In a world of Victoria’s Secret ads and non-standard bra sizes, finding a bra that fits is nearly impossible. The American bra manufacturing industry is notorious for vanity sizing, a lack of proper measurement, and changing cup size based on band size. Some women wear a B-cup or a D-cup depending on where they’re shopping. Others’ bra sizes vary widely within the same store. Finding a properly fitted bra is difficult, but not impossible. Keep your breasts healthy and supported by measuring your breasts and trying on old bras for fit, whether or not you’ve recently had breast surgery.
Find Your Correct Band Size
Although many lingerie stores determine band size by measuring above the breasts, the best way to find your correct band size is to measure directly beneath the breast tissue. In a private space, measure directly below the breasts and write down the measurement (for best results, wear only a thin undershirt). A properly fitted band:
Should rest flat across the back
Should not dig into the skin
Should be comfortable and supportive
Find the Right Cup Size
To properly measure breast tissue, first remove your bra. Measure at the widest point of the breast (usually flat across the nipple), taking care to keep the measuring tape straight. Write down the measurement. If you have an excess of breast tissue beneath the armpits, lean perpendicular to the floor before measuring to guarantee you’re measuring all of your breast tissue. A properly fitted bra cup should:
Completely encase the breast tissue
Support the breasts at a natural height
Have no gaps or ripples
Eliminate breast spillage
Feel comfortable
Find a Bra that Fits
Subtract the band size measurement from from the cup size measurement and check a bra fit chart to determine your proper bra size. Many women have to change bra sizes based on where they shop. In the end you should buy bras based on fit instead of size. Buy a bra you can wear comfortably on the loosest hook. Bras stretch as you wear them, so you need to be able to fasten your bra more tightly in the future. A good bra will:
Support the breasts, keeping them lifted
Minimize back and shoulder pain from heavy breasts
Not dig into the back, breast tissue, or shoulders
Many women struggle under the weight of overly large breasts. Heavy breasts can lead to a variety of physical and emotional discomforts, causing women with large breasts to develop self-image issues. A reduction mammaplasty, more commonly known as breast reduction surgery, is a highly personalized procedure that reduces the fat, tissue, and skin of large breasts to eliminate pain and give patients a balanced aesthetic.
Choosing a Breast Reduction
As with any cosmetic surgery, women have varied and highly personal reasons for choosing breast reduction surgery. Some of the most common include back pain due to large breasts, a lack of self-confidence, and difficulty leading an active lifestyle. Women should not undergo a reduction mammoplasty to please a loved one, but to reinvigorate her life, her health, and her self-image. You may be a good candidate for breast reduction surgery if:
You are unhappy with the size of your breasts
The weight of your breasts causes you physical discomfort (including back, neck, or shoulder pain)
The size of your breasts limits physical activity
Your nipples hang below the crease of your breast when unsupported
The skin beneath your breasts is often irritated
Your breasts have low-hanging, stretched skin and overlarge areolas
Breast Reduction Consultation
Before having breast reduction surgery, patients consult with Dr. Brantner about their health, the surgical process, and their desires for the outcome of the surgery. Some insurance providers cover breast reduction surgery if the size of the breasts causes back pain, neck pain, or other health problems.
If you ask a woman on the street to describe the experience of bra shopping, she’ll probably give you words like “frustrating” and “time consuming.” Despite bra manufacturers glorifying bras in every style, color, and texture, most women don’t enjoy buying bras. So what’s the reason for the disconnect?
Wearing the Wrong Size Bra
Measure the fullest part of your bust.
Studies show that roughly 65% of women wear the wrong bra size. Of those women, almost 30% know they’re wearing an incorrect bra size and continue purchasing the same size bra. Why do so many women wear the wrong size bra? There are several common reasons for buying the wrong size bra:
Never getting properly fitted. Many popular lingerie stores are notorious among plastic surgeons for measuring bra sizes incorrectly.
Inconsistent sizing. The lingerie industry—particularly American bra manufacturers— lacks consistent size measurements. Sales associates working at three different bra stores can take the same woman’s measurements and give her three different bra sizes.
Discomfort. A recent study headed by Dr. Katie Elizabeth Weichman determined that women typically wear smaller bras after breast lift surgery. This was not the result of a decrease in breast tissue, but because post-mastopexy patients could wear their true bra sizes more comfortably that patients with sagging breasts.
Bra Sizing and Women’s Health
Wearing the wrong size bra can cause a variety of health problems. Aside from the typical discomforts of wearing the wrong size bra (straps cutting into shoulders, gaps or spillage between breast tissue and the bra cup, a shifting band, etc), poorly fitted bras can cause:
Back problems
Neck and shoulder pain
Bad posture
Breast pain
Abrasions beneath the breasts
Premature sagging of breasts
Whether you’re searching for new bras after a breast augmentation, returning to your natural size after a breast lift, or simply looking for a comfortable bra, correct bra sizing is an important part of women’s health. For more information about finding the right size bra, ask Dr. Brantner during your cosmetic surgery consultation.
