Mastectomy form, also known as a breast form, is an artificial breast made of silicone or foam that replaces the missing breast following breast cancer surgery. An alternative to breast reconstruction breast forms are worn externally either inside the cup of a pocketed bra or swimsuit or attached directly to the body.
Why Wear a Breast Form?
After a mastectomy, lumpectomy (breast-conserving surgery) or even reconstruction, you might choose to wear a full or partial breast form, to help you feel like yourself again.
A good quality silicone breast form is designed to look and feel just like a natural breast, following body movements naturally.
Wearing a breast form makes sense from a medical perspective too: by balancing out the weight, the shoulders are evenly balanced again and physical symmetry is restored. By compensating for the weight of a real breast, a properly fitting breast form helps prevent problems like:
- lymphedema
- bad posture
- shoulder and neck problems
Types of Breast Prosthesis
Breast form features and capabilities vary. Amoena breast forms are available in more than 70 shapes and sizes, in standard and lightweight options, to ensure all women are all to achieve a perfect fit following breast surgery.
Depending on your lifestyle and activities, you might choose:
-
Individually adjustable breast form - Amoena Adapt Air
-
Silicone breast form with an adhesive back - Amoena Contact
-
Lightweight breast form - Amoena Natura Xtra Light and Amoena Adapt Air
-
Swim breast prosthesis which is water-resistant and dries quickly - Aqua Wave Swim Breast Forms
-
Super soft breast form to adapt to scars or tissue - Amoena Natura
-
Temperature equalizing breast form if you love to workout - Amoena Energy
-
Partial breast shaper for uneven breast or lumpectomy - Amoena Balance
Comfort should be your main consideration, and with the innovative technologies available, the broad choice includes special shapes, smart options like air-flow channels and even temperature regulation in some breast forms.
Finding a breast form that feels comfortable to you is definitely possible, whatever your needs. With the help of a certified mastectomy fit specialist, you can try on and feel different types of breast form to see which ones work best for you. To find mastectomy fitter use our Store Locator.
How Does a Breast Form Fit?
To securely hold a breast form there are specially designed bras with integral pockets. While still beautiful to look at, these bras have clever features like a slightly higher neckline and underarm and soft, padded straps. You may also choose a self-adhesive breast form, but we recommend wearing it with a bra, as well.
Swimming after breast surgery is a particularly good exercise for recovery, so we also design special swimwear with similar features as our bras. Pockets securely hold your breast forms in place and allow comfortable movement and a natural silhouette.
Wearing the right breast form can make a big difference in how you feel every day.
For the perfect fit, it’s important that you consult individually with a trained, certified mastectomy fitter in a specialist shop, clinic or hospital. Your fitter’s experience and knowledge can help you identify your unique needs and then choose the right breast form. Your goal when being fitted for a breast form is to create a natural body silhouette so that you feel balanced, comfortable and confident.
To get an idea of how to select the right size and shape, consult our Breast Form Fitting Guide.
