POSTED UNDER Breast Reduction REVIEWS
30yrs Old - 36DDD/F to 36C?
ORIGINAL POST
Hi everyone. I've been stalking RealSelf for...
WORTH IT
Hi everyone. I've been stalking RealSelf for awhile now and finally decided to take the plunge. I'm 30 years old with triple Ds and experiencing back and neck pain, chafing, shoulder grooves, bad posture, etc. I've always hated having larger breasts but until recently, the pain was bearable so I didn't do anything about it. However, I went to my first consultation with a surgeon today and it went very well. She submitted a letter to my insurance company and hopefully I will hear their response sooner rather than later.
I would like to go down to a B cup, but I would be satisfied with a C (as long as they NEVER EVER get bigger again!) :) I'm feeling very anxious because I wish I could just get everything over with, but I'm hoping that by the end of this year I will have smaller breasts. So this is the first post in my journey!
Replies (7)
June 24, 2012
Good luck and I hope you hear back soon. I think it took my ins about 5 wks to approve mine. I am 13 wks post and went from a 34dd to 34c. All the issues you described are pretty much gone for me now. Keep us posted :).
June 24, 2012
Hi ryliek, I was wearing a 36DDD, like you, and experienced all the same things you did: neck and back pain, shoulder pain and grooves and just general discomfort. I was seriously considering a breast reduction because I just wanted the pain to go away! I've since discovered I was wearing the completely incorrect bra size and now I'm wearing the correct size, the pain and discomfort has completely gone away. I feel like a new person! I would suggest you check your size before making the plunge to see if a new bra size helps. It really changed my life, and I've saved a lot of money on a breast reduction. Most lingerie companies are not knowledgeable when it comes to fitting larger breasts or don't have a wide variety of sizes, so they tend to put bigger busted ladies in the incorrect bra because that's all they have. The biggest issue is wearing a band size way too big, which puts a lot of pressure on your shoulders and neck (as your bra band should offer the most support, not your straps).
The best thing I've found is to measure yourself. What do you get when you measure tightly under your bust, without clothes? This measurement in inches is your band measurement - do not add any more inches (like many lingerie companies incorrectly do). For example, I measure 28 inches under my bust. I therefore wear a 28 band bra. Then, measure over the fullest part of your bust with a bra on. What is this number? Subtract it from your underbust measurement. So, if you measured 40 over your bust and 30 under your bust, the number would be 10. Each number represents a cup size. A, B, C, D, DD, E, F, FF, G, GG, H, HH, K, KK, L etc. So 10 would be GG, therefore a 30GG. The calculator here can help you if this gets too confusing: www dot sophisticatedpair dot com/bracalculator.htm I went from wearing a 36DDD (which offered NO support) to a 28HH and honestly, the difference is amazing. The pain has gone away. I would thoroughly recommend trying this to see if it helps you too, as over 80% of women are wearing the incorrect sized bra and from what you've described, you're experiencing this too. Good luck.
The best thing I've found is to measure yourself. What do you get when you measure tightly under your bust, without clothes? This measurement in inches is your band measurement - do not add any more inches (like many lingerie companies incorrectly do). For example, I measure 28 inches under my bust. I therefore wear a 28 band bra. Then, measure over the fullest part of your bust with a bra on. What is this number? Subtract it from your underbust measurement. So, if you measured 40 over your bust and 30 under your bust, the number would be 10. Each number represents a cup size. A, B, C, D, DD, E, F, FF, G, GG, H, HH, K, KK, L etc. So 10 would be GG, therefore a 30GG. The calculator here can help you if this gets too confusing: www dot sophisticatedpair dot com/bracalculator.htm I went from wearing a 36DDD (which offered NO support) to a 28HH and honestly, the difference is amazing. The pain has gone away. I would thoroughly recommend trying this to see if it helps you too, as over 80% of women are wearing the incorrect sized bra and from what you've described, you're experiencing this too. Good luck.
June 26, 2012
Thanks, this is REALLY helpful. I had no idea that's how they calculated bra size. I know I am wearing a too small bra. (They're so expensive, you know?!) Though, based on these measurements (I haven't actually measured myself) my band size would be a 30 0r 32... which i can tell you is WAY too small. At least in the brands I've been buying.
