Question (for women only please).....

MOMOFTWO29
MOMOFTWO29 Posts: 8,276 Member
edited September 20 in Health and Weight Loss
Okay, so I have been having a lot of upper back pain and have been for over a year. I have really big breasts, DDD, not even sure if that is the correct size, never been measured but anyways, I was just wondering if others with big breasts have ever had a lot of upper back pain, and all those that have met their goal did their breasts get smaller with the weight loss? I have lost 52 pounds but they don't seem to gotten any smaller. I am thinking about having a breast reduction. I hate them. This is so embarrassing and I am usually really private but I need to know. :blushing:

Replies

  • ivykivy
    ivykivy Posts: 2,970 Member
    I have a F cup and I dont have back pain but I do have broad shoulders.. I read an article that said sometimes back pain is do to posture and the way you hold your head (slouching at computer or desk) than it is a product of large breast. How close are you to Greenville. There is a store called Breakout Bras they will measure you for the correct bra. I got measured for a couple then went online and ordered from woman within.

    I also concentrate a lot on my upper body. I started with denise austin and Kathy Smith using 5lb

    This is not the article but it is similar. The one I read was actually from a doctor. In the meantime before you opt to get surgery try the posture exercises. It can really make a difference
    weights.http://www.healthline.com/blogs/exercise_fitness/2006/10/breasts-causing-upper-back-pain-is.html
  • MissPriss30
    MissPriss30 Posts: 67
    I have surgicallly enhanced 34F or sister size 36DD lol and yes sometimes I do have some back aches not really pain, I however do have a lot of muscle in my body over all and do hyperextentions to strengthen my back it seems to work well because I notice when I have incorporated that exercise back into my routine my back doest get achy and sore from my boobs anymore :-) hope that helps and yes they do get smaller the more weight you lose!
  • ptrad
    ptrad Posts: 22
    Hi! I am not a large chested woman, but my friend is. Joni lost a lot of weight and she still had DDD, or about that. She opted for the reduction which took her to maybe a C cup, I'm not sure. She looked great last time I saw her, skinny and built, and much more confident. She had upper back pain as well.

    Another friend of mine was also chesty and went for a reduction because of the upper back pain. Melissa recently lost 48 pounds and this did not greatly reduce her bust line. I hope this helps you out.

    I, too, can do all things through Christ who strenghtens me; I just try to often to do it on my own and forget the power of our living God.

    Peace to you and love in Christ.
  • nolachick
    nolachick Posts: 3,278 Member
    ok so i won't be of much help cuz my boobs arent that big, but i will tell u that the last time i was heavy and lost weight, my bra size went from a 38B to a 36A ( and I cud barely even fill that up) They did shrink atleast for me when I lost weight.

    My advice: Wait till you get closer to your goal to see how ur body responds to this weight loss.
    U might see a change in that area too.

    HTH.
  • MOMOFTWO29
    MOMOFTWO29 Posts: 8,276 Member
    I have a F cup and I dont have back pain but I do have broad shoulders.. I read an article that said sometimes back pain is do to posture and the way you hold your head (slouching at computer or desk) than it is a product of large breast. How close are you to Greenville. There is a store called Breakout Bras they will measure you for the correct bra. I got measured for a couple then went online and ordered from woman within.

    I also concentrate a lot on my upper body. I started with denise austin and Kathy Smith using 5lb weights.


    I live 50 miles from Greenville, I hate my breasts though and I am really considering the breast reduction, I don't like surgery but I have been wearing a bra since I was in 4th grade.
  • purplepanda
    purplepanda Posts: 30 Member
    Extra large breasts, especially if out of proportion for your body, can certainly cause not only back pain but shoulder and neck pain also.

    There are some women that loose weight first from their breasts and other that never loose as much from their breasts as the rest of their body when loosing weight.

