I read a lot about guys binding from the time they wake up till the time they go to sleep even at home just because they like feeling like they don't have boobs. It makes me wonder if anyone else doesn't care so much about it when they're at home. Now, I hate these things as much as anyone else on here-- one of my first real wakeup calls that I couldn't ignore my transgender-ness was when I got a pimple on one of my boobs and I didn't know it was a pimple and I got all excited that it might be some early sing of potential breast cancer and I could get a double mastectomy. But I really only bind for passing purposes and to get them out of the way. When I'm at home I tend to let them all hang out. I'm even able to sort of pretend they don't exist when I look in the mirror and I love sitting around my room and sleeping shirtless and feeling the air on my chest and back. Does anyone else feel like that or am I just weird?
Nah, I'm the same.
I always bind if I'm with people or if I go out, but at home I don't often wear one at all. I also sleep shirtless.
It's nice to be able to breathe!
Well I personally don't have a choice right now since I am not out about being TG but if I had a choice, id bind 24/7. its more of a 'illusion' thing for myself, not just to pass for other people. if i am completely alone at home, i cant unbind because then ill know and ill feel wrong, and i am the most important people that i need to pass for, it that makes sense.
I could understand you guy's view though, i just cant do it that way myself
Binding for that long is a serious health risk.
well i dont actually do it now, because my situation like i said, but when i can i would do it close to that. I'd rather be in physical pain than keep feeling how i feel with this wrong body. im very good at pain endurance, mental and physical, from over the years.
I bind pretty much 24/7
I can't stand to even see them myself. I bind for as long as I can possibly stand, and I just ordered my tritop today so that will increase now that I have a real binder instead of something that makes me sweat balls.
Haha, binders will make you sweat too! If you get sweaty, all the sweat stays under the binder and if you go outside it gets REALLY cold.
I rarely bind when I'm at home if it's just me and my mom. Sometimes, like right now, I'll keep it on if I've been on an errand and I don't feel like taking it off. I always bind to go out though.
I just like to be comfortable, whatever that means to me at the moment.
Since starting T my dysphoria has actually gone way down so now I don't have to bind as much as I did. I still bind all day but if I have to look in the mirror I don't have to get totally dressed first I can also sleep shirtless and not care.
I don't bind at home. It really just makes me more aware and resentful of them. It's bad enough they're there, but making myself uncomfortable to hide them is even worse.
At first I only bound for passing purposes, when I left the house. Then I started to leave the binder on even after I had come home. Within a month or two, I was binding all day, even when I didn't leave the house, because of how it made me feel. I hated taking off the binder at night, but I did it.
I had a very comfortable binder. Maybe that helped me to feel less dysphoria even when I wore it in private. I don't know.
I have had a similar experience with packing. At first I wore it only to my men's group, just in case anyone was checking out my crotch. I was surprised to find that it made me feel more natural. Now I pack all day and all night. The only time I don't is when I shower.
Now I'm living alone, and I still pack 24/7. Funny, I thought I might not. But it's all about how it makes me feel.
Yeah dude, I pack pretty much all the time too. I feel naked if I'm not. Once I get more built (started working out, or trying to) and have more masculine muscles I won't mind being shirtless as much, but it'll still bother me to an extent.
I keep mine on until I go to bed usually. I guess at home it's for myself mainly, 'cause I only live with my brother (who I'm not out to yet) and dad. Neither of them notice/care when I'm binding.
I should probably get a slightly looser binder for around the house though. I don't want to bugger me ribs etc, but I can't bring myself to wear a bra anymore and when wearing nothing I feel really big and womanish with them bouncing around and ->-bleeped-<-. ;o
Since I'm not out to my family, I don't bind. But I don't really care much about them. They are just something I ignore by now.
Same. They're just kinda there.
I do feel the need to pack quite alot though.
I bind at home if other people are over. I try to limit my binding to a maximum of 8-10 hours a day since I have a very large chest with a lot of compression (aka suffocating myself almost). I did once take a nap with my binder on. I woke up with problems breathing and my ribs hurt like hell.
