Breast prosthesis & airport security

Those are great questions, starz. 

It's my understanding that the scanners are designed to bounce the energy (X-ray or millimeter waves) off the skin and produce a "nude"-like image on the viewer's screen.  The point of that is to allow the screeners to see through fabric and spot anything that isn't supposed to be there = an "anomaly".  Stuff in someone's pockets -- even a kleenex or a boarding pass -- would appear on the screen as an anomaly; that's why the screeners insist on travelers emptying out their pockets.

I would think any breast prosthesis would appear as an anomaly, because none of them is real tissue or is attached to the body.  (Having said that, I wonder what the "contact" forms would look like with a whole-body scan...)  I've read that the whole-body scanners even allow the TSA screeners to see prominent scars (e.g., a mastectomy scar) and to see things attached to the body (e.g., a menstrual pad) as long as the thing is attached in certain locations.  Apparently, some places are not bombarded very effectively by the rays, so stuff that's attached there might not be detected.

And then there's that whole new issue of things concealed inside the body via surgery (re:  news reports that came out last week).  I'll bet prostheses and even breast implants are going to get closer scrutiny.  Doesn't a TE have an injection port on it?

otter

[Edited to add:  Sorry.  The O.P. was concerned about security of carry-on bags during the screening process.  That's been one of my concerns, too; but I haven't figured out what to do about it except to pitch a fit, and then I'd probably be arrested.]

Scout mom... That is what I was thinking... If we toss a kleenex in the bin... Why not the foob?

I'm not sure why, if people are concerned about prostheses setting off the scanner, they just don't opt out.  Not that the pat down is pleasant, but it certainly beats the scanner + explanations + pat down ultimately in most cases anyway.  Personally we have cut down significantly on air travel because of these ridiculous procedures, but when we have to fly and are faced with the scanner just "opt out."  I don't believe for one minute that these machines are "safe" and no one in my family will subject themselves to them.  I have been able to keep my private matters private and the prostheses have never been an issue going through a metal detector and getting patted down.  As I said, I would never go through a scanner because of safety concerns, but feel that if I did with a prosthesis I would just be crying out for the extra attention since they can cearly see this anomaly on their screens.

I recently went to Houston out of Newark NJ.I have bilateral total hip replacements and a total shoulder replacement and at the tiem i had bilateral TEs. I normall set off alarms so it's no big deal fro me. However coming back from Houston everyone was made to go through the scanner. I can only imagine what they thought when they saw my scan!!

The week before last, I flew out of Phila, and for the first time we were in the line for the scanner. My husband and I both opt out but stay in public area. So, husband goes first, and they make sure to take his luggage that's been screened off to the side within his vision. I am told to wait, and I think that was so they could put my luggage aside after it was screened. I asked the TSA person standing with me about my luggage, and was told the person who would be scanning me was getting it right then and taking over to where I would be patted down. She then tells me to go over to the spot where I would be screened. The woman was very nice and described exactly what she was going to do. I then told her that I had had a bilateral mastectomy but was not wearing prosthetics. I also mentioned I had lymphedema on the side of my chest which was sensitive. The whole process was quite respectful and uneventful, and even though she had said what she would do, she said it again each step of the way before she did it. When she got to my chest she said to let her know it I was experiencing discomfort, and I repeated to just be a little careful on the side. As far as my feelings about being patted down and the TSA person able to feel lumps and bumps, I just don't care about that. I have worked so hard to get to a point where I am comfortable with my body, and if I can deal with it, then so can some stranger. I have had a few plastic surgeon exams that made me feel more uncomfortable than this process.



Since I had surgery in April to undo my reconstruction and take out my implants, my chest is not smooth and flat. I wear a compression tank to keep my truncal lymphedema in check, so I had that on for the flight. I usually insert "swell spots" on the sides of my chest for extra compression, but I waited until after going through security to put those on as well as both of my compression sleeves and gloves. This always requires that I arrive at the airport at least two hours before my flight so I can go through security and then have time to don my swell spots, sleeves and gloves and have them on an hour before takeoff. I could get annoyed by this, but I find going early and preparing this way eliminates this part of the stress of flying. I know this is a personal thing, but I am more freaked out about a potential LE flare that flying could cause than the security aspect of things. (This isn't to say I approve of these security changes.) I find once I am "suited up" that this tends to take me emotionally to a different place - reminded of my BC, LE, the feelings of sadness that things are no longer simple and how much my life has changed, the awareness that people can and do notice my sleeves and gloves. Since my deconstruction, I am now wearing sleeves and gloves on both arms, so this makes me a little more self conscious, as does being flat chested. There's also an element of claustrophobia I experience wearing all this armor, not to mentioned getting a little overheated, so flying is no longer a part of the vacation I welcome. In fact, it is a little trauma and anxiety producing. However, when compared to sitting in a car for many hours, which for me usually causes a LE flare, I'll take flying any day!

Starak, you are not a wuss! We all have our own stories and have to adapt to life after BC. I'm glad that my sharing was reassuring. Thank you for your good wishes and prayers!

How did they know you were wearing a prosthesis? I went to Cuba a few weeks ago, and I didn't feel the need to say anything and I was fine thru security check.

I'll be flying out of San Diego International...the infamous "Don't touch my junk" airport...next Monday. I'm going to wear my prosthesis and refuse the scan, because what they'll see on there will just lead to a pat down anyway. I'll be flying back from Knoxville, TN, and they just got a new scanner, and I'm sure they'll be wanting to try it out on everyone. Again, I plan to insist on a pat down in a private area with a female TSA agent. I'll post my experience on the "Outraged by TSA" thread. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Thanks, Otter! I hope it goes down just as you described!