    Breast reduction surgery certainly could be a good option (and sometimes will even be covered by medical insurance as a medical problem if certain criteria--specific to each individual company--are met). However, if you haven't already, you should check with your physician to first be sure some other problem isn't causing the pain. Second to see if other non-invasive (and therefore safer) measures such as physical therapy might give enough relief.
  • courtney_love2001
    courtney_love2001 Posts: 1,468 Member
    My boobs were the first to go when I started losing weight :indifferent: Sorry your girls are giving you problems...with that large of a size I would definitely suspect them as the source of your back pain. Good luck with that! :flowerforyou:
  • MOMOFTWO29
    MOMOFTWO29 Posts: 8,276 Member
    Extra large breasts, especially if out of proportion for your body, can certainly cause not only back pain but shoulder and neck pain also.

    There are some women that loose weight first from their breasts and other that never loose as much from their breasts as the rest of their body when loosing weight.

    Breast reduction surgery certainly could be a good option (and sometimes will even be covered by medical insurance as a medical problem if certain criteria--specific to each individual company--are met). However, if you haven't already, you should check with your physician to first be sure some other problem isn't causing the pain. Second to see if other non-invasive (and therefore safer) measures such as physical therapy might give enough relief.


    I don't have any medical insurance so if I decide to do the breast reduction route I am on my own. I haven't been to the doctor yet, but I am getting tired of the constant pain, So I will be going soon.
  • MOMOFTWO29
    MOMOFTWO29 Posts: 8,276 Member
    Hi! I am not a large chested woman, but my friend is. Joni lost a lot of weight and she still had DDD, or about that. She opted for the reduction which took her to maybe a C cup, I'm not sure. She looked great last time I saw her, skinny and built, and much more confident. She had upper back pain as well.

    Another friend of mine was also chesty and went for a reduction because of the upper back pain. Melissa recently lost 48 pounds and this did not greatly reduce her bust line. I hope this helps you out.

    I, too, can do all things through Christ who strenghtens me; I just try to often to do it on my own and forget the power of our living God.

    Peace to you and love in Christ.


    thanks so much for all your information. How much weight did your friend Joni lose?
  • BrendaLee
    BrendaLee Posts: 4,463 Member
    I think if your breasts have a lot of fat on them, they will shrink with weight loss, but if your breasts are mostly tissue, that's not going anywhere without surgery.
  • angiemcnett
    angiemcnett Posts: 429
    I am a 38i. yes that is i. I used to have back pain often especially in the lower back. I bought a memory foam bed and amazing I hardly have any back pain anymore. Even when I do lose weight, hardly any of it is in my breasts. I am pregnant now for the first time and I am starting to get back pain again. If my breasts get too much bigger I am going to need a crane to carry them around.:laugh:
  • Hope42009
    Hope42009 Posts: 2
    My boobs were the first to go when I started losing weight :indifferent: Sorry your girls are giving you problems...with that large of a size I would definitely suspect them as the source of your back pain. Good luck with that! :flowerforyou:

    i agree with boobs statement! i just started my weight loss and i already lost an inch on my bust!
  • JDHINAZ
    JDHINAZ Posts: 641 Member
    I had a reduction several years ago. I had upper back pain (neck, shoulders, and lower back pain). You're a good candidate if you have lots of breast tissue, as opposed to fat on your breasts. Best way to tell is if you don't lose much size in your boobs as you lose weight.

    I HIGHLY recommend the surgery. I did not have insurance, but did it anyway. Went from a DDD+ to a C.

    You can PM me if you want more info. There's lots for you to check out and be aware of prior that your doctor may not tell you. But I think it is well worth the money and recovery time.
  • FireMonkey
    FireMonkey Posts: 500 Member
    One of my friends has a fairly slim, athletic figure, and had huge breasts. She had the same problems with back aches etc and finally had a reduction. Best thing she ever did; she was so much happier afterward, and because it was a medical problem (back pain) the medical plan paid for it.
  • MOMOFTWO29
    MOMOFTWO29 Posts: 8,276 Member
    thank you all for the replies. I have always had big breasts even when I was smaller. I wasn't overweight in elementary school but I started wearing a bra in 4th grade.
  • erikazj
    erikazj Posts: 2,365 Member
    Hello

    I'm a UK 36F at present (and have been bigger) - which is pretty big. Before you consider surgery I would suggest that you get measured and properly fitted for some bras. Trust me, it makes a world of difference! :happy: A decent bra or two may cost you a pretty penny, but it will be cheaper than surgery! Not only can it make a difference to your back pain, but how you look as well. Over here in the UK we have a store which specialises in bras especially for bigger breasted women - before I found them i was wearing completley the wrong bra size AND style and it really didn't help my back and neck. I cannot tell you how much more comfortable I am in my properly fitted (although quite pricey) bras - and also how much slimmer I look as a result of them being properly supported.

