Where To Buy Breast Prosthesis

For some women, having a fitting for a prosthesis can be an emotional or distressing experience, especially the first time. You may be embarrassed at the thought of having someone else see the site of the surgery or feel upset about needing a breast prosthesis. Professional fitters regularly see women who have had similar surgery and will take a sensitive approach.

where to buy breast prosthesis

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You may also find it helpful to see some breast prostheses before your appointment (or even before your operation), to give you an idea of what to expect. Ask your breast care nurse to show you samples of breast prostheses and bras.

You can buy a breast prosthesis from a variety of retail outlets, including specialist stores that sell only breast prostheses and related products, the lingerie section of some major department stores and some lingerie boutiques. There may also be a free home service available in your area. Learn more about the cost of breast prostheses.

You can also browse stores online or ask retailers to send catalogues so you can look at the full range of bras and breast prostheses available. If you see something you like, you may be able to order it, or a fitter can order it in for you. However, it is a good idea to be measured in person by a fitter, particularly if you are buying a breast prosthesis for the first time.

Ask the store about its returns policy. You may be able to exchange the breast prosthesis for a different style or size if the one you buy feels uncomfortable. This is not always possible, particularly for attachable breast prostheses.

Wearing a well-fitting bra will ensure your breast prosthesis is comfortable and sits well. While you may find that your ordinary bra, sports bra or sports crop top adequately supports your prosthesis, pocketed bras are specially designed for this purpose.

The key to a well-fitting breast prosthesis is getting it to match your natural breast in shape and size as closely as possible. With a correctly fitting bra, it is unlikely that a prosthesis will be noticeable to others or fall out.

Aim for a fit that looks natural and feels comfortable. The various styles and materials used in making prostheses may feel quite different on your skin or in the bra. The fitter will also check that the breast prothesis fits correctly. A breast prosthesis that fits well will not block the flow of lymph fluid in your body nor cause swelling in the arm (lymphoedema).

Most women find they get used to wearing the breast prosthesis, although this may take some time. If you find the breast prosthesis continues to feel uncomfortable or looks obvious, the fit is probably not right. Ask the fitter if you can be refitted. These questions may help you decide if the fit is right.

You use a prosthesis after you have surgery to remove the whole breast (mastectomy). There are also prostheses available if you have surgery to remove part of the breast. These are called partial prosthesis.

Some women may have a delayed breast reconstruction after a mastectomy. You can wear a prosthesis after the mastectomy until you have your reconstruction. A breast reconstruction is surgery to create a new breast mound after a mastectomy.

The breast shapes come in different sizes, shapes and colours. Most women should be able to find something they are happy with on the NHS. But if not, there is more choice available if you buy your own from a manufacturer.

Special mastectomy bras are available. They have pockets to hold the prosthesis. But you don't normally need a pocket. If your bra fits well and has full cups (rather than a low plunge), you should be fine.

A breast prosthesis or breast form is an artificial breast used after a surgery in which the breast has been removed or altered. A breast form may be worn to simulate the natural breast and body shape. Depending on the type of surgery, either full breasts or partial breasts can be purchased to balance the appearance. Breast prostheses usually come in silicone, foam, or fiberfill and are worn inside the bra or are attached to the body with a special adhesive.

A breast prosthesis is weighted and helps keep the body symmetrical when breast surgery results in an imbalance. When the body is not properly aligned, you may suffer back, shoulder, and neck discomfort. A breast prosthesis will help restore the body's natural balance and posture.

A mastectomy bra is a bra that is specially designed with pockets to hold the weighted breast form. The bra comes in a variety of attractive colors and styles and can be fitted at the same time as your breast prosthesis fitting.

For breast prostheses, get a prescription from your doctor stating your diagnosis, right or left breast prosthesis, and prosthetic bras. Medicare covers bras and prostheses as medically necessary. Most insurance companies cover breast prostheses and bras. Check with your insurance carrier for your specific coverage.

