This may be a dumb question...

Hi Linda,

Not a dumb question! A prosthesis is a form shaped like a breast. It's also known as a breast form. Silicone breast forms tend to be the most lifelike. A mastectomy bra is simply a bra created with pockets into which you can fit the breast form, both so that it's more secure and so that, if the form is made of silicone, it won't feel uncomfortable against your skin.

In addition to breast forms designed to replace an entire breast removed by mastectomy, there are specific "partial" forms made to fill in when one breast is smaller than the other after a lumpectomy or reconstruction. It sounds as if something like that might work for you. Often women wear these partial forms in a mastectomy bra because the pocket keeps the silicone from sitting directly against the skin, which many women find uncomfortable. You might be someone who doesn't mind the silicone against your skin, in which case a regular bra would probably be just fine. Also, there are some partial forms made of other materials which are designed to be worn directly against the skin. 

Here's a link to a website that carries a good selection of these partial forms, just to give you an idea: http://www.womanspersonalhealth.com/categories/12/1/Partial-Breast-Forms-.htm.

Regarding bras, mastectomy bras in the past have had the (justified) reputation of being overly constricting (iron maiden-type) bras. But lately, companies are making much nicer bras--more like regular attractive bras, but just with pockets. Anita bras are very nice, and Amoena and ABC make some nice ones, too. Also, you can purchase pockets to sew into regular bras. That way you'd only have to sew a pocket on the side that needs the partial breast form.

Probably your best bet would be to go to a local shop that carries mastectomy products. A certified fitter could help you find the right partial form for your situation.

Good luck,

Barbara

When my surgeon asked me 8 months after my surgery if I was having problems finding bras to fit my a/c cup boobs I said 'you betcha!' I was wearing sports bras only because no bra with cups fit. He wrote me the script for mast products and the lady came to our local support group to fit those who needed to be fit. When she told me my insurance allowed the purchase of 6 bras and 2 prost the first time, I was like a kid in a candy store. I normally purchased bras one or two at a time. I ended up with colored bras as well as the usual white bras.