A patient may lose a breast or some of the breast’s tissue during a mastectomy procedure. As such, the patient will wear breast forms to cover or replace the lost breast or breast tissue. Indeed, the breast forms help the patient boost their confidence.
A breast form is a prosthetic that is shaped and designed to look like a natural breast. Mastectomy patients wear breast forms under mastectomy pocketed bras, on the skin, or have them implanted through surgery.
Breast forms come in various categories, varying with the purpose they serve or the materials with which they are manufactured.
In this article, we will discuss the various categories of mastectomy breast forms as well as well as compare them.
Foam Breast Forms
Mastectomy is associated with sensitivity and irritation on the scar. Additionally, the scar may swell and manifest mild pains especially when drainage is inadequate.
As such, you need a lightweight breast form that you can wear for the greater part of the day without experiencing discomfort. Considering that the foam breast forms breathable and have a number of wearing methods, they become an ideal solution for the patients who have just come out of the operation room.
Form breast forms are very easy to wash, and that makes them convenient to maintain.
Custom Breast Forms
Custom breast forms are the ideal coverage solutions for mastectomy patients who do not want to undergo additional reconstruction or implant procedures, yet they still want a breast form that is specifically made for their unique needs.
Inherently, custom breast forms Florida are often made of silicone or foam, and are designed to suit your specific coverage needs.
It would help to schedule a breast form fitting appointment with a professional in order to get the best results. Custom breast forms have specified weight, shape, and color and are tailored to suit your body.
Silicone Breast Forms
A silicone breast form comprises a silicone shell that is filled with silicone gel. The shape of the silicone shell is designed to feel and look like a natural breast while the silicone gel gives the breast form its weight and movement. In fact, the gel moves like an actual breast tissue.
Similar to silicone breast implants, silicone breast forms are very popular because they mimic a natural breast closely.
Primarily, silicone breast forms are worn by inserting them in the bra pockets or directly on the skin (contact) with the help of adhesive pads. However, the quality of silicone breast forms diminishes over time when exposed to high temperatures.
Unlike foam breasts, silicone breast forms can be heavy due to the high silicone density as the weight can create pressure on the shoulders and the back if worn regularly.
Boost Breast Forms
Manufacturers design boost breast forms to suit the lifestyle of an active mastectomy patient. It turns out that undergoing a mastectomy does not mean that you should quit sporting activities!
In order to achieve a compact, stable appearance, the boost breast prosthesis are made in as such a way that they can fit inside a pocketed bra.
Boost breast forms have breathable and lightweight pads that help the bra stay in its place without any need for adjustments especially when engaging in an aggressive sporting activity.
Knitted Breast Forms
A mastectomy surgery may take a while before the scar heals completely. Essentially, a scar requires sufficient air circulation to prevent infections.
Knitted breast forms are made by hand using breathable and lightweight materials to reduce pressure on the scar and improve airflow.
You can wear a knitted breast form with a regular bra or a pocketed mastectomy bra. Additionally, these knitted breast forms are easy to wash, making their maintenance easier compared to a silicone breast form.
Partial Breast Forms
Some mastectomy procedures involve the removal of partial breast tissues. Hence, your chest wall is left with some breast tissue.
Partial breast forms will best suit you if you have undergone a partial mastectomy or a lumpectomy (lymph node removal from the breast).
Partial breast forms offer better coverage for partial mastectomy compared to other breast forms, such as foam breast forms, since they depend on the remaining breast tissue for anchorage.
Conclusion
The process of shopping in a mastectomy can be challenging. Thus, ensure that you consult an experienced breast form fitter who will help you select the breast form that best aligns with your needs.
