If you've had a breast reduction/lift/mastopexy...

Have you noticed a big difference in your experiences with buying bras and shirts? I have the worst time finding either for myself and dread the thought of having to shop (thus my bra "collection" whi*****ludes a few ridiculously expensive every-day and workout bras, none of which really do the job to my satisfaction, and my closet, which is full of tops that accommodate the gazongas but are too big otherwise). I have broad shoulders and a large chest and have the worst time finding shirts that fit. Structured shirts should work, but I tried on a few today...one XL was waaaaaay too big. One was way too tight. I hate the bra I wore today, but it was the only clean one I had. I am so tired of all this. My wardrobe needs a huge overhaul but I've been putting it off until after my reduction/lift/mastopexy surgery at the end of December. Someone please tell me there is hope for a more pleasant shopping experience? :)

I told my PS that if he changes the size of my boobs such that I'd have to get new bras, I would bill him for that cost. So he obliged! They are firmer, perkier, sit a bit higher on my chest but I fit the same bras and shirts as before. Thank God!

i gave up on the button down type shirts a long time ago. They just don't work with my figure at all. There is always the boob gap between buttons if the shirt fits in the shoulders and if there is no boob gap then its way too big everywhere else. 

Oh, see, I WANT to get new bras. :) I hate the two that I alternate between right now. They were fine when I bought them but the wearing every day tells the truth. I want to be able to shop at regular department stores--where you can go to the lingerie section and buy from the stuff hanging there--and get bras that cost less than $80-$100+

I am 4'11", have broad shoulders and a large bone structure, although I am petite when it comes to leg and arm-length, and wear a 38DDD or E/F. I have the worst time finding bras that both do what I need them to do AND are comfortable. Finding shirts (any kind!) is emotional torture. They may fit through the shoulders/chest, but swim on me otherwise. I've noticed after my abdominoplasty that I look REALLY disproportionate and top-heavy in all my clothes. I know I would be happy as a B-cup but don't think my surgeon will go that small, so I'm bracing myself for a C-cup. Even if I end up as a D with firmer and perkier, maybe that will be enough. Heck, I'd be happy with something relatively flat--I'm okay with the idea of buying bras that augment what you've got, lol.

When I had my babies, their heads were smaller than my boobs when they were breastfeeding. I worried constantly about smothering them, lol. The boys have grown up just fine though so it's all good in the end. I'm done with pendulous things hanging around my mid-section and still dream of button-down shirts. Their structured look would work well on me, I think (they did before I got too fat to wear them) and hope to be able to wear them again.

Anything smaller than what I am though...would be a great gift to myself for the holidays, lol.

I am also on the short side at 152cm and i wore a 95D i think 40D but after my bl/br i am more a 90b/c,
you want to fit a tailored shirt.you will after swelling but no underwire for several weeks.
Mikimi in Israel

Mikimi, you're tiny! :)  Thank you for your reply. You give me hope. Even if I can't wear structured shirts, I just look forward to no longer having this SHELF on my chest. After my abdominoplasty earlier this year, I look so ridiculously top-heavy. Maybe other people don't see it, but I do and it really bothers me. And if I never wear another underwire bra again, I won't miss it, lol. I don't like them. My current bras have underwires and they irritate the heck out of me. I would love to end up (in the long run) as one of those women who doesn't NEED a bra to look presentable for every moment she is vertical, lol. That's a little far-fetched for me but anything less than what I have now will be welcome. :)

Good news, shopping will be much easier after surgery. Before weight loss surgery, I had huge breasts, and shopping was a pain, because none adequately fit and lifted. After weight loss surgery, I was smaller but before my breast lift, bras still did not fit properly at all, I had a lot of loose skin, but not firmness needed to fill out the top of the bras.

I can finally shop in Victoria's Secret if I want and buy a bra that fits. But I still prefer Wacoal brand because I hate popping out the top of bras like most push ups do.

I can't wear button down or structured shirts, they never fit right either, I think they are made for very skinny and small boned and small chested women in general. I prefer shirts with a blend of cotton and spandex, and scoop or v-necks.

Thank you! I've got a couple friends lined up to help me fill out my new wardrobe early next year once I've healed enough to shop again. I can't wait. Most of my clothes are too big and there's not much in my closet that inspires me. I really REALLY hope that changes. I am in a size 6-8 pant depending on manufacturer and would like to be at least somewhat complementary on top, rather than having to buy shirts to accommodate the chest area that then hang so very loose around my middle. Not sure I'll ever be comfortable with really fitted clothes, but something that doesn't make me cry or cringe in the dressing room would be nice. :)

Feeling a little bit stressed here. I have an appt. for markings at 1pm EST tomorrow...and then report to the hospital at 5:45 on Tuesday morning for my breast reduction/mastopexy and bra line back lift. Will spend one night at the hospital and go home on Wednesday, only to turn around and head to the doc's office for a 1pm appt. (going to confirm that tomorrow). I haven't got nearly as much done as I'd hoped to accomplish before surgery and tomorrow is looking more and more busy with the kids wanting to do stuff in addition to the last-minute things I need to do.

I'm worried about sleeping and recovery arrangements. After my abdominoplasty, I'd rented an electric recliner and had every intention of buying one for Christmas, but that didn't work out financially. So what's in the house now is what I have to work with. My mother has an electronic bed that raises/lowers head/feet in her in-law part of the house, so worse comes to worst, I can sleep with her in her bed. I just haven't found much online that talks about recovering from "both" surgeries. I won't be able to sleep on my stomach, and can't imagine lying on my back will be comfortable either. Eeeek! What was I thinking, agreeing to let the surgeon literally cut me in half, lol?

I'm sure it will all be wonderful after it's healed a bit but the first few days...I'm askeered. :)  But I'm also excited. The breast reduction is the ONLY surgery I've ever truly wanted, since I developed the family breasts (extra large on both sides of the family). They seem to flow around to my back, which is saggy and in the way no matter how well I eat or how much cardio or weight lifting I do. So it will be good to get rid of the extra skin. I've told my boys I'm having a procedure to deal with extra skin. If they only knew...