They're pretty small, like an A. So I don't always even bind in public. Also sleep without binding, I just don't like to have tight things on my rib cage. Bothers me.
Don't go around shirtless though, even if I can. I try not to think about it and looking down and seeing those things out there. . . meh, it brings me down. I don't want to think about them.
Nygeel, we gotta get you top surgery. :(
I don't really bind - in that i have a binder but its so darn uncomfortable that i've only worn it once - i love the way i look in it, its great ;D but i have sensory issues anyway and the itchy elasticness, tightness etc. is reallly uncomfortable. Also having that kind of pressure/discomfort on my chest actually makes my dysphoria worse.
If i'm in public i usually wear a sports bra. I like them because they flatten my chest rather than trying to enahance/lift the way normal bra's are supposed to. I couldn't find a clean sports bra the other day and tried on one of my old bras. Uurgh!! Couldn't do it...i had to take it off and i was going out with nothing if i couldn't find my sports bra.
I wear baggy t-shirts a lot and usually go bra-less at home. This is actually not bad for me because after years without wearing a bra (i've always hated them even before it realised i might be FTM) they're pretty saggy and unless i move fast i can look down and not see them...yay!! I don't go topless much but i have also developed the ability to look at/passed them and see a flat chest. Makes getting dressed, bathing etc. easyier.
no_id intervention. ;)
Started binding two weeks ago and the first few days I simply brought a sportsbra with me to work and switched back and forth throughout the day (home > work > home = 12+hr for me). I pretty much do the same at home since it makes me feel comfortable and I often have folk about. I just feel more me with my binder on. However, when it comes down to it; I need to wear something.. I hate feeling my breasts plop. So a jiggle-free policy it is even if it's just a sportsbra at times.
Bind-free at night though; need to give 'm some air. Also, I tend to feel alright if I have a tightly shut bathrobe on before getting dressed or maybe that's because it takes a historical timeline before I'm actually awake... 8)
My chest does bother me, but I don't bind at home unless there is visitors. Outside the door? Always binding.
I'm stuck between hatred of my chest and trying to prolong the life of my (uncomfortable as all hell) binders. I know sports bras are an option, but there is no way in hell I'm ever wearing a bra again. I cannot bring myself to do it.
I used to wear an underwire bra 24x7 (even when asleep) from when I was 11 onwards because I couldn't deal with the movement and general "WTF ARE THESE DOING HERE?! EW GROSS!" factor. I wish I'd have known about binders (and what was possible) sooner!
Quote from: Arch on March 16, 2010, 01:36:35 AM
Nygeel, we gotta get you top surgery. :(
Yea...if only I wasn't ->-bleeped-<-ting my pants at the thought of surgery. Plus, I would probably lose feeling in my nips (I don't know of any guys that are my size that had top surgery).
For now I'll make due with what I've got.
Quote from: Devin87 on March 15, 2010, 02:59:56 PMI read a lot about guys binding from the time they wake up till the time they go to sleep even at home just because they like feeling like they don't have boobs.
This is me. I bind all day even if I'm not leaving the house. It feels unnatural when my chest is visible and I can feel them. However, I don't bind at night to let them breathe and get a break.
Quote from: Nygeel on March 16, 2010, 01:29:20 PM
Yea...if only I wasn't ->-bleeped-<-ting my pants at the thought of surgery. Plus, I would probably lose feeling in my nips (I don't know of any guys that are my size that had top surgery).
Two things. I was scared of surgery, too. Then I got to the point where it was ALL that I wanted. Had to have it. You might get to that point someday. A lot of us do.
Also, I have heard that nearly all guys retain their presurgical level of sensation, even with nipple grafts. If you want to hedge your bets, some surgeons will do a procedure that does not involve a nipple graft. When/if you get to that point, do your research. You might be pleasantly surprised.
