Many women call and write to us asking for advice on which breast forms are recommended for their type of surgery. We hope the information below will be helpful.
Immediately after surgery, a very lightweight (featherweight) form is recommended. Some are filled with fiberfill so that you can adjust the size, if necessary, by removing some of the fiberfill until the form fits. These forms are also good to wear while sleeping.
Once your surgical site has healed, if you have had a single surgery (one side), you need to wear a weighted form in order to balance the weight of the remaining breast. Otherwise, your posture may be affected, resulting in back pain. You can wear a weighted foam form or a silicone form.
After a double surgery, however, weighted forms are not necessary. You can wear unweighted latex or foam forms, as well as adjustable featherweight fiberfilled forms, in any size you choose; it’s up to you. Or, you may opt for silicone forms, even though weight is no longer a consideration.
Silicone forms look and feel more natural than non-silicone forms, but they cost quite a bit more. You can get these forms with or without nipples. They are much heavier than latex and foam forms, although there are some silicone forms that are somewhat lighter than the norm. Silicone forms that adhere to the body are also available. They will adhere for about five days. The forms can be worn with regular, unpocketed bras. But be warned, these forms are very expensive and they may irritate your skin. Ask your doctor if she/he recommends self-adhering forms for you, and whether your surgery has sufficiently healed to make wearing them possible.
In choosing a form, you will also need to consider shape: teardrop, asymmetrical or triangle. Both the teardrop and the asymmetrical shapes extend further on one side, to fill in tissue lost there. The asymmetrical shape also extends slightly higher up on the top to fill in any tissue lost there. The triangular shape fills in tissue on both sides, as well as on the top. The triangular and teardrop shapes can be worn on either side; the asymmetrical must be ordered by left or right side. Silicone forms are available in both light and darker shades, as well as colorless, which blends with any color skin. Silicone forms are completely waterproof, but should not be used in a hot tub. They should be stored in the cover that comes with them and in the box in which they are sold.
If you decide to buy a
latex or foam form, you can choose between a contoured back, flat back and a built- up back, depending on how much tissue remains. A contoured back is the best choice if less tissue has been removed; a flat back provides more fill-in when more tissue has been removed; a built-up back is best for very extensive surgeries, where a great deal of tissue has been lost. Foam, latex and silicone hollow-back shells and push-ups are also available and can be used after lumpectomy to fill in lost tissue.
After surgery, a fitting by a trained fitter is best, if possible. For those for whom this is impractical, many catalogs and online sites exist with many choices. Be sure, however, that there is no extra restocking charge for returns or exchanges, and that the time allowed for returns is realistic. Check also to see if silicone forms are covered by a two year manufacturer’s warranty for defects in the manufacture.
Breast forms are covered by Medicaid, Medicare and most private insurers. If you lose or gain a significant amount of weight, you may need a different size breast form. Medicare requires a letter from your doctor confirming your weight gain or loss in order to provide reimbursement for the new size forms.
Click here to view our breast replacement forms to find the one that is right for you.
S/S 2003 Updated 9/2004
Para solicitar información en español, llame al 1-800-ACS-2345. Un especialista en información sobre el cáncer le asistirá en español.
