Buying Reasonable Priced Protheses

Options
Maggietx
Maggietx Member Posts: 20
edited June 2014 in Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy
Buying Reasonable Priced Protheses
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Maggietx
    Maggietx Member Posts: 20
    edited January 2008

    Well my insurance has decided they will only cover the cost of my prothesis once in a liftime. I had a double mastectomy-2 years ago,can't afford to pay to get new ones. Anyone know of a site to get cheaper(but well made) ones. My insurance was Bluecross-Blue sheild-HMO. The ones I have now are 2 years old and the ones I have found will be about $500 for a pair.We switched company the first on Jan but the new company said I will have to buy them myself and they will take it off our deductible  at the end of the year. Any suggestions ?

    Thanks In advance

    Maggie

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2008

    Hi Maggie. I have used these and they work really well. They're only $40 and I have used them in my swimsuits and my bras, and they look very natural. The website is:

    http://www.carabella.com/store/IntimatesA2DE?Args=

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • OLBinNJ
    OLBinNJ Member Posts: 236
    edited January 2008

    Try the Amoena 126 Leisure form.  Cheap, and probably work best for smaller women.  Worth looking into.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Maggietx
    Maggietx Member Posts: 20
    edited January 2008

    Thank you laura--I looked those up-certainly an affordable item,but are they weighted enough so they dont ride up? Are they hollow in the back? I couldnt tell from the pictures but I am checking them out

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Maggietx
    Maggietx Member Posts: 20
    edited January 2008

    Thank you Madalyn for your comment-I have kind of the same question for you--are they weighted and will they stay down? Since I have a double mast- I have to have weighted one or they ride up.

     Ol-- I'm going to check those out right now. Thank you all for your help. I wasn't sure what I was going to do.

    Maggie

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Erica3681
    Erica3681 Member Posts: 1,916
    edited January 2008

    Hi Maggie,

    I have a pair of the Still You's and I love them for everyday wear.  They're soft and just weighted enough that they don't ride up. Be aware, they run big. I ordered Bs and had to exchange them for As. When I wear them they look more like small Bs.

    I do find that the Amoena 126's can ride up, as they're weightless. But I love wearing the 126's in my Still You Tank Top (really a classic camisole with pockets)--they don't ride up at all in the camisole and I use that combo for hiking, exercise, etc. 

    Regarding silicone forms, if you order them online, you can often get much better prices than in the stores. For example at Park Mastectomy Supply, many of the silicone forms are more like $300/pair, rather than $500. For example, I own a pair of Nearly Me #785 Lite Tapered Triangles, which sell for $156.42 each on the Park Mastectomy site. And there are other online sites which also offer good deals (you can check the Helpful Links section of my website, BreastFree.org for other good online sites).

    I've also noticed a new brand of silicone breast form on the market. It's called Silique and can be purchased from the TrueKare website. I haven't tried this form so I can't vouch for it, but you can purchase a pair for only $214. They even have a lightweight version. I called the company and it seems they are just gearing up to start marketing these forms. From the pictures and descriptions, they seem comparable in quality to other more-expensive brands. 

    Hope this helps!

    Barbara 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Maggietx
    Maggietx Member Posts: 20
    edited January 2008

    Thank you so much for all your help. You have given me several places to look . I have been to your site before but I am going back to read it all.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • karluway
    karluway Member Posts: 22
    edited January 2008

    I have right breast mastectomy on January 2008 . The American Cancer Society gave a very good prostheses for free.  The manufacturer is "The Jobst Yours Truly" . They also gave me two mastectomy bra.  The fitter got me the "Teardrop Breast Form" I love it it looks so natural.  Give the American Cancer Society a call, I live in the New York area perhaps they offer the same service in your area

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2008

    Maggie...you might like these better. They're slightly heavier. They aren't hallow, but they have a little indention on the back side. These are the ones I use in all my bras. The bra is really comfortable. I get both the forms and the bras at Lingerie Solutions. I have the Amoenas, but they seem bulky for me. These were inexpensive enough so I bought 4 pairs and keep them in 4 bras, instead of moving them from bra to bra. Also, I have used these in my swimsuit too, and they work really well! Good luck.

    http://www.lingeriesolutions.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=203

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Maggietx
    Maggietx Member Posts: 20
    edited January 2008

    Thank you for the suggestions--I am checking out each of them. It's so nice to know I can come here and always find such helpful friends. God Bless you all. You will never know what a weight it has lifted from my shoulders.

    Maggie

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • wishiwere
    wishiwere Member Posts: 3,793
    edited January 2008

    Was I given correct information that if your insurance covers a prothesis, then it doesn't have to cover breast reconstruction?  That's what someone (during this harriedless) trip said, just can't remember who?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Maggietx
    Maggietx Member Posts: 20
    edited January 2008

    I'm not sure about that--I argued with my insurance(BCBS-HMO) because it says they cover prothesis for body parts--legs-arms-eyes--etc--I said isn't a breast a body part??????? They said-Yes and we covered,,,,,,,once.

    Someone forgot to tell them -prothesis don't last a lifetime !!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Erica3681
    Erica3681 Member Posts: 1,916
    edited January 2008

    My BCBS (in Massachusetts) said I would be covered but need a prescription from my doctor. So maybe ask your breast surgeon or pcp . . .

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Maggietx
    Maggietx Member Posts: 20
    edited January 2008

    Oh I have a prescription--but hmo is different that just plain BCBS--so we got off of it the last of the year

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Twila
    Twila Member Posts: 1
    edited February 2008

    I am new to all this. Had right mastectomy, chemo and just finished radiation. Decided not to have recontruction. Would like to look nice in shirts and a swimsuit. Where do I start? Live in Reno,NV area.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Maggietx
    Maggietx Member Posts: 20
    edited February 2008

    Well first I guess check with you insurance to see if they will cover bras and prothesis. Then find a place close to you that sells them and go get fitted--they have some really nice ones. Might want to check with your dr and see if its ok to go ahead and get one or if you need to wait a while if your still healing. Good luck !

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Erica3681
    Erica3681 Member Posts: 1,916
    edited February 2008

    Twila,

    I've created a website, BreastFree.org, which has information and advice about the options for women who have chosen not to reconstruct. If you check out the Breast Forms section at BreastFree, you'll find links that will let you explore the various kinds of breast forms available.

    I wouldn't recommend ordering online when you're just starting out. You should try to find a certified fitter in your area. Your breast surgeon might be able to recommend someone. As you read the posts on this forum, you'll see that many, if not most, of us find we can look good in clothes and swimsuits. I had a bilateral and still wear the fitted t-shirts I wore before (and look as good as before in them).

    Hope this helps.

    Barbara 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Texgirl
    Texgirl Member Posts: 211
    edited February 2008

    As a Reach to Recovery volunteer/trainer ,I can say that most American Cancer Society offices have prostheses and wigs to give away. Just call their offices. Ours have NEW prostheses in boxes to deserving individuals..please call your local office for details.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SamEyeYam
    SamEyeYam Member Posts: 32
    edited March 2008

    Once you know what size prosthesis you wear check Ebay for really good prices, just search for mastectomy.  Just beware that you do have to look through some cross dresser prosthesis, but there are a lot of them there and you can get them for good prices.  Most of them are brand new, but sometimes you will find used ones also.  Last winter I was able to get two new mastectomy swimsuits for $20 (shipping included).

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Carly68
    Carly68 Member Posts: 130
    edited March 2008

    Has any one delt with JC Penney,,,,,I called medicare and they said they were not covered but i looked it up myself and they are on the medicare list,,,,,,,,,so has anyone purchased anything from them I went over a got a catalog but everything looks good in a catalog. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nowwhat
    nowwhat Member Posts: 50
    edited March 2008

    I have even found these on e-bay, search under mastectomy. There are cheap pocket bras, and prosteses.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Maggietx
    Maggietