Our society obviously views large breasts as just about the best feature any woman could hope for. The idea of reducing them is simply un-American. Most men are more worried about their viewing pleasure than your back. And as per your friends reaction in the 7th grade, I'm sure many women are jealous of the attention you receive and would readily tell you how lucky you are at the same time as you telling them how wrong they are. It's the human condition. The grass is always greener, etc.

being a feminist and wanting a breast reduction are not necessarily related. Being a feminist is about ideals and who you are; wanting a breast reduction is about avoiding the numerous problems and some pain that accompanies them. Having a breast reduction will not make you less of a woman. Your friend from grade school is clearly buying into society's definition of womanhood a little too much. If this is what you want, then go for it!

Although I don't have your "problem", I bet that you are built just like my twin sister (she is a 34 DDD or E) and she is also considering the surgery. She also gets the worst reactions from people who have no business commenting on her decisions, it's actually kind of shocking.

also, to play devil's advocate, you should really really think about the procedure before you get it, because it is still major surgery and can have serious consequences.

in the UK, there's actually a group called BRA - Breast Reduction Association, who try and provide support for people who want the procedure, because a lot of women have a hard time convincing NHS that the surgery is about health, not appearance.
i think most people don't get the idea because it's involves health, not just appearance.

it's funny, that even though many women think big breasts are desirable, i have big breasts and for me they're an inconvenience. it's hard to find any clothes that fit right, and contrary to the stereotype, celebrities actually don't have big breasts. i think the beauty ideal is to have FAKE big breasts that don't need bras, on skinny women, or, to have small breasts but make them lok bigger with victoria's secret bras. natural big breasts often come with fat in other parts of the body, which of course is not in style.

for all the talk i hear from women in the real world and on the internet, it's hard to believe that there's anyone left who can't see the health benefits to having breasts proportionally sized to one's body. obviously, there are still a lot of stupid people around. when i went from a b to a c, in college, i was pissed and wanted a reduction just because it was harder to shop for clothes. this was a totally selfish reason, but i got a TINY bit of insight to what women dealing with truly large breasts might be going through.

my favorite famous example is soleil moon frye, aka punky brewster, who had one several years back.

no real point to this, except to say thanks for writing and do what's best for you. most insurance will cover this now if you get doctor's recommendations and jump through a few hoops to prove it's medically necessary.

There is a reason breast reduction surgery is covered by insurance. Very large breasts are a serious inconvenience, and can cause a lot of problems, as you've experienced.

I'm a 32 D. I love my body and I love my breasts, but if they caused me anything like the trouble you're describing here, I'd be seriously considering a breast reduction surgery as well.

Also, she thinks you want to have a C-cup because you don't want to look like a girl? C is average sized, and it's still pretty noticeable. I don't think I've ever seen a man with C-cups.

I know a couple of women who like you had physical problems due to their breast size. They got breast reductions and are sooooooo happy they did. They only wish they had it done sooner -- they are both in their 40s. You have very good practical and health-related reasons for choosing surgery. Do what is right for you.

I offer the feminist refrain of "my body, my choice".

I had a nose job when I was 18. I did have breathing issues corrected, but I also wanted a smaller, more streamlined nose.

I got two main types of reactions: creepy endorsement of the wonders of plastic surgery, or horror. A lot of feminist friends either insisted my 'real' reason was strictly health-based or were exceptionally judgemental.

Your mom is understandably concerned that you'll make a major, permanent change in your teens and regret it later. She's probably conflating your desire to be in proportion with a rejection of the body she gave you... it could help to stress with her that you want this because you love your body, not because you hate it.

For your back and riding... I used to ride, and if you've heard of a capsule bra, I'd reccomend trying one on. They're designed with the realization that boobs bounce in all directions and squashing them against a girl's chest is not the best way to go about it.

The woman you ran into doesn't even know what it means to "look like a girl". If she's had as much plastic surgery as you say, she's a victim of a society that told her she's not thin enough, built enough, round enough, voluptious enough, pouty lipped enough, etc, to be a real girl.

Your situation is completely different. And not wanting size F breasts in no way means you want to look like a man. I'd give her words as much thought as I would give to an Ann Coulter lecture on polite discourse. In other words; I'd laugh, and move on.

People just can't accept that a woman would want to change her boobs for health reasons, because you know, their purpose is for male pleasure, and if you're not doing something with them to make them look good, you're doing it wrong. : \ People who don't have big breasts (myself included) don't know what it feels like to have your boobs get in the way that often, so it's hard for us to understand. So it's either have great big knockers accepted by all but they cause you all sorts of problems, or have nice little ones that rarely get in the way but get you comments like "you need surgery to make those bigger, I know a guy".

When will people accept that boobs belong to who they are attached to?

I was a 38 D when I got into college (18), and it seems I have grown a cup size every two years since (actually it's slowed, thankfully), and I am now a 38 DDD -- people keep trying to tell me I've lost weight... no, I weigh exactly the same, it's just that some of the fat moved from my waist to my breasts. So far they aren't that much of a problem, but I have resigned myself to the fact that I will not ever fit into skinny-people department store clothes, and now only shop at Lane Bryant (I highly suggest their sports bras, at least for the time being since it's difficult for you to ride without pain -- I can run in one, and that's a pretty big deal).

As for the surgery v. feminism non-sense? Really? Are these people so despising of feminism that they'll blame your not wanting serious back problems for the rest of your life on feminism? Oh yeah, "you're so lucky to have large breasts" my ass. They're really not that great. I just have to say, to paraphrase Eric Cartman, it's your hot body, you do what you want. Even if that involves an invasive procedure like breast reduction.

The funny thing is, if you wanted liposuction or a latband (not assuming you need either), there would be nothing but support and none of this "you only want lipo cause you're a feminist" bullshit. Drives my ass crazy, I'll tell you. Give yourself time to finish growing (which I'm heard doesn't really happen until 24, yay), but you should get the surgery if you want it.

Two things: 1, Anyone who does not see that it is a medical, not cosmetic condition is clearly not thinking. 2, are you planning on having children? My stepsister is a FFF and is waiting until she is done having kids before her reduction. If you do it now and have kids later, you may need to go under the knife again.

It amazes me how enthusiastic our culture is about plastic surgery if you're using it to try to fit the patriarchal beauty standard. Somehow this is the only valid use of surgery now? It's like it's always opposite day in plastic surgery land. I've had a couple of reconstructive (knee, shoulder) surgeries done, and so it amazes me that people voluntarily opt for unecessary surgeries like plastic surgery and C-sections. You've got to be pretty desparate to do that just for your appearance or for convenience.

However, for your health and well-being, it's a totally different issue. Breast reduction is an example of a necessary and helpful procedure in your case. I've also had a friend who had a nose job to repair it after breaking it and having breathing issues. Another friend had a tumor removed from her sinuses (ouch) and had some plastic surgery done to reduce the scarring afterwards. These are situations where it's great that the medical industry can help you return your body to a state of healthy functioning. But these are choices about your body that you are making in order to enhance your experience and functioning, not to try to be visually pleasing to the male gaze. I guess in that way it is a feminist thing to do.

Having a reduction and being a feminist are not related. My sister had a breast reduction last year due to the constant discomfort and other health problems. That girl obviously knows nothing about feminism.

Do what is best for you. You can have a reduction and still be a feminist.

Unless you consider activities like horseback riding, running, hopscotch, or working at a desk for extended periods of time inappropriate for proper ladies, the types of activities that can cause women with big cup sizes real pain don't have so much to do with identifying as a feminist. I can think of plenty of women-hating women who'd still like to be able to go for a run without holding their boobs still with their forearms.

That said... I'm twenty four, and just last week I sized in to a 32DDDD, up a cup from my normal 32DDD. Your boobs very possibly aren't finished growing.

