What is a Custom Breast Prosthesis?
A breast
prosthesis or breast form is an artificial breast that is used after the breast has been altered or removed.
A breast form can be worn
to simulate the natural breast and body shape.
Equalizers (full breasts and partial breasts) enhance or balance a
woman's appearance. These forms
come in a variety of materials (usually silicone, foam or fiberfill) and
can be attached to the body with a special
adhesive or worn inside a bra.
Why
would I need a breast prosthesis?
After surgery, many
women experience alteration in their physical appearance. Sometimes these
alterations are permanent; they may be temporary if reconstruction is
scheduled for a later time. The common types of surgeries include:
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Lumpectomy - removal of a breast tumor and some of the breast |
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Modified/Simple Mastectomy - removal of the breast tissue |
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Radical Mastectomy - surgical removal of breast tissue and
underlying muscle |
A
silicone breast prosthesis simulates the natural breast and is weighted.
The main benefit is that it helps the human body to appear symmetrical
again or to remain in balance.
When the body is out of balance
following a surgery of this kind, other muscle-skeletal problems can
develop. Back, neck and shoulder problems are common as well as a
tendency for one shoulder to drop downward and inward while the other
rises up.
Also, the weighted breast helps to prevent the bra from moving out
of position.
