to ask about your 34C boobs?

[SnoozyGiraffe]

So I'm considering a breast reduction and surgeons generally recommend a C cup size. I haven't been a C cup since puberty and I can't imagine it at all! Anyone who's a 34C - I'd really appreciate some info :-)

For example....
Do you feel completely secure in a strapless bra, or can you even go braless occasionally? (on holiday or if a special outfit demands?)
Is it easy to find flattering swimwear?
Can you wear shrug-type cardigans and do they look nice?

I'm pretty tall, no hips but a bit of a muffin-top - is my tummy suddenly going to be bigger than my boobs? I'm used to being voluptuous, but part of me wants the novelty of a boyish figure. Is this a nice compromise or a neither-here-nor-there middle ground?

All advice gratefully received!

I'm afraid I can't answer but I notice you say novelty of a boyish figure. Two points, the novelty may wear off and the boy figure is fashion just now but will disappear. Please don't consider surgery like this unless you truly want to be this way forever.

I'm not a C cup (ha bloody ha, 30HH to heft around!) but my best friend had a bust reduction a few years ago. She was a 30H, and the docs told her she would get down to about a C/D cup. They were a bit off - the lowest she ever went to was a borderline F/FF cup.

She could go braless for a while after the op as they also lifted everything however she doesn't tend to now as they have...well..gravity...In terms of strapless, the Wonderbra ultimate strapless can hold up boobs an awful lot bigger than a C cup (including mine) and feel totally secure so that shouldn't be an issue.

Not trying to put you off, just warning you that they may not be right with the C!

30HH

I had a breast reduction 5 years ago. Life changing but I went from 36HH/ to a 34D/DD. I'm love going braless; when you've hoiked J's around for 20 years I feel like my 'new' boobs are like Smarties on an ironing board! That said, out of decency I do tend to strap 'em in when in public.

It's a hell of an op but I would do it again tomorrow. Good luck.

I'm a 34C - I like them....I can go braless if I have a particular top I need to not wear a bra (although I usually buy the jewelled bra straps) and yes swim suits look nice, they are not heading south.

34c is a nice size :)

Do surgeons really recommend a one-size-fits-all cup? I'd have thought it was a very individual thing based on all kinds of measurements and the feasibility of what they can achieve with any one body.

I think you need a consultation with a very experienced and recommended surgeon. Maybe a lift might be better than a reduction - no way of knowing without someone who knows having a look and a chat, all anyone can do is share their own personal experiences.

If you do go down the route of surgery please do choose very carefully.

I only feel secure in certain strapless bras but I find most of them crap anyway.

I wouldn't go bra-less but I suppose I could. Mine are pretty perky but apart from my wedding dress I've had no need to.

I have no problems finding swimwear, either bikinis or 2 pieces but I sound a different shape to you - I have a small waist and stomach but my hips are childbearing for sure.

I don't wear shrugs, I don't think they look nice whatever the boob size!

Yes I'm happy being size 8/10 and 34c. :)

enrique - I guess they think your back size is the most relevant measurement. Actually, I read that while researching on the Internet and my particular consultant seemed to approve, although he did say they can't guarantee any size! I did wonder whether I should stay a bit bigger because I'm tall, but then I might not get the full benefit.....?

I'm a 34C, they're not too big, not too small, can go braless under tops (though prefer not to, I've had two kids and a bit paranoid they're not as perky as they should be) it's a good size. I wouldn't say it's a boyish size though? There's still a fair bit of flesh there!

34C is exactly my size and has been for many years now and I wouldn't call it boyish or even small, not to me anyway. However I have no issues with going strapless, swimwear is not an issue, it's a flattering bust size in my opinion. On the other hand, I wouldn't be comfortable going strapless as I feel a C capsize is a bit heavy for that and gravity is not always friendly, I supposed if the outfit was designed for it and had internal support it might work but I probably wouldn't give it a go. By boobs would need more structure. Shrug-type cardigans look awful on me, I am no where near flat enough to pull them off but I have curvy hips so that could also be part of the problem.

I think you need to look at women with that bust size and different body shape to give you an idea of what you might look like but although it is smaller than what you are used to I wouldn't say it's boyish or flattish in any way. Not on me anyway but that could be my body shape, if you know what I mean.

Don't mean to put you off or anything and good luck with what ever you decide.

I was 34C pre-children, I was never able to go without a bra unless I always stood completely still and never moved. I could wear strapless bra's though, which I absolutely cannot do now (34E).

34c, no problems with swim wear party dresses etc, though feel the need of more structured bras post DC . . .

I am a 34C and it is the absolute optimun size for me as I'm short and size 8/10. My boobs are still firm and perky so I suppose I could get away with no bra but why would I? I much prefer the shape a bra gives and it looks more groomed. Plus what do you do with your nipples otherwise .

I don't have problems finding anything but I wouldn't know about shrugs as it's not something I'd want to wear anyway. I'd say my boobs would look very small on taller, more voluptuous women.

My 34cs were OK unfettered pre pregnancy tbh.

That's when the rot set in-& stayed!

I had c cup breasts (currently pregnant so an E/EE). Hovered somewhere between a 34 B and a 36 C. However, I am probably a lot shorter than you, so I'm not sure how helpful it is.

I would never consider myself as having a boyish figure (in fact, I have friends who envied me my 'large' breasts) so I'd probably say it's a good compromise. But I'm 5'2, so it might be very different for you.

I have sometimes worn strapless bras and very occasionally stick on cups that give a bit of shape but can be worn with anything. I wouldn't go bra-less. Partly gravity, partly they are still big enough that it would be obvious. You still need a goods sports bra if running etc.

I don't have any problems finding flattering clothes / swimwear from a boob point of view. In fact, they are the thing I worry about least and just look good whatever I do. I struggle a bit with shrug cardigans (though I think that's my shoulders) and don't really think they look that good.

Good luck whatever you decide.

You may find a C cup a bit small if you are very tall. My mother is (6 foot) and she feels pretty flat chested. By 5 foot 2 friend however looks very curvy with hers!

If you're a size 8/10 Monty you are almost certainly not a 34 band. Have you seen the bra intervention threads?

I tend to wear a 28C if I can find them or a 30B, quite regularly don't bother to wear a bra and find it hard to find strapless ones as I'm too small meaning that wearing them just creates a gap so you can see straight down my top.

C is pretty small (if you're measuring correctly) unless you are stick thin - I think Statistically may be closer with the F as most people who measure a C using "traditional" bra measuring techniques are actually an E/F cup in reality.

Sorry if I've offended anyone I don't think a C is boyish either, I meant I could choose to be an A cup and have a complete change! Probably too much of a shock tho

Oh, I'm a 32F and my only problem with going braless is being "nippley". I hear you can get patches for that so probably not an issue.

Also a 34c here. I can go bra less if necessary as gravity has been kind thus far (IDugUpaDiamond you can get silicon nipple shields which sort of stick on thereby avoiding embarrassing nipplage).

I do see that if you went from a larger size down to a c they would feel relatively smaller but I can tell you - I ain't boyish!! Can look unfortunately busty serving wench-like unless careful!!

I'm a 34C. I never go braless 'cause I don't think they're perky enough. I would also be paranoid about pointy nips if I got cold. I don't tend to wear strapless bras either as I feel insecure in them. I would wear one if a special outfit demanded it but generally, no.

Swimwear is no problem though- easy to find something flattering. I don't know what a shrug cardigan is so I can't answer that :D

Overall, I like being this size. I am very short and small and I think they're the right size boobs for me.

What is your cup size now? I am a 34F and whilst I wouldn't go bra-less I have got a very good strapless bra and can readily find flattering swimwear. I am 44 and this is the first time in my life I have been happy with my boobs and given up craving a more boyish figure. I always felt they were too large but now I can see a lot of it is down to how you dress them and how you style yourself.

I'm nowhere near a size 8/10, more like a 14/16 for trousers, but currently an 18 for tops and dresses