I appreciate having this story posted. I'm a rather short person and I've inherited the family condition of extremely large breasts. My ob/gyn is the one that suggested breast reduction surgery. While I don't have nearly the problems that you do yet I fully appreciate and support your decision to get the surgery. It's hard to do the things you love when you're constantly in pain of the time.

As for the argument about whether you're less of a woman or that you're just getting a breast reduction because you don't want to be womanly because you're a feminist is ridiculous. Feminism is about taking charge of what is best for your body and making an informed choice. Being a woman is want you want to define as womanly not what society decides is feminine or appropriate for their binary gender norms. The woman who made those comments clearly has a different world outlook and definition of feminism and beauty than you do. C'est la vie.

I hope that things work out well for both of you. I salute your positive body image and that you're doing what's best for your body.

There were a lot of comments on another thread recently saying how botox & dermal filler were hateful tools of the patriarchy.. Personally I go with "my body my choice". As a trans woman I've had some serious surgery... and some people seem to think that shouldn't be allowed.

C cup breasts should be a lot easier to deal with - you may lose sensation in the nipples though, how much that worries you only you can know. I decided to get my AAs expanded to B, which suits my frame, and that works for me.
You go for what you need. The technology exists - just use it wisely!

I think I might be the first commenter to have actually had the procedure. I also did it when I was 18; I'm now 28. I was 5'1", 120lbs, with DD breasts. I was seeing a physical therapist for back and neck pain, and I also wanted it for reasons that would be described as both "convenient" (yay! Bathing suits!) and "aesthetic," though I think the latter might more properly be described as "social," since I was tired of feeling freakish and having boys stare at me.

The first thing I will recommend is that you investigate what procedures are open to you for the reduction, whether your insurance will cover it (mine did), and what the short- and long-term side effects might be. I say that because I'm pretty sure they've changed the procedure since 1998, when I had it done, and I wouldn't want you to base your decision on the experiences of people like me who had a totally different surgery.

That said: in general, I am very glad I had it done. I feel much more comfortable in my body, both physically and emotionally. Clothes fit fine, and I'm no longer self-conscious about my figure (though that could also be due simply to increasing maturity as I age).

There were three big cons:
1. The pain. Breasts have a whole lot of nerves in them, obviously. They are more sensitive than most other parts of the body. Cutting into them and scooping out tissue thus hurts like a motherfucker. The recovery period was incredibly painful for that reason. Also, there is one spot on the far left side of my left breast that has stayed numb - not a big deal, but would have been if it were in a different place.

2. Scarring. I have noticable scarring on my breasts. I used to worry that it would be a turn off during sex; that has never actually been a problem. But it took me awhile not to feel embarrassed about it.

3. Breast-feeding. It is unlikely that I will be able to breast-feed, which is the biggest con, as far as I am concerned. It makes me quite sad, which I don't think I fully appreciated when I was 18. I fear that I have already done a disservice to my hypothetical children. There is so much pressure in our culture to breastfeed, I sometimes feel like it's practically not worth bothering to have kids if I can't nurse them myself. (Obv. untrue, but that's how it feels sometimes.)

However, all of these cons may not apply to you (well, except the pain - I'm guessing that's unavoidable). Find a surgeon who will take the time to go over all these and any other issues you need to discuss, and take your time making the decision. Despite the fact that I dwelled more on the cons than the pros, overall I'm happy I did it. I don't know if I would do it again, knowing what I know now, but I don't know that I *wouldn't*, either.

GOOD LUCK with the decision and surgery, if you decide to go that route!

Your augmented acquaintance is a jerk. That said, I think you should think very hard about reduction surgery if you want to bear children. Reduction can interfere with breastfeeding, which is not only good for the baby, but important to your health via lower chance of breast cancer, osteoporosis, other reproductive cancers, post partum obesity, etc. After breastfeeding, many women find that they have smaller breasts. I am also very large chested, but my breasts became more proportional after I breastfed my kids. If you never plan on having bio kids, go for the surgery. And even if you do, weigh the physical and mental health issues associated with each choice--it could be that it would be best to have the surgery now regardless of your future plans. And sometimes it is possible to fully breastfeed after a reduction too--choose the surgeon well!

