Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Original poster

Boob job or magic bra?

48 replies

BimbleBrown · 29/08/2022 07:58

After 5 years of breastfeeding and some weight loss, my boobs are a sad-looking 34AAA :(

I've been considering surgery, but would like to consider all other options first - has anyone found any magical bras for smaller ladies? Or read/listened to anything which has made them feel much more accepting?

Alternatively, opinions on surgery would also be really welcome. Not planning to go crazy with the size, just big enough to be able to actually buy normal sized bras and would like to look natural!

Thanks in advance 😊

OP posts:
Tabbouleh · 29/08/2022 08:03

I am a 34 B in menopause after being a 34 A before. I didn't have to read anything because I have always liked being small busted. They don't sag or look matronly, and they fit into anything. Also, more modern.

Tabbouleh · 29/08/2022 08:05

There are a lot of recent threads about women who regret surgery, especially as it can go wrong or has to be redone every decade apparently.

Chakraleaf · 29/08/2022 08:17

Mine are the same but I've started swimming and love having small boobs now. I do occasionally buy a push up bra bit generally its in fashion for bra let's :)

dementedpixie · 29/08/2022 08:20

34AAA would mean you are totally absolutely flat with no breast tissue. If you have any breast tissue then you are not that cup size. Have you tried measuring under and over your bust to get an idea of size?

Tight Under bust = back size
Each inch difference between over and under bust gives the cup size. 1 inch = A, 2inch = B, 3 inch = C, etc

RampantIvy · 29/08/2022 08:24

There is a thread on here about bras for the more modestly endowed. I will find it and add a link.

wibblewobbleball · 29/08/2022 08:27

How long since you finished BF? It takes about 2 years, but most people start to see some changes in terms of breast recovery in terms of increased fullness at that stage.

Original poster
BimbleBrown · 29/08/2022 08:33

wibblewobbleball · 29/08/2022 08:27

How long since you finished BF? It takes about 2 years, but most people start to see some changes in terms of breast recovery in terms of increased fullness at that stage.

I finished in June, this gives me some hope, thank you!

OP posts:
Original poster
BimbleBrown · 29/08/2022 08:34

RampantIvy · 29/08/2022 08:24

There is a thread on here about bras for the more modestly endowed. I will find it and add a link.

That would be really helpful, thanks! Any suggestions of people on Instagram etc who style clothes and look fabulous with tiny/no boobs would also be great x

OP posts:
CrapBucket · 29/08/2022 08:50

I'm middle aged, if an older perspective helps: My boobs have changed over the years, the way I see it is that they've done a great 'task' of feeding the babies but also I feel very attached /loyal/grateful to them regardless of their size/pertness. Friends have had to have mastectomies which makes you realise that health is more important than looks.

Currently after losing some weight in a stressful time, my boobs are pretty small but at the same time saggy- I really don't mind and just put on a push up bra if I want some cleavage. Kind of the best of both worlds when you have the option for flat or not flat.

So in your circumstances I would not do anything permanent. You are only just getting your body back to being YOURS after sharing it with babies for so long. Growing and feeding literally takes it out of you.

LovelyDaaling · 29/08/2022 09:15

38B here and so pleased about that. When I take my bra off at night, they don't sag , look like they did in my thirties.

RampantIvy · 29/08/2022 10:14

I have found the thread here

My best advice is to go to an independent bra shop because an experienced bra fitter doesn't need to measure you. The one I went to just asked my dress size and just looked at me in my bra and brought me some on to try.

For many years I thought I was a 34A, then after reading some MN bra threads I wore 32B for years. I am in fact an unbelievable 32D, even though I am less curvy than Kate Moss.

The bras that make me look less like a boy are Wacoal, and were a game changer for me.

Are you absolutely sure you are a 38B @LovelyDaaling? What dress size are you?

LovelyDaaling · 29/08/2022 14:49

RampantIvy · 29/08/2022 10:14

I have found the thread here

My best advice is to go to an independent bra shop because an experienced bra fitter doesn't need to measure you. The one I went to just asked my dress size and just looked at me in my bra and brought me some on to try.

For many years I thought I was a 34A, then after reading some MN bra threads I wore 32B for years. I am in fact an unbelievable 32D, even though I am less curvy than Kate Moss.

The bras that make me look less like a boy are Wacoal, and were a game changer for me.

