07-01-2011, 20:27
Brava users - do you need more suction to get swelling?
November 7 2007 at 7:04 PM Louise (Login Louise1982)
SENIOR MEMBER
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Has anyone found that they seem to get less swelling than they used to in the same time period? I'm finding I really have to suck hard at the airlock and although the large domes fill easily, I don't think I'm as close to the ends of the XL as I was a few weeks ago. Hard to know if this is genuine or if I've got used to seeing swelling. Think I'm down on the measuring tape but don't bother measuring swelling much any more. On the tape measure there's not much difference between morning and evening but the visual difference and difference in bras is pretty big. Also difficult as my underbust measurement seems to be getting smaller and smaller - if I really breathe out like Brava advise when you order domes I'm only 26 but then I'm 24.5-25 round the waist so don't see how this can be right! Might see if I can buy a bra with a 30 band size to see if I can get it on.
Author Reply
livinonaprayer
(no login) Re: Brava users - do you need more suction to get swelling? November 8 2007, 2:25 PM
I only used sport box so I was unable to control suction but I had pretty much the same morning swelling from day one until the end of my 11 weeks. The only difference was depending on how I positioned the domes, "it appeared" like I filled out the domes more sometimes than others but the measuring tape and the way the bras fit were the same. As the weeks went on, I retained more and did not loose swelling as fast. My underbust measurement is about 30.5" (as you said - depends on the air in your lungs). My before Brava starting over nipple measurement was 33.5" - 34", my morning swelling measurement was 37" - 37.5" and my final measurement after using 11 weeks (I stopped in early June) is maintaining about 35". I plan on beginning another cycle from about December - April to build on my first gains. I would not say I gained a full cup - probably closer to a 1/2 cup size. Probably not noticeable to the average person but noticeable to me and my husband. I still wear the same bras as before but they are more filled out in the top portion and my breasts are not as deflated looking after 2 pregnancies and breast-feeding. I can tell if I look at the pictures I took because you do tend to forget what you looked like before - especially when you see the morning swelling and hope that you'll end up keeping it. I think the Brava brochure is a bunch of crap when it says that near the end of your treatment there is a greater proportion of true tissue growth than swelling. I doubt anyone keeps the swelling. I also was not "halfway there" at week 5 - 6 like they say. It took the whole 11 weeks to gradually see the difference and there was no rapid recoil. After 24 hours of not wearing the system, that is pretty much where I've stayed. Their charts are not very accurate and I think misleading and disappointing because it made me feel like I wasn't progressing and should have been farther along. All I can say is stick with it, try to wear everyday without missing any days and don't over analyze too much. According to their charts, I should have been a rapid responder but the coach said because I have dense breast tissue (according to mammogram) and little upper body fat (it's all in the hips) I may actually be a slower responder. Never mind the previous weight loss, pregnancies, and immediate swelling the next morning. I think the coaches just have an excuse for whatever complaint or concern you have. Good luck to all! It requires a lot of patience and persistance but it's worth it when you're finally done and can sleep on your stomach again and cuddle with you man!
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Louise
(Login Louise1982)
SENIOR MEMBER Re: Brava users - do you need more suction to get swelling? November 8 2007, 5:39 PM
Hi Livingonaprayer, have you had a mammogram since? My boobs are pretty much rock solid to the touch and where I've lost 30 lbs I have hardly any fat above the waist - I can see ribs between my boobs and extra shoulder bones and stuff so does this mean I'm not increasing fat tissue just breast tissue? I'd actually like to put a bit of meat on my top half but still need to work on my lower half so keeping the diet going and doing lower body toning workout. I think you said you've grown since Brava but I didn't understand your bra size system. I seemed to have gained an inch over bust and lost half to one inch underbust. Still sticking with Andrew Dobson but the only times I can hear the actual booby bit are the times when I've been disturbed so not got deep into state. Are you taking any herbs?