I bind when I leave the house or have guests. The rest of the time I just wear a few undershirts and then a button down which masks them anyway and a sports bra for running/training. At night I sleep with a football shirt on. I am not comfortable enough to sit around topless or sleep topless or let anyone else see me naked.
I bind when I'm out of the house. If visitors are coming over, I just put on a tight sports bra and baggy shirt. Other than that, I usually just have a t-shirt or cutoff on and no bra or binder. I don't like my chest, but I can live with it until top surgery and hormones. I guess. lol
I don't have a binder yet (been eyeing the tritop) but do have several really tight sports bras. The problem I have is that I have so much trouble with breathing that anything tight can set off the asthma. thank goodness I have small moobs for my size...I've passed before without even wearing a sports bra (it especially helps if I poke my stomach out a bit--I've noticed a lot of big guys just carry their gut right out there in front). So even when I go wear a sports bra out, it comes off as soon as I get home, for maximum breathing potential. And regular bras...*shudder* Never. Again.
I wish I didn't mind it nearly as much as I do! It's quite annoying always having some part of your mind worrying about them being there! I'd love it if I could just ignore them or wasn't too bothered by them when at home!
Personally, from when they first grew until last year when I started binding I always wore bras (non-wire...) that were about a size too small in terms of the cup and a size to two sizes too small in terms of the number thing... 24/7, only took it off to shower. And I think it helped to sort of... stunt their growth. And it helped me in pretending they didn't exist... Now I bind 24/7 but more loosely (or with a sports bra) at night.
At home it's not so much for appearance because I don't really notice them under clothing, but it's moreso because they jiggle and wind up awkwardly positioned or get in my way.
Overall, I just never was really able to stand them being there...
I bind pretty much all day. The only time i don't is when i go to bed. binding is not uncomfortable to me at all though. I'm really small chested so I'm guessing that's why, but when i have my binder on I can't really even feel that it is on. It doesn't feel much different than a sports bra. I hate when i don't have it on though.
I have a fairly small chest to begin with, so going out in layers of t-shirts with a sports bra can usually do it for me, but if I'm going somewhere where I feel that I need to present a very flat chest in order to pass better (or if it's flippin hot outside) I'll wear a binder. I don't sleep when I'm binding, either (too uncomfortable to have pressure on my body when I'm trying to sleep -___-).
I bind 24/7. I have a really crappily home made binder so its really uncomfortable. At night though i usually sleep topless. If i had a store bought one i'd probably bind at night too though. I'm lucky enough to have a small chest so i shouldn't whine. Before i came out to my caretaker i wore too small sports bras. They were more comfortable at night than my homemade one.
Quote from: kyril on March 15, 2010, 04:44:13 PM
I don't bind at home. It really just makes me more aware and resentful of them. It's bad enough they're there, but making myself uncomfortable to hide them is even worse.
This!! My binder I think is too small for me because it cuts into my sides and back, and the compression just draws my attention all the more! I can't wait for my surgery...but I don't normally bind unless I'm going out. I'm not out at work so I wear a normal bra there and at home, but if I'm going to the bar or to a meeting..I'll bind then.
Sevan, I know you don't bind at work because you're not out but it would probably be safe to do so. Many guys have binded at work before coming out with no problems. Many times nothing's ever said. I've been binding since around May and nothing once has been said- even though it's obvious my breasts have "disappeared". You'd be surprised how clueless or what little attention is noticed by co-workers at work.
I switch jobs in July, and I'll be post surgery then. My breasts don't bother me so very much...though now that I'm on T I swear they're more annoying than before.
The under wire especially on the left side just....sucks!! I don't know what that's about. I mean a bra has never been a comfortable thing for me but...eeks. I WISH I could fit into sports bras...
For the most part if I can go braless, I'm good. My mom practically beat into me that "proper women wear bras" so I'm uncomfortable with one, and I'm uncomfortable in public without one. Just can't win! After my reduction I'll win though! lol...Can't wait. (May? I think...I hope.)
