Letters to the Editor

Letters posted here are associated with the following article:
Women pay good money for big boobs, but I never felt comfortable with my breasts. Now it's finally time to face down my fears and find a bra that fits.
The letters thread is now closed.
  • Thanks for the advice

    Thanks for the advice, Eastvan and Indigoswash.

    No, I don't have any other of the symptoms of diabetes...I have tons of energy, not thirsty, not going to the bathroom a lot but I am a tad overweight (not obese.) All the web sites say losing weight helps with the rash (and I'm trying) but for some reason I got a rash from hell a couple of weeks ago even though it's winter. I've been using Lotremin about 3 days and it's better but I haven't run. I get out of my sports bra the minute I'm done running but for some reason the one I got just now (in the winter) is the worst EVER. I have never used Lotremin as a preventative before running--I'll try that. I'm scared to put antiperspirant there while it's broken out--seems like it would itch and burn worse. Do you put the antiperspirant on while you've got a rash? sorry so dumb.

    And for big-breasted women on a budget--it's not pretty but I have always come back to Flower Bali. I've tried some of the prettier and more expensive ones but I have never gotten as good of support as Flower Bali (as ugly as it is.) Maybe that's part of my problem and Flower Bali doesn't let me "breathe" like others....but it supports better than anything.

    As for sports bras when running I wear one with underwire as the first layer and then a compression sports bra on top. This works now that I'm older and my breasts don't hurt from hormones anymore.

    What I want to know is, are implants heavy and sometimes hurt when not supported, like real ones? or are they lighter weight?

  • To Anonymous at 10:33 am

    No, of course you're right; you don't want to use anything when the skin is broken. My advice would be to take a couple of days off from your workout and just keep them very clean until they heal. If your bra alone is causing increased chafing during this time, maybe tuck a soft cotton napkin or thin towel underneath them until they feel better. If kept dry, the skin there should heal very quickly.

    Prevention is definitely the only way to go on this. Once the bacteria starts forming, the only way to really get rid of it is to have a shower. If you use the anti-perspirant or cream beforehand, it won't become a problem in the first place.

    As for whether implants are heavier than real ones or not, breast tissue comes in all densities, so it would depend to whom you are comparing. Generally speaking, though, I would say they're about the same weight. They're filled with water, after all, and if they were too light they would feel really weird. The idea is for them to pass as real. They don't, of course, because the bags have seams, but the attempt has been made.

  • Late to the party

    Several things, but first, Sarah, I loved your article. One of the things I really like about Salon is that along with politics you get interesting "fluff" pieces as well. The high-brow, annoyed haters in this thread must never like to read for pure pleasure or something.

    Brightstar, you keep harping about how you love small breasts and chastise the men that say most men prefer big ones. Then, you go to list your favorite sizes as B and C. Um...did you not realize that Cs on average to small frames ARE considered big breasts?? When men say they prefer large breasts, Cs and Ds are what they are usually referring to. If you love small breasts so much, how come A cups didn't make your list? As are considered small, dude, not Bs. Bs are considered average. So basically what you're saying is that you prefer average to larger breasts (OK, we know you don't like 'em huge) but you so very do not prefer small ones.

    As for surgery, I understand why a large breasted woman would hesitate to undergo it. It was nice to see that a reader wrote that nipple sensitivity doesn't necessarily have to be affected. My friend had her nipples detached and replaced after surgery since they were so big previously that it was the only way to make it look "normal". I couldn't imagine losing nipple sensitivity because it really is the most important part of reaching a really incredible orgasm. When guys ignore my breasts and try to go right to the other parts (and believe me, I let men know how important boobs are to foreplay but most men I've encountered are just not that patient enough and want to move right along) its a real struggle to have even an average orgasm. Only once did I find a man who loved breasts so much that he'd play with them til I almost would come from that alone. Alas, he dumped me because I slept with him "too soon.

    Every surgery carries risk so it is rather insensitive to just say "oh, just have surgery." But if I had major back pain and all the other problems associated with too large breasts, along with insurance that would cover it, it would be something I'd consider as long as nipple sensitivity was retained. I've thought I'd be much better with a nose job for 25 years now but, aside from cost, I've sorta said no mainly because it would strictly be for appearances, its the way I'm intended to look by the nature gods, and I feel it might insult my parents whose noses made mine this way. So I understand the "accept the body as it is" argument. But if it comes to comfort and medical necessity, not to mention how you'll feel when you get to be 60 plus, then if you can swing it, I think breast reduction would be well worth it.

    For the haters saying you shouldn't alter your body to fashion, as a very full C, I find it very hard to fit into clothes as it is. If I was one cup size bigger I wouldn't be able to wear anything trendy and have to settle for Lands End womens wear. I can completely sympathize with the large breasted women here. As it is now, I have a hard time squeezing my boobs into most formal gowns in junior sizes. Sorry, but women sized gowns are usually mother-of-the-bride or skirts with the sparkly tops/jackets types. Although a size 4-6 pant, I have to wear size 12 dresses just due to my athletic build, shoulders, arms and bust. Same thing for suits, size 12 jacket but 4-6 skirt/pant.

    I have no problem with articles like this on salon. I'd love to have a companion piece on overly-endowed men. To answer an earlier letter from a few days ago, yes, there really is something as too big! I'm unfortunately dating a man like that right now. Not only does he have exceptional length, which I can handle and am accustomed to, but he has unusually large girth. When I first saw it I knew that it wouldn't fit. Most men think all women would be in awe of such a thing. It truly is the largest penis I've ever seen and its sooo not fun. He's a sweet guy and I've tried to help him out on how to gently enter me but its no use. Its just too girthy (and I've never given birth). After a few months I'm beginning to just tolerate it but he can't do a lot of thrusting, mostly has to stay in or the head catches on...something...not sure what, on the out part which causes me to gasp in pain. Although with all other men I don't come from intercourse, I really do enjoy it and get pleasure from it, so its really becoming hard to envision a future with this man if that means I'll never have pleasurable intercourse again. Besides, as much as I enjoy blow jobs, that is too difficult as well.

    So really guys, be happy with your penis size because even Samantha in Sex and the City had to stop seeing a man due to him being too large. Now I understand why.