Hey guys. I have pectus excavatum, which is a fairly common rib cage deformity in which the sternum is really far back, so the chest looks "caved in". Because of the pushed in sternum, the part of my rib cage below my sternum sticks out. Like, a lot.
So, because of this binding is not only practically ineffective, it's super super painful. I've tried three different sizes of Underworks (my actual size would be a small) binders, and both the tank and the tri-top. It just doesn't work. My ribs push the binder into a weird angle so that my chest maybe looks flat if you cross you eyes. And because its just bigger below my sternum, it hurts like crazy. So much so that I can't bind for over maybe 4 hours straight, and I can't lay down in a binder at all. I have bruises all over my ribs constantly. And using a bigger size doesn't work, because I have a small bust and now it just looks like I'm wearing a sports bra. I've been binding for just over a year and this problem is driving me nuts.
Does anyone else have any experience with this? Or have any knowledge? Maybe knows of any binder brands with alternative designs that could help with this issue???? Thanks everyone
I have no experience with this, but would it be possible for you to use some padding to build up certain areas so that your offending parts don't seem to stick out so much? You might look a bit barrel-chested, but that effect is probably preferable to the alternative.
One of our nineteenth-century forebears--I think it might have been Loreta Janeta Velazquez--designed a truss that built up some areas. It seems to have worked.
try t-kingdom's zipper sports bra model
it's really comfortable!
if that doesnt work i'd recommend a velcro one so you can adjust the tightness