im damaging my ribs and i cant stop

[finnn]

hi my name's flynn im 16 and a trans guy and i am really terrified that ive put a hole in my lung
i bind every day for too long. i bind at school and if i go out after and i bind at the weekends generally and my ribs are completely messed up,
but a couple times when ive taken off my binder and stretched ive got this sensation which feels like.. well like my lungs are deflating really suddenly. i dont know what to do because if i tell my parents or go to the doctor theyll make me stop binding and oh my god i just cant.
the thought that terrifies me is something going seriously wrong with my ribcage and me going to  hospital, them putiing me in one of those paper tops or whatever and going to the hospital isnt the bit that scares me its the fact that i would be lying there on a bed and everybody would be able to see my chest . that thought makes me want to cry.
i guess this is a bit of a  cry for help, if you ppl now  any other ways of binding that isnt going to make this thing any worse then please tell me. i have thought about sports injury tape , is this a good  idea?
thanks, flynn

[Dena]

Welcome to Susan's Place. It's not possible for us to diagnose you so I suggest you seek medical care now. Ribs are fairly easy to break and most of the time they will heal without issues but sometimes they require medical attention. A sports bra while not as effective as a binder might help. From what I have seen, an improperly fitting binder can cause problems  so you might want to join in the discussion in the FTM gear section.

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[Elis]

What brand of binder are you using? When I was using an Underworks binder I had those exact same pains. Since I switched to GC2B binders I found it completely painless to wear even when wearing one all day.

[finnn]

im using underworks i think that i need to try gc2b its very expensive though but i think i will have to

[Rion]

try googling trans tape its what I plan to try its like the sports tape but made specifically for FTM binding it was also created by a transman

[Oblivion]

I know it's impossible to even think about but if you've broken ribs or done any permanent damage you need to give your body a rest and stop binding until they've healed. It's coming up to winter so this is the time to get it checked out and should you need to stop binding you can layer up when you're out. I know it's not the same but you can't carry on with damaged ribs, it'll only get worse and you could end up doing permanent damage to yourself that could potentially affect you getting top surgery etc. If you think about it like that then you realise that you can't carry on like this. Just for your peace of mind go to the GP and see what's happening.

try googling trans tape its what I plan to try its like the sports tape but made specifically for FTM binding it was also created by a transman

Tape is a way to bind but it's not really safe and can actually affect top surgery results as it affects skin elasticity so I'd be careful. That trans tape, whilst marketed towards trans people, is exactly the same as KT/sports tape. I've used it while on holiday and needing to swim but I wouldn't suggest using it long term. It creates blisters on the skin and can be very painful. Also you need quite a small chest for it to have any decent binding affect so doesn't work for everyone.

[Undead Cat]

You can use tissue under the tape and apply magnesia milk before putting it on.

As for size, not really, if your boobs are too big, you can either try to turn them into into a "belly" or "moobs" or "pecs".

The creator of the tape haa big ones and he do fine.
🔗

[Undead Cat]

Anyway,  you can bind with compression sports bras, minimizing bras, binding sports bras, folded camisoles, harnesses,  swimsuits,  neoprene,  bellybands , compression wear,  gynecomastia vests.

Baggy shirts,  jackets, vests, sweaters, button up shirts, dark and pattern clothing, clothing layering, are good ideas too.