[Babakins]

Doll, have you tried a corset before I mean a real steel boned one? They are pretty hardcore and hurt like nuts. By this I mean they will make the squeems marks fade into obliviion! If you are getting a real one then I wouldn't go lower than 4 inches than you currently are, as is suggested.

I got a corset from corsetsuk which was pretty amazing but my god was it hard. I returned it because it was too long for my torso but it was £50 and made by the owner whose factory is in India. I got a 22 inch which was still probably too big as I am 24 1/2 waist but I was willing to go down slowly as there is nothing worse than that hideous squish gap at the back.

When fully closed it cut my hip as the bones were so hard. For the longer torsoed pesron they are great value very strudy and tight. I ordered a esbelt after this for ease of movement. I am pretty sceptical about corsets and permament deformation as I am not willing for a 24/7 commitment. Besides the fact that they are pretty obvious under clothing and I would be edgy about getting hugged ever again!! Not to mention the unavoidable muffin roll at the underarm area. Not nice at all!

I would suggest that you find a corsettier and go for a fitting just to scope out what they feel like or just try a few of their sample sizes. I would even hazard checking if you can get some medical grade corset for your back issues.

Or maybe contact Dr Aaron Stone who specialises in rib removal operations. He can probably advise quite well. As far as I am aware he only does the surgery with a tummy tuck though

[mochaccino]

Babakins, the pressure can be uncomfortable, but it shouldn't have hurt, let alone cut you. I'm not sure whether you really mean "cut" (ouch!), or just "cut-in", but either way that just means that they sold you a very low quality corset, and/or it did not fit you. I noticed that Corsets-uk is selling a corset that looks a whole lot like the one Doll found on Ebay for $20, but their charging $130. I hope you're not seriously considering rib removal, but if you really have considered that possibility, than it shouldn't seem too extreme or too expensive to try out a custom corset from a real corsetier at least once. Looking at that Corsets-uk site is getting me angrier and angrier. In my opinion they're committing a technically legal form of fraud. I'm sorry about the way they overcharged you. I hope you give a real corsetier a try before giving up on corsets entirely. I know of someone selling handmade, good quality custom corsets for $130. She recently dropped her price from $150, and her corsets were already the best value in the business according to some tightlacers who reviewed them. PM me if you're interested. Quality custom corsets for under $150 are extremely rare. I plan to save up and buy one from her before she comes to her senses and starts charging what her work is worth.

As I type there's a CorsetStory (aka Corsets-uk) ad displaying on the bottom of the screen. Ugh! >_< For God's sake people, just ignore it if it shows up.

[AbiDrew85]

Thanks mocha! I think that answers everything I need to know about even considering that Indian corset company. I don't know how they manage to have such a high feedback rating if their corsets are really so bad.

I think I shall PM you... hopefully she's not come to her senses yet by the time I can afford one

Even 130 is steep when you lack a job, unfortunately

[Babakins]

Thanks Moccachino but just to clarify, I tried the Corsets-UK corset and I couldn't fault it (or the customer service) except for my ribcage/torso being too short for it. Hence when I tightened it it was ouch as it hit my hip bones. If I placed it too high ouch it hit my boobs. They are 10" which is too long for me.

Aside from it not fitting my body it was brilliant quality and easily comparable to a professional corset I had fitted 10 years back for something else. In fact I had one made by a corsettier when my interest in corsets began, and it was a lower quality, so I can't fault the workmanship, they just make them en masse at various lengths. I paid £50 which is super cheap for a steel boned corset. I have worn corsets (2 years 15 hours a day) and know how they feel but my reason for discarding them back then was due to the 'she's wearing a corset' vibe they give under clothing.

The rib removal reference was for Doll not me. I came across this guy when I first started with corsets and was researching all things waist reduction. But tummy tucks are serious so unless you need one of those also he wouldn't just snip a few ribs out!

