punctured prosthesis anyone?

Mouser

So when i was fitted for my prosthesis, i was warned that i mustn't wear brooches on that side, and should be careful with fingernails, because it's not covered against puncture.

Well, that' s easy enough, and i haven't had any trouble - but i'm curious.... I've seen the same warnings on this forum, several times, but always as a caution for what might happen, never as something that has happened. And obviously i'm not about to experiment, because the darn thing is expensive, and it has to last me at least another 18 months. But i am curious....

Has anyone ever punctured a prosthesis? How? What happened then? Did it just deflate? Ooze?

Lifestooshort

Don't know what happens to it but I have heard a story where someone put duct tape on their puncture/wound and it was good to go!

Erica3681

Yup, I did. My very first pair. I was trying to fit the form into a too-small pocket opening. My long fingernail punctured the outer film. It wasn't horrible--it didn't deflate and didn't even really ooze, but looked as if it would ooze with a little pressure. I called my fitter and she said to put a piece of clear tape (like Scotch tape) over the opening. I did that and had no problems whatsoever until my replacement form came in. The puncture really was my fault and I should have had to pay for a new form, but my fitter took pity on me and just got me a new form.

Those particular forms were by Nearly Me. Other forms I've tried don't seem quite as likely to puncture. My Airway forms (now sold by Anita) have been great, and I haven't had a problem with Amoena forms, either.

In a way, the puncture experience relieved my mind, because I realized that if I ever punctured a form again, particularly while I was traveling, it could easily be taped and do just fine indefinitely. I wouldn't be suddenly left breast-less.

Barbara

She-ra

I did, on purpose. But only because it was a really old pair and I was going to toss them out anyway. Curiousity got the best of me and I wanted to see how much they could withstand. Turns out they are not as flimsy as I thought. I dug my nail into one and it just kinda ripped open with silicone guts hanging out. I thought it would be more like a liquid but it had a jelly texture but these were the classic silicone not whipped silicone. I'm weird, I know.

Mouser

She-Ra:  Well if you're weird, i am too -- because if it weren't so expensive, that's what i'd try, too.

Everyone -- thanks! i can now waait until i'm ready to toss mine (it's an Amoena, with the gel back that's supposed to stay cool) without dying of curiosity. And without twitching every time i put it in my bra.

She-ra

I only did that because mine were super old, I got them from the ACS for free and they looked to have been over 10 yrs old. Seriously. Yours sound really expensive and can last for years if properly taken care of. And when you're ready for a new pair, donate your used pair to the ACS for someone who can't afford them or doesn't have insurance.

Binney4

I didn't puncture mine, but one of mine sprung a leak a couple of years ago. Once I realized it was leaking I could see where the joint between the front and back pieces was wrinkled and didn't quite close -- it just hadn't been made right. But it took me several days to figure it out. The first thing I noticed was a streak of "dirt" down my abdomen. I couldn't imagine what it was, but when I took a shower and tried to get it off, I had to scrub at it. The next day in the middle of the afternoon I felt something stiff on my skin below my bra, and when I looked, there was a streak again. I washed it off again (with some effort) and wracked my brain trying to think what it could be. The next morning when I was putting the prosthesis in the pocket it suddenly occurred to me it might be that. I checked, and sure enough. Of course I returned it with no trouble, and the fitter told me she'd never seen that either. Like the rest of us, she was really curious and tried squeezing it to see what would happen, but not much did. So I agree with Barbara that we're not likely to have any dramatic surprises from our prostheses.

Be well,
Binney

SoCalLisa

good one Binney...I can just picture that happening..

I have been wearing a prosthesis for over eight years and none have had a problem with puncturing..

My swimform has discolored..it was clear and now it is browning..

I love my mastectomy bra when I am travelling..I can stick my passport, credit cards and lots

of other stuff in the back of the pocket..comb...you name it...my DH thinks it is a  hoot...

MJLToday

My kids played too much with my old "fake nee nee" and it oozed

lvtwoqlt

There is a tale about one of the veteran bc woman in our local support group and her granddaughter. The grandmother came out of the shower to find her 3 yr old granddaughter in the bedroom with one boobie on her head and suckling on the other. She didn't puncture the boobie but when it was time for the grandmother to replace them she kept the one with the teeth marks for the memories.

BYHISGRACE

I have been using my older prosthsis  in my bathing suit for aquatic exercises.  It developed a small bubble leak.  I put a waterproof band-aid over it and it has outlived two bathing suits that were destroyed by the clorine in the pool.  They are not as fragile as we are told.  I do wash and dry it after each use.