Home
Articles
Awaiting Surgery
Chat
Crafts
Current Events
Fashion
Friends and Family
Fun Stuff
Mailing List
Polls
Profiles
Prostheses

Search

A normal prosthesis . . . one that is made for everyday use . . . may be perceived by two ladies totally differently. One example is that some women consider prostheses to be heavy, whereas others consider them to be light! This is because they are made to replicate the feel of real tissue--and the weight. Flattops member Vicki has coined the term "external implants" to explain prostheses, and it's a pretty accurate term for what you should expect.

This page's goal is to let women share about their experiences and favorite products in an unbiased manner. So feel free to share your favorites! (And the ones you couldn't care less about, too.)

Material: Silicone

Weight: Light

Cost: Around $20-40

Review: Have you seen ads for "braless bras?" They are silicone cups that are supposed to stick to a person to enhance size and cleavage. They are adhesive backed and stick to the breasts. Well, I thought maybe they would stick to me, so I could go braless. They were being sold on one of the television shopping networks. Ready to try a new gimmick, I sent for them, two pairs for the price of one. Well, I tried sticking them to me, but they kind of pulled and were inclined to fall off.

I came up with another idea. I turned one pair inside out and stuck them inside the other set. This made two small prostheses! I put them into a sports bra which hooks in front, in which I had cut a slit in the inside layer of material to make "pockets." And there I have it--a very comfortable bra and a couple of small prostheses at a very small price. Just another idea! (Reviewed by Carol)

Outer material: Knitted yarn (which can be any material you wish)

Inner material: Polyester (or other) stuffing and a weight (optional)

Weight: Light

Cost: Inexpensive if homemade. They are also reasonably priced by the creator, who sells them at titbits.ca

Review: Despite making multiple pairs of Titbits, I haven't worn them yet. They seemed a bit light, but then some women never have problems with light prosthetics, whereas other women find them "hitching up." The thing is, I have yet to wear prostheses at all, so this is not necessarily a fault of the product.

On the positive side of things, I felt incredibly empowered when dealing with my then-upcoming surgery, to know that I could do something productive. It was therapeutic for me to be able to make prostheses in fun colors and patterns. I also appreciated the fact that the inventor has a humorous website, whereas most websites about mastectomies or cancer are rather sterile. (Reviewed by Melissa)

Material: Whipped silicone

Weight: Semi-light

Cost: $200-300

Review: I love the ABC Ultra Light Form 1021. (For a photo, see http://www.americanbreastcare.com/s.nl/sc.2/category.32/.f). It totally feels like I did, only much better. It's light, but not too light, so it doesn't move around. The "older" it gets, the better--it really conforms to whatever shape your chest happens to be in. :-)

Nipples are available which stick on, if you want that look. I didn't want that look, but they are fun to wear to bed with my sleep bra (on "certain" nights!).

Unknown to me, however, the product was actually breaking down. I mean, the innards were not holding up.

It looked okay, but began to get some bubbles in it on the inside part (which weren't noticable until I really looked). It did not look bad in the bra at all, but it went down a size! It was so gradual that I didn't realize it until I happened to see a new prosthesis of the same size. My mastectomy shop said my pair (I had a double mastectomy) had a two year warranty on them and immediately replaced them.

I feel like a new woman! All breastlifts should be this easy! I'm back to my perky self again. (Reviewed by Vicki)

Material: Silicone

Weight: Semi-light

Cost: Not available

Review: A triangular-shaped prosthesis recommended and supplied by my breast nurse. (For the Americans reading this, in the UK we have a breast nurse assigned to us who who does a fitting and supply of prosthesis every two years).

The Tria is a triangular shaped, non-contact, silicone breast form.

Good points: It warms up to body temperature. It is a similar weight to a real breast. It has a certain amount of "jiggle" so it will look natural even when dancing or running. It does not "wander around" on a flat surface. There is a fair amount of sag.

Bad points: Since the mastectomy, my chest is concave rather than flat. So is the back of this prosthesis. This caused it to audibly "slap" against my chest when I was running or dancing. As I was pre-menopausal when I had this form, it had more sag than I did so it needed quite a lot of arranging to become even with my remaining breast. (Reviewed by Karen T.)

About: A breast form which sticks directly to your skin without the need for chemicals and glues. It needs regular thorough cleaning to maintain the adhesion. It is recommended that you wait for two years after mastectomy before having one to ensure that the skin is strong enough to hold it.

Review: Plus points: This prosthesis sticks really well and feels completely natural. It enables you to wear any non-wired underwear--including shelf bras in t-shirts or swimwear. Because it sticks directly to the chest wall, you are unlikely to have it wander around or fall forward. It thereby increases confidence and security. It even retains adhesion if you get wet, so it's good for swimming.

Minus points: It loses adhesion if you sweat a lot such as from exercise or being in hot climates. It is not long-lasting, as the body breaks down after about a year. (I had to hold my last one together with sticking plasters until my new one came through). It only comes in one color. (Reviewed by Karen T.)

Outer material: Knit fabric pocket, with a "nylon"-type feel.

Inner material: Silicone

Weight: Comparable to natural tissue

Cost: $200-250

Review: My insurance pays for half of "prescription" prostheses. I'm happy with my current ones, which are Natural Wear by CAMP. They are on the smaller side (size 4), so they are not exceptionally heavy.

I have found that I like prostheses that are comparable in weight to a breast of the same size. Too lightweight, and they seem to ride up on me. (Reviewed by Carol)