[Doll]

It looks to me like these corsets are the same ones being sold by higher end corset shops as their "value" line. Typically the middle-of-the-road, "almost" high end corset shops have a regular section where the cheapest corset is $150, and then a small "value" section where the corsets are magically $50- $75. Lately 80% of the "value corsets on offer are jaquard and pinstripe satin, just like these. I don't understand how these could cost $20. Either the corset shops have a huge mark-up (which is possible), or these are an even cheaper knock-off of a popular bargain brand. Also, some of the wording in the description part of the listing seemed odd to me. I couldn't decide if it was just because of poor English skills, or if they were being intentionally evasive. I would ask them if the corsets contain any plastic boning or un-reinforced seems. Apparently manufacturers will sometimes put a few steel bones in a mostly plastic corset and call it "steel-boned". Other times the corsets won't have any plastic boning, but some areas that are reinforced in "real" corsets will not be reinforced at all in the cheaper ones. I noticed that they openly advertise that the busk is extremely flexible. That doesn't sound like a good sign to me. You shouldn't be able to easily bend it into a loop, even if it springs right back. If you can, then it's probably too soft to do what it's supposed to.

Thanks so much for your input. You're awesome. So knowledgeable...
I know they're so cheap because they are made in India (looking around at other corsetters, that seems to be the best place to get a cheap quality corset; the materials are very cheap there). A lot of girls over at BHM start out with corsets made by this company, although they buy them from American retailers that sell them for around $50. So I guess it'll be a good place for me to begin. I'm ok with something that won't last years or anything, because I know it's something I will outgrow soon. I will still regardless ask the seller more about them.

Doll, have you tried a corset before I mean a real steel boned one? They are pretty hardcore and hurt like nuts. By this I mean they will make the squeems marks fade into obliviion! If you are getting a real one then I wouldn't go lower than 4 inches than you currently are, as is suggested.

I would suggest that you find a corsettier and go for a fitting just to scope out what they feel like or just try a few of their sample sizes. I would even hazard checking if you can get some medical grade corset for your back issues.

Or maybe contact Dr Aaron Stone who specialises in rib removal operations. He can probably advise quite well. As far as I am aware he only does the surgery with a tummy tuck though Sad

No, I've never owned a corset before (I would NEVER consider anything with plastic boning a corset!), this will be my first. I'm sure the pain won't be too bad, and it will be something to get used to is all. My Squeem was able to pull me in a full 2 inches before it got all worn out, and that didn't hurt at all. I know a corset will feel completely different, but I'm down for it, no matter what. ;P I also plan to tightlace when I begin my training to get faster results, so a corset that is 6 inches large might be better for that as well. As far as the hideous gap in the back, did you not buy one with a modesty panel? Most corsets seem to be made with a 5" modesty panel, and that would be more than enough to conceal any back squishes I might get.

Again, the corsetting pain doesn't scare me one bit; when I first got the Squeem, it pushed a small rib deformation back into the rest of my ribs over the course of a week. It essentially feels like walking around with a broken rib everyday. My boyfriend couldn't even hug me. And honestly, it didn't bug me at all because I knew it was giving me a better feminine shape. Even now, the Squeem has started shifting the bottoms of my ribcage downwards a little (even taking a break from Squeeming, they were still very tender!). I am completely ready for a corset and any pain it might try to bring my way. LOL I know with my strangely pliable ribs, the corset training will likely hurt more for me than the average person, but I guess that just means my full results will come that much faster.

Even just the flimsy Squeem has given me the most amazing back pain relief, so any corset I buy will just be that much better! I may be looking forward to that aspect of it even more that the actual waist shaping! Lol (I'm kidding, I look forward to both equally.) And holy cow, I'd NEVER even consider rib removal surgery! That's extreme and unnecessary! My ribs are so easily shaped, it'd be ridiculous to go to such extremes. If I were ok with cosmetic surgery, I would just go and get implants already. I don't think anyone should have to go that route unless it is something they really need.

