I wrote about this years ago, but it requires a second blog. I see so many people who wear the wrong size bra. Not only does this not give the support you need, it muddies the issue if you are looking to go bigger or smaller. If I do a breast reduction and remove 500 grams of breast tissue (a pound of breast tissue!) and you “still wear the same bra,” it means the bra did not fit correctly before. I get it- if your breasts are big, you can’t find a bra off the rack in a store. So many people will wear band sizes that are too big to find a cup that fits them or wear a cup that is too small. I also see over and over where people’s breast sizes have changed from pregnancy, weight changes, or menopause, but they continue to wear the old bra.
First, you need to wear a bra. If you are a C cup or bigger, that bra should be underwire. Non underwire bras just don’t give the same support. Second, you need a bra that is giving support and fits you well. See below for helpful hints. Try a bunch of different brands and find the brand where you fit into a distinct size well. Want to see if it supports you? In the changing room jump and down in front of the mirror. Your breasts should feel locked in, not bouncing all over.
- MAKE SURE THE UNDERWIRE FITS CORRECTLY. It should be touching your ribcage under the breast and your sternum in the center. If it is bowing away from your skin, the cup size (B,C,D) is too small. If the band is digging into your skin, the band size (34,36,38) is too small.
- MAKE SURE THE CUP (B/C/D) FITS. This is not a place you want a cup runneth over situation. Your breast should fit into the cup without bulging out of the top or the sides. If it bulges, you need a bigger cup.
- DOES THE BAND (34/36/38) FIT? If your band is digging into your sides it is too tight. If it is arching in the back and is easily pulled away from your skin it is too big. The band is what gives the bulk of the support to the breasts, not the straps. you want it to fit well.
- SCOOP & DROP. When you put on your bra, you want to make sure the underwire is fitting against your skin and sternum. You lift you breast up, make sure the band is against your skin, and let your breast drop into the cup. Again, if the breast is bulging out of the cup, it means the cup is too small.
- LARGER BREASTS NEED BRAS WITH 3 HOOKS. All bras should have two rows of hooks minimum.
- ADJUSTABLE BRAS ARE BETTER. This means no front hooking bras. Over time most bras stretch out. You need to be able to adjust.
- BRAS SHOULD HAVE A DISTINCT SIZE. Any bra that is “small/medium/large” or a range of size “C-DD” is not going to fit you well or give the support you need.
- YOUR SIZE MAY VARY BETWEEN BRANDS. Crazy, but there is no “standard” to bra sizing. Find a brand that fits you well. You may be a C in one brand and a D in another.
- DON”T GO BRALESS. Sorry ladies, but breasts cannot be lifted with exercise. Or lasers. Or creams. Or eating kale. The only way to lift breasts after they sag and stretch out is to do a breast lift surgery. Wear a supportive bra. Sleep with support. Once in a blue moon wearing a halter top braless is okay. If you do it regularly? You will droop. Your goal is to not let your skin stretch.
- REPLACE THEM. Is your bra years old? It isn’t supporting you like it should.
If your bra hurts, it begs the question as to why.
- Is it that the bra is the wrong size?
- For those with larger breasts or drooping breasts, the issue is the size and the droop. I have so many patients who had issues wearing bras before their breast lift or breast reduction, who find bras comfortable after surgery, as the surgery has reduced the strain on the shoulders, neck, and back.
- Drooping breasts can cause neck and shoulder issues. It isn’t just an issue of size. Breast lifts have been shown to help in published studies.
Supportive bras can be pretty. Keeping your breasts supported will help you with posture, the breasts will look better, and they will age better.