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To
begin with, binding with tape is not recommended - I've heard of someone
who managed to pull off a layer of skin at the end of the day. There are
a number of better binding options available, and what will work best
for you depends on your size and build.
That old standby, the 6" wide, self-adhesive Ace bandage, binds
really well, though it can restrict breathing if wound too tightly. For
an ultra-flat look, some people wear an Ace bandage underneath the Sears
Abdo Trim or similar products.
For those wishing to avoid binding during the summer comes this
suggestion from the Netherlands:
"Wear a muscle-shirt or a T-shirt (a muscle-shirt, leaving your
biceps and deltoids uncovered, looks nicer IMO), preferably not too
loose, tucked in. Over that, wear a singlet (which I think [Americans]
call a vest or tank top); make sure it's way way way oversized and not
made from a stretchy material, preferably with a print or application at
the front. It doesn't really bind, but for those of us who are not too
large it sure beats hot sweaty tight uncomfortable binders! Also, if the
vest has large armholes and is made from a loosely-knit or mesh-like
material it's not much warmer than one layer of clothes."
You can make a homemade binder made using control top panty hose (yes,
panty hose). This is nice and cool in the summer, works well for
smaller-chested guys and, only costs about two dollars for L'eggs or No
Nonsense. Here's what you do: buy a pair of control top panty hose, in a
color close to your skin tone - "nude" works well for the
fair-skinned. Make sure to buy a size that will be small on you. Cut
both legs off them, and then carefully cut the cotton crotch area out of
the middle, making sure you leave the fabric around it intact. Cut the
reinforced waist-band off too if you find that it cuts into you too much
(it will ride up more without the waistband, though). Then turn the
whole thing upside down - your arms should go through the leg holes,
your head should go though the hole in the crotch area, and the rest
(the waist area) should go down over your chest. Position your breasts
down and out as much as possible. Hand wash with mild soap, line dry.
Another good option is a tight sports bra, available at any athletic
wear store. These are very comfortable and work well if you're a
"B" or smaller. Champion makes a good one.
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While
the average sports bra doesn't have enough lycra (about 11%) to hold in
larger chests, there is a mail order company called Title Nine Sports
that offers a product called The Frog Bra (Item #310900) which is made
of 32% lycra and promises "maximum support and compression."
It costs $29.00 including shipping, and from what I've heard it works:
http://www.title9sports.com
The
Sears Home Health Care Catalogue's Abdo Trim Spandex A Shirt (Product
#1440) costs $19.99. Some guys cut the crotch off and then fold it up so
that the bottom edge comes to the bottom of the armhole, then they take
several stiches along the side seam to keep it folded up. That way, the
high-compression part of the garment, previously found by the abdomen,
is now up by the chest where it's needed.
Sears
HomeHealth Catalog
1-800-326-1750
7700 Brush Hill Rd
Hinsdale, IL 60521
Finally,
many drug stores and medical supply stores sell abdominal binders, which
some guys have had great success with. Elastic rib belts are also
available, but they tend to be less comfortable and effective than
abdominal binders.
http://www.tetramed.com |