[Babakins]

Hey Doll, well I think you'll definitley cope with a corset in that case. In my experience the day starts off comfortable but by teh end of it I would want to take it off. You do adjust to it fast after a few weeks though.

Oh yes I had one with a modesty panel but it would bunch up underneath grrr. The Corset-UK ones have a modesty panel, I kind of wish that they did a shorter length torso my ideal would be 8 inches.

Yes the rib removal ops were originally intened for scoliosis patients and as part of thorracic outlet syndrome hence the existence of the technology.

Let us know how you get on I wish I had pliable ribs too!

[Doll]

Hey Doll, well I think you'll definitley cope with a corset in that case. In my experience the day starts off comfortable but by teh end of it I would want to take it off. You do adjust to it fast after a few weeks though.

Oh yes I had one with a modesty panel but it would bunch up underneath grrr. The Corset-UK ones have a modesty panel, I kind of wish that they did a shorter length torso my ideal would be 8 inches.

Yes the rib removal ops were originally intened for scoliosis patients and as part of thorracic outlet syndrome hence the existence of the technology.

Let us know how you get on I wish I had pliable ribs too!

I had no idea they removed ribs for scoliosis, I assumed it would make something like that possibly worse. :/ Strange, the things they come up with!

My Squeem sometimes gets kind of hard to keep on all day. But a lot of times I just realize it's because I'm slouching too much or laying the wrong way, and it's causing too much strain. But a corset will be much stiffer and stronger, so I'll probably actually have an easier time keeping it on all day! Lol

I'm so excited. I think I'll be ordering one either Sunday or Monday! Happy birthday to me!

[Doll]

Well, I bought the corset. Didn't plan on doing it so soon, but my friend got a chance to randomly come over today, so we figured might as well.

It turned out costing $50 with shipping because of the one I ordered. Apparently the colour you choose affects the price. eBay effed up and when I chose my colour, it didn't change the price for me until the very end of checkout...This is why I absolutely HATE eBay. If I had gotten the green/black one I originally wanted, it would have only been $40 with shipping...but no, I had to go with the blue/red one because it would match my hair. =_= IT DOESN'T MATTER IF IT MATCHES MY HAIR, BECAUSE IT WON'T MATCH ANYTHING I OWN. ANYTHING. 8( I guess I'm going to be spending the next few days desperately trying to find things it might go with...Maybe this means I'll just have to go out shopping. ;P I'm just now realizing it'll look amazing with my jean shorts and black faux leather leggings, so maybe all will be ok with the world...(Still, another colour would go so much better with anything.) My friend got the pink/silver one, and it's so cute. It's going to match everything. I'm going to be so mad once they get here and she looks adorable and I look ridiculous.

[AbiDrew85]

Doll.

I totally giggled. A lot.

Aside from the whole color coordination problem... I'll be quite eager to hear your progress with it.

Maybe split it off to another thread? We've already completely taken this one over with corsets, lol. I mean. Yeah. Great way for waist reduction. But. It's only ONE way. And it's completely dominated this thread. Hehe.

[Doll]

Lol I know, it really has completely turned into a corset thread. But the OP did mention she would be interested in bringing her ribs in slightly, so I'm sure this helped her learn more about how to do that.

I've been wondering when this was going to branch off into its own thread. Lol When the corset thread goes up, I'm definitely going to be posting my progress throughout! I hate that there's hardly any corset progress photos online, so I think it'll be helpful for others who are looking to get into it as well.

I woke up this morning angry about my colour choice again...then found some shirts that it would go really well with (a lot of my shirts are black and red or black and blue luckily), but then I also realized that most of my shirts wouldn't go with a corset no matter what colour I chose. :/ Guess I really do need to go shopping...(I know when the corset gets here, I'll be so excited about how gorgeous it is, I won't even be able to be mad about the colour or price difference anymore! Lol)

Once it ships out, I'm going to obsessively check the tracking everyday. xD