As a skinny, not-quite-A cup, I hear all the time that my body looks like a 12 year old boy's. What I've learned from this is that it doesn't matter what a woman looks like, there is always someone to tell her it's not good enough.

This all ties back to the questions of what does a woman look like and who gets to decide? If a woman has huge muscles, does that make her look like a man? If a woman has small breasts, does that make her look like a man or boy? Why do we (societally) feel a need to even discuss whether someone looks like a woman?

If you want smaller breasts, get a reduction. Your body, your choice.

Wow...How does going from an F cup to a C mean you're trying to look not like a woman? I woulda slapped that lady who said that to you, haha.. A C cup is still a cup or two more womanly than me...

If they're causing you pain and discomfort, why would you want to keep them around? I can't even imagine being an Fcup!

I never understood the fascination with big breasts. I am a 38DD and can tell you that I never gained anything from having large breasts. Not a job,promotion, boyfriend etc... the only thing I did gained were stares and a f@cked up neck from all the years of hunching over to hide my breasts. Now I go to physical therapy and to a chiropractor to help with my posture and strenghtening my neck and shoulder muscles.
At Least the rest of me have "caught up" with my breasts,but when I was a teen weighing 100 pounds and walking around in a with 36D Bra was no fun at all.

I say you get the surgery done since you experience so much pain and continue with your chiropractor and incorporate some neck and shoulder strengthening exercises,plus some yoga/pilates.

Grrr, Comments like that make me crazy! (not comments to your post, but the one from your friend) I had a breast reduction this past April, I went from a size 36I to a 36D. I thought about it for a long time first, explored all of my thoughts and feelings and then decided to go for it. It is definitely not a simple operation, and yes, can have complications. I do not think that reducing your breast size makes you any less of a feminist, it certainly has not for me! If anything, I feel that I can be a more effective feminist. Now there is a greater chance that people will listen to what I'm saying, as opposed to just staring at my boobs all the time. There is a chat board that I was pretty active on, it is full of women in various stages of pre and post surgery, I would recommend it highly, it's loaded with great information that will give you a pretty realistic view of what you're in for. The site is www.BreastHealthOnline.org. I also recommend choosing a surgeon that you are very comfortable with. From reading the experiences of others, it seems that there are somewhat mixed reactions to having a male surgeon, and I personally chose a woman and was happy with my choice, both because she is a woman and because she is great. There have been lots of comments that the male surgeons tend to leave you larger than you want to be...yet another feminist issue to discuss, lol. My doc's office was staffed by all women, and that helped provide me with a really supportive environment. This is so important, I ended up having some complications and if my doc and her staff hadn't been so wonderful, the whole experience would have been much more challenging. I am happy that I did it, only about 6 months out, but life is different, and better. Good luck to you, this is a decision to make for you, and you alone.

That woman is an idiot. I, too, have had a breast reduction, for many of the same reasons betsy described. I actually didn't realize until afterwards just how much my back had hurt. I was in college at the time, so I spent a lot of time hunched over books studying, so I figured my back pain was me abusing my back, not from my breasts, but my back hasn't hurt while studying since. I went from a 36DDD to a 36C, and I couldn't be happier with my decision. Before the actual surgery, I wore a big, baggy hoodie for a couple of months straight to sort of "blur" more casual acquantance's memories of what I looked like. I'm not sure that would work as well for you if you decided to go for it, but it certainly helped me. My mom initially didn't want me to do it, mostly wanting me to wait until after I had kids because of the breastfeeding issue. After she did it and realized how happy she was with it, and saw how much more I wanted it when I saw how great it was for her, she decided to be supportive.

