prosthesis storage

Options
rachel46
rachel46 Member Posts: 22
edited June 2017 in Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy
prosthesis storage
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • rachel46
    rachel46 Member Posts: 22
    edited November 2007

    Hello all,

    I got my first pair of silicone prostheses today. They came with these big boxes for storage, which is OK for home, but would be a pain to travel with. The fitter said they should be stored in the boxes. I have looked around on the internet and have not come up with any smaller, travel cases.

    Any ideas?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • AlaskaDeb
    AlaskaDeb Member Posts: 2,601
    edited November 2007

    I leave them in my bra, hook the strap and then hang it over a doorknob.  It makes kind of a little hammock to hold the forms...it works for me.

    Deb C

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • CuriousC
    CuriousC Member Posts: 3
    edited November 2007

    I have never understood the questions about storage of the prosthesis! I wear it 18 hours and then leave it sitting in my bra on a shelf for 8 hours! I treat it like part of my body when it is on, and part of my bra when it is off.

    I think you should make life as simple as possible and not add a "procedure" to your life that you don't need. Now 3 years later, without reconstruction, I almost feel that I was simply born with only one breast and it is not a big issue. I am pleased to have arrived at this point.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • AlaskaDeb
    AlaskaDeb Member Posts: 2,601
    edited November 2007

    I have two different kinds of silicone forms.  One is "stiff" enough that I don't worry about storing them short term - they hold their shape.  My second set is one of the whipped silicone light weight forms.  If I leave them laying on the fronts, they deform.  If I store them in the boxes the dents even out.  I think it depends on the brand how you need to store them...

    Deb C

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • purplemb
    purplemb Member Posts: 1,542
    edited November 2007

    I'm with the rest...short term its in my bra... I cut the little cups from the plastic and have a basket to long term store them... I save the boxes and rest in the closet....

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • afreshstart
    afreshstart Member Posts: 1
    edited November 2007

    The boxes that the silicone forms come in are called "cradles".  They retain the shape of the form so that it doesn't split.  Most of the manufacturers cover the forms for a period of two years, but the warranties are voided if they are not stored properly. We have women bring in forms to our mastectomy shop from time to time with a split like this.  Most of the time it is a result of lying them flat for storage.  Always wash your form at night with a mild soap, just as you would a natural breast or other body part, then pat it dry and store it in the molded cradle box that came with it.  

    Hope that helps!

    - Leslie 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • chemo072
    chemo072 Member Posts: 682
    edited November 2007
    Umm...Leslie - embarassing question here - wash it every day?  I just assumed that as it's protected in the bra pocket that it didn't need washing....Embarassed
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • janniexy
    janniexy Member Posts: 28
    edited November 2007

    I store mine in the boxes when I'm home.  When I travel, I assume a day or two not in the boxes won't hurt anything. 

    Also I agree they don't really need washing every day, particularly if you use the cover when you wear them.  Maybe if you've been exercising and perspiring a lot.  I usually rinse them and the liners once a week.

    My supplier did recommend using the covers--they can prevent accidental damage to the form, and I've been really glad a few times that I did use them.

    Jan

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • rachel46
    rachel46 Member Posts: 22
    edited November 2007

    I had the same question. I assumed if they are in their cloth protection of the bra and unless I was working out... why would they need to be washed every night?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Erica3681
    Erica3681 Member Posts: 1,916
    edited November 2007

    Me, too! I haven't noticed any deterioration in my breast forms even though I don't wash them every time I wear them.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited November 2007

    Thanks, Leslie, for your expertise. It's helpful to be reminded of the guidelines.

    True confession time: I used to wash them every night, because my fitter stressed the importance of that. But I find I can't always do that and remain sane, so I do it when I can. I use the covers, too, and I hope that's helping to keep them in good shape. (I find the covers are much more comfortable in our desert summer heat. I ordered an extra set so I can keep THOSE clean, at least!)

    Me, too!, on the "hang them up in your bra" theory when I travel (at home I keep them in their cradles -- removed from the bulky boxes -- in my drawer.) If I pack along an extra prosthesis, I "cradle" it in soft clothes in my suitcase. My neighbor always keeps hers in her underwear drawer, "cradled" headlight-down among her socks.

    Oh, my! We DO make our compromises, don't we!

    Binney 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • aroosann
    aroosann Member Posts: 1
    edited June 2017

    I took 2 old underwire bras, cut off the straps and sides (leaving just the cups), formed a circle with the halves by nesting them one inside the other. (I used 2 bras to double the thickness in order to make it sturdy), and set my prosthesis in the center. Works like a charm and easy to travel with.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited June 2017

    Aroosahn, what a great idea! Thank you for sharing!

    The Mods

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories