Anyone have Radiant Impressions breast form?

When I went for a fitting, the fitter suggested the Radiant Impressions custom form. I remember hearing about them years ago, but they were very expensive. The fitter said that they were covered by insurance, but she didn't know how much they were. Does anyone know? I'm frustrated with my amoena contact light. Since I'm pretty concave, there really isn't that much area that can actually stick to my chest. Also, after a few months the stickiness just isn't there, and it ITCHES when it's hot out. My new swim form (also an amoena) is heavy, and I'm concerned it will pull my bathing suits out of shape. I'm trying a new place for the forms because the place I had been going to seemed more interested in just selling me what they had, not finding the right form for me. I'm a 34 A/B (pros size 4-5), any suggestions would be appreciated. I'm thinking about the Radiant Impressions in the future, but I need something for now. I'm considering the amoena leisure form. Also, swim form must be able to go in the hot tub when DH and I vacation!

Thought I would share with you about my Radiant Impressions custom fit breast.  I had a double mastectomy in 1994 to which I had saline implants put in, but 10 years later the left one was causing so much pain and they both went east and west instead of south.  This is when I had them removed and decided to use prosthetics.  Through Kneuppel Healthcare they showed me all the prosthesis they have for women and the Radiant Impressions was the one that I liked the best.  What I didn't know was that was the most expensive one as well.  However my insurance covers 90% of everything and so the $7000.00 was worth it considering I had to pay only the 10% of the allowable amount and that was $590.00. First thing that is done is that your chest is covered with plaster strips (same used for casts) and they are layered in a special way to make sure your chest wall is smoothed out to get your total fit. Like my left chest cavity has more of an indention as the right breast.  Once this is procedure is done it is left to dry and then it just loosens when you pull your arms up and they have a complete cast of your chest. From start to finish from the fitting to choosing the options, it takes about 1-1/2 hours. So anyway you can see all the creases, indentions, concaves, etc. in the mold.  This ensures the best mold for you when you get your radiant impressions 4-6 wks later.  Now if you have just one breast to be done, they will mold that one and make sure you are the same size.  With me I could go bigger or smaller depending upon what I wanted.  I only went one size larger than I was to which was a 36 when I was a 34 all my life.  After the molding takes place, you are cleaned up and then fun begins.  You get to pick out the color you want by the swatches they have.  You put these to your chest to get the best color for you.  Then you can decide to put on raised or flat nipples.  I chose the flat, no need to show them off, I'm 49 who cares.  You can also have them put on natural freckles, lines, etc.  Once again, I chose nothing (it's no extra cost), it's just that I didn't need all that other stuff.  My husband and I could care less.  These implants can be glued to your chest so you can go bra less or you can put them in a prosthetic or non prosthetic bra.  The entire kit for cleaning and glue comes with each breast.  I have used the glue to go to a wedding that my dress my backless and it worked great.  You just put it around the breast form and then attach it.  You might have to put a little more glue on as you put it on, but it does work.  The only bad thing is removing the glue from your skin.  The glue doesn't itch, it's just hard to come off.  They supply you with something to take it off, but it wasn't working and scrubbing was irritating.  So I got out the goo-gone and it worked in 20 seconds.  My insurance also covers 4 prosethetic bras a year and they cost from anywhere from $38 to $42 each.  Now the breast forms are good for 2 years.  My insurance co. will pay for new ones every 2 years.  I don't wear them everyday, because when I'm home, who cares.  When I go out in public I wear them, but I don't wear them as much in the winter as they are always covered with a coat for shopping, etc.  So I know that I will get at least 3-4 years of use from these. 

I couldn't be more happier with this breast forms, they have changed my life tremendously.  The saline implants only caused lots chest pain when the left one turned inside.  Apparently they couldn't put that one under a good muscle as the cancer was more in depth than the right.  Plus I learned that you should replace them every 10 years and I didn't want to go through that at 59, 69, etc. I'm not out to impress anyone, as my husband loves me for who I am not for what I have.  I have had 4 bouts of cancer, and more missing parts of me, and he doesn't care, because the one thing that doesn't change is what I feel inside and my personality.

So ladies if you need more information, please don't hesitate to ask

Fran 

bumbity-bump

Bumping...I'm excited about trying these...the sample I saw was lovely.

My fitter said that it was illegal for insurance companies to deny reconstruction because of previous prosthesis of any sort...she gave me a pamphlet on Your Rights after a Mastectomy on the Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998. She said Radiant impressions last a long time and insurance will let you get them replaced even before they would need to be,  but I don't know how many years on average...She checked with my insurance and they will cover this with a letter from my doctor and also still cover 2 other ready made forms.

Unfortunately, that site has been "under construction" since before my mastectomy in 2006, so I wouldn't count on it becoming active anytime soon. Maybe you could call TruLife back and ask them to give you the name of the closest retailers, even though they may not be right in your area.

Good luck!

Bumping......anyone know where this type of prosthesis can be obtained?

Moissy,

How do you like your Radiant Impressions forms? Are they comfortable to wear directly against your skin? Perspiration under the form is a problem for me with most silicone forms.

Thanks so much for your reply, Moissy. Your detailed description of the Radiant Impression form really helps (and confirms that it's probably not the right choice for me).

I'm glad you like the Silique. I did notice that Park Mastectomy stopped selling it. That's interesting about the stitching, though. I may have posted this somewhere before, but I've noticed that the Silique forms are being marketed under the Airway label at a much higher price. I wonder whether the less-expensive form (like the one you got from TrueKare) has stitching while the high-cost Airway version uses the fused method. If I can find out the answer, I'll let you know.

Barbara 

Barbara

Thanks so much for posting the info about Silique. I had been trying to look at all the online photos...some looked glued, but some stitched. I really appreciate your recommendations and your fantastic web site!

Moissy

Hi!

I'm very excited to have stumbled upon this forum because I work at Women's Health Boutique in Dallas, Texas where we do 5-10 Radiant Impressions castings each month. My customers who have custom prosthesis love them because they are light and natural looking.  They are especially nice for women who have very concave chest walls or have had difficulty being fit in a silicone prosthesis.  Radiant Impressions are covered by most private insurance companies and we at WHB accept insurance assignment.  We file your claim and the insurance company pays us so you don't have to pay a dime upfront.  If you are in the Dallas-area or know of someone who might be interested in a custom prosthesis, I would love to hear from you.  Please don't hesitate to contact me at (214) 373-1045 or crystal@whbdallas.com if you have any questions whatsoever.  Even if you don't live in the Dallas area and have questions about the product, need testimonials or need to locate a vendor near you, I'll be happy to assist you!