So I got some new binders, and I love how flat they get me. The problem is that even though I'm not uncomfortable wearing them (at least, not after the first thirty minutes or so), as soon as I take them off, I'm in an annoying amount of pain. Now I have bruising across the bottom of my ribs, and a kind of disgusting, oozy rash in one spot.
How can I get rid of this?
And there is no use in saying: get different binders. I walked around in a t-shirt (and nothing but a t-shirt) today for the first time in about 25 years. And it was AMAZING. I ain't giving up that for anything.
The reality is your binders are too small in size, if it is leaving bruising especially (and the pain you describe after removing it, this should not happen) . Only solution would be to exchange them for a size up or see if you could get a discount if you cant exchange them, there is no other 'fix'. Long term use can lead to serious health problems and an inability to bind comfortably.
The oozy rash I've never heard of my self, I would recommend asking your gp (doctor) about it, could be the material constricting breathing of the skin due to it being to small.
I know it feels great and to walk with confidence but this is your health, well being, and it can take a drastic turn if you bind wrong, trust me, a lot of my friends have been through this.
Agree with Skyla. It's obviously too small; a binder in the right size would never cause what you're experiencing. Can't you return it? It's not worth self harming yourself over this.
Skyler and Elis are right. I know this isn't what you want to hear, but if you're getting pain and skin damage this quickly, the binder is too small. Binding too tight can damage the structure of your ribs, back, and shoulders; some people are who get this type of damage are unable to bind at all for long periods -- months or years -- and for others, the damage can be permanent.
Really, it's not worth it -- please get some binders that fit properly.
Sigh.
Ya'll are right. It is too small. And girlfriend (she's a nurse) has put her foot down on the binding: no more binding at all when I'm at home and it's just the two of us.
I'll just have to deal and go one up.
:(
Not sure what sort of top surgery you plan on getting, if any, but I know that if you damage your skin from binding it can effect surgery results and the type of surgery you get. If you damage your skin, a double incision is likely to be the only option available.
In the short term binding tightly feels good and can help you mentally, but in the long run it can potentially mess up surgery results, never mind potential ribs breaking, breathing problems ect.
Speaking from personal experience, that helped me. It sucks, but in the long term you'll be thanking yourself.