Flying with a silicone prosthetic

Before reconstruction I flew several times and asked for a pat-down each time. I never bothered to tell the TSA agent that I was wearing a silicone prosthesis, and the pat-down didn't ever reveal anything. It's just a quick "feel" around under the bra and down the front. The prosthesis feels no different from the real thing. Safe travels!

Unfortunately my experience has not been as good as yours, and I am posting to make sure others get no surprises. First, the "regular" scanner WILL show your prosthetics clearly and you will be stopped and pulled aside. (Happened to me several times until I strategized a different way.)

Some solutions: You can ask for help going through TSA from a disability specialist. Call them in advance. They advised me DO NOT put prosthetics in carry on luggage as some screeners will pull them out for all to see and as noted above, you can't converse with the screeners as they do their job.

Another solution is to get TSA precheck.

A third solution is to ask for the patdown. However, some of us find this painful in the surgical area. They will remove your cane if you use one and I have been knocked about. There is also some information about that indicates a traveler cannot ask for a patdown any longer (via Chris Elliot's column), that it is up to the TSA personnel to decide this.

Sorry for this unpleasant post, but I feel it is better to be aware. My first time through the screener, when the hospital prosthetic department told me there would be no problem, was so humiliating.

I flew recently and when we got to the body scanner thing, I told them I wanted to be checked by hand since I already had cancer and didn't care to subject my body to any more radiation. They had absolutely no problem with that whatsoever. Didn't act impatient or anything. They just had me step aside, got a female agent to do the pat-down, it only took a few minutes, just a complete non-issue. I was not wearing a foob nor carrying any in my bag, though.

Hi,

I fly a couple times a year. Go through the scanner, then get the manual pat down EVERY time, doesn't matter if I'm 'going flat' or wearing a prothesis. It doesn't bother me, I'm used to it. (Feel away, nothing there, ha ha)

Flying has never been an issue with my silicon breasts on. I've flown in the States and also internationally. No one has ever asked during a screening and I certainly don't "blab" anything. I am a discreet, normal acting and normal looking person. Dress comfortably for the long flights, pressure sleeves to prevent lymphodema, and enjoy the trip!