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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.
 
Diagram showing the position of scars after breast reduction surgery
 
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.

Written by: Dr Margaret Stearn
Edited by: Dr Margaret Stearn
Last updated: Friday, February 26th 2010

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Comments on this article

Posted by Shereen on 01/12/2009 at 10:43:00 am

I have very big breast. I am feeling very uneasy and uncomfortable, specially in summers. Also some times I feel backeche. What to do ? Pl. help me.

Posted by Eddie on 28/11/2009 at 12:31:00 pm

I was born without testicles and a hormonal inbalance. Thus, I have a 36C breasts. I had this condition all my life. People have always wondered if I'm a guy or a chick. This can be very frustrating. During my high school years this was very frustrating and embarrassing.

Posted by Teresa on 06/11/2009 at 04:20:00 am

Check out www.swoobies.com . I'm finally comfortable and I didn't have to lose weight or get a reduction!

Posted by Jade on 18/06/2009 at 02:12:00 am

Im a size 8 and have 34EE breasts and like many others who have posted, struggled to find blouses and clothes to cover my modesty and I found an online store called Miss Fit UK which are really good! You have to google them, but theyre really fashionable and a decent price x

Posted by Rahwa on 12/04/2009 at 08:54:00 am

does it help wearing the bra all the for redictoin the breast????? pls reply. or is there any harm in wearing the bro constantly???

Posted by -S- on 11/04/2009 at 11:25:00 pm

I'm 18 years old and my breast are 36DD.. my doctor told me I should wait until I am 21 but I really want this surgery! Do you think because I have scoliosis of the spine that the surgery would be covered? I just want smaller breast so bad, it would definitely make my life so much better :( Please help!

Posted by Celia Leach on 25/03/2009 at 05:59:00 pm

I am 4 foot 9 inches. I weigh 110 pounds. My problem is I wear a 32H bra. I am in pain most of the day until I remove my bra. I have no insurance so I cannot get a reduction. I would gladly go on a tv medical show to show how breast reductions are done. People think that because I am 62 that I should just let it be. Guess what?? they are still growing. Two years ago I wore a g cup.

Posted by JENN on 18/03/2009 at 09:29:00 am

I HAVE VERY BIG BREAST AND HAVE 4 KIDS AND HAVE ALL THE COMPLICATION ABOUT BIG BREAST AND DONT HAVE THE MONEY FOR THE REDUCTION SOMEONE PLEASE HELP

Posted by dina on 19/01/2009 at 04:25:00 am

my breast are growing everyday I was a 34d and now 6months later They are 34dd and that is to tight.

Posted by Mohan ram.D on 16/01/2009 at 02:10:00 pm

i am a boy 0f 18 years and sufferring from large breasts. i feel uncomfortable to wear t-shirts and tight shirts. i need to reduce my breast size please someone help me...........

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