I had mine in 2006 when I was 21, and comparing my experience to betsy's, it sounds like the procedure has come a long way. To address betsy's list of cons specifically:
1. Pain - for pretty major surgery, wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it might have been. I wasn't very drugged up either because my stomach couldn't handle it. After a couple of days I was fine with just heavy doses of tylenol/ibuprofen. I'm not sure if that's the case for everybody, but it was definitely a tolerable level of pain/discomfort. I think I have pretty full sensation now - but I don't know for sure.
2. Scarring - again, not a big factor. They're definitely extensive, but really quite faint. Not to encourage doing it young, but younger skin actually heals better. My mom had the same procedure done about a year before I did, so she was obviously quite a bit older. I don't think her scars are bad, but mine are barely even noticeable compared to hers.
3. Breastfeeding - I don't know that I'll be able to breastfeed. I might not. But my surgeon thought I would have a very good chance of being able to. I probably wouldn't be able to be the sole source of the baby's nutrition, but odds are good that I'd be able to provide some if I want to nurse. I think as surgeons have gotten better at the procedure, and as lactation consultants are more aware of it, it's becoming more feasible.

I've definitely been happy with my decision. But it is a very personal and permanent decision - definitely talk to your doctor, research online (not to be gross, but seeing pictures of what it looked like during the healing process was good so I wasn't nearly as freaked out when I saw mine), ask lots and lots of questions. And if you decide not to do it, that's great too. As far as boyfriends (or girlfriends), I always figured any guy who wasn't cool with my size or scarring didn't deserve to see my breasts anyways! You definitely have to go with the your body, your choice here. Good luck!

I had a breast reduction about 6 years ago, and to directly comment on the "You don't want to look like a girl" sentiment, I can confidently say that I feel more connected to my body as a feminine woman than I ever did before. And yes, I'm a feminist. I like my body more because I look better (in that my breasts actually look like they belong to my body) and I feel better (back pain is almost all gone).

Speaking as someone who has attained that magical "C," I'd say no one who hasn't been in your situation can fully understand (though they can be sympathetic), and that there is no shame in wanting to be happy in your body, especially as a feminist. As others have pointed out, it's important to do all the research (I'm sure you have!) and figure out the best thing for you, just don't let others get you down about what is your choice.

fuck her. that's something that's medical and has nothing to do with apperance. I have a friend who's a DD and she wants to get a breast reduction because it causes her back problems. That's a health problem.
Tit size doesn't make a woman.

I am 5'1" with a very small frame, and by the time I was in 8th grade, I had a 40 DD chest. My biggest problem was with the high school guys - I was known throughout the school for having big breasts and the attention it brought was awful.

Fast forward to my twenties: college and my early career were met with severe back and neck pain, and migraines that kept me home in bed. I still garnered far too many unwarrented leers from men and relegated myself to wearing everything 2 sizes to big. Luckily, my first professional job brought with it great insurance that covered 90% of a reduction surgery.

I had my reduction in '99 and swear it was the best decision I ever made. Why did I get it? The body aches subsided, so it was medical. My body was finally better proportioned, I looked better in clothes and bought them to fit, so it was vain. While, like all women, I get chest stares from men occasionally, the look-at-the-rack-on-that-little-chick stares are gone. So, it was social.

It doesn't matter if you have a feminist reason to do it or not - it just matters if it will make you happy. Others' opinions should be damned; Mother Nature gave us all physical obstacles and we all choose to deal with them differently. Consult your head and heart; decide from there.

Being sort of bohemian and arty as well as a bit of an anarcha-feminist I've always been of the belief that control over one's body meant just that and not just control over reproduction.

That means I never liked it when women dictated to others either acceptable modes of dress or condemned someone for getting plastic surgery including sex reassignment surgery.

You are the one that lives in your skin. You do not have to justify to anyone else your reasons for making the body you live in more comfortable to you. Even if you use your body and presentation as part of your art the way some people with tats and piercings do.

The only questions that need asking need to be asked by you of your doctor and involve issues of safety, the mechanics of how it is done, what you have to do to be in the peak of health when doing it and what you have to do to heal well.

People have no real right to demand you justify it.

You are very well spoken (err...written) for your age:) Wish I had been a self-described feminist when I was a teenager!