Body Image and Issues after Weight Loss - My UGLY boobs!!! Are your boobs ugly too?

So yeah, at least I bet many people will click on this thread just to see what it's about....but I almost want to post a picture of my deflated boobs! Yuck! I used to be known for having a "nice set." They are so ugly now after having a baby, then loosing a lot of weight, I don't even want to look in the mirror. I have to lift them up in my bra (and need to consider getting a smaller bra soon.) I just feel so unattractive with these hunks of skin laying against my ribs....or armpits when I lay on my back. EWWWWW! They are so darn UGLY.

I'm thinking about doing something about these ugly flabs of skin. What do you guys think? And what is out there to do? I don't think I would want implants, right? Or do I? Or just a lift? And if it's a lift, doesn't that leave ugly scars? how much does something like that really cost and is there a payment plan?? ;) How do you know who you are going to is good? I want real boobs but what I have now is something I don't want to look at, much less say make someone else look at someday!

Anyone else have this problem?

I've never had good looking breasts but I just don't really care. You could look at a lift or implants if you wanted but your best bet may be a consult with a plastic surgeon.

I had wonderful breasts--a nice 38DD. I am now a 36B. My breasts well...they look like the little rounds of Canadian bacon.

I like the Wonderbra. It's the best thing I have found yet to boost and push together.

I have friends that were going in for a "lift" but were talked into the implants--supposedly much more attractive, etc. My main concern would be how they are able to do a mammo. with the implants there. I have sis with breast cancer so it's of concern to me. I would also want very natural looking breasts--nothing cartoonish and nothing to bring undue attention to myself.

I am honestly thinking hard about tummy tuck. If I do it, I will probably do boobs and breasts at same time.

Thats why stores have cute bras! So you put on the cute bra then look in the mirror! Cheepest solution!

I also totally hate my boobs. I'm hoping to find a good bra until the day comes when I'm brave enough, or have enough money for, implants.

*sigh* i hear ya... mine weren't big to begin with (36B) but now it's becoming very apparent that i need to start shopping for A's. i'm really disappointed about but there's a few upsides
1. there ARE tons of cute bras to fit any deflated boob
2. personally i would rather them be small on my fit body that semi small on my flabby body :lol:
3. because i'm smaller and they're smaller they actually kind of look perkier.

you just gotta work with what you got and get used to it. maybe you'll have tiny boobies but work on a bangin 6 pack to balance it out ;)

I just got implants on 1/22. I have small scars under the breasts that are healing nicely. They cost me $4950, they did have a credit option but I saved and paid cash. I was a 34AA/32A before implant, am a 34D today. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

Well even new boobs would leave scarring. But I've seen breast lifts and breast jobs and if you have a good surgeon and are generally healthy then scarring will be minimal and with time it fades. I had surgery on my hips years ago you can't even see the scars. Course now I have some fat in a funky place *sigh*

If you do surgery do NOT go cheap.

My boobs are a big saggy now BUT I still love them- eventually I plan to get a lift (after I'm done with my kids) but there is no way a surgeon will talk me into implants! If anything I want them smaller!

A sock with a rock in the bottom. Yeah, that would probably be accurate.

But I just had a mammogram recently & it was so much easier than when they were fully inflated & always in the way. (I remember realizing at the time that each one was bigger than my head ... that was traumatic.)

Let them stay non-cancerous & let me always be able to afford a well-made, well-fitted bra, and I'll be reasonably contented. The poor things have been through a lot & they look it. If I can keep them all my life, without any major operation to scoop out their innards, I'll be okay with that.

Most people can breastfeed after implants but have trouble after a reduction.

Jamie Jo, I was told (by a friend that knows these things) that Victoria's Secret has swimsuits online with Wonderbras in them. I will definitely be buying one of them.

I had lumps out of my breast several years ago. The surgeon was very careful and went in just around the nipple to disguise the scar it would leave behind. I was told my milk ducts weren't affected but they were--I can't nurse from that breast.

Mine are gross....since losing weight. They used to be 44DD now they are 36C and I have to roll them up and put them in the cup. It is disgusting. Am I vain enough to have a b**b job. Nope. Like me or Leave me, is my philosophy.

You sound like me, Annie...I went from a 38D to a 32A-B...but I have to wear a C to encase all the extra, saggy skin. I'm 28 and look like one of those cartoon old ladies with the flat boobs hanging down to their stomachs...

My husband could care less, but I do. It's made me SO uncomfortable. Before my weight loss I had no trouble being undressed in front of my husband...he hasn't seen me NOT clothed now in more than a year. If I got implants, it'd be for me, rather than him. I'm just scared. And broke.

I originally was a 36 c and my boob were great. At my heaviest I worse a 40DD. Now that I have lost 34 lbs, I don't know what size bra I should be wearing. But my boobs have deflated and look wrinkly. Someday after I have kids, I will get a lift or something.

I didn't know what size I should be wearing, either. But I was on my way to the Whitney Museum one Saturday afternoon & I had some time to kill before it opened (it opens kind of late) & saw a shop sign for Brasmyth & stopped in there, figuring I'd get a professional in on the job. (It seemed like a job for a professional.)

She took one look at what I was wearing, carefully concealed her utter horror, and after a few questions about style, started scraping the hangers down the rods & carrying me stuff to try.

