Thanks, Seamster.

I've been binding for 4 years and it worries me a little because I definitely can't afford top surgery, I'm on disability. But the way it works in Ontario is you can go through the mental hospital to get top surgery covered under the province's health plan, but you have to jump through a bunch of hoops. If I even qualify it could take another year or more. I've applied, and have already been waiting a year just for the initial intake.

I don't bind at home because I live alone. I get dysphoria and wish the damn things were gone, but since I can't afford top surgery I try and bind as little as possible. That's anywhere from an hour or two a day to 12 hours, but the 12 hour days are very rare. The average is probably more along 4 or 5 hours a day. I don't bind tightly either - I'm just on the upper edge of normal weight so my chest isn't meant to be completely flat. Binding moderately with a binder with velcro on the side so it's easy to escape works for me. I never feel pain or much discomfort so I guess I'm ok.