Making an appointment for a compression garment, wig, breast prosthesis, or bra fitting is helpful to us so we can give you our full attention and reduce your wait time. By scheduling ahead, we can verify the necessary prescription and insurance information, which will minimize your wait when you come in for your consultation. You can be confident that we will make every effort to accommodate your needs.

The type of prosthesis required is determined by the amount of breast tissue that is removed. A prosthesis can be worn against the skin, inside the pocket of a mastectomy bra, or attached to the chest wall. Prosthetic devices are designed to look feminine while ensuring comfort.

An external silicone breast prosthesis is a weighted prosthesis, made of silicone, which is designed to simulate natural breast tissue. Because this type of breast prosthesis is weighted, it may help your posture, prevent shoulder drop, and problems with balance.

A non-silicone breast prosthesis is a light-weight breast form, made of foam or fiberfill, which may be worn following a mastectomy. Non-silicone breast prostheses may be worn during exercise, swimming, and hot weather.

A post-surgical soft form in camisole is a light-weight, removable breast form that fits into a camisole garment (a soft, stretchy garment with lace elastic straps that can be pulled up over the hips if raising the arms is difficult). Post-surgical camisole is often worn immediately following a mastectomy, lumpectomy, radiation therapy, or during reconstruction breast surgery.

Partial breast prosthesis, also called shaper or shell is a breast form made of foam, fiberfill, or silicone. This type of breast prosthesis is designed to be worn over your own breast tissue to enhance the overall size of the breast and to create a fuller appearance. A partial breast prosthesis can be worn with a regular bra or a post-mastectomy bra.

Post-mastectomy (or simply mastectomy) bras resemble regular bras but with one important difference - they have spandex stretch pockets on the inside which help hold and keep the breast prosthesis in place. Mastectomy bras can be purchased at specialty shops or mastectomy boutiques. A certified mastectomy fitter, who is trained and experienced, can assist you in selecting and fitting the appropriate prosthesis and mastectomy bra that meets your individual needs.

A: There are many mastectomy boutiques and specialty shops that carry all types of prostheses and post-mastectomy garments. Most specialty shops employ certified fitters who are specially-trained to fit women for breast prostheses. Many mastectomy shops are owned by women who have had breast cancer themselves.

Your physician, oncology nurse, local American Cancer Society Reach for Recovery program, or other breast cancer organization can recommend specialty shops and boutiques in your area that carry prosthetic devices and garments.

A: After surgery, your surgeon will recommend the appropriate time for you to start wearing a prosthesis. This will depend upon your medical condition, the post-operative healing process, and the type of mastectomy that was performed.

A: There is some variance among insurance companies regarding coverage of prosthetic devices and mastectomy bras. Medicare, and some other insurance plans, will pay for one breast prosthesis per year. Most insurance companies will cover 2 to 4 mastectomy bras per year, provided that you submit a prescription from your physician.

A: Most insurance companies will cover breast prosthesis replacements for this reason, provided there is a prescription from your doctor stating the reason for the replacement. Always check with your insurance company to determine what is covered under your plan.

For other women, breast reconstruction might be difficult, or even not possible, because of other health issues they have. For example, you might not be able to have reconstruction if you are obese or have blood circulation problems, such as from continued smoking or poorly controlled diabetes.

Most breast forms are made from materials that try to copy the movement, feel, and weight of natural breast tissue. A properly weighted form provides the balance your body needs for correct posture and anchors your bra, keeping it from riding up. At first, these forms may feel too heavy, but in time they should begin to feel natural.

The right bra for you may very well be the one you have always worn. It may or may not need adjustments. If there is tenderness during healing, a bra extender (small pieces of fabric that attach to your bra fastener) can help by increasing the width of the bra so that it does not wrap around the chest too tightly. Women with large, heavy breasts can lessen pressure on shoulder straps by sliding a bra shoulder pad under one or both straps.

If you decide to wear your breast form in a pocket in your bra, you can have your regular bra altered. There are also special mastectomy bras with the pockets already sewn in. If the breast form causes any kind of skin irritation, use a bra with a pocket. If your bra has underwires, you may be able to wear it, but be sure to clear this with your doctor. 041b061a72