    Most the weight should be supported by the back band, which should be firm but not tight. Wires should lie flat and shouldn't dig in. The cups should not bulge and the straps should not dig in.

    The following website is a UK site, but it has tips on fitting: www.bravissimo.com

    Bras also have a sell by date! They stretch and aren't as supportive as when they were new, so it is important to replace them regularly. It is also important to be measured and fitted regularly as seize and shape can change for all sorts of reasons throught life.

    Please please go and get yourself properly fitted before you consider surgery! It's not that I don't agree that this is the right thing for some people, but I think you should try all other options first! You say in your OP that you don't know what size you are, so finding out might be a good start (although it can vary brand to brand, and some brands may fit better than others).

    Good luck!

    Erika
  • erikazj
    erikazj Posts: 2,365 Member
    Oh - and working on your core strength will help you support your chest properly too!
  • MOMOFTWO29
    MOMOFTWO29 Posts: 8,276 Member
    Hello

    I'm a UK 36F at present (and have been bigger) - which is pretty big. Before you consider surgery I would suggest that you get measured and properly fitted for some bras. Trust me, it makes a world of difference! :happy: A decent bra or two may cost you a pretty penny, but it will be cheaper than surgery! Not only can it make a difference to your back pain, but how you look as well. Over here in the UK we have a store which specialises in bras especially for bigger breasted women - before I found them i was wearing completley the wrong bra size AND style and it really didn't help my back and neck. I cannot tell you how much more comfortable I am in my properly fitted (although quite pricey) bras - and also how much slimmer I look as a result of them being properly supported.

    Most the weight should be supported by the back band, which should be firm but not tight. Wires should lie flat and shouldn't dig in. The cups should not bulge and the straps should not dig in.

    The following website is a UK site, but it has tips on fitting: www.bravissimo.com

    Bras also have a sell by date! They stretch and aren't as supportive as when they were new, so it is important to replace them regularly. It is also important to be measured and fitted regularly as seize and shape can change for all sorts of reasons throught life.

    Please please go and get yourself properly fitted before you consider surgery! It's not that I don't agree that this is the right thing for some people, but I think you should try all other options first! You say in your OP that you don't know what size you are, so finding out might be a good start (although it can vary brand to brand, and some brands may fit better than others).

    Good luck!

    Erika


    thanks I will find a store that does fittings and go and be fitted.
  • nolachick
    nolachick Posts: 3,278 Member
    ERIKA, that was a very informative post. thanks for that.

    MOMOFTWO29 I hope u do get fitted and that helps u out!
  • ptrad
    ptrad Posts: 22
    I'm not sure, but she was in the plus sizes, and now is quite normal. she looks great! There might be a program that will help you have the surgery despite no insurance. I think when you are carrying that load for such a time, you might see some reduction, but not a lot. Breasts carry a great amount of adipose (fat) tissue and that is just a genetic make up.

    I could stand to lose 30 pounds, and guarantee, my breasts will shrink, but I am also an A cup, maybe even AA when I am small and only was CLOSE to a C cup when I nursed and my milk first came in. What a surprise that was! So when I do lose, I lose around my chest wall as well as part of my filling (cup).

    The best to you. I can see where it would be painful to carry that, you can strengthen your back, but I would not want to carry that much up front if I did not have to do it.

