First Post, and thanks for the advice everyone

[OldSlowAndRound]

I’ve been poking around this site for about a month, reading, looking, learning and figuring out how to navigate the site.  Turns out pain ended up bringing me to this forum, not the size of my breasts.  In October 2024 I had discomfort/pain in my left breast that wasn’t constant but was gradually increasing.  At times it was a sharp pain, or an ache in the left breast and at times a tingle in my breast like you get holding a 9v battery to your tongue.  My right side felt nothing like the left. 

Because of the increased pain/discomfort, in November I finally decided to see my primary physician and got an appointment in December.  Upon seeing her she thought she felt a lump and ordered a diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound for my breasts.  (And she made me extremely comfortable as she kept me covered as she examined me.)

Anyway, I had my mammogram and ultrasound done in January,  all clear no indication of cancer.  And everyone at the facility was kind and professional. But then a new word was introduced to my vocabulary: Gynecomastia, and with that a referral to a plastic surgeon.  

But it took awhile to find one that took medicare.  The first only wanted cancer patients, the next few didn’t want medicare patients but I finally found one that would give me a consultation.  It was relatively a quick visit.

He rated my left side a Stage 2B and my right side he thought was just fat tissue.

Options:
Remove breast and fat tissue from just the left breast and then leave my left side like a flap.

Remove breast and fat tissue from just the left breast and cut out a swath of skin to eliminate the flap of skin and remove the nipple along with it.

Remove breast and fat tissue from just the left breast then cut out the nipple and excess skin and replace the nipple which would no longer have any feeling in it.

And all of these options would probably be out of my own pocket as my condition is not life threatening.

And he rated me high risk for surgery anyway given my heart issues.

He also ordered blood work to see if I needed to be referred to an endocrinologist.  (All the bloodwork came back within normal ranges so no referral was made.)

As i didn’t think any of those surgical options would actually improve my life and, but for the pain/discomfort, I don’t think anything needs to be done so I’ve decided to live with it.  I learned from you guys & Sophie that cup size is meaningless without band size.  Maybe my left side is a B cup and my right side an A, but that would be with a much smaller band then my 42”.  But the pain continues, not bad, but it’s there so i needed to do something.  

So I tried mustering up the courage to just go buy one, did my best to figure out what size, walk around some women’s departments and was overwhelmed by the selection and styles.  I wanted to see a sign saying sports bras, but that didn’t happen.   Was hoping to find a sales associate by herself but that didn’t happen either.  Finally in one store i saw some bralettes that could work and took one and tried it on, then took it off and went and paid for it.  Turned out it was a touch small.  

Reading this site the advice was suck it up and go for a fitting.  So I went to the Lane Bryant site, scheduled the appointment and they had a place to put a comment and so I told them what was up.  When i walked into the store it was no big deal to them, I said I had an appointment for a fitting and away we went.  I ended up with one sports bras and two bralettes.  My breasts aren’t big enough to fill any cup when my under breast measurement is 42”.  So thanks to everyone who said to go for a fitting!  It was really the best advice.  I think I’ll try Torrid and see if they have something that’s even better.

I’ve found the Sports Bra needs to have adjustable straps because the current one rides up.  

[Johndoe1]

Welcome to the forum and welcome to the club!

If your breasts are uneven (one breast significantly different in size than the other) you might want to consider a mastectomy bra with a prosthesis to even you out. Nothing stands out more than one developed breast and one undeveloped or underdeveloped breast. If you are more symmetrical in size then a regular bra is just fine. It all boils down to what works for you. You have so many choices. 

And remember, you're among fellow travelers down this road. Many of us have been wearing bras for years and reap the benefits of being supported. Our breast needs are no different than any woman's. We are here for you! 

[Justagirl💃]

Torrid and Lane Bryant are owned by the same entity, and either store is a great selection. The girls at Torrid would be happy to assist you in bra shopping as well. They will get you a good fit.

If concealment is on your agenda, Torrid has a great selection of sports bras that would help with that. They also have several Wireless options that wouldn't add too much projection but provide great support.

I actually prefer an underwire and wear nothing else. They have a very good variety of selections in underwires.