Congratulations on the new job and top surgery. I didn't know you were getting top surgery so soon.
I don't find it weird at all. I wear a comfortable sports bra out of the house, in the house I let it all hang out. I also am one that prefers to sleep nekkid.
Not sure how healthy it can be to wear a tight binder 24/7. Things need to circulate!
Whilst I understand body "issues", I am a strong advocate to acceptance of what is there till either you can take care of it or just be happy to live with what is you on the inside and not care so much of what is on the outside.
eh... it works for me.
Quote from: Radar on March 24, 2010, 07:55:33 PM
Sevan, I know you don't bind at work because you're not out but it would probably be safe to do so. Many guys have binded at work before coming out with no problems. Many times nothing's ever said. I've been binding since around May and nothing once has been said- even though it's obvious my breasts have "disappeared". You'd be surprised how clueless or what little attention is noticed by co-workers at work.
Agreed. They don't notice your breasts are gone, they just 'realise' you never had (large) breasts to begin with.
Quote from: Radar on March 25, 2010, 07:07:28 AM
Congratulations on the new job and top surgery. I didn't know you were getting top surgery so soon.
Hey thanks! I'm not sure I have a new job lined up yet, but I am LOSING my current job for sure, regardless. (I'm an Americorp state member and my term of service is over in July)
Just to be clear though...my top surgery is a breast reduction. I'm going from DDD to (hopefully) B. I'm so very excited though!! As I've said before...my breasts don't bother me in that they're breasts....but they bother me greatly in their current size.
I'm HOPING that after the year of "ubber firm, post op" they'll settle down and I'll be able to tape them to the side and go topless...oh I hope I hope!! (though in reality the amount of times I'll actually DO that...minimal. At best. lol. Still want to be able to...I hope I can)
I try to go shirtless around my home as much as possible, but if I'm going out in public, I try to find the tightest sports bra to wear
And even then I still can't pass, but it's better than wearing a normal bra
Quote from: phx_rising on March 25, 2010, 08:13:43 PM
Just to be clear though...my top surgery is a breast reduction. I'm going from DDD to (hopefully) B.
Ah, O.K. I can't imagine having a chest that big. How you guys handle that I can never imagine.
i'm a 40 DD and i would love to be a B cup again- i vaguely remember those days in my twenties. Now i just want to ' ave em off'
Well the thing is, is that I hate my boobs.
HATEHATEHATEHATEHAETTETETEHATEHATEH them.
Obviously, I don't like them very much.
So I've been using Ace Bandages lately;
(I know, I know, I'm not supposed to use them)
But only until I order my binder from Underworks.
I just think that they are there for no reason,
i hate how they look,
i hate how they feel,
and I HATE having to wear a shirt 24/7.
I can't wait till chest surgery, I'm burning all my T-Shirts, lol.
>:-)
when i first started binding, (with ace bandages might i add), i would rap it around as tight as possible.
i would do this if i was going out, and i started doing it even when i was just as home. like you, it was a nice feeling knowing that they were just out of the way.
then, i started wearing it to bed. i didnt like waking up, and physically being able to feel them, or see them. and yes. i KNOW this comes with serious health risks.
it started to bruise my back, and sides. and the back pains i got were indescribable.
I'm sadly unable to bind. I've tried many, many times. The best I can do is wear bras that help minimize things a bit. I have 36DDDD (yes, four Ds) breasts that are very 'solid' and do not compress well. They don't really sag much at all, I guess that is an upside? They get in my way and have gotten in my way since age 13.
My therapist wondered the other day if I wanted a breast reduction. I told her that I've considered one for many years, but during my ultra-female denial phase I was terrified of losing them since they had come to define me. And once I got past that phase, I mostly wasn't keen on the idea of going from big breasts to small breasts since I'd still have breasts. Until recently I had no idea FtM type top surgery was even an option. When I discovered that, I was jawdropped and I've started to save up for it.
I mean, imagine, not being a slave to my tits? A dream come true!
i wish you all the best M.Grimm