    God bless!
  • MOMOFTWO29
    MOMOFTWO29 Posts: 8,276 Member
    I'm not sure, but she was in the plus sizes, and now is quite normal. she looks great! There might be a program that will help you have the surgery despite no insurance. I think when you are carrying that load for such a time, you might see some reduction, but not a lot. Breasts carry a great amount of adipose (fat) tissue and that is just a genetic make up.

    I could stand to lose 30 pounds, and guarantee, my breasts will shrink, but I am also an A cup, maybe even AA when I am small and only was CLOSE to a C cup when I nursed and my milk first came in. What a surprise that was! So when I do lose, I lose around my chest wall as well as part of my filling (cup).

    The best to you. I can see where it would be painful to carry that, you can strengthen your back, but I would not want to carry that much up front if I did not have to do it.

    God bless!


    thanks so much for all the help, I might check and see if there is a program that will help me get a reduction. :flowerforyou:
  • rheign
    rheign Posts: 56
    My best friend, who is quite petite, recently underwent a breast reduction procedure. She had wanted one for years do to the debilitating pain she experiences of and on. She couldn't be happier. Says she wishes she would have done it years ago. Incidentally, she was quite athletic before the surgery and is now able to perform better in sports. HTH. ;]
  • MOMOFTWO29
    MOMOFTWO29 Posts: 8,276 Member
    My best friend, who is quite petite, recently underwent a breast reduction procedure. She had wanted one for years do to the debilitating pain she experiences of and on. She couldn't be happier. Says she wishes she would have done it years ago. Incidentally, she was quite athletic before the surgery and is now able to perform better in sports. HTH. ;]


    thanks, I have been wanting one for years but just the past year and a half, I have been having the back pain.
  • JStarnes
    JStarnes Posts: 5,576 Member
    I haven't read all the responses yet, just wanted to share my experience. Although I wasn't as big to start with as you were - I was a 40DD when I started...and now I'm a 34B. :grumble: It would have been nice to stop around a C, my breasts were the first to go, followed by my butt :angry:
  • MOMOFTWO29
    MOMOFTWO29 Posts: 8,276 Member
    I haven't read all the responses yet, just wanted to share my experience. Although I wasn't as big to start with as you were - I was a 40DD when I started...and now I'm a 34B. :grumble: It would have been nice to stop around a C, my breasts were the first to go, followed by my butt :angry:


    I wish my breast were the first thing to go, instead my pants are practially falling off. I would love it if my breasts would just go away
  • savvystephy
    savvystephy Posts: 4,151 Member
    I think before you decide to get a breast reduction, you should lose the weight first. My cup size has gotten smaller since I lost some weight, as I know they got bigger when I put on weight. So, I would aim to get down to your goal weight and then if they are still large, look into the breast reduction surgery.
  • vipersgirl28
    vipersgirl28 Posts: 54
    If the pain is not all the time there is another thing you might consider, is that it might be heartburn that is making your back hurt. Yea I know sounds weird doesn't it. But I get heartburn that affects my upper back.

    If it does happen all the time I would suggest getting a proper bra fitted like PP's have suggested. :smile:
  • MOMOFTWO29
    MOMOFTWO29 Posts: 8,276 Member
    If the pain is not all the time there is another thing you might consider, is that it might be heartburn that is making your back hurt. Yea I know sounds weird doesn't it. But I get heartburn that affects my upper back.

    If it does happen all the time I would suggest getting a proper bra fitted like PP's have suggested. :smile:


    the pain is there all the time, but I am trying to resist getting a breast reduction until I get to my goal weight, but that will be awhile since I have so much to lose. I am going to go and get fitted for a proper size bra though, I have to do something. I do not get heartburn very much at all if ever.
  • TaraJ16
    TaraJ16 Posts: 304
    i'm a DD and have a lot of upper back problems, and my shoulders get really sore. I also have lower back problems because of the epidural when i had my son. as soon as i lose all the weight i want i plan on going in and getting them reduced, unless i lose a lot while losing weight. but i want to get them reduced and perked up lol! i'd be happy with a full C

    i talked to my dr about going in and getting them reduced now, and he advised me to wait until i'm closer to my goal weight because they could change ect.
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