Oh wow, that must be scary! How big would yours have to be before you considered a reduction? At 74 inches, most things must be impacted by now =/

i'm not saying i know what exactly macromastia entails, but one thing i've learned is you have to be happy with yourself no matter what god and nature has given you.

A reduction is a highly personal decision. I know women who have suffered since puberty and long for an opportunity at a normal life. For me, however, I would not consider a reduction unless I completely lost my independence and mobility. I believe in a purposeful God, consequently I must believe that He made me this way for a reason. Sometimes that reason is cloudy and difficult to see, but it is my life's mission to ascertain what it is.

Ace, Ear4u2 isn't worth the time , the little troll probably has absolutely no friends and probably feels good trolling over the internet where no one can reach him. as far as his question goes "can I suck them?" yes I've heard that one many times, generally I ignore them in real life, or flip them off but one here about all you can do is block users like Ear4u2.

Staying physically fit is important--especially strengthening the core of the body and the back. Problem is that after you get so big, exercise is extremely difficult.

People tend to prejudge you. If I have a voluptuous figure, I must be an airhead and sleep around. Clothes are also high on the problem list.

True that. Lots of talc--if they find it causes cancer, I'm a dead woman. Boob sweat is the worst too. Proper hygiene is essential.

I agree completely. But I will say that it took several years and a good measure of suffering before I arrived at that perspective.

"Macromastia"--extremely large breasts caused by a hormonal disorder.

Clothes can be a huge problem for just what LoveHer0011 said. People judge on the basis of what they see.

Upper clothing is expensive, yes, because it has to be custom made or seriously altered. I have been blessed because my mother is a very good seamstress and helps me with that stuff. People, in general, are kind. Some are genuinely curious and I try to be patient with them and answer their questions. Occasionally a few get cruel. Not so much now as when I was a teenager. You have to realize that I am over 6 feet tall in shoes and have a pretty fierce scowl, so some that comment move on in a hurry or apologize. There will always be a few dimwits--people who think I am a easy mark for sexual advances and quickly find out that is not the case.

I am happy to answer your honest questions within reason. I will tell you if you ask something that I'd prefer not to answer. :-)

How busty are you and when did t all start?
How did you manage it all?

There is no advantage. Contrary to what some think, this is a real disorder. It HAS made me more empathetic to those who suffer and given me an opportunity to, perhaps, help and encourage them in some small way. So, that is a positive.

They have to plan their day around pumping their milk. This is something the guys that go crazy over macro women don't often appreciate. The hardship of having your breasts dictate your schedule everyday.

Yes. Chronic, spontaneous lactation is very common in macro women. I've heard macromastia defined as "pregnancy without the baby" and from what I've seen and experienced that's quite true.

I doubt if any doctors say to themselves, "macro is not such a big deal." I know they are more professional than that. However, it could be a very subtle or subliminal response. When I started growing very big, my endocrinologist gave me and my parents these options: 1) hormone therapy, which may or may not work, but could be dangerous; 2) have surgery which may or may not solve the problem (it does not always do so in real macro women); 3) do nothing--"watchful waiting"--and see what happens. That was the total medical approach.

Teens suffer the most because of extreme social ostracism during a time that would be difficult under "normal" circumstances.

Spurts are of unpredictable length. I would say that mine average seveal weeks in duration. If they are too intense, the flesh on the breasts tightens to the point that ulcers can form. I've had that happen a couple of times. I know that if you search the Internet, you can find these grotesque photos of women with huge breasts who have suffered from multiple ulcerations and even necrosis (dead breast tissue). Those are a macro woman's worst nightmare.

Women. Men are pretty straight forward and predictable. Women can be schemers and sneaky mean.

It can be a vicious circle. Pumping is necessary for a couple of reasons. First, they will leak which is an absolute mess and it is extremely uncomfortable. Second, infection can set in which is mastitis. But, as you've indicated pumping stimulates the breasts which increases both growth and the rate of lactation.

That is true. The glass is half full and half empty at the same time.

Many more disadvantages, both physical and social.

Tying shoes? No way. Just slip ons and--I'm ashamed to say--velcro. Can't eat in most restaurant booths. Driving small cars is difficult. Dropping things on the floor presents a retrieval challenge. I have to use one of those split computer keyboards at work. Gee. I had a whole list of these things on my blog, but can't find it.

Veeceekay, Fascinating. I like that you're open enough to field questions big and small in this group. Props to you being casual and open.

Well, to be honest, in discussions with some of my macro friends, we wonder if male doctors tend to believe that a disorder that creates big breasts is not such a big deal. I mean, don't a lot of women pay thousands of dollars to get what a few have naturally?

A lot of people still use "gigantomastia."I don't think it's wrong to use it (both gigantomastia and macromastia are used on this website). I'm just telling you what doctors have told me--that macro is the approved medical term.

My understanding is that gigantomastia is the older term. Perhaps, it has come to be regarded as too derogatory ("GIANT"). Like I have heard someone with dwarfism say that midget is no longer acceptable.

I have a question, What are the plans for Thanksgiving this year?

In theory, I'm not opposed to that, but it really is a time issue for me. I just don't have the time to get bogged down in lengthy conversations. Sorry!

I had no idea that I was the ONLY macromastia girl on this site! My dear macro sisters, please feel free to contribute from your own experience!

Ah, we're okay. And I was kidding about the expenses being close to equal. The bras are expensive, but not THAT expensive!

Yes, very many. It got so bad that my parents pulled me out of public school and allowed me to be homeschooled for high school.

Yes, back and neck pain can be excruciating. A well-fitting custom bra is essential to living a tolerable life.

What was it like growing up and being bigger than all the other girls I did message hoping to talk to you.

I had to quit soccer and basketball when my macro kicked in. I still miss those sports 13 years later.

Well, macro is a "Big" deal...

Yes I did the pun. Sorry. :P

I think its more along the lines of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." If the woman involved is healthy and coping with things. Ie: They are not injured or will become injured, theres isn't any undue hardship or stress on the body.

Then we are talking about a non emergency surgery that is"cosmetic" in nature.

This I think puts the doctors towards the "wait and see" approach. Is it going to cause problems? ECT ect.

Gigantomastia and macromastia are the same. Different words but the same hormonal disorder.

I know it sounds to some like a put-on, but macro is a real disorder that can be debilitating for some women.

Well, that person would need a special bra with different sized cups.

32 inches.

Yes, I use a split keyboard at work, so I can type on either side.

Last time I ordered a couple, they were about $140 a piece.

Six feet, young man.

You know... I just want to know who's been drinking my beer....

Hmmm. Never seen it presented that way. Having no real medical background, I would say that, perhaps, macro women have a genetic predisposition to its development. Maybe this is why you sometimes see "big breasts" running in families. Severity may be triggered by a number of environmental factors.

Oh my god! Ulcers? I hope that wasn't too bad by youself! I mean, a surgery is expensive too, when I'm right! That's really an awful nightmare!
A very good college I bet or? Fairly close call still sounds like a lot of money! I hope your parents had the money or do you must wear some smaller bras a longer time?

74" around the bust line.

I'm curious about women who have macromastia. I mean, how they can handle their life, are all upper clothes and bras expensive because they are maybe custom made, how can they handle it with staring and cruel people,.... I would like to chat with you about that if you like! To learn more about this condition.

Oh well, life is a two sliced-sword it seems. Everything positive has something negative and reversed. It just depends how the proportion to pros and cons is. Btw, I would like to chat with you about that via PM if you don´t mind. I don´t wanna spam your story with my messages here.