Are you absolutely sure you are a 38B @LovelyDaaling? What dress size are you?

Size 14 tops

GaslighterDenier · 29/08/2022 14:56

I had a boob job around 10 years ago, honestly best thing I ever done in terms of self confidence. Most days I forget I've even had it done.

I was an AA cup before and immediately after I was around a D cup. They've obviously settled a lot over the years and I've put on weight/been pregnant 4 times since then, they now range between an E/FF.

I got the biggest implant my surgeon was willing to use on me, he measured my breast tissue, width of chest and length of torso before he recommended a few sizes to choose from.

My biggest advice (if you go down the surgery route) is to do as much research as possible, I felt very prepared for it and had a very good experience. I used to use a website called Breast Buddies (I think) which was specifically for women having implants/uplifts etc and found that to be a wealth of knowledge.

RampantIvy · 29/08/2022 16:17

@LovelyDaaling can I suggest that you measure under your bust. As a rough guide your band size is approximately 20 inches bigger than your dress size, so you may find a 34D or 36C is a better fit.

The cup size in a 38B is the same as that in a 36C and a 34D.

I may be entirely wrong of course.

AnnaMagnani · 29/08/2022 16:26

34AAA would mean that you had no breast tissue at all.

Where did you go to get this measurement? If it was M&S then they are wrong

Original poster
BimbleBrown · 29/08/2022 16:32

CrapBucket · 29/08/2022 08:50

I'm middle aged, if an older perspective helps: My boobs have changed over the years, the way I see it is that they've done a great 'task' of feeding the babies but also I feel very attached /loyal/grateful to them regardless of their size/pertness. Friends have had to have mastectomies which makes you realise that health is more important than looks.

Currently after losing some weight in a stressful time, my boobs are pretty small but at the same time saggy- I really don't mind and just put on a push up bra if I want some cleavage. Kind of the best of both worlds when you have the option for flat or not flat.

So in your circumstances I would not do anything permanent. You are only just getting your body back to being YOURS after sharing it with babies for so long. Growing and feeding literally takes it out of you.

Thank you, this helps put things in perspective.

OP posts:
Original poster
BimbleBrown · 29/08/2022 17:20

GaslighterDenier · 29/08/2022 14:56

I had a boob job around 10 years ago, honestly best thing I ever done in terms of self confidence. Most days I forget I've even had it done.

I was an AA cup before and immediately after I was around a D cup. They've obviously settled a lot over the years and I've put on weight/been pregnant 4 times since then, they now range between an E/FF.

I got the biggest implant my surgeon was willing to use on me, he measured my breast tissue, width of chest and length of torso before he recommended a few sizes to choose from.

My biggest advice (if you go down the surgery route) is to do as much research as possible, I felt very prepared for it and had a very good experience. I used to use a website called Breast Buddies (I think) which was specifically for women having implants/uplifts etc and found that to be a wealth of knowledge.

Thanks for sharing your experience, it's nice to hear it's not all horror stories! I'll take a look at the site you've mentioned. x

OP posts:
LondonQueen · 29/08/2022 17:20

Push up bra is a lot cheaper and without the risks...

MintyGreenDream · 29/08/2022 17:22

Choose a reputable surgeon ideally one who is a member of B.A.A.P.S British association of aesthetic plastic surgeons.

Original poster
BimbleBrown · 29/08/2022 18:54

AnnaMagnani · 29/08/2022 16:26

34AAA would mean that you had no breast tissue at all.

Where did you go to get this measurement? If it was M&S then they are wrong

I got this from the calculator on Little Women, although I've just checked Boob or Bust, and come out as 28DD 😵‍💫 baffling! 😂

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 29/08/2022 18:56

Does Little Women add extra inches to the back size?
If you measure 28 under your bust then that's your back size without adding extra inches

dementedpixie · 29/08/2022 18:58

Just checked and their calculator does add extra inches which gives a bra too big in the back and too small in the cup

SavingsThreads · 29/08/2022 20:26

I got this from the calculator on Little Women, although I've just checked Boob or Bust, and come out as 28DD 😵‍💫 baffling! 😂

I would bet significant amounts of money that 28DD is correct, or very close.

MrsPerfect12 · 29/08/2022 22:44

an alternative to implants is fat transfer (if you have any spare) much less invasive. I've seen it done recently on a local practice page same results as implants.