Have you recently had a mastectomy and want to regain your body and your confidence? Breast forms can help you achieve the shape and symmetry you want so that you can get back to living your life sooner after breast cancer surgery.
Read on to find out how to wear your breast forms correctly for a more comfortable fit and natural appearance.
Why You Should Wear a Breast Form
If you have chosen not to have a breast reconstruction immediately after mastectomy surgery, breast forms can help you achieve a sense of balance which allows you to wear your clothes more comfortably and can help you transition to your new life more easily. Breast forms can also prevent a host of health issues associated with poor posture and imbalance.
Find the Right Breast Form for Your Body
Before learning how to wear a breast form, it is important to find the right prosthesis for your body type. A correctly fitted breast form should contour to your body for a comfortable fit and perfectly imitate the shape and slope of your natural breasts. There are a variety of different styles to choose from including:
Silicone Breast Forms
Silicone breast forms are the most popular style of prosthesis as they offer the most natural weight and feel. They are usually constructed from a silicone shell filled with silicone gel or medical fleece.
Foam or Fiberfill Forms
For an ultra-lightweight option, foam or fiberfill breast forms are constructed from a foam core which is covered in breathable microfiber fabric. These types of prostheses are ideal for use when exercising or lounging at home.
Partial Forms and Shapers
If you have had a lumpectomy or lymph node removal, you may not need an entire form to help you regain symmetry. Partial forms are designed to give you added volume and shape where you need it, primarily under your arms. Shapers come in a range of styles to suit your needs, and they can fit inside a mastectomy pocket bra to keep them secure.
Tips for Wearing a Breast Form
To get the most out of your breast forms, it is essential that you know how to wear them properly. Here are our tips for correctly wearing breast forms.
1. Wear a Mastectomy Bra
Although breast forms can be worn without a bra, many women choose to use a mastectomy bra to hold the prosthesis as they also offer support for your remaining breast tissue and help your posture.
Mastectomy bras feature breathable pockets sewn directly into the bra cups that are specially designed to hold the forms securely and prevent them from shifting position throughout the day. Ensure that you buy the right size bra to fit your breast forms and natural breast. This allows the prosthesis to form fit inside the pocket.
It is not recommended that you wear a regular bra with your breast forms. Regular bras do not offer the supportive features you need to contain your breast forms and underwires can damage prostheses and irritate your skin.
Use Self-Adhesive Tape
Many lightweight styles of breast forms can be worn directly against the chest wall using self-adhesive tape. To wear self-adhesive breast forms, carefully clean the area with an alcohol wipe and apply three-piece of double-sided tape to the back of your breast form. Place the forms gently against your chest and hold for 5-10 seconds to allow the adhesive to bond.
For the first few times, it can be helpful to use a non-toxic washable marker to mark the position of the breast form on your skin. Place the breast forms in the ideal position without adhesive and use the marker to make a small dot where the top, bottom, and sides of the form should be located on your chest.
Positioning Your Breast Form
Finding the right position for your breast forms is vital to ensure they look as natural as possible and offer the most comfortable fit. If you have had a unilateral mastectomy, you want your breast prosthesis to sit at the same position as your remaining breast to give the best symmetry.
For women who have had a double mastectomy, you have a little more freedom when it comes to positioning your breast forms. However, you need to make sure they sit in a realistic and proportionate position and are evenly spaced. In general, breast forms should sit about an inch apart and the bottom of the form should lineup halfway between your elbow and shoulder.
Final Thoughts
A certified fitter can help you find the correct breast form for your body and demonstrate how to correctly wear your prosthesis with or without a mastectomy bra. Call A Fitting Experience Mastectomy Shoppe on (954)-568-8904 to schedule your professional fitting and learn more about how breast forms can transform your life after breast cancer surgery.