Bust Not Easy To Live With
October 20th, 2006
Here is an older Telegraph.co.uk article called A Weight off my Shoulders that outlines the struggles of women with abnormally large breasts.
The article explains the troublesome lifestyle of Stacey, a 26-year-old from New Zealand who stars in a documentary called Private Lives: Top Heavy. The documentary airs on the Discovery Health Channel. Stacey claims that men have tried to grab her, to bury their heads in her bosom, and even pretended to breastfeed from her. “It’s really humiliating,” she says.
According to the article, British women’s breasts are growing larger every year. Ten years ago, the average bra size was 34B: today, it is 36C, with an estimated 40 per cent of women taking a D cup or above. Bravissimo, the lingerie company for well-endowed women, sells more than 10,000 bras a month in cup sizes G to JJ.
Perhaps most interesting to Hiddenfeet readers is how daunting the emotional stress is for younger girls.
“Young girls come to me virtually in tears because they are at a vulnerable age. They feel they are not taken seriously. People don’t make eye contact with them. Instead, they speak to their chest. All this can be very distressing. The large-busted woman is subject to shocking stereotyping. It is often assumed that she is promiscuous and that her brain size is in inverse proportion to her mammary glands. As a result, far from being confident, big women often have little self-esteem.”
Have things changed since 2003? Unfortunately Hiddenfeets’ recent survey results indicated a similar trend.
Does not look like breast reductions are an exact science yet.
“Patients, who stay overnight in hospital, face a one in 10 chance of losing nipple sensation and a one in a 100 chance of the nipple dying altogether. About one patient in 20 has problems with scarring. Some are able to breastfeed after the procedure; others are not.”
I want a reduction but even my doctor warns of complications like these.
Thea
I personally do not think reductions are worth the trouble. Bra fit and comfort is getting better all the time. Bravissimo.com has some really nice styles. Just like other women (and Sara I would asume) on Hiddenfeet, I gave up caring about what other people think about me years ago.
In the article it says that it is not unusual for between one and three kilograms to be removed during a breast reduction operation. Do these women feel empty or strange after the operation? Do they experience phantom pains or anything like that? I would feel so strange without my breasts having lived with them for the last 10 or so years.
My wifes best friend got a reduction last year. Lost sensation in both nipples and will never be able to breast feed. And this was after treatment from one of the best clinics in our state. She developed Necrosis of the glandular tissue. When a proper blood supply is maintained in the nipple, the percentage of nipple necrosis is lowered. But these results vary and are unpredictable. It was a gamble for my wifes friend…and she lost.
The link says the procedure involves repositioning the nipple higher up the breast, removing tissue, reshaping what is left and removing excess skin. It usually leaves an anchor-shaped scar running around the nipple, down the breast and transversely under it. No way. Not for me. I would rather live with having to buy big supportive bras and the ever following EYES from guys and gals.
Right now it might seem like an impossible request but girls need to know that they are not the only young person being picked on. Websites like this one and 007b.com can help girls of all shapes and sizes. Everyone has something about themselves that bothers them. Puberty is hard on everyone, even the non-busty. Time will pass and eventually everyone grows up.
Lisa
Yes, they will eventually grow out of it if given the proper guidance and mental and emotional support. The key is to prevent these teens from making big mistakes during their teen years that may harm them for the rest of their lives. I’m glad that you all realize the possible complications and want to stay the way you are. But having big breasts is not something to “bear with” or “live in spite of”. It’s a good thing and seeing the good in it and the rest of your body is key to loving yourself as you are.
I am a 34DD and no one can ever believes me until I show them my bra tag. When I used to buy 34C bra’s they barely covered my nipples and I am glad I was measured professionally. It took till I was 19 before I understood the value of a good bra. The burden of big boobs usually comes from girls who wear their clothing wrong. It is vital that young girls learn this and I hope Sara writes more articles on teen clothing. I myself was a mess as a child and I know life would have been easier had my parents fitted me correctly.
I have a similar problem. I am a 36F and I get measured every year. I’m 22 and never met a single person who understands this - people hear anything above DD and they have an image of Playboy fake breasts in their minds. I always suggest to my friends that they get professionally measured because they are probably wearing the wrong sizes! I ignore people who complain about their bodies all day long. Everyone hates something about themselves. Most of the complaints are easy to fix and if people don’t get over it I won’t I feel sorry for them. Just be happy in yourself and your own body.