Brava this far
July 18 2009 at 2:38 PM roakie (Login roakie)
SENIOR MEMBER
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Okay, here I am at 37 weeks! These domes are still irritating and my skin is still red all day after I take them off. But the bigger problem is this...
The swelling after 12 hours is getting less! How can that be? I hear everyone talk about outgrowing their domes, and I still have about 5" to go until I hit the end. There have been a few nights, here and there, where my boobs swelled large, but there is no correlation to anything. I use the Noogleberry pump, and if I pumped any harder, the pressure of the rims in my chest would kill me. Sometimes I pump them to the point that I have to let the pressure out in the middle of the night because the hard rims are digging into my chest too hard. So, I know it isn't a "lost pressure" problem.
I don't take anything to inhibit the swelling. I am on bioidentical hormones, take Flax oil, EPO, natural thyroid as prescribed by the doctor, eat extremely well, etc. I don't think I can do anything more. The main factor I can think of is that I am past menopause.
After 37 weeks, and after 12 hours, I am perhaps 1" - 1 1/2" bigger, so you can imagine what will happen if I lose half of that after stopping.
Should I just bag it? Forget this altogether? Or, do I go for 2 years now???? Should Brava post that this doesn't work for menopausal women?
Author Reply
StacyEllen
(no login) Re: Brava this far July 18 2009, 5:44 PM
Wow, Roakie....37 weeks is incredible. You must be ready to throw those domes against a wall. Maybe you should stop and just give your body a break. See what you look like and then reevaluate. I do think Brava must not work for everyone, since we have all read the stories of disappointment. Look at me, it worked for me, but I am not really much happier with my body. Yes, I am definitely not as self conscious, but that beautiful brava swelling ruins your real breasts forever, in your mind anyway! You get used to they way they look swelled, and feel flat chested when they aren't.....I intended to stop once I hit a full B/small C and all I think about is what I can do to make my boobs swollen! Herbs and noogle are disappointing next to the quick fix of brava. I just can't stand the thought of brava right now.
I am sorry brava has been such a long journey with disappointing results, so far, Roakie. IT stinks.
Edit Message Delete Message
J.J.
(no login) Re: Brava this far July 18 2009, 6:55 PM
Roakie,
Sorry to hear you are getting so discouraged. 37 weeks is a very long time. Have you thought about doing the CD's with the hypnosis thing that Nyah mentioned? I guess if I were you and I tried that on top of everything else and still very little significant progress then I might call it all off. It all depends upon how much of a sacrifice it is for you to keep using Brava. If it isn't a huge inconvenience or problem with the rashes, I would keep going even if the results thus far are not huge. But, if it is something really hard to live with, then I might just give it up. I guess in the end you need to decide for yourself, but we are all pulling for you! If you leave we will miss you.
I never saw anything on the Brava site about how this works with women past menopause. But, if you look at the
www.bravaresults.com site, none of those ladies is old enough to be past menopause. They might not have as many results for women in that stage of life.
Edit Message Delete Message
Kristin
(Login napahills) Re: Brava this far July 18 2009, 8:36 PM
Wow....you are a strong woman. I'm at week 7 and about at my wits end! I did read somewhere on the site that it is not for women past 40. Something about it...can't remember details. I will investigate further and get back to you! 1 to 1.5 inches is good though! As long as you retain it that is. Fingers and toes crossed for ya....
Edit Message Delete Message
Fennel Fairy
(Login fennelfairy)
SENIOR MEMBER Re: Brava this far July 18 2009, 9:49 PM
I am sorry that you feel this way Roakie, but I don't think you have less of a chance because of menopause. We've had a member here called JellyDee who had amazing results with NBE(I think from a cup to D cup) and she was past menopause. She is now using Noogleberry and having good results I think. Don't give up just yet. After all, it takes years to grow some decent breasts for most girls.
Edit Message Delete Message
roakie
(Login roakie)
SENIOR MEMBER Re: Brava this far July 19 2009, 12:38 AM
A BIG THANK YOU to all of you for your replies and encouragement. Okay....I am not ready to give up quite yet. I just turned 55 today! I do not have a job or little kids to stand in the way of my continuing on for the full year, at least. Also, I was actually wondering if I should order one of those hypnosis tapes like Nyah mentioned. I think it is worth a try and I will order one. I also just started 2 Tbsp of ground flaxseed in yogurt each morning (2 days so far!) because it is supposed to play some factor in natural breast enlargement. I am also taking 2 flaxseed oil capsules each morning. In either case, the ground flaxseed is supposed to be very helpful for any kind of hormonal symptoms.
The worst part of the domes is the left side, right under my arm. No matter how I position them, they pinch in the same spot and the skin is slightly raw. I can't keep a bandaid on.
Has anyone ever had a sore spot there? If so, any advice?
This message has been edited by roakie on Jul 19, 2009 3:06 AM
Edit Message Delete Message
Nyah
(no login) All My Brava Women July 19 2009, 10:31 PM
Hey Ladies,
First of all, I'd Like to commend all of you for your hard work and dedication to Brava! I know it isn't easy, trust me, I've been there. I am not a member of the Forum, however, I have been browsing through during my Brava days. As I mentioned before, I packed up my Domes(for good) in early April of 2009. I would swell up to a large C, small D-cup while wearing the domes. But after 10-12hrs of not wearing them, I was a small B. I experinced 2 1/2 inches of growth post 1 month of brava use. It may sound like alot, but it only gave me a large A-cup.
I fell in love with myself every morning, and hated to see me shrink by the afternoon. I suffered from mild depression during my Brava days. I became discouraged and quite frustrated. I had no social life and my love life was placed on pause for a while. After almost 11 months of brava, I was thankful, yet not quite satisfied with my results.
Roakie,
Look up Steve G. Jones' website and give him a try. Your body is AMAZING and it will accomplish anything you put your MIND to! I tell myself that I'm a large D-cup everyday.... lol. It may seem silly, but it got me from 35 1/2 to 37 inches in less than 3 weeks (just measured today). My goal is 38 inches... I wont stop til I get there. Buy the CD and before you use it... dig out that picture you took with all of the Brava swelling (I know you have one *smile*). While listening to the CD (or MP3) imagine yourself becoming that size...or perhaps BIGGER!
The Brava and hypnotherapy CD may seem like a great combo. I'm just concerned that seeing your swelling go away may counter the image of yourself GROWING. I'm not telling any of you ladies to STOP using the Brava. I just know that we All have the same goal. We want to achieve it as painless, safely, and quickly as possible. I hope you can understand I mean well. Kudos to you and whatever you decide with NBE.
xoxo
Nyah
P.s.
As far as the raw, or tender skin under the armpit Roakie.... I posted Tips for Brava in March so you may wanna check that out. If you need to wear bandaids thats not a good thing. I was told to stop for a few days (2 or 3) and use Aveeno products. The Brava is supposed to be PAINLESS! Please don't continue if it isn't.
Edit Message Delete Message
roakie
(Login roakie)
SENIOR MEMBER Re: Brava this far July 20 2009, 1:51 AM
Thanks, Nyah. I will order the tape!
Perhaps the one thing I have going for me is that I actually don't like what I look like when the domes come off first thing. Even a size C is too big for my liking. I have always been totally flat-chested, tall and thin. I actually like the "flatter" look. So all I really want to achieve is a size A. That would make me happy. Primarily, I am trying to cover up a rib cage deformity where one side of my ribcage is quite depressed, making the breast area look hollow so the sternum sticks out. If I can achieve a small bit of permanent growth, I will be absolutely thrilled!
Edit Message Delete Message
CousinRose
(Login CousinRose) Re: Brava this far July 20 2009, 8:20 PM
You know Roakie... it is not for sure you will loose that much after you finish using Brava. I did not loose an inch after I finished, I lost a little less than half an inch (1 cm). I say: stay optimistic, you seem to be going good, quite slow but steady.
I think you should stop using Brava soon and see how it went. I think you need a little break from NBE ... both your body and your mind. I know I have never spent as much time hating my breasts as during that time I am doing NBE. I noticed recently that my breasts are more uneven then I thought and now I am more self aware about them then ever. I can't wait to finish evening them out!
Edit Message Delete Message
kiagirl
(Login kiagirl) Encouragement for older women July 21 2009, 4:54 AM
Hi Roakie,
I have been doing Brava since Jan. 2009. I took a three-week break @ the end of April & into May, then started my second session on May 11, 2009. I just turned 54 & am a mother of 4. I had very small AA(or AAA!) breasts to begin with, then after breast feeding all of my kids I ended up looking like a boy! I had no chest & always wore "enhancers" so I would look normal. After my first session I actually filled out an A bra & had these cute little breasts & I started feeling like a woman again! I am in the middle of my second session(about 8 weeks into it)& I can tell that I am gaining some more. My last menstrual period was in April, so I'm not sure if I am "done" with that part of my life or not. I guess time will tell! My periods have been irregular for the last 6-8 months or so. I guess I am not really post-menopausal yet(I don't know for sure),but I just thought that I could encourage some of the older gals out there not to give up! I am athletic & slim, & eat healthy like you(except for my addiction to chocolate!), & am told all the time that I look 10 years younger than I really am. I have found this forum to be very informative & a great support. I have been reading it for awhile but haven't posted. I felt I just had to after reading your saga.
Best of Luck;
Kiagirl
Edit Message Delete Message
roakie
(Login roakie)
SENIOR MEMBER Re: Brava this far July 21 2009, 5:34 AM
Oh my gosh, Kiagirl...thank you SO SO much for posting. I don't feel so alone in my age group anymore! You have given me a huge spurt of enthusiasm to keep going. I am sitting here with the domes one, wanting to rip them off and be done with this whole journey, but I also don't want to stop, either. I feel like I have gotten this far, there is a tiny bit of actual growth, and I should keep going. I think I will take a break when my year is up, for perhaps a month or so, and then start again.
Lucky you to have started Brava while you still have some hormones lurking around, even though they are waning. My blood and saliva tests showed that I was virtually depleted of anything resembling normal hormonal levels for a woman of my age, menopausal or not. I went through menopause at 48, which is quite early, I think. I don't like the idea of taking bio-identical hormones but I also felt like I was aging way too fast, physically and mentally. Thankfully, I am working with an excellent doctor.
Please keep posting from time to time. You have no idea how much support you can provide me, and the rest of us who are just trying to make it through another Brava night! Best of luck to you and "keep on growing!"
Edit Message Delete Message
Fennel Fairy
(no login) Re: Brava this far July 21 2009, 10:28 PM
Roakie, your post got me thinking...
If you are pretty much depleted of estrogen, phytoestrogens should indeed have an effect on you. All I can think of that may have worked against you is your low weight. That's where Brava should be able to make a difference because both Brava and Bovine Ovary are supposed to work even for women with low body fat, while herbs seem to work best for those who have a bit of fat on them already.
Could the combination BO and Brava work for you perhaps?
Also your post made me wonder about another thing.
If Vitex work to normalise and balance our hormone levels, what happens if one takes Vitex after menopause? Would it encourage the body to create more estrogen and progesterone to match the remaining testosterone levels OR would it lower the testosterone to match the super low estrogen and progesterone levels?
Edit Message Delete Message
roakie
(Login roakie)
SENIOR MEMBER Re: Brava this far July 22 2009, 1:52 AM
Hi, Fennel Fairy!
I am a bit worried about taking anything, herbs or otherwise, for fear it will mess with the bio-identical hormones and thyroid that the doctor has prescribed. I have only been on these since the end of March. I don't feel a whole lot different but he is trying to get me up to basic levels for a women of my age. It is encouraging that Brava is not so dependent on already having body fat. It's not that I am trying to be thin. This is just my natural body. It's also interesting that both of my daughters have nice breasts and curvaceous figures. They take after their Dad. But my brother, who is skinny like me with a skinny wife as well, has two daughters with large breasts! So, I know that it is not just my body weight. I could put on 20 pounds and it would ALL be on my butt with huge saddlebags swinging out the sides!
Edit Message Delete Message
Fennel Fairy
(no login) Re: Brava this far July 22 2009, 9:01 AM
What's up with your thyroid? Does it produce too much? The reason I ask is that I myself is taking levothyroxine because my metabolism is far too slow because of an under-active thyroid. Started the meds early this year, after I had long finished NBE.
Thyroid meds take a long time to work so there is a good chance that NBE will be easier for you once your thyroid is functioning OK again, if it has been over-active for a long time that is.
roakie
(Login roakie)
SENIOR MEMBER Re: Brava this far July 22 2009, 1:23 PM
Apparently I don't have enough thyroid hormones. I get cold very easily, have very dry skin, get very lethargic and tired no matter what I eat or how much I exercise, etc. I have had problems since I was a teenager! I have only been on the compounded thyroid for three months and the doctor is stepping up the dose very gradually in relation to blood tests every six to nine weeks. I guess I thought it would work immediately but perhaps it does take a while.
Edit Message Delete Message
Fennel Fairy
(no login) Re: Brava this far July 22 2009, 3:51 PM
I see. I thought you might be producing too much since you are slender. Low production usually means over weight. I know how you feel - always tired and no energy. I have had this since I had my first child 13 years ago and gone untreated up until this year. It took several months on these meds until I noticed a slight change. I seldom need naps anymore but still ramping up the dosage slowly. Still waiting to feel energetic once more, can't remember what it felt like.
Perhaps your low body temp is stopping growth Roakie. Cell growth won't happen unless the temperature is high enough so try and raise it by taking at least a tablespoon coconut oil daily.
Edit Message Delete Message
trigger
(Login tr1gger) Re: Brava this far July 29 2009, 4:35 PM
Hi Roakie,
I'm still at it, too. I've just gotten so used to doing Brava, that I haven't felt any need to stop. My breasts have definitely grown (not hugely, but have filled out nicely on top, and have a nice fullness under the nip, too). I think that if you stop for a little while if you're feeling frustrated, that you can always pick it back up, whenever, for round two. I truly believe you WILL get results, it will take time, but regardless of hormones or anything else, the constant pressure and swelling of the breasts causes the cells to split and grow (albeit SLOWLY). Remember hearing about the lady who grew fat pads under her breasts from wearing the domes too low? It wasn't hormones that caused that, nor are hormones a major part of other things this system is used for (lengthening a too short leg etc). You'll get the breasts you're after. Your expectations are realistic. You have the time and ability to do it. It's all good!
It'll be nice to have a rest from it I'm sure!