiotics (no health insurance sucks ;_;!), and I can freaking breathe again! Unfortunately, I think I gave myself some permanent damage XP. Oh well, I deserve it :'P.
I also want to add another chest complaint. Having a large chest is bad enough, why did they have to be perky ;_;? Perky D-cups are like an act against nature and gravity @_@! Thankfully, after constant binding, they're not as perky as they use to be. Unfortunately these things want to to fight me till the very end! D:< Who relates? ;_;
Quote from: Darth_Taco on January 19, 2013, 02:52:10 PM
I also want to add another chest complaint. Having a large chest is bad enough, why did they have to be perky ;_;? Perky D-cups are like an act against nature and gravity @_@! Thankfully, after constant binding, they're not as perky as they use to be. Unfortunately these things want to to fight me till the very end! D:< Who relates? ;_;
I have perky D-cups too, binding doesn't really hide them unless I layer and layer some more. I'd like them if they weren't on me. :D
Quote from: LearnedHand on January 19, 2013, 03:08:23 PM
I have perky D-cups too, binding doesn't really hide them unless I layer and layer some more. I'd like them if they weren't on me. :D
Kind of feel the same way. I'd give them to my girl friend (she's trans), but I understand it doesn't work that way.
--Jay
Quote from: LearnedHand on January 19, 2013, 03:08:23 PM
I have perky D-cups too, binding doesn't really hide them unless I layer and layer some more. I'd like them if they weren't on me. :D
Try perky DDs. :P Exercising is supposed to help me lose weight in my chest, but it's not working that way. I gained a size since it. @.< Binding does almost nothing for me, lol.
Quote from: JasonRX on January 19, 2013, 12:40:30 AM
I feel the same way. Binders suck.
Once my pecs and shoulders started to get too big, my binder actually didn't even want to fit right anymore.
I had top surgery just today, so I'm only going to have to wear a binder for a little longer though, and even then, it's going to be a surgical one - not the one I was wearing previously.
Jason that's awesome! Congratulations bro! I know you're really into working out/bodybuilding so I have no doubt your chest is going to look amazing. Which procedure did you go with (if you don't mind me asking of course)? You've already built up your pecs a lot right? Your doc should have been able to do an outstanding job contouring everything around your pecs, which i know helps produce top notch results. I hope you show us when you're able. I'm seriously stoked for you dude!
Quote from: KyleXX on January 19, 2013, 09:17:12 PM
Jason that's awesome! Congratulations bro! I know you're really into working out/bodybuilding so I have no doubt your chest is going to look amazing. Which procedure did you go with (if you don't mind me asking of course)? You've already built up your pecs a lot right? Your doc should have been able to do an outstanding job contouring everything around your pecs, which i know helps produce top notch results. I hope you show us when you're able. I'm seriously stoked for you dude!
I had to have double incision done because I had too much sagging for anything else, unfortunately. My pecs are pretty huge though, so I'm sure it'll look great once I can take my bandages off and get my drains out.
Quote from: JasonRX on January 19, 2013, 09:22:10 PM
I had to have double incision done because I had too much sagging for anything else, unfortunately. My pecs are pretty huge though, so I'm sure it'll look great once I can take my bandages off and get my drains out.
DI is still going to look great. having pecs actually does a lot in terms of hiding the scars. regardless, they'll still fade over time. i've seen some amazing results of DI scars fading. have you seen ryan sallans? i want my body to look like his body.
Quote from: KyleXX on January 19, 2013, 09:38:16 PM
DI is still going to look great. having pecs actually does a lot in terms of hiding the scars. regardless, they'll still fade over time. i've seen some amazing results of DI scars fading. have you seen ryan sallans? i want my body to look like his body.
He looks alright.
I aim to get quite a bit leaner than him once I start working out again.
His body sort of looks like mine does right now, and I plan on doing P90x to help me shred a little bit, while maximizing the muscle I maintain.
Quote from: JasonRX on January 19, 2013, 09:51:42 PM
He looks alright.
I aim to get quite a bit leaner than him once I start working out again.
His body sort of looks like mine does right now, and I plan on doing P90x to help me shred a little bit, while maximizing the muscle I maintain.
For sure, I feel you bro. My body doesn't look so great right now so where's he's at is a solid goal for me. But once I get there I know I'm going to want more. My real ideal involves a six pack you can wash clothes on and getting real jacked and cut all over. Like a lean bodybuilder. Is that what you're going for? I know you can get there, and I hope you stick around so I can see your progress.
I used to have perky E cups but 4 years of binding has completely destroyed the perkiness. I have now what can only be described as long-boobs. They bind much flatter now but the shape under the binder looks really odd, what with my nipples being pretty much level with my belly button xD
I'm pretty large guy to start with, and then I have some pretty infuriating D-cups to contend with. I have a long binder, so it pulls in my hips a little too, but it does have a habit of pulling in just under my ribs and digging in, and I can't eat an even vaguely large meal with it on. It helps me pass, and it's great to look down at my clothes once it's on and see everything sitting right, but it gets pretty uncomfortable. I have to be pretty strict with how long I wear it, too, or it gets painful. And then there's the sweat.
I'm really looking forward to top surgery.
I'll be happy to join in on the moaning! I've been binding for 6 1/2 years now, with absolutely no end in sight. I use Underworks binders, and have since I began binding, but over the years, these have caused my shoulders to become so damaged that if I raise my arms over shoulder level for more than about a minute a day, my bursitis (also caused by binding) flares up and gives me excruciating pain. I haven't noticed breathing problems, nor have I had the displeasure of enduring lung infections, but I'm always worried about that. I only have Bs, but they won't lay flat without a pretty strong binder no matter what I do. Years of binding has broken down the breast tissue somewhat, but apparently mine are just quite resistant.