Buying a breast prosthesis

You can visit a store to buy your prosthesis, or you may feel more comfortable organising a home fitting.

Learn more about:

• Overview
• How to find a specialist fitter
• Where to buy a breast prosthesis
• What to expect at the fitting
• Choosing a bra

Overview

To find a prosthesis that suits your body shape and frame, it is recommended that you see a trained fitter who can help you choose the right prosthesis, as well as a pocketed bra if necessary. It is best to make an appointment with a fitter so you have uninterrupted time with them. When you go to the fitting, you might like to bring along someone for support – the other person doesn’t have to come into the dressing room with you.

Before your appointment (or even before your operation), you may find it helpful to see samples of breast prostheses to give you an idea of what to expect. Your breast care nurse can show you various types of breast prostheses and bras.

You may also find it useful to talk to someone who is using a breast prosthesis – call Cancer Council 13 11 20 to arrange to speak to a Cancer Connect volunteer.

It’s like buying anything valuable. You need to take your time and make sure it’s right.

Mary-Anne

Where to buy a breast prosthesis

You can buy a breast prosthesis from specialist stores that sell only breast prostheses and related products, the lingerie section of some major department stores, and some lingerie boutiques. There may also be a free home service available in your area. Learn more about the cost of breast prostheses.

Visit multiple stores

If you live in a rural area, you might have fewer options for where you can shop and what you can buy. Making a trip to a shop in a large town or city may be worthwhile. This might also appeal if you don’t want to shop where people know you.

Browse before you buy

You can browse what’s available in stores online or ask retailers to send catalogues so you can look at the full range of bras and breast prostheses available. If you see something you like, you may be able to order the prosthesis, or a fitter can order it in for you. However, it is a good idea to be measured in person by an experienced fitter, especially if you are buying a breast prosthesis for the first time.

Ask about a store’s returns policy

You may be able to exchange the breast prosthesis for a different style or size if the one you buy feels uncomfortable. This is not always possible, particularly for attachable breast prostheses.

Call Cancer Council 13 11 20

They may be able to help you find out more about buying breast prostheses and related products.

What to expect at the fitting

A fitting usually takes 40–60 minutes. You will have privacy when being measured and getting changed. Here are some questions you might like to ask your breast care nurse or a breast prosthesis fitter. Most fitters carry out the fitting in a similar way.

	What to bring to the fitting Take the bras you wore before surgery to the fitting. The fitter will check whether these bras are suitable to use with a prosthesis.
	Discuss what you want If you’ve had a double (bilateral) mastectomy, the fitter will ask you what breast size you were and what size you would like to be. You might like to keep your original size or go up or down a size. The fitter will ask you about what type of bras you like and how active you are.
	Check your bra size The fitter will probably check your existing bra size with a tape measure.
	Select from a variety of sizes and styles The fitter will bring you a selection of pocketed bras to choose from. When you’ve chosen your bra, the fitter will help you try on several different types of breast prostheses until you find a good fit.
	Check fit The fitter will often have a slip-on T-shirt (like a smock) for you to try over the bra and prosthesis to check that the prosthesis is the right size and gives you a good shape. The fitter will show you how to check that the breast prosthesis is sitting properly in the pocketed bra and will discuss how to take care of it.

Choosing a bra

Wearing a well-fitting bra will ensure your breast prosthesis is comfortable and sits well. While you may find that your regular bra, sports bra or sports crop top adequately supports your permanent prosthesis, pocketed bras are specially designed for this purpose.

Features of a pocketed bra include:

• soft seams
• wide underband that sits flat on your chest between the cups
• deep front and side panels
• full cups
• wide, elasticised, adjustable straps
• no underwire.

The external appearance of my breast form is great. People often say that you’d never know I was wearing a breast form.

Ruth

→ READ MORE: Wearing a breast prosthesis