Welcome to the club.

[OldSlowAndRound]

Justagirl:  Concealment isn’t much of an issue at this time given the size of my girls, just something to get me to where I’m not having discomfort.  I’ll ask at Torrid if they have an underwire that will fit me and see what they can come up with.  Thanks.

Johndoe1 If my left girl keeps growing and my right girl wants to stay where she’s at I’ll definitely look into a mastectomy bra.  Never would have thought of that.  Much thanks.

[Parity]

First off, welcome!

  I'm glad your here and are exploring non surgical options.  There just comes point in life when we just have to accept things.  As I was growing, developing, I too had one side that was quite a bit smaller and made my chest look uneven.  I added an insert into the smaller side and thought nothing of it.  Later the smaller side decided to kick in and I have balance in my life again. 

  Point... Be you, accept what life throws your way, and live. 
Glad your here.

[taxmapper]

Greetings and as I like to say.. Jola.   

The reality is that everyone on here as a story that could curl the toes of some of the most jaded.  

Your in good company and no worries.  Outside the typical friendly flap were bros with moobs...   

Some of us see things differently and everyone has a hormone stew that is almost like the three Moirai of Greek decided to have some fun. 

sit back, have some coffee and enjoy the ride. 

[OldSlowAndRound]

Parity & Taxmapper thank you both for your warm welcome and comments.  I use to say “I never met a surgeon I didn’t like”, but  after my open heart surgery two years ago I’ve dropped that from my quick responses. I’ve started feeling very protective of my breasts and the only one I really have to protect them from is me.
I started asking myself if I really need to wear a bra given how small i am, so when we went out this evening I skipped the bra.  By the time we got home I had some discomfort in my left girl.  So I guess I got my answer!

And again a big thank you to all the people posting on this site.  It’s been a big comfort for me over the past month just to be able to hear what everyone’s been saying.

[Johndoe1]

Just remember, there's no shame in having a developed chest even though society thinks differently. Roughly 50% of all men develop gynecomastia in some form or another. And the nice thing is women have already figured out how to deal with it. All we have to do is follow their lead. 

I think as most women will say, wearing a bra isn't always a picnic, but it beats being unsupported and why you won't catch them not wearing one. And it seems that those of us here who wear a bra full time do so for the same reasons, comfort and appearance. The comfort of support and containment and the control over the appearance our chests. And that's what bras really do in the end. They make you more comfortable. 

[WPW717]

Chiming in on the welcomes

Happy to have new members that bring new thought & perspectives 

[OldSlowAndRound]

Had a wonderful trip to Torrid yesterday. With my SA it was just fun!  Got a new longline sports bra that hopefully won’t ride up when exercising, and a bralette that’s has a different look than my others and seems to offer more support than my other two bralettes.

[Justagirl💃]

Had a wonderful trip to Torrid yesterday. With my SA it was just fun!  Got a new longline sports bra that hopefully won’t ride up when exercising, and a bralette that’s has a different look than my others and seems to offer more support than my other two bralettes.

Glad the Torrid girls were able to help you out. 

[Johndoe1]

Had a wonderful trip to Torrid yesterday. With my SA it was just fun!  Got a new longline sports bra that hopefully won’t ride up when exercising, and a bralette that’s has a different look than my others and seems to offer more support than my other two bralettes.

There's some wonderful SA's out there. And while not all shops and stores are welcoming to us, there's more than you think and many really just want to help. I am glad you found a bra that works for you and a store you feel comfortable in. That's the battle right there!

[Justagirl💃]

The CNA just left this morning and she was all excited about her visit to Torrid over the weekend. That was the very first time that she had gone to that store.

She was very impressed with the fact that they measured her as she has not been measured in years. She assumed that she was a triple D, and she ended up walking out in D cups. 

She was extremely impressed with how well built the torrid bras are compared to the ones that she was buying at Walmart. And couldn't thank me enough for recommending the store to her.

She was also impressed with the amount of clothes that they sell there as well. And she spent over $200 she said.

[Johndoe1]

It's a shame how so many women are particular with their look and fashion but don't give their bras a second thought and wonder why their busts don't look right and hurt.