At one point, there were three ladies there staring at me standing in my little curtained booth, in my bra & my low riders. I tried hard to suck in my stomach. (I felt like an Amsterdam prostitute on display or a Barbie doll in the old-fashioned plastic case they used to be sold in.)

First of all, they had to demonstrate to me how to put the poor deflated things into the cups. They kept making grasping motions near their own chests, pantomiming packing together a snowball or something.

Frankly, I wanted to walk out there & hand each one a boob & say, "You put them in for me."

But they were right, once I learned how to put on these beautiful new bras, they really did look quite nice. The trick was bending over in the beginning, letting each boob swing into place, and then, once the band was fastened, sort of smooshing them from the outside until they were correctly placed. They showed me to watch for puckering & etc.

I walked out of that place with a sweet little peach-colored bag with a rope handle (which I am sure fascinated the coat-check guys at the Whitney, when I deposited it into their care shortly afterward) and a credit card that hadn't quite understood what hit it yet.

But you know, my chest has NEVER looked better. And I even don't mind changing in the locker room at the gym. These are bras to be **seen in.** Chantelle is the brand. I'm a believer.

I'll throw in my experience here. First, as people have said, there are basically two options (and variations thereof) - 1) implants, with or without other reconstruction, and 2) a lift/reduction, aka reconstruction.

Essentially, if you have lost (or never had) a significant amount of your breast tissue (if you had no skin issues, you'd be an A or B cup), you can add implants on their own, which may give you enough lift/fullness on their own, or you can add implants along with a lift/reconstruction (they remove/remodel some skin/tissues along with the implants - more scars but may be required for a good result depending on what you have).

The other option is a lift and/or a reduction - if you're ok with the amount of tissue you have (i.e. if you pull the skin away/taut, or in a bra, you have plenty of "boob", just too much skin with it), then you can have surgery to remove the skin/remodel the tissues without implants. This is often done with the "full-body lift" or just on its own - my mother-in-law had this process done a couple years ago.

As far as scarring/effects, I can give you my experiences. I had a reduction done in Dec '03 at the age of 21 - I was a 34H with the boobs-to-navel issues. It's been 5 years, and while I do have a fair bit of scarring, it's very faint and no one seems to notice it but me (I've complained about it with friends when trying on swimsuits, and they couldn't tell what I was talking about). From a bit of surfing, it looks like the procedures are similar for reduction and lift (just depends on if they're taking tissue/skin or just skin) - here (http://www.plasticsurgery.org/Patients_and_Consumers/Procedures/Cosmetic_Procedures/Breast_Lift.html)'s a link that discusses lift techniques and details (including a 3D animation that's very informative, if a bit creepy!) I had the "anchor technique" - I have a long scar that extends from my ribs under each armpit around the bottom and halfway up the center of each breast (mostly hidden in the "fold" and by the bra band), a scar circling each areola, and a very faint (essentially invisible) scar connecting the two vertically. Honestly, my only real issue with the scars are that I'm uncomfortable going braless in PJs and such when staying away from home - the circular scars make my areolae/nipples much more prominent than I would like!

I can't tell anyone how she's going to deal with the scarring/surgery vs the issues of saggy/"empty" boobs. I can say that I'm VERY happy with how mine turned out, and even though the scars affect me very occasionally (I can't wear demi-cut bras because the circular scars show out the top), I'm very happy and much more confident with how things look now. On a similar note, my mother-in-law has expressed the same opinion - she's happy with how things turned out (though she has the same problem with the circular scars and thin fabrics, as was discussed at great length a very odd Christmas Eve dinner last year!)

Anyhow, I realize I've written a novel here, and I'd be glad to answer any questions (here or pm) anyone might have. At the end of the day, it comes down to what's important to you - balancing pros/cons for risks of surgery/scarring vs self-conscious/uncomfortable and so on. I talked to several women who had reductions before making my decision, and my mother-in-law did the same thing for her lift - even knowing all the downsides, it was well worth it for almost everyone who did it (I haven't talked to anyone who regretted it).



Oh, and on the breastfeeding aspect - I was told by my surgeon that with the modern techniques (where everything possible stays attached), 85% of women are able to nurse following a reduction.

This is so funny talking about deflated boobs. I like to call mine "bags of sag". Even if I do lose a whole lot of weight theres no way I can afford either a lift or implants. So I guess I'll be hitting the wonder bra section or whatever will do the job. For my hubby, he wont care but I know us girls do care what they look like. Just try to be happy you have lost weight and focus on the positive.....

$4950 seems cheap for plastic surgery although I never really priced any out. I started with a 46B and now I'm a 38C. Its just all weird sizing stuff. Although I really want a lower body lift eventually but I'm a bit cheap and not sure if I'm willing to pay that much and I'm also a bit scared of surgery.

The average right now is around $5000 for silicone implants without lift, I've seen people who paid from $4200 - $6000. The price increases dramatically if you need any kind of lift or special work done, or if you want a non-standard sized implant put in. Some areas are more expensive - LA, New Jersey are running $6000-$8000.

I also saw some quotes as low as $3000, but doubted the reliability of those.

I found a wonderful site that has pictures of real women after giving birth. I have not (yet) had a child (I'm hoping) but I more resemble some of these pictures just from having lost so much weight.

I don't know if we are allowed to post links here..? The site is: theshapeofamother (dotcom)

NOTE: NOT work-safe, as the site does contain nudity.

As far as scarring/effects, I can give you my experiences. I had a reduction done in Dec '03 at the age of 21 - I was a 34H with the boobs-to-navel issues.


Very informative post! Depending on how I look when I'm done losing weight, I am thinking about a lift. I think (hope?) I'll have plenty of boob left because of the size I am now (up in the G/H category). Here is my question: Did you experience a permanent loss of sensation? I'm worried about that, as I've heard that it can be a problem for some people. I'm not sure I want to go "perky" if that also means being numb!

I had a lift and it was the BEST thing I ever did for myself, bar none. I'd do it again every single year, if I had to. :D

I haven't had any loss in sensation anywhere so far from my augmentation, but I had the crease incision instead of the nipple.

I had a lift and it was the BEST thing I ever did for myself, bar none. I'd do it again every single year, if I had to. :D

How are you scars?

Very informative post! Depending on how I look when I'm done losing weight, I am thinking about a lift. I think (hope?) I'll have plenty of boob left because of the size I am now (up in the G/H category). Here is my question: Did you experience a permanent loss of sensation? I'm worried about that, as I've heard that it can be a problem for some people. I'm not sure I want to go "perky" if that also means being numb!

Nope - no loss of sensation! As a matter of fact, there was a general increase in overall sensitivity, since I didn't have the pressure/weight compressing things.

The way my surgeon explained it (and I've heard from others, too), the only way you'll lose sensation normally is if things are so far down/big that they actually have to remove the nipple entirely and graft it elsewhere, instead of just rearranging the tissues. (This is also the type of surgery where there's no change for later nursing, since obviously everything's been cut). Obviously there's always the chance for infection/damage/complications which could result in problems/loss of sensation, but these are relatively low risks.

I'm very glad I had the reduction done when I did, and it's made such a difference in my life. I can run, workout, etc, and I have none of the back pain that was already plaguing me at 21. I wouldn't say it's the right choice for everyone, but I'm always willing to share my experiences!

How are you scars?

I scar really well (yes, that's a strange thing to say!) and they're flat and flesh-colored, so they're REALLY not noticable. There's one in the crease against my ribs, one from the center of that up to the nipple, and then one around the nipple (on each breast). They're mostly hidden, and the ones around my nipples really aren't noticable as scars at all.

I have 27 scars from various accidents and surgeries, so scars really don't matter to me. Thankfully I've never had a problem with adhesions or keloiding. There's a little loss of sensation since my doc had to remove so much skin, but it's really not worrisome. Totally worth it! :D

I'd go with a good supportive bra. I've also found that push up's perk things up a bit!

I've been looking online for different doctors. How do I know which is the right one?

This was a very interesting discussion!

My boobs are also hanging way much lower than I'd like so I've thought about getting a lift later on, once my weight has stabilised and I've stayed on the same weight for a year. For me it's all the yoyo-ing up and down in weight since I was a teenager (I'm 31 now) that caused the long books, I guess.

I've never had any surgery of any kind so it seems very scary to cut away skin and tissue and whathaveyou but I've looked around on the web and the results seem to be good, for many patients.

Bras are fine but only go so far.. I get a little sad every time I undress and see my droppy boobs hanging down there, knowing that they will only get worse as I age.. :( The size of the actual breasts is fine, it's the.. ehrm.. length that I'm not happy with.

I'm thinking of saving money every month until I've been at my goal weight interval for a year and then see if I want to go through with the procedure. I'm not going to have any children so that's not a factor and I don't intend to balloon in weight any more either.

Glad to hear that those of you who have had the procedure got such great results!

they've been big for so long, mine are pretty droopy. I hate that.

I just had to put my two cents in about breast implants. I had my surgery before I began my weight loss journey because I was tired of my small, saggy boobs. I had cohesive gel implants but in and they cost $6800.00. They were expensive but well worth it, they look and feel very natural, and my two scars have healed well and are hardly visible. I think that you need to do whatever makes you feel good.

Hope this helps,
Tanya

Mine have definitely laid down and are playing dead since bearing and nursing two children, and I'm not done with losing all of my weight yet. I used to think I wanted a lift, but have since developed a fear of surgery. I've decided that they will have to be good enough for me and anyone wanting to invite them out to play. I'm 44 and should not be expected to have the boobs of an 18-year-old. I've observed a strange phenomena among women who have gotten implants where they seem so disconnected from them, offering them up for everyone to have a feel and generally displaying a strange, unsavory exhibitionism - not everyone, mind you. I think if getting a boob job will make you feel better - YOU, not your significant other - then you should definitely do so. Honestly, if it weren't for my surgery issue I'd still have a lift for me and my clothes. I guess it'll be bra shopping for me when I get down to my goal.

OMG!!!

I have had one excuse and lazy moment after another lately and have lost my motivation.
Today's excuse is definately I do not want to lose weight. Why? Because I dont want ugly boobs.

LOL

My breasts have gone from a 38DD to a 34B. They are like little slabs of canadian bacon, although not that firm. The best bra I have found thus far is Wonderbra. I would love to have them done when I have my stomach done.

My hubby used to love my breasts and I guess he still does. I just miss looking nice in the chest area--or at least looking ample. I tried on a swimsuit today for Spring Break and there is no way in the world I could have worn it. It looked horrific compared to what I usually look like. I really must order one of the suits from VS with the wonderbra inside of it.

Wow, boobilicous discussion.

Mine shrank unevenly. I have to pad one side to look even in my clothes. Yes, it is definitely a downside, what hurts me worse is the cute "skin apron" on my lower abdomen. Anyone starting the next thread???

Thats why stores have cute bras! So you put on the cute bra then look in the mirror! Cheepest solution!

I totally agree! Ive been freaking out about loosing weight and my boobs shrinking and sagging (even more then they are) but then I think about all the times I went into stores and left almost in tears because I couldnt get these damn things into the cute bras I seen. Im almost a little excited for them to shrink a bit so I can walk into any store and hopefully fit into more bras.

I really dislike my breasts when I'm at goal weight and they look great when I'm heavier, but I still prefer to be at goal. I actually interviewed a few plastic surgeons.

From my research, I found out that it's not a one time surgery! Typically, you need to have another surgery every 12 or 15 ears or so. That is a serious commitment! I also wanted to have a tummy tuck done too, but I couldn't decide which problem bothered me more so I did neither surgery because I was too scared to do both procedures. Something about that just seemed overwhelming to me.

It's hard because my husband loves my big boobies and he hates elective surgery and feels that my breasts are totally "fine" now. "Fine?" Ugh! Not fine! ;) I want them to be spectacular! ;) Still, I got myself some great bras at Victoria's Secret and they still look good in bras. Once I hit my goal though, I'm sure I'll be looking into the implants again. I'm sure I won't go through with it because of the fear of something going wrong. I'm such a wimp! ;)

I used to hate my breasts, they always did the downward pointing dog when I wanted them to be doing the sun salutations… I have come to love them or at the very least accept them, breastfeeding my daughter has shown me that they are perfect just the way they are.

Started out 40DD, down to 36D. They just really didn't shrink much, but they're really dense so maybe that's the reason. I'm nearly 65, so yes, they do sag some, and I have grooves in my shoulders from hauling them around all these years, and those bother me more than the boobs themselves, which look fine in a bra. Still having problems finding a bathing suit that looks okay, but I keep trying. :)

I someday hope to have more kids...but realize that won't be for a long time now that my DH left me. I wonder if you can still breast feed after a lift or inplants? Or what happenes to a lift/inplants if you get preggo? What is considered "cheap" in the boob world? I've looked around the internet and I just get more confused. But then again, would you want to go to someone you found on the internet? If they are "good" why are they advertising on the internet?

I'm okay with them as long as they are in a bra. Realizing that I am going to have to get back into the dating world and such scares me to death thinking of someday, someone else having to see them. And swimsuit season coming up...ah, they would look HORRIBLE in any swimsuit right now and I am a water freak.

My dd has implants (the saline kind...sorry don't know much about them) and she breastfed her son for a long time...over 2 years at least. So yes, you definitely can beastfeed with implants. Only thing she has complained about is that it is more uncomfortable for when getting a mammogram. Guess they have to move the sacs around or something.

Ughh I've always loved my breasts. Seriously. Even before I gained weight they were a nice D. When I gained weight I hardly gained anything in the boob area, maybe I was between a D/DD. So far, I haven't lost much actual boob but they are soo saggy and if I pinch a part of one while lying down, the scrunched part just stays there lol! They used to be perky and full!! I hope that in time the skin will adjust and sort of spread back over them better lol! FINGERS CROSSED!!!

I hate mine too..and have for a long time. They look great in a bra but off comes the bra and I'm like - ouch!!!

Getting a lift/implant (not sure which one yet) is my reward for getting to my goal. I am hoping I won't need a tummy tuck too but if I do, I will get the tuck first because you can't hide that as easily as just keeping your bra on during sex sometimes :)

Ladies, this is the price we pay for being overweight. A good padded bra helps.

I don't think that the reason mine are all saggy and droopy is because I was overweight for so many years although I don't think it helped. My reason is because I nursed two kids for over a year each. That's rough on the girls. But the trade-off is that I had two really healthy kids!

I didn't know what size I should be wearing, either. But I was on my way to the Whitney Museum one Saturday afternoon & I had some time to kill before it opened (it opens kind of late) & saw a shop sign for Brasmyth & stopped in there, figuring I'd get a professional in on the job. (It seemed like a job for a professional.)

She took one look at what I was wearing, carefully concealed her utter horror, and after a few questions about style, started scraping the hangers down the rods & carrying me stuff to try.

At one point, there were three ladies there staring at me standing in my little curtained booth, in my bra & my low riders. I tried hard to suck in my stomach. (I felt like an Amsterdam prostitute on display or a Barbie doll in the old-fashioned plastic case they used to be sold in.)

First of all, they had to demonstrate to me how to put the poor deflated things into the cups. They kept making grasping motions near their own chests, pantomiming packing together a snowball or something.

Frankly, I wanted to walk out there & hand each one a boob & say, "You put them in for me."

But they were right, once I learned how to put on these beautiful new bras, they really did look quite nice. The trick was bending over in the beginning, letting each boob swing into place, and then, once the band was fastened, sort of smooshing them from the outside until they were correctly placed. They showed me to watch for puckering & etc.

I walked out of that place with a sweet little peach-colored bag with a rope handle (which I am sure fascinated the coat-check guys at the Whitney, when I deposited it into their care shortly afterward) and a credit card that hadn't quite understood what hit it yet.

But you know, my chest has NEVER looked better. And I even don't mind changing in the locker room at the gym. These are bras to be **seen in.** Chantelle is the brand. I'm a believer.

I'm a believer in the Chantelle brand too, been wearing them for the last 6 years, won't ever go back to dept store brands.
I am now am deflating a bit due to age, the bra is amazing, I still look good in my clothes.

A sock with a rock in the bottom. Yeah, that would probably be accurate.

But I just had a mammogram recently & it was so much easier than when they were fully inflated & always in the way. (I remember realizing at the time that each one was bigger than my head ... that was traumatic.)

I'll be due to start those in 5 years time since they begin screening at 50 here, and that's the one thing that is cheering me up - that mammograms will likely be easier. Up until about 35 or so my boobs were the one part of me I took pride in. I didn't have kids. They started sagging more when I gained a lot of weight first time when they got so much bigger than before, and then after I slimmed down to goal they started to take on that half-deflated-balloon appearance which didn't really improve during a year or so within goal. That said, I continued to lose weight for some months before regaining so it's debateable how much adjustment my skin had time for.

I'm not that happy about it, but then I prefer the way the rest of me looks when I'm slimmer, so it's a fair trade-off. And by now they sag even when bigger, so they are far from perfect either way. My husband still likes them though, and I think he's being genuine about it.

Someone here on the boards gave me something to think about. She said that a tummy tuck and breast lift are going to be every expensive and painful and that cute bra's are cheaper! I'd love the results of a TT, but the pain..would it be worth it? How else could I better use that $$. For now, for me anyway, I'll work to see what weightraining can do and learn to love myself as I am. I am single so it'll be a great test for guys. If he(whoever he maybe) truly loves me, he'll love me as I am for who I am and not say "I love you but get a TT and lift". Ya know? Just my $.02

I really, really wish I could afford a lift.

I sort of have the opposite issue, but similar in nature. I started out at my heaviest weight wearing a 38H/I. I'm down to, well I'm not entirely sure, but it's probably a 36F. Still huge, but not bigger than my head anymore (I hope not anyway). My SD used to joke around and wear my bra on her head like a helmet, and it was too big.

Anyway, I have a point, When I get down to goal and finish having kids, these puppies are gone!!! I am aiming for a nice C or D cup, depending on how things look at goal. I don't think they will go away entirely on their own, so I will be getting a reduction/ lift. So, I can understand how some of you feel about the saggyness. I haven't had "perky" breasts since maybe freshman year of HS, before they got out of control big. It's been a point of contention in all of my relationships. I was very insecure about taking my top off, even with my husband. But now, I'm getting better about it. We all need to remember our hubby's love us the way we are.

Oh my gosh. I feel like I'm looking into a bunch of mirrors. I can SOOOO identify with the deflated boobs. Before my weight loss I was 46DDD. Now I'm at 42DD. And the other day I got out of the shower and looked in the mirror. And.... holy schnikees.... when did those deflated balloons appear on my chest. I did ask my doctor if she would recommend a breast lift. She just said "Just keep losing weight, then you'll be out of the high risk category." So until that happens underwire will be my best friend. :cool:

I had a breast augmentation done and would be happy to answer questions if anyone is considering it!

I've never had attractive boobs. :( They've been saggy as long as I can remember, even when I was a sprouting teenager. And as it is now it seems my stomach is the only thing holding them up . . . I dread to see how they look as I approach my goal and my stomach tucks back to where it's supposed to be.

Since I've lost the last 100 pounds or so, well . . . the upper halves are so stretched out that I actually have folds on the upper/outer edges when I wear a bra. Luckily it's not noticeable unless I'm wearing a low-cut shirt, but that means I can't exactly wear low-cut shirts, tank tops, etc., and finding a swimsuit that fits me comfortably isn't easy.

I'd love to have a lift done, but can't consider it until I lose about 100 more pounds

Well I can already tell that I am loosing weight in my boobs. So I know by the time I reach my goal I will have two deflated balloons!! haha. So i decided that once I reach my goal I want implants. I have always had curvy hips and a big behind so I want my top to match my bottom!! LOL. I never, ever thought that I would want implants, but I have decided that if it is going to make me happy, I am going to get them.

So, if it will make you feel good about yourself, why not! You certainly deserve it!

Strangely enough I have seen a slight improvement lately in spite of the fact that I continue to lose weight slowly. This might be because I have started strength training and yoga after not doing any for years. It could be that stronger pectoral muscles plus improved posture has helped perk up the overall appearance even though the breast skin is still looser than I'd like. They still sag but I'm convinced it's slightly better. Obviously this isn't going to help anyone who's already doing these things already, though.

At 226 lbs, my breasts are very saggy, and although I am wearing around a 38 C, my breasts don't completely fill out my bra. I'm hoping that once I lose my weight, my breasts will become smaller and firm up more. Is that possible?

I believe it is possible, but judging from my experience, I wouldn't get your hopes up too high.

I went from a 38C at 180 pounds to a.... 36 BARELY A at 100 pounds, and while my breasts are without a doubt smaller now, they are also more like flaps of flab (that sounds terrible lol) than breasts now. So I don't know how likely it is for breasts to actually firm up with weight loss, because I seem to have only kept the soft flabby parts, BUT everybody is different! And they're just boobs ;)

Ok, I have ugly boobs from 5 pregnancies and nursing. Each time I think about it I am reminded of an elderly lady I worked with. She would tell me she was once volumptious but now she had roll them up and tuck them boobs. She always made me laugh but I wonder if I will have to roll up my boobs to stick them in a bra after I lose weight. ;)

Is there any idea about how we may prevent this?

