Custom Prothesis

I've seen occasional posts here by women who have tried and liked custom forms and some by women who haven't. Hopefully, they'll see your post and respond.

I've looked at the Radiant Impressions form--for me, it wouldn't be appealing because it's silicone and it's meant to be worn directly against the skin. That doesn't work for me because I find it sticky and sweaty (I wear an Airway Tritex, which is silicone with a microfiber back, so it's cool and comfortable against the skin).

Do you have a very uneven chest wall after surgery? The fitter at Dana Farber's boutique told me that the custom forms are best for people whose surgery result leaves lots of unevenness. Otherwise, she said, the custom forms really aren't necessary. Still, if your insurance covers them, it sounds like they'd be worth checking out. I think Radiant Impressions will let you "try out" a non-custom version of their form. That way, you could see if the material feels good against your chest.

Barbara 

Hi Melanie:



I just wanted to tell you that I have a custom prosthesis and really love it. I have an off-the-shelf one as backup, just in case, but for me it doesn't compare.



The custom breast has the "look" of my body. In other words, it looks like me.



Btw, I have a very flat chest wall.



Please feel free to PM me if you want more information.



Cheers,

Darya

Hi Barbara,



Yes, I wear the prosthesis directly against my skin. It feels fine to me - I never really thought about it or noticed. It doesn't move much either. The silicone on the back is a bit sticky - toothy, you might say, so it doesn't slip - but I don't find it sweaty. My scar is exactly replicated on the back so it sits nicely on my chest.



I wear it with an underwire bra. It was designed to match my other breast in an underwire bra. I can't remember why it was done that way, but I like it because I always found those bras the most attractive.



Basically I can wear almost any ordinary store underwire bra. However, it goes too high for the real demi-cup type bras ie it would peak out above.



Regards,

Darya

Thanks, Darya. One more question--what brand is your prosthesis?

The thing is, I had it made here in Toronto by Irene Healy of New Attitude.



She has a process whereby she sculpts your new breast. It took quite a long time and I had to go to her studio at least 10 times when it was being made.



To me, you can feel the fact that it was sculpted by human hands- it's like it's alive with human energy.



She told me women come up from the States to have it done. Perhaps she works more intensively with you if you're from out of town ie. so it won't take as long.



My boyfriend finds the commercial breast softer ie. more like a real breast. But I much prefer my custom because it has the character of my body and it makes me feel "whole" again and not self-conscious.



Unfortunately, I can't find my digital camera or I'd post a picture of it.

Darya, I actually spoke with Irene Healy before my surgery last October. She has two locations in the U.S.--Rochester and Philadelphia. She did say that a return visit would be necessary, but more like two or three visits, total, not ten, so maybe she streamlines the process for out of towners (she herself would be personally involved, even at these non-Canadian locations). I came away feeling that her work looks wonderful but that it seemed especially appropriate for women (like you, I think?) with a single mastectomy, as her technique enables her to match the other breast so well. Plus, it seemed based around a "favorite" bra, which I didn't have. But I'm still interested in it as an option.

Barbara

I'm currently in the process of getting the approval to have a bilateral Radiant Impressions prosthesis made. I've reached the limit for my out-of-pocket expenses, so if they approve it they will pay 100%. I figured- why not get it?? I have a very uneven and concave surgical site, plus swelling and pain under armpit that makes most bras uncomfortable. Most of the time, I don't wear anything and I'm perfectly fine with that. But if I have the Radiant Impression, I can put it on with the adhesive and not wear any bra, which would be good for some fashion looks where a concave chest just does not work! LOL!

I don't plan to have reconstruction, so we approached the insurance company from several angles. That I have a uneven surgical site, pain, swelling that makes most of the off the shelf prosthesis uncomfortable, and that I don't plan to have reconstruction (which would be much more expensive) at this time.

I've already been in for several preliminary exams/ appointments. One of the things to do was to pick out the kind of bra I wanted to be molded with- so I made sure to get a lower cut bra as that means the prosthesis will fit into the that bra and will not show. Then I can more easily wear lower cut fashions. I also had to pick out a set of regular forms that fit well into the bra as they would be used as the basis for the shape of my prosthesis. When the molding process is all done, I will get to keep the regular forms and use them if I wish. I picked out a set that has some sort of "fluid" back that molds better to my uneven chest wall- but I'm not really sure what kind they are.

They will also match my skin tone/color and will create nipples according to my wishes. (If you are only having one breast done, they will mold from your remaining nipple and match that) They will even put on freckles and veining if you want.

When I go back (in about 1 1/2 weeks- and if they have approval) they will do the molding- which is supposed to take about 3 hours total. I'm told that once they mold you, there is no talking, laughing, deep breathing, until everything is set. That's going to be hard, because I really like my fitter and she and I just laugh all the time.

Once I get everything, I'll post photos. The bilateral is different from regular forms because it is just one big piece- both sides are connected together by a small piece in the middle.

Hope this helps.

Anyone just do a custom nipple to stick onto their prosthesis? My prosthesis is a pretty good match except for the nipple.

- Susan

I threw away the prosthesis after I had a prophylactic mastectomy and had expanders put in.  Wore cotton puffs for both sides for a couple months, while my incisions were healing and now wear nothing now that the expanders have been expanded to full capacity (600cc's, large A cup-44A).  I hate the way this looks however enjoy the freedom of not having to wear a bra.  Now I've scheduled a bilateral expander exchange for permanent implants as a Christmas gift to myself.