Question:
17 wks post op 75 lbs down and still a 42DD

I know it could go either way, I still could get smaller on top, but here is my question. For about the last 4 weeks in addition to all the other things that being a 42DD can cause (back pain, severe strap marks) I have been extremely tender (especially when I take my bra off). Could this be due to the fact that they are headed further south and they ever were before? Is this one of the symptoms people have when deciding if a reduction is for them or not?    — Kim F. (posted on February 23, 2003)

February 23, 2003
Are you pregnant?
   — Angela A.

February 23, 2003
Kim, it's entirely possible that your breast won't shrink with your weight loss. Mine didn't the last time I lost weight (pre-surgery) and they do feel heavy and sore. Are they tender all over, or just the nipple area? They are tender when pregnant but I would say it's just soreness from the heaviness and maybe you didn't notice it as much before because of the excess weight. Mine were heavy, and sore, and caused shoulder/neck pain, and the bra indentations. I had my breast reduction about 5 years ago. Best thing I've ever done for myself, except for WLS. (9 1/2 months post op, down 107 & 15 from goal)
   — KelBurt

February 23, 2003
Have you been heavy your whole life? Or gained weight? Cuz I know that I was a 36D before I gained over 100lbs. Then I became a 40H!! But now that I lost over 100lbs. I am at a 36DD, and assume I will lose some more. But myback hurts alot more than usual, and my boobs can touch the floor LOL I will not get a reduction, but I am planning on a lift. I've heard that once they get lifted, you become a smaller cup than before anyway. SO I will probabyl end up a C after all of that. But for me, that is a deciding factor, b/c my back bothers me alot. And if you still have more weight to lose, you may eventually get smaller. Hope you feel better!
   — Lezlie Y.

February 25, 2003
This is one of the symptoms that I had, my ribs were dislocated. It hurt so bad to take my bra off, I kept checking for a lump thinking that maybe I had a cyst or something. I still occaisionally get the pain, but a trip to the chiropractor and I'm fine again for a while. It wouldn't hurt to check with a chiropractor and see if that is it. When you lose the weight your internal organs shrink too, and then your ribs shift to adjust to the new position everything is. This is very common, it happens to alot of us, it's probably more noticeable (as far as pain) for those of us with large breasts, because of the added weight. The chiropractor said the rib pokes into the surrounding tissue and nerves and irritates them, thus the sharp pain in my breast. I hope this can get you on the right track for pain relief. (BTW I'm hoping to also get a breast reduction soon) Good luck!
   — Dana B.

February 25, 2003
I've heard it said that our bodies release a lot of estrogen as the fat melts away after WLS. Maybe that could be causing your tenderness? As for it being from the sagging, I know after my tummy was gone below my breast I had a lot of soreness but that wasn't actually in the breast itself, it was in my shoulders, neck, and back which was affected by having all that weight hanging on them. I was about your size at that point. And was definitely thinking I'd have to do a lift or reduction. Now I'm a tight fitting C cup and don't have much problem anymore.
   — Shelly S.