Last week we discussed myths about breast implants, focusing on aesthetics and recovery after the procedure. Although many patients worry that their breast implants will be too obvious, just as many are worried about the medical ramifications of breast augmentation surgery. This week we will address the top 5 medical myths about breast implants.
Silicone Implants Aren’t Safe
The medical industry has invested decades into researching the safety of silicone gel breast implants. The FDA has approved silicone breast implants in augmentations for women aged 22 and older, and in reconstructive procedures for women of all ages.
Breast Implants Increase the Risk of Cancer
Medical research has found no link between breast implants and the development of breast cancer or any autoimmune disease. All women should do regular self-exams for lumps and changes in breast tissue. A woman who has had a breast augmentation should notify her radiologist before her scheduled mammogram.
Women with Breast Implants Should Fear Infection
Any implantable medical device, from pacemakers to breast implants, may get infected. This most frequently occurs 6 months to a year after the implantation. Always notify health care professionals about past breast augmentation surgery. Consult Dr. Brantner several days before any scheduled invasive procedure or dental work. He will prescribe an antibiotic to prevent the unlikely spreading of bacteria.
Mothers with Breast Implants Can’t Nurse
There is no research to suggest that breast implants prevent mothers from nursing. Many mothers with breast implants have no trouble nursing, just as many mothers without implants face difficulties. If you’re worried about nursing with breast implants, discuss your concerns with Dr. Brantner during your surgical consultation.
Breast Implants Need Frequent Replacing
Women with breast implants, particularly women with silicone implants, should see their physicians yearly to make sure there has been no damage to the implant. Manufacturers recommend replacing silicone breast implants every 10 years, but if the implant and surrounding breast tissue are in good condition, there is no reason to undergo another surgery. Some implants may last 25 years or longer.
Plastic surgery is a topic full of misinformation. Everyone who’s ever read a gossip magazine believes they know the ins and outs of bad boob jobs and Botox injections. Whether you’re contemplating breast augmentation surgery or you’re simply curious, read on as we debunk common myths about breast implants.
Myth: Implants Look Fake
Whether you’re worried that your breast implants will look plastic, or you’re simply concerned that acquaintances will comment on your surgery, fake looking breasts are a non-issue if you pick a skilled surgeon. The most common cause of stretched, overly-round looking breasts is implants that are too big. Before your procedure Dr. Brantner will measure your chest wall and existing breast tissue, discuss your desired increase in bust size, and make size suggestions based on your body type. He will educate you on how silicone implants, saline implants, and breast implant placement will affect the natural shape and appearance of the breasts.
Myth: All Women Who Get Implants Want Huge Breasts
The reasons for choosing a breast augmentation are as varied as the patients themselves. Many women who get breast implants only go up a cup size or two. Others get breast implants to lift sagging breasts, balance the shape of their bodies, or fill out clothes better. The only “wrong reason” for getting breast enhancement surgery is to please someone else.
Myth: Recovery is Incredibly Painful
Each patient has her own recovery experience, but today’s breast implants have a faster recovery time than augmentation procedures ten years ago. Dr. Brantner uses a special technique that creates a pocket of anesthetic around the incision, limiting the pain during recovery. Most patients experience one to three days of moderate discomfort.
Once a patient chooses to have a breast augmentation, it might feel like the decisions are over. Planning plastic surgery is a personal choice that each woman must make based on her physical ideal and emotional satisfaction. However easy or difficult it is for a patient to choose a breast augmentation, she also needs to consider several factors in getting the results she wants.
Choosing the Right Implant
During a cosmetic surgery consultation, Dr. Brantner will discuss the medical procedure, educate the patient about physical limitations before and after surgery, and ask about the patient’s implant choices. Many women find it beneficial to consider their preferences beforehand. Patients must make four major decisions about their breast augmentation surgery. We will discuss size/type today and positioning/scarring next week.
Size of implant. Before scheduling your surgical consultation, research your desired bust size. Dr. Brantner can make suggestions based on a patient’s height and body type, but only you know exactly what aesthetic you want. Find photos of celebrities with your desired breast size whose proportions are similar to yours. Knowing your desired cup size is also beneficial, but keep in mind that the lingerie industry has inconsistent sizing. What is a B cup at one store may be a D cup at another.
Type of breast implant. In order to create a natural, beautiful look, you need to decide what type of implants you want. Saline breast plants are filled with sterile saltwater. If the implant were to burst, the body would absorb the saline from the implant. Saline implants create subtle ripples beneath the skin, which some women find unappealing. The gel in silicone implants feels more like natural breast tissue. If the implant leaks the gel will stay in the implant shell or trickle into the implant pocket, but silicone implants rarely collapse entirely. Women with silicone implants should visit their doctor regularly to ensure their implants are functioning properly. For more information about the shape and texture of breast implants, schedule a consultation.
To properly measure breast tissue, first remove your bra. Measure at the widest point of the breast (usually flat across the nipple), taking care to keep the measuring tape straight. Write down the measurement. If you have an excess of breast tissue beneath the armpits, lean perpendicular to the floor before measuring to guarantee you’re measuring all of your breast tissue. A properly fitted bra cup should:
