We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Medicine

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What are the Different Types of Mastectomy Prosthetics?

By L. Whitaker
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 58,212
Share

For women who have undergone full or partial removal of breasts with a mastectomy, a variety of prosthetic breast options are available to restore the body's natural posture and balance. Mastectomy prosthetics can be made of silicone, foam, or fiberfill. Some are designed to fit within a special pocket in a mastectomy bra, while others are self-adhesive and can be adhered directly to the chest wall. For women with only partial loss of a breast, a prosthesis known as a shell, shaper, or equalizer can be used over the remaining breast tissue to enhance its shape or fullness. Many types of mastectomy prosthetics, including the weighted silicone breast forms, must be prescribed by a physician and custom fitted to suit a particular individual.

A prosthesis is a removable device intended to restore a missing body part, whether for cosmetic or functional reasons. Women who choose not to undergo surgical breast reconstruction often use mastectomy prosthetics. A breast prosthesis is used to restore symmetry to a woman's body so that she will appear the same in her clothing as she did before removal of a breast through mastectomy surgery. For the first four to six weeks after surgery, the patient is provided with a post-surgical camisole with a removable soft breast form to protect the surgical area. After about six weeks with a physician's referral, the woman can be custom fitted for the prosthetic of her choice.

Some prosthetics are designed to be used within a mastectomy bra. This specially fitted bra contains spandex pockets to hold a prosthetic breast made of foam, fiberfill, or silicone. Some silicone mastectomy prosthetics are self-adhesive, adhering directly to the chest wall so that they can be used with a regular bra. It is also possible to have a regular bra or swimsuit altered to contain a prosthesis pocket. When the bra and prosthesis are well fitted for a particular woman, they are indistinguishable underneath her clothing. A partial prosthesis, which fits over the woman's remaining breast tissue, can also be used with a regular bra.

Some sources state that the loss of a breast through mastectomy can lead to both psychological problems and muscular-skeletal issues, such as problems with the shoulders or back. Using mastectomy prosthetics is an individual choice, and some women might decide to adapt to their new body shape without the use of a prosthesis. Experts urge women to choose the most comfortable prosthesis device for their individual needs.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-are-the-different-types-of-mastectomy-prosthetics.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.