Navigating the unfamiliar world of post-surgery breast prostheses, bras, and clothing options can feel overwhelming. Whether you’ve undergone a single or double mastectomy, lumpectomy, lymph node removal, or breast reconstructive surgery, feeling overwhelmed by the recovery process is a natural and common feeling among most women.
Recovery from breast cancer surgery marks a new chapter in each woman’s life and is a time to be celebrated. Luckily, a certified mastectomy fitter at our accredited breast form store can help make the journey for finding the perfect post-mastectomy bra a little easier.
Post-Surgical Mastectomy Bras
Post-surgical mastectomy bras are designed specifically for women who have undergone a life-changing breast cancer surgery. Because different stages of healing require different levels of support and comfort, A Fitting Experience Mastectomy Shoppe and Mastectomyshop.com are proud to carry an expansive inventory of post-mastectomy bras for the various stages of recovery.
Directly following your surgery, it is likely you will require a bra that provides extra support and compression. Compression helps to reduce swelling and stabilize the area as well as increase blood flow. A high-quality compression bra can help to ensure a speedy and successful recovery. The Amoena Sarah Recovery Wear and Compression bra provides soothing support and necessary compression after breast surgery.
Once adequate time has been allowed for healing, your doctor will allow you to move to a more functional and stylish post-mastectomy bra. Post-mastectomy bras are designed with pockets sewn into the cups to hold breast forms securely in place, should you choose to wear them. Post-mastectomy bras provide support and comfort while enabling you to begin feeling beautiful and feminine once again.
Who Are Certified Mastectomy Fitters?
Certified mastectomy fitters (CMFs) are allied health professionals who have received special training for providing breast prosthesis and post-mastectomy bra fitting services for patients and clients who have had any form of radical mastectomy surgery.
These professionals have successfully completed courses in American Breast Care, and have passed certification exams by either the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics (ABOC), or The Board of Certification/Accreditation (BOC). The ABOC also provides accreditation for breast form stores and mastectomy facilities that meet rigorous standards of care and professionalism.
There are many advantages for patients who choose to work with certified mastectomy fitters at accredited facilities. At A Fitting Experience Mastectomy Shoppe, our certified fitters can help to make the process of finding the right post-surgery products fun and rewarding, as well as help you to look forward to wearing a bra again.
An Empathetic Approach
Certified fitters are held to high standards of care and professionalism, so that breast surgery patients feel safe and comfortable during the vulnerable times after their operation. During training, all potential CMFs are required to spend at least 150 hours in direct contact with patients learning how to make the fitting process as comfortable and worry-free as possible.
Respecting patient privacy is of paramount importance to all members of the staff, and all accredited mastectomy fitting facilities are compliant with national HIPPA laws. At A Fitting Experience Mastectomy Shoppe, we have also created a Patient Bill of Rights that ensures all patients are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.
Your healthcare liaison
The last thing any person wants to do following a major breast cancer surgery is to spend time calling insurance providers or worry about filling out paperwork. Each accredited breast form store has developed an effective system for communicating and liaising between the patient and their physician, therapist, or other referral sources.
Certified fitting staff are trained to help patients obtain referral and prescription authorizations, and can help coordinate between billing offices and healthcare providers. In addition, they can help you navigate through your insurance company’s policy in regards to reimbursement for post-surgical necessities such as bras and breast prostheses.
Cutting-edge knowledge
Certified mastectomy fitters are required to continually update their knowledge of the latest breast form prosthesis technologies, styles and designs of post-mastectomy bras, patient treatment plans, and practice management. In order to maintain their credentials, certified fitters must take additional courses and renew their licenses every five years.
Accreditations for breast form stores must be renewed every three years. This allows certified fitters to factor recent changes and emerging technologies into helping patients make the most informed decision about their breast form or garment choice.
Personalized long-term care
All certified mastectomy fitters are required to perform clinical examinations that are specific to each woman’s diagnosis and stage of recovery. They understand that the proper fit of various items can change over time and that different garments may be needed at different points of the patient’s healing journey. Certified fitters provide knowledgeable and compassionate care in order to ensure a smooth and successful recovery.
Because certified fitters keep detailed medical records for each of their patients, they can follow up with them over time to confirm that the products prescribed are meeting a patient’s recovery goals and improving her quality of life.
Certified fitters can help to determine whether a woman needs a post-surgical bra like a compression bra for healing and support or an activewear bra like the Anita sports bras. They can accurately assess each woman’s remaining breast tissue and individual recovery needs, and make recommendations about the most comfortable and supportive products.
Finding the right breast form store for you
When it is time for you to choose a facility for your post-mastectomy needs, be sure you are considering the most accurate, reliable, and professional provider by selecting an accredited breast form store that employs certified mastectomy fitters. At A Fitting Experience Mastectomy Shoppe and Mastectomyshop.com, we provide access to certified fitters and quality post-mastectomy surgery products.
With more than 30 years of experience and being established in the industry, we carry an incredibly large selection of post-mastectomy products such as swimsuits, camisoles, turbans, compression bras and much more. Let us help you find the perfect bra, swimsuit, or other post-operative wear.
Final Thoughts
Breast cancer surgery is a life-changing experience, and a difficult one for any woman to endure. Our goal is to provide excellent service and the highest quality of products to make the healing and recovery process a bit easier. Our knowledgeable and compassionate staff ensure that each woman has an enjoyable and rewarding experience when shopping for the best post-mastectomy products to meet her unique needs.
If you or a loved one has questions or concerns about any of our products or services, please feel call us today at (877)-413-2272. We look forward to helping you on your journey to recovery!