On one of the Jillian Michaels DVDs (I forget which one, I think it's NMTZ), she mentions that one of the exercises works the pectoral muscles and creates a natural lift. That may help some, but other than that I'm at a loss, other than following Rusty Warren's advice and...

BOUNCE YOUR BOOBIES! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnniCsVzS1Q) <--- YT vid SFW unless you can't listen to a song

At 226 lbs, my breasts are very saggy, and although I am wearing around a 38 C, my breasts don't completely fill out my bra. I'm hoping that once I lose my weight, my breasts will become smaller and firm up more. Is that possible?

I went from a 38D at 225-ish to a 32A or B, probably, at 140. But I have to wear a C cup to put all the skin in. My boobs aren't small - I could HANDLE small boobs...they're flat. Like those cartoon caricatures of old ladies. Yeah. I'm 29. Fun stuff. I can't find a bra at Victoria's Secret that fits me. Or even Walmart or Target for that matter. Dillards? No. JC Penney? No go. I literally cried in the dressing room last time I tried.

That's not saying this will happen to you...everyone is different, and our bodies react to weight loss in entirely different ways.

I miss my boobs, when I was 135 I had 32F cup. They were so beautiful and actually looked good. Now I'm stuck with a 34 C Cup and they look gross. I went to Victoria Secret's to get a push up bra yet I still feel like less of a woman.

I have a friend who got implants last September and paid over $5000.00 for her surgery. She had two consults where one doctor wanted to do a lift along with implants and another who said she could do just implants. She opted to go with just the implants since she didn't want to pay the extra $3000.00 for the lift too. Now six months later she sees that her breasts are starting to sag again and wishes she would've gone with the lift/implant combo. Sometimes I don't think it was worth all the money since she will have to get them done again in about 10 years.

I have sisters who both got implants because they were A cups. One went to a teaching hospital and paid around $4,000 and the other went to someplace different and paid around $6,500 if I remember correctly. She ended up having to have them redone for another $4,000 and now has capsular contraction I believe it is called. She is in pain and needs to get it fixed again.

I know of a few people who have had problems with implants and while mine are saggy and smaller now...I went from a solid 38DD to a 36D ...I will stick with what I have.

Our mother just had a double mastectomy in October and while they say it does not hinder finding the cancer I would rather not take an unecessary chances.

I have lost 37lbs, and mine are about the same size as when I started. I haven't had to buy a new bra. I'm still wearing a 42D. They have actually gotten a little higher up and firmer before they were kind of saggy. I have been doing chest exercises, and I read somewhere that if you wear properly fitted sports bra while working out it reduces the loss from that area. I am really scared, though, now after reading some of these posts. I want my boobs to stay the way they are.

I've had implants 11 years now & they look just as good as when I 1st got them. I was a 29A, now 32D. Back then I paid 6,500 total. I would definitely do it over again if I had to - provided I could find the same surgeon. I have not had a huge amount of weightloss though so I don't know about sagging, etc. I have lost 20 pounds with another 20 to go. I also had a baby with them 7 years ago and never had any problems. :)

After losing 64 lbs. so far, I've gone from 40DD to 36C (small C) and I hate how saggy they are now! I am seriously considering a breast lift/implants along with a tummy tuck. I've got extra skin there too.:( I hate the idea of surgery, but I just don't see any other way.

My boobs are like that too. They can get all wrinkly sometimes. I am thinking about getting a lift and implants as well.

The plus side, they'd make breastfeeding alot easier.

I am so glad that I found this thread. I KNOW it will have, what did someone call it? Socks with a rock at the end. Oh yes, I will. Having been a C/D for years, then losing weight in 1997 by boobs were not really pretty then. And I dread to see them after I lose the weight this time. I will have a reduction, because for once in my adult life, I want to have perky boobs. Vain? Maybe, but I don't care. I deserve it. And Loreal says I'm worth it. Oh wait, that's my hair.

I have re-read this thread so many times, and still always fall off my chair at saef's description at the store :rofl: and thighs be gone's Canandian bacon similie :devil:

If I had unlimited money and time, yes I'd get mine done. They were never big to begin with but with time and weight loss, they have beome..flatter. They look fine in a push up bra, though. I was at a biker bar that was recruiting for a wet t contest and was actually asked to participate, because my boobies were looking pretty good crammed into a pink pushup and under a black fishnet top :devil: too bad I can't wear that all the time :D

oh and I totally agree with the poster who was on page 1 or 2 who said, well work towards having a bangin 6 pack for folks to admire instead.... or a trim waist, or long toned legs... we have to work with what we got.

There are many web sites that are devoted to women who are considering or who have gotten enhancements or reconstruction, I think those are great resouces of information.

LOL...yes. If I had the money I'd get a boob job to perk them up.

Mine look like prunes and lay flat...I so need a good bra. I hope mine tighten up some. But I have more weight to lose first :(

I can't remember the last time I logged into 3FC because I fell off the wagon and then had a baby! Did I sure get a good laugh when I saw this posting still going!! hahaha! I love you girls!

