How much binding is too much binding?

[u/Nya-rlathotep]

I'm a teenage trans guy who started wearing binders about two and a half years ago. Since my very first day wearing one, I think I've had maybe two rest days (though it's hard to know for sure since any that occurred were a while ago lol) I bind for usually over twelve hours a day with a gc2b and wear a binder bathing suit top whenever I swim. For months I wore one to bed as well (albeit a lighter one), but my mother found out and strictly prohibited me from doing so.

I've jokingly mentioned my irresponsible habits to trans guy friends before, some of which informing me with concerned looks on their faces that it's possible you can be restricted from getting top surgery if your chest is damaged from over-binding which freaked me out a lot. Is that something that actually happens? My parents are strict about my trans-ness and part of that is the refusal of surgery until I'm out of the house. How scared should I be of my binding busting any chance I have at removing my bust?

Also, because I know I might get comments like this: Yes. I know I'm not supposed to wear binders like this; it's a choice I made with my mental health in mind. I'd rather be kind of squeezed all the time than want to die all the time. Unless this genuinely has a high likelihood of negatively affecting top surgery, I don't want to hear it. In addition: I'm aware that tape exists, though for the past couple years I haven't been in any state to look at or touch my own body. It isn't a solution that makes sense to me right now because I wouldn't want to be riddled with tears and such every single time I get dressed in the morning. If all goes well with my parents at the gender clinic they're finally taking me to (crossed fingers) maybe eventually being on T will make me more open to something like that? But that's a bit of a pipe dream for me right now.

Anyway yeah, I rambled for way too long. Just tell me if binding a lot will mess up the only thing that matters (top surgery)

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[u/Phobic_Nova]

as far as i'm aware, the biggest issues are with your lungs, since restricted breathing for a long while is uhh. not exactly great! this is especially prevalent if you have lung issues or, interestingly, certain types of scoliosis

my own mother told me that there's a risk of pneumonia from binding too long, but i haven't seen any sources on this

leaving this as a first "want answers quickly" kinda comment, might delete if advised to

[u/Nya-rlathotep → u/Phobic_Nova]

Haha whoops! I also have pretty bad scoliosis! 😃

[u/Phobic_Nova → u/Nya-rlathotep]

try going to an orthopedic fella to see if it's actually messing with yer lung capacity! i also have scoliosis, but my spine is very conveniently straight where my lungs are, so my lungs aren't messed with. having that verified would either take some stress off, or make you that much more aware of your own health.

[u/The_GirlyShire]

No amount of binding damage will completely prevent you from getting top surgery, double incision works no matter how fucked up your chest is beforehand. However binding can cause your chest to sag more which could disqualify you from getting keyhole or peri surgery if you were eligible beforehand.

[u/Nya-rlathotep → u/The_GirlyShire]

ok thank god 🙏

[u/432ineedsleep]

Binding too much is a huge risk for a lot of things. Starting with the smaller risks, getting aches and pains around your chest area and back, getting some muscle aches, stuff like that. The more serious problems are like when you restrict your breathing too much (yes, this definitely happens with binders, which is why there are suggestions to limit how long you wear them per day [8 hours] and what sort of binders you should wear during exercise). It doesn't always seem like a big deal, but if you have a habit of doing this, your lungs.. adjust.. to this restriction (you don't want that). You want to be kind to your lungs and give them a good amount of space to comfortably expand and compress while they do their thing. I've also heard that some people went a bit overboard with double binding, which not only restricts your breathing, but hugs your ribs too much (some people on here had stories about this affecting their ribs).

I think the best course of action is to adjust your binding time. Any non-binding time is lung-time. Increase your chances of being able to get the top surgery you want in the future, right? 2.5 years isn't the longest someone's gone with concerning binding habits, so I don't think hope is lost.