Post mastectomy products - breast cancer advice
There’s a huge range of post-mastectomy products on the market – from medical aids designed to ease pain and discomfort in the early days after surgery through to sexy underwear sets and slinky bathing suits specifically designed for women who have undergone a whole or partial breast removal.
In the UK the National Health Service provides a range of breast prostheses (artificial breasts) and in the USA many insurance companies offer regular replacement of breast forms and post-mastectomy bras.
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Immediately after surgery your physician is likely to recommend that you wear some form of comfortable vest or camisole, with or without a very lightweight breast enhancer or prosthesis. Specialist high street shops and online stores offer some pretty, feminine camisoles with inbuilt pockets to hold the post-surgical drainage tube.
Various bed supports and pillows are available to keep your body at a comfortable angle while you sleep and you can buy medical arm sleeves designed to reduce swelling, help boost your circulation and reduce the risk of lymphedema.
Within a month or two after surgery you’ll probably be ready to wear a prosthesis which should be weighted according to the size and weight of your remaining breast. Many hospitals have a good selection of prostheses on offer with experienced staff who can advise you on the best type for you. There have been major advances since the days when post-mastectomy patients had to stuff socks down their bras or suffer the discomfort of hot and heavy artificial breast forms.
These days there’s a remarkable range of light weight latex and silicone products which come in all shapes, sizes and colours to mimic your natural breast. Sophisticated silicone prostheses now have inbuilt air chambers and quickly warm to the body’s own temperature so they can be worn with comfort all day. So if you’re not happy with what’s on offer at your local hospital, shop around to find a specialist store offering the very latest post-mastectomy prostheses. Many offer a mail order service but if there’s a shop nearby you might find it useful to pop along for a professional prosthesis and bra fitting.
When you start to shop around you might be amazed at what’s on offer – everything from stick on nipples to flattering post-mastectomy swim wear and other clothing. There are products designed to make you both feel and look better whether you’ve had a radical, partial or bilateral mastectomy, lumpectomy or breast reconstruction.
If you have private medical insurance it’s worth asking for a prescription for a prosthesis and bra because you might well find your policy covers these and other items.
Bear in mind that you’ll need to replace your prosthesis and bra on a regular basis to allow for natural changes in your body due to weight gain or loss and the ageing process.