Edit Message Delete Message
livinonaprayer
(no login) Re: Brava users - do you need more suction to get swelling? November 8 2007, 9:24 PM
Hi Louise,
I did have a mammogram since Brava because I found a lump after I stopped using the system. I also had an ultrasound and biopsy. I did not notice the lump during Brava because there was always some slight swelling that remained. It turned out to be a fibroadenoma. My doctor said I probably always had it but it became noticeable to me since Brava. My doctor said I can use Brava for a second cycle even with the fibroadenoma. Brava coach advised I not use again unless I have it removed. Brava literature says if findings from biopsy are benign, you can use Brava so I'm going to try a 4 - 5 month cycle and then have it checked again. I don't know if she's right, but my doctor said Brava added some fat (apparently we all must have a tiny bit of fat cells in there) even if our breasts don't get larger with weight gain. She said the added fat makes the breast tissue slightly less dense and not as tight together. My bra size was 34A and sometimes 34B but gapped on top depending on the bra. A 34B fits perfect now and seems more filled out. I would say I gained 1 inch across the nipple measurement. My underbust measurement stayed the same. I hardly have any upper body fat. It is all from the hips to knees. I am bottom heavy. My waist is about 25" and my hips are about 38" at the largest part. I wish I could relocate it to the top. I know what you mean about seeing ribs and bones on the top. I'm trying to keep working out. I do eat well now. I used to eat a lot of junk food but now I eat a lot of whole grains, protein (chicken, turkey, pork tenderloin, tuna), soy milk, low fat cheese, fruit and take flax oil and a multi-vitamin every day. I now drink a lot of water and stay away from sodas and sugar-sweetened drinks. I figured if protein helps build muscles, maybe it would help here too. I have not tried herbs or any type of pills or creams. I'm just going to go the Brava route one more cycle and then whatever I get from that will be it for me. I need to lose about 5 - 10 more lbs. to be at my ideal weight and finally loose the fat on my hips and thighs! Good luck - it sounds like you've really researched and educated yourself and are doing great!
November 7 2007 at 7:04 PM Louise (Login Louise1982)
SENIOR MEMBER
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Has anyone found that they seem to get less swelling than they used to in the same time period? I'm finding I really have to suck hard at the airlock and although the large domes fill easily, I don't think I'm as close to the ends of the XL as I was a few weeks ago. Hard to know if this is genuine or if I've got used to seeing swelling. Think I'm down on the measuring tape but don't bother measuring swelling much any more. On the tape measure there's not much difference between morning and evening but the visual difference and difference in bras is pretty big. Also difficult as my underbust measurement seems to be getting smaller and smaller - if I really breathe out like Brava advise when you order domes I'm only 26 but then I'm 24.5-25 round the waist so don't see how this can be right! Might see if I can buy a bra with a 30 band size to see if I can get it on.
Author Reply
livinonaprayer
(no login) Re: Brava users - do you need more suction to get swelling? November 8 2007, 2:25 PM
I only used sport box so I was unable to control suction but I had pretty much the same morning swelling from day one until the end of my 11 weeks. The only difference was depending on how I positioned the domes, "it appeared" like I filled out the domes more sometimes than others but the measuring tape and the way the bras fit were the same. As the weeks went on, I retained more and did not loose swelling as fast. My underbust measurement is about 30.5" (as you said - depends on the air in your lungs). My before Brava starting over nipple measurement was 33.5" - 34", my morning swelling measurement was 37" - 37.5" and my final measurement after using 11 weeks (I stopped in early June) is maintaining about 35". I plan on beginning another cycle from about December - April to build on my first gains. I would not say I gained a full cup - probably closer to a 1/2 cup size. Probably not noticeable to the average person but noticeable to me and my husband. I still wear the same bras as before but they are more filled out in the top portion and my breasts are not as deflated looking after 2 pregnancies and breast-feeding. I can tell if I look at the pictures I took because you do tend to forget what you looked like before - especially when you see the morning swelling and hope that you'll end up keeping it. I think the Brava brochure is a bunch of crap when it says that near the end of your treatment there is a greater proportion of true tissue growth than swelling. I doubt anyone keeps the swelling. I also was not "halfway there" at week 5 - 6 like they say. It took the whole 11 weeks to gradually see the difference and there was no rapid recoil. After 24 hours of not wearing the system, that is pretty much where I've stayed. Their charts are not very accurate and I think misleading and disappointing because it made me feel like I wasn't progressing and should have been farther along. All I can say is stick with it, try to wear everyday without missing any days and don't over analyze too much. According to their charts, I should have been a rapid responder but the coach said because I have dense breast tissue (according to mammogram) and little upper body fat (it's all in the hips) I may actually be a slower responder. Never mind the previous weight loss, pregnancies, and immediate swelling the next morning. I think the coaches just have an excuse for whatever complaint or concern you have. Good luck to all! It requires a lot of patience and persistance but it's worth it when you're finally done and can sleep on your stomach again and cuddle with you man!
Edit Message Delete Message
Louise
(Login Louise1982)
SENIOR MEMBER Re: Brava users - do you need more suction to get swelling? November 8 2007, 5:39 PM
Hi Livingonaprayer, have you had a mammogram since? My boobs are pretty much rock solid to the touch and where I've lost 30 lbs I have hardly any fat above the waist - I can see ribs between my boobs and extra shoulder bones and stuff so does this mean I'm not increasing fat tissue just breast tissue? I'd actually like to put a bit of meat on my top half but still need to work on my lower half so keeping the diet going and doing lower body toning workout. I think you said you've grown since Brava but I didn't understand your bra size system. I seemed to have gained an inch over bust and lost half to one inch underbust. Still sticking with Andrew Dobson but the only times I can hear the actual booby bit are the times when I've been disturbed so not got deep into state. Are you taking any herbs?
Edit Message Delete Message
livinonaprayer
(no login) Re: Brava users - do you need more suction to get swelling? November 8 2007, 9:24 PM
Hi Louise,
I did have a mammogram since Brava because I found a lump after I stopped using the system. I also had an ultrasound and biopsy. I did not notice the lump during Brava because there was always some slight swelling that remained. It turned out to be a fibroadenoma. My doctor said I probably always had it but it became noticeable to me since Brava. My doctor said I can use Brava for a second cycle even with the fibroadenoma. Brava coach advised I not use again unless I have it removed. Brava literature says if findings from biopsy are benign, you can use Brava so I'm going to try a 4 - 5 month cycle and then have it checked again. I don't know if she's right, but my doctor said Brava added some fat (apparently we all must have a tiny bit of fat cells in there) even if our breasts don't get larger with weight gain. She said the added fat makes the breast tissue slightly less dense and not as tight together. My bra size was 34A and sometimes 34B but gapped on top depending on the bra. A 34B fits perfect now and seems more filled out. I would say I gained 1 inch across the nipple measurement. My underbust measurement stayed the same. I hardly have any upper body fat. It is all from the hips to knees. I am bottom heavy. My waist is about 25" and my hips are about 38" at the largest part. I wish I could relocate it to the top. I know what you mean about seeing ribs and bones on the top. I'm trying to keep working out. I do eat well now. I used to eat a lot of junk food but now I eat a lot of whole grains, protein (chicken, turkey, pork tenderloin, tuna), soy milk, low fat cheese, fruit and take flax oil and a multi-vitamin every day. I now drink a lot of water and stay away from sodas and sugar-sweetened drinks. I figured if protein helps build muscles, maybe it would help here too. I have not tried herbs or any type of pills or creams. I'm just going to go the Brava route one more cycle and then whatever I get from that will be it for me. I need to lose about 5 - 10 more lbs. to be at my ideal weight and finally loose the fat on my hips and thighs! Good luck - it sounds like you've really researched and educated yourself and are doing great!