Binding Injuries

Contributor: Caulfield Caulfield
This has been said a lot, but ace bandages are really bad for binding. I used to a lot and I bruised frequently and almost passed out a handful of times. There's a few binder programs that you can use to get one for free or reduced, plus people give them away on tumblr occasionally, that's how I got my first one.
04/08/2012
Contributor: kmilly kmilly
if i wore a bra, it would be a DD. lucky me, right? i bind with an underworks 997/double front compression vest. it makes me lightheaded. there are days when i can wear it with no problem, but i usually end up with vertigo. that happened yesterday, and when i took it off, my ribs were horribly sore. think i'm getting pleurisy from binding, and i don't do it all the time. only out in public. pretty sure i'm bruised.
04/08/2012
Contributor: TheGreat TheGreat
I have trouble breathing when binding but play it safe and really put my health first.
04/09/2012
Contributor: MasonM MasonM
Quote:
Originally posted by klyte
Has a FtM transgender you know or yourself suffered binding injuries? I haven't myself, and I consider myself lucky for that. I bind with an ace bandage, but I know with a larger chest it can be so painful and hurting over a period of time. ... more
A friend of mine has not even B cup breasts, but bound them so tightly with an Ace bandage that he managed to cause severe damage to his lungs.

He was told by a doctor that he should never bind again, but not binding increases his dysphoria to the point of self-harm, so he and I are looking into getting him a binder that won't hurt him.
04/10/2012
Contributor: MasonM MasonM
Quote:
Originally posted by Chirple
Please read this.

ACE is totally unsafe and unhealthy.

You can make a much better binder with no sewing skills for the same price that will last longer, be more effective, and not be a health hazard.

Yes, people can and do get ... more
I can't wait to get a reduction enough to bind easily. I'm currently 45J (down from 46J two weeks ago, woot! Exercise is paying off!) and even with my Underworks binder my chest is still obvious.
04/10/2012
Contributor: Rab Rab
what everyone else said: NO ACE
I don't think I've hurt myself significantly by binding, but if I wear it for over 12 hours or so I start to get sore around my neck and shoulders
04/10/2012
Contributor: Thomas90 Thomas90
I've been binding for around 7 months, and only now have i started to have pain whilst binding. I've got pains in my ribs and i've also previously bruised them.

I cannot wait for top surgery!!!
04/11/2012
Contributor: ehre ehre
Quote:
Originally posted by klyte
Has a FtM transgender you know or yourself suffered binding injuries? I haven't myself, and I consider myself lucky for that. I bind with an ace bandage, but I know with a larger chest it can be so painful and hurting over a period of time. ... more
I double bind with Underworks binders. I also work inventory in a library--so a lot of heavy lifting. I was once binding and working and the repetitive motion cracked a rib. It's not very pleasant. I couldn't bind anymore after that, let alone breathe. I had to miss a lot of class (in Uni).

Cracked ribs aren't as common as bruises and pulled muscles. The Underworks binders (I haven't used anything besides them) are notorious for pulled muscles in the shoulders and upper back. I would say all binders run that risk if they're shaped like a shirt and bind all the tissue up top.

I've also found that full length binders are restrictive to digestion. They compress the stomach and the intestines and can cause a lot of pain, i.e. trapped internal gasses, bile backup. I have to limit where and when I eat, depending on how I bind.
04/12/2012