Not wearing Prostheses cause back problems?

Breeze · January 2008

Can not wearing Prostheses cause back problems? I had bi-mast without recon, when I went to get fitted for my Prostheses the fitter told me that if I did not wear it at least a little bit my shoulders would turn in? Anyone else know anything about this?

Binney4 · January 2008

Hi, Breeze!

Is that you on the horse in your avatar? Looks so free and triumphant!

I sure haven't heard that one. I do know before my second mastectomy that when I wasn't able to wear my one prosthesis for a long time (rads, and then pain from nerve healing) it made my shoulder freeze up because I was "guarding" with it (holding it hunched forward to "protect" the sore chest). The PT said a prosthesis helps to balance the weight when you're one-sided, but I can't imagine how that would affect a bilateral.

I have friends who have back problems from large natural breasts, but I haven't heard anyone who ran into trouble from NO breasts. (Hmmm. If that were a problem wouldn't men need prostheses?! Undecided ) It'll be interesting to see what your post turns up!

Hope all's going well for you. You're starting rads, yes? Hope it's all smooth sailing!

Binney

nagem · January 2008

I suspect this is a sales tactic. The fitter I consulted after my bilateral mastectomy told me that if I didn't wear prostheses with some weight (i.e., the expensive ones rather than the cheap foam ones I was tempted by), my breastbone would "pop out like a chicken bone." She claimed she sees it all the time. I'm not sure what she meant, but I almost never wear any prostheses at all, and my chest remains as flat as a pancake. I do notice that if I'm wearing something that I'm afraid could highlight my chestlessness, I do sometimes hunch my shoulders to obscure the view. Perhaps that's what your fitter meant? In any case, I highly recommend yoga for opening up the chest and maintaining range of motion and just making you feel good. The deep breathing of yoga was particularly helpful to me in counteracting the panic attacks I got following my diagnosis and also for helping me come to terms with my new look. Good luck ...

mthomp2020 · January 2008

Sounds like a sales tactic to me. I had a right mast. I only wear my protheses when I'm out and about, otherwise I go without. Since I'm a large A/small B, I haven't had any problems with balance.

From your avatar, looks like you're an eventer! I ride without my protheses, just wear my fiberfilled one from my camisole, and I don't have any balance problems at all. Since I do dressage, and my mare is VERY sensitive when I'm off balance, I'd be pretty aware if it was causing any problems!

If I'd had both removed, I'd be wearing the lighter foam or fiberfill ones. The silicone form I have makes me sweat a little even at this time of the year - I can't wait until summer!

Jellydonut · January 2008

I've never heard of this either. In fact, when I began wearing the prosthesis, I thought the weight of it would cause back problems for me as I was a small B and went to a full B. It felt like a heavy harnass was on my chest for a few months until I became used to it.

So sorry to hear you're dealing with cancer and the mastectomy, Breeze. You've come to the right place for support, comfort, information and even a few laughs now and then. Wishing you continued recovery and sending you good wishes.

Erica3681 · January 2008

It is a sales tactic, and also derived from the fact that in the past few women had bilaterals and the fitters were instructed regarding imbalances and were told that women needed weight on the mastectomy side to counterbalance the side with the breast. Even that guideline has changed, as it's become obvious that not that much weight is necessary to provide the needed balance--hence the popularity of the newer lighter-weight forms. But somehow the fitters have concluded that since with a single mastectomy some weight can be helpful, so with a double mastectomy you need weight, too. NOT TRUE. And, even with a single mastectomy, if your remaining breast is small, like in mthomp2020's case, you probably don't need a prosthesis to counterbalance it.

My physical therapist, an expert on breast cancer treatment, assured me that I did not have to wear any breast forms if I didn't wish to. Plus, the American Cancer society's TLC site has a write-up in which it explicitly says, "After a double surgery, weighted forms are not necessary." I include the link to this write-up in the introduction to the "Breast Forms" section of my website, BreastFree.org.

That being said, I've noticed that when I wear breast forms with a little weight (as opposed to the weightless leisure forms I sometimes use), I seem to stand up straighter. I think that's because the weight of the forms acts as a reminder--kind of like a feedback effect, in that the weight I of the forms reminds me to stand up straighter. But that in no way means that your shoulders will turn in if you don't wear forms.

Breeze · January 2008

I am an Event rider and that is me on my horse. One of the bright spots of all of this was I was hoping to be less top heavy (I was a C+ before) therefore less prone to falling off. Already, proved that theory wrong Tongue out

I was thinking it was a sales tactic but I had already purchased the products! I was justing telling her I won't wear them much, that when she said that I should wear them a few hours a day.

Thanks for the responses!

SLH · January 2008

With my saline implants the physical therapist has said that my shoulders are pulling forward. I stretch, but there's always that forward muscle pull and my neck always feels out of alignment. At least with heavy prosthesis you can toss them in a drawer when you're sick of them!

Long-term pain is so hard to handle. I hope when I have these stupid implants removed that I can feel good again. I hope it's not the Arimidex.

sally

Not wearing Prostheses cause back problems?

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