As for my boobs, they are like a 42DD right now because I am a wet nurse and produce enough for the octomom, but I'm sure they will deflate again when I'm done!

I think soon I'll be able to flash my boobs by lifting my skirt. But I wouldn't trade it back for the big fat bowls of warm jelly oozing out over the tops and sides of my bra, though, nosiree. Good thing DH and I have a sense of humor.

JamieJo, congratulations on the new addition!!!!

After 3 pregnancies, and at 35 years old, I am dreading reaching my goal weight and seeing what my girls will look like...

Joining the I hate my boobs as well thread! lol Just look so deflated now! It's good thing they make bras to put em back where they belong! The ONLY positive is that I can wear the sports bras now and not have to worry about the bounce factor!

So interesting to find this thread, as this is precisely what I'm pondering right now. I have made the decision to go ahead with a breast lift procedure, now it's just an issue of timing and deciding on a surgeon. I don't want to have the surgery until I've hit GW, which is another 20 pounds away, so I'm looking at maybe mid to late fall for timing. I too am pretty nervous about scarring (I got my gallbladder out when I was 20, and still have a hugely long, very noticeable pink incision on my upper abdomen along my ribcage) but have decided I just can't stand to live the rest of my life "packing" my boobs into bras to get them to have a reasonable breast shape.

What I'm wondering is, what happens if you re-gain weight after the procedure? Not that I'm planning to of course, but even "the best laid plans..." and all that. Do any of you know if scars will "stretch out," or if weight gain will cause severe stretch marks since your skin has been stretched already by the surgery?

I can't remember the last time I logged into 3FC because I fell off the wagon and then had a baby! Did I sure get a good laugh when I saw this posting still going!! hahaha! I love you girls!

As for my boobs, they are like a 42DD right now because I am a wet nurse and produce enough for the octomom, but I'm sure they will deflate again when I'm done!

Hey Chickie, so good to see you :)

I gotta say, I've -always been big chested. With my weight so close to 300 lbs, they are way bigger then i want (48 DDD) They have never been 'perky' or 'perfect' to me they always were the saggy old lady boobs. But! I look forward to them shrinking, because at 48 DDD there is NOTHING cute to wear that fits. its all wrought iron, and steel grandma bras.

I'll take tiny saggers... at least then i can dress 'em up!

I have lost 37lbs, and mine are about the same size as when I started. I haven't had to buy a new bra. I'm still wearing a 42D. They have actually gotten a little higher up and firmer before they were kind of saggy. I have been doing chest exercises, and I read somewhere that if you wear properly fitted sports bra while working out it reduces the loss from that area. I am really scared, though, now after reading some of these posts. I want my boobs to stay the way they are.

I have heard the same thing. I have always been extra "blessed" up top. My nickname in Jr. High was Double Bubble. :o

I have always been an advocate for properly fitted bras. Right now I can't afford the expensive ones that fit like harnesses, but I love my 18 hour cross your heart and they really lift me.

I have been working out with a trainer doing a lot of strength training including the pectorial area and though I have gone down in size (with a little loose skin to boot) I haven't noticed my puppies sagging anymore than usual.

So, I guess what I am saying is I would advise properly fitting bras, chest exercises and at least waiting for a few months after you reach goal weight before even considering surgery.

My weight has fluctuated in a 20ish pound range over the last several years. Because of that, my boobs get bigger and smaller and the skin has lost a lot of it's elasticity. I maintain a pretty solid 34F at the moment, and pray to the bra gods often. If I had the means, then when I reached my goal weight I would seriously consider getting the girls back up where they belong. With implants, as long as you stay proportional to your body, they will look relatively natural.

woohoo im not the only one with boob image problem....im way bigger on one side than the other. i've had some really mean and cruel things said to me over the years, but i've learned to over look it all. i've always had a body issue with them, but i've come to terms that it can be fixed. I plan on doing so after i have kids. My fiance loves me the way i am ,but if it makes me happier he stands by me 100%.

One of my good friends just had a boob job and I got to check 'em out yesterday. I am soooo jealous. And will soooooo be looking into getting one myself as soon as I have the money :)

This is an entertaining and informative thread!

I've always been flat-chested (A cup at most), but at least they were firm and perky! Now, after breastfeeding three kids for more than a year each, I am, literally, training bra size. NOT EVEN A DOUBLE-A. It's a dire situation, people.

I've found a few A-cup push-up bras that I can almost fill, or I use "cutlets" with an A-cup. But bathing suits present a near-hopeless situation, because if the foam pads don't fit firmly against your body, with some pressure against them, they sag in the most horrible way when they get wet. And did I mention 3 kids? So I spend the whole summer at the neighborhood pool. I've found two suits so far that work.

To make matters worse, I had BEAUTIFUL breasts when I was nursing. So I know what I'm missing. ;) And since I lost the baby weight rather quickly, I even had them when I was pretty fit everywhere else.

I met with a plastic surgeon a few days ago, but the risk of complications is giving me pause. Have a lot of soul-searching to do to decide whether or not it's worth it. ~sigh~

ETA: Just for the record, whether I get surgery or not, I don't regret breastfeeding! I know some women struggle with the possible effects on their breasts when deciding whether to nurse. For me it was 110% worth it even if they're like this forever.

So glad this thread was started!

I also have ugly boobs. No, I'm not exagerrating or being overly self-conscious. If you could see 'em (sans bra, of course), you'd agree.

I'd say my issues with my breasts inhibit me even MORE than my weight issues! I absolutely loathe them and what's worse - I always have.

I never had pert, firm breasts. At 13, they had sag, and as they grew larger - I currently wear a 40G - they, er, elongated even more.

I swear, I look like something out of National Geographic.

I did look into getting a breast reduction, but the fact is that I need to complete this weight-loss journey (it may be the #1 reason for my eagerness) and even then, I suspect I'll need both a lift and implants because they are JUST THAT SAGGY.

I know people advise to wait until post-children but I'm a single girl of 30 and at this rate, I'll never procreate because I dread every time I have to get naked in front of a man.

Thanks for letting me get that off my, um, chest.

As for breastfeeding, I've read that pregnancy affects our breasts, and breastfeeding doesn't make them sag anymore than they were going to anyways...at least that's what I tell myself so I don't worry about nursing for almost 3 years now (between two babies)!

I was a 38DD when I gave birth, I am now a 34D, (but am not done nursing, so who knows what will happen then). My left one has always been a lot bigger, and now it looks really deflated. My right one looks pretty good, I think. Anyways I might consider it down the road, but only after we're sure we're not having any more babies as I wouldn't want to risk not being able to breastfeed. What I really want though, is a lower body lift someday. I don't know if I'd ever be able to afford it though!

I would try working on your chest and shoulder muscles and see if you don't get a little lift from building it up. It's worth a shot, especially if you're considering surgery. In the time it takes to get the consult, set it up, and recover from surgery, you might be able to give yourself a little lift by building up that muscle.

My boobs grew large at a young age so I don't know anything about perky or firm breasts(know all about sag) but I do know you can help them along a little with toning.

Mine are super saggy and gross from years of ups and downs with my weight and i'm 30 and have never had a baby! it's depressing :(

Yeah, mine were never perky either to start with, so I'm kind of used to have ugly saggy breast since the age of 10 or something. :x

Maybe I'll consider a lift the day I have enough money, but I don't know. I don't especially like hospitals, and I suppose it's going to be a toss up, whether I want it enough or not. Well, at least I don't have to bother about waiting until after pregnancy, since I don't intend on having kids anyway. ^^

This thread is interesting.

My breasts are not firm or full. They never have been, but they are certainly a lot more "deflated" after the weight loss.

The thing is, even though they don't look like all the ones we are shown in the media, I love them. I have to admit I'm somewhat offended by all the words like "Gross" "Ugly" and "Disgusting." That's your opinion, and I'm sorry people feel that way about their own bodies. To me, I just think, I'm human and I'm not going to look like an airbrushed model in a magazine, nor do I need to. My breasts are "good enough" for my boyfriend, who has told me many times he would rather see real, sagging breasts than fake ones. And in a good bra, nobody can tell what they look like naked, so I look good in clothes. I guess I'm just over the self-hatred thing. I'm tired of women picking our bodies apart like it's a kitchen renovation or something.

I respect everyone else's decision to have surgery, but unless it was debilitating or life threatening in some way, I would personally never have surgery on any part of my body. I have stretch marks, cellulite, and all kinds of other issues I hear women berating their bodies about. I just don't see it as anything to be all that concerned about. To me, our society is just such a mess the way we look at women (and increasingly men) and I'm not buying into it. I am imperfect and good enough- just the way I am. I lost the weight for myself and my health- not to fit into any standard of beauty. Forget that. I am worth so much more than that.

But to answer the original question, I guess a lot of you would say my breasts are "ugly". But they are beautiful to me :)

Edit: I went from a 40 DD to a 38 E to a 36 C over the course of my weight loss. Until the last 10 pounds, my breasts barely shrank and I was worried I was going to be stuck with them and it would look really strange (ginormous breasts on a small body)- but then they finally shrank and I was glad. The C cup is much more proportional with my body now.

Well, to be honest, the thing that really bothers me with my breasts is that I can't always find what I need in terms of bras. :x For instance, Ibought that lovely gothic dress in London last Sunday--only the back of the dress leaves the back of my bra apparent. I thought I would easily find a bra, back home, that would go lower than my usual ones. You'd think they'd go over a B? Naaaah. No luck. Good thing that I'm used to wearing corsets, because at least I can put *that* under my dress (it sure won't make me bigger, so no worries about fitting in XD). Still, it's annoying.

On the other hand, this has nothing to do with weight loss, I've always been a C/D. I guess the only solution would be surgery. But, once again... I'm not too keen on that idea. The further I can stay from hospitals, and all that...

I've been reading through this thread and just wanted to say, I have lost two dear friends to breast cancer. One had a single mastectomy and the other a double. Both of them endured a lot of painful treatment and died anyway. I myself had a lumpectomy but thank God it wasn't cancer. When you are hating your breasts, I say be happy you still have them and they are healthy, no matter what shape they look like. Didn't want to be a downer, just putting this into perspective ...

Paula, very well said.

Thanks PaulaM! I think we ALL needed to hear that.:hug: Ya...my sister had a scare last year and ended up having to get a lumpectomy that turned out not to be cancerous. We are sooooo thankful for that. During her scare, I learned so much about the disease and it was scary to learn how many woman actually get it!:o Again...thanks for posting this.