I have gone to Intimacy. If you haven't been, it's this bra store that measures you - I mean, REALLY measures you and helps you select the correct bra size... like they spend an hour consulting with each customer. I loved it, but it was very expensive - one bra was about $80. But it was very supportive AND cute.
I have gone to Intimacy. If you haven't been, it's this bra store that measures you - I mean, REALLY measures you and helps you select the correct bra size... like they spend an hour consulting with each customer. I loved it, but it was very expensive - one bra was about $80. But it was very supportive AND cute.
June 26, 2012
Hi ryliek, thanks for your response. What brands have you been trying? Each bra is different so it's definitely tricky and confusing to find the right size. Sizes that are great for bigger busts are Freya, Curvy Kate, Bravissimo and Panache.
Although measuring isn't always reliable, generally speaking (depending on your body of course!), what your underbust measures in inches is roughly what your band size should be, or at least a good place to start. I have been to Intimacy and found that, while better than most US lingerie stores, they still couldn't fit me into the right size (because they didn't have band sizes smaller than a 32 and had limited choice of much larger cup sizes).
If your underbust measurement is an odd number (say 31) you can try the band sizes 30 and 32 etc. From what you've said, I can certainly tell your 36 band size is way too big: shoulder grooves and neck pain are a tell tale sign of a bra band being too big (as the straps are taking the full weight of your bust, instead of your back band which should take the support). If you've been wearing a very loose band for all this time, then a tighter band may feel odd at first, but once you wear the bra a few times it will ease up. The band does need to be tight in order to offer support for a fuller bust. Your bra being too small will also contribute to not fitting properly in clothes and pain as they're not properly supported. Wearing a correctly fitting bra may make you appear smaller too, as your breasts will be properly contained. I know I looked a lot bigger when I was spilling out of my 36DDD bras than what I do now.
UK websites such as Bravissimo.com and Brastop.com are great options to get much cheaper bras in bigger sizes. Although they are based overseas, they do ship cheaply and quickly, and the bras are usually around $20-$40. Here are some very useful websites that show you how a bra should fit, or can offer advice:
http://www.brastop.com/fitting/ (for reference, the woman in this video is a size 30GG - she looks well proportioned in the right size bra though!).
http://www.bravissimo.com/perfectfit/wearing-the-wrong-bra-size/ (for reference, the woman in this fitting guide is a size 30FF). All the models on this website are a minimum of a FF cup.
https://www.facebook.com/FullerFigureFullerBust (she is great at offering fit advice)
http://www.thinandcurvy.com/2010/10/how-to-measure-your-bra-size-correct.html (also a great guide!)
You might already know this, but when you go down a band size, you go up a cup size to retain the same volume. 36DDD (or E, in UK sizes) is the same cup size as a 34F, 32FF, 30G, 28GG. So, if your band is currently too big and cup size currently too small, you could be a 34G/32GG/30H. Don't be afraid of the bigger letters. :) A properly fitted DD cup is actually rather small (as evidenced by the women in the fitting guides above - they are sizes 30GG and 30FF respectively, but don't look too huge), but because of the misconception around bra sizes most people don't realise this.
I hope this helps, and good luck with whatever decision to make. Please feel free to PM me if you need any more help if you want to see if a good fitting bra makes a difference first. I am part of an amazing and supportive (excuse the pun!) online community of larger busted women who have all been in the same position as you and I, and I know from chatting to them how much of a difference wearing the right size bra made in their life as well. :-)
Although measuring isn't always reliable, generally speaking (depending on your body of course!), what your underbust measures in inches is roughly what your band size should be, or at least a good place to start. I have been to Intimacy and found that, while better than most US lingerie stores, they still couldn't fit me into the right size (because they didn't have band sizes smaller than a 32 and had limited choice of much larger cup sizes).
If your underbust measurement is an odd number (say 31) you can try the band sizes 30 and 32 etc. From what you've said, I can certainly tell your 36 band size is way too big: shoulder grooves and neck pain are a tell tale sign of a bra band being too big (as the straps are taking the full weight of your bust, instead of your back band which should take the support). If you've been wearing a very loose band for all this time, then a tighter band may feel odd at first, but once you wear the bra a few times it will ease up. The band does need to be tight in order to offer support for a fuller bust. Your bra being too small will also contribute to not fitting properly in clothes and pain as they're not properly supported. Wearing a correctly fitting bra may make you appear smaller too, as your breasts will be properly contained. I know I looked a lot bigger when I was spilling out of my 36DDD bras than what I do now.
UK websites such as Bravissimo.com and Brastop.com are great options to get much cheaper bras in bigger sizes. Although they are based overseas, they do ship cheaply and quickly, and the bras are usually around $20-$40. Here are some very useful websites that show you how a bra should fit, or can offer advice:
http://www.brastop.com/fitting/ (for reference, the woman in this video is a size 30GG - she looks well proportioned in the right size bra though!).
http://www.bravissimo.com/perfectfit/wearing-the-wrong-bra-size/ (for reference, the woman in this fitting guide is a size 30FF). All the models on this website are a minimum of a FF cup.
https://www.facebook.com/FullerFigureFullerBust (she is great at offering fit advice)
http://www.thinandcurvy.com/2010/10/how-to-measure-your-bra-size-correct.html (also a great guide!)
You might already know this, but when you go down a band size, you go up a cup size to retain the same volume. 36DDD (or E, in UK sizes) is the same cup size as a 34F, 32FF, 30G, 28GG. So, if your band is currently too big and cup size currently too small, you could be a 34G/32GG/30H. Don't be afraid of the bigger letters. :) A properly fitted DD cup is actually rather small (as evidenced by the women in the fitting guides above - they are sizes 30GG and 30FF respectively, but don't look too huge), but because of the misconception around bra sizes most people don't realise this.
I hope this helps, and good luck with whatever decision to make. Please feel free to PM me if you need any more help if you want to see if a good fitting bra makes a difference first. I am part of an amazing and supportive (excuse the pun!) online community of larger busted women who have all been in the same position as you and I, and I know from chatting to them how much of a difference wearing the right size bra made in their life as well. :-)
UPDATED FROM ryliek
5 months pre
Just has a second consultation. The second PS...
Just has a second consultation. The second PS told me he could most likely get me down to a B cup, but that he couldn't guarantee a certain cup size. Based on PS#1's consultation, I'm not sure how natural-looking it would turn out. (PS#1 told me that since the base of my breast was wide, a B cup probably wouldn't look natural. She's actually never done a BR that resulted in anything less than a C, which is what she recommended.)
Anyway, PS#2 also said he would submit a letter to insurance and that he would hear a response by - wait for it - the end of the week! My stomach is already turning into knots.
Anyway, PS#2 also said he would submit a letter to insurance and that he would hear a response by - wait for it - the end of the week! My stomach is already turning into knots.
Replies (2)
June 25, 2012
HI Ryliek. Welcome!! I am waiting to see my second PS in July and I cant wait to have the girls go!! I am an K and uts miserable! I have been on here for the last two months and have been watching and reading and I am so ready for my turn! My neck back shoulders chest you name it it all hurts!!! I am hoping for a D cup! Always have had a large chest and the girls just keep inviting their friends over and they do not leave!! My insurance tookone week to aprice with the first ps so we will see!! Good luck on your journey! This place is wonderdul for info and support!!
Faythfull in Texas
Faythfull in Texas
June 26, 2012
That;s great about your insurance! I'm worried because I feel like mine aren't "that big compared to other women who want a reduction. When are you hoping to have the surgery done?
UPDATED FROM ryliek
5 months pre
I got a phone call yesterday from PS#2's office. ...
I got a phone call yesterday from PS#2's office. INSURANCE APPROVED ME FOR A REDUCTION! (Is it weird that it only took one day to get approved?) Either way, I'm so happy. I do have to pay my insurance deductible, but I have an FSA, so I will get reimbursed for most of it. I think I still want to wait to hear back from PS#1's office and what the insurance company tells them. Then I'll schedule my BR and hopefully have the surgery done by the end of the summer!
Hi Rylie! I'm glad your appointment went so well. Please let us know when you get a decision from the insurance company.