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Hi Owlie,
I'll give you my thoughts, and I'm happy to answer any questions you have, or to just discuss your or my progress any time; I love the conversation. But you might also want to check out what Lara (HelloDiDi) has to say on pumping, she's kind of the queen of pumping on the forum.
It's always a little uncomfortable when first starting, or changing to a larger dome until your breasts and chest get used to it. I started out using the largest cup that came with the unit, about 160mm inside diameter, but I recently changed to ones about 180mm inside diameter because I grew to the point where I was filling too much of the 160s which was limiting my expansion and ultimately growth. The 180s are the absolute max that I could fit on my chest while wearing both domes at the same time, I would have preferred something slightly smaller, but the 180s were all that I could find. I'm having a good bit of discomfort because of the way they press on my ribs below my breasts, but I'm going to stick with them because I'm getting much better expansion and more of my breast root (Lara's term) is being pulled into the domes, which leads to more growth. I figure within a week or so I should adjust to the new domes.
I generally don't increase pressure during a session. I find that a steady pressure of about 5in/HG (11cm/Hg) works best. I don't think you gain much using a higher pressure than that. I usually take a short 5 minute break after about 30 to 40 minutes (if I plan on a longer session) to massage my breasts and the spots where the domes are pressing against my chest. That's about the point that the pressure against my chest becomes uncomfortable, so the break really helps. If you're having pain the day after pumping, check the pressure you're using.
I also don't take any regular days off and there's been very few days in the last 6 months that I haven't pumped. I don't go crazy with the pressure, so I don't get a lot of discolouration or the tiny red spots, so if you're not damaging anything with too high pressure I don't see what advantage there would be in letting the swell go completely down.
Yes I do use HRT therapy, but it's a testosterone replacement. I'm lucky, or unlucky depending on your point of view, that I started a T-replacement after discovering a pituitary tumor that knocked out my T production and the subsequent surgery. Replacement T can sometimes cause breast growth (gynecomastia) which is what's happening with me. At first I didn't like the mild breast growth I was getting, but I eventually loved having breasts, even if they were pretty small at the time, and wanted to do everything I could to grow as large as possible, which is how I found this site a couple of years ago. So now I'm using a supplement routine based on recommendations from Lotus, then added the pumping just over 6 months ago.
I have no interest in transitioning, or feminizing in any way other than developing my breasts as large as possible. Because of the T-replacement, I have no loss of function or libido, and no physical changes except breast growth. Also, I am extremely fortunate that I have a GF who loves my breasts and fully supports and encourages my efforts to grow them larger.
Best regards,
ChuckM