Large breasts

Disproportionately large breasts can make a woman self-conscious. They can cause backache, probably because of adopting a drooping posture to try to hide their size. After a few years, the pressure from bra straps may cause grooves in the shoulders. High-impact sports such as jogging or aerobics can be uncomfortable or impossible. Clothes that fit properly can be hard to find. The oral contraceptive pill may have to be abandoned because it makes the breasts even larger.

The first essential is a well-fitting bra. Women with large breasts often make the mistake of choosing a large size with too small a cup, rather than a smaller size with a larger cup. For example, a woman who needs a 34E often buys a 36C.

Choosing a bra If the straps dig into your shoulders, the bra back size is probably too big, as the main support for the breasts should come from the strap around your body and the cups If your bra rides up your back, the bra is too big around your body – the strap should fit around your ribcage Lift up your arms. Did everything stay in place? If your bra pulls up across your breasts you need a smaller size bra, probably with a larger cup size If your bra wrinkles, your cup size is too big – the breasts should be in the cups with a smooth outline If your breasts bulge out of the top or sides of your cup, and your bra looks lumpy under clothes, your cup size is too small If wires poke out at the front or dig in under your arms, the cup size is too small – the wires should lie flat against your body and surround your breasts Look for a bra with two or three fastenings or hooks – these give the best support Underwires give good support, but the upper end of the wire should not press into the breast tissue near the armpit

Breast reduction surgery
Discuss the pros and cons of breast reduction surgery with your doctor. This does not commit you to anything, and may help you decide whether you can come to terms with your figure – and see it as an advantage – or whether you really would like surgery. In the UK, it is very unlikely that you would be able to have the operation on the National Health Service.

Breast reduction surgery is a more complicated operation than breast enlargement with implants, and takes 2–3 hours. Skill is needed to make both breasts look the same shape. The operation is more ‘final’ as it cannot be reversed. It is not surprising that far fewer breast-reducing than breast-enlarging operations are performed.

As with breast enlargement surgery, it is important to find a skilled surgeon (see choosing a cosmetic surgeon). Within reason, the surgeon can remove as much or as little as you want, so you should end up with breasts the size you want.

The surgeon removes a wedge of breast tissue and reshapes the remaining skin and tissue. The nipple will have to be moved to a new position. Usually you will end up with scars right round the nipple, in the crease line under the breast and along a line joining the nipple to the crease line. These scars take about a year to fade. The scar around the nipple fades first.

Problems. A number of problems can occur after breast reduction surgery.There is often some loss of feeling from the nipple – often touch can be felt, but there may be loss of erotic feeling.

• Breastfeeding may not be possible afterwards.
• The incisions may take a long time to heal, especially round the nipple, and the central part of the incision in the crease line.
• The scars from the incisions usually fade in 6–12 months, but can become thickened and unsightly.
• As with all operations, there is a risk of infection and internal bleeding.

 

• Breast problems
• Painful breasts
• Drooping breasts
• Small breasts
• Lopsided breasts
• Redness under the breasts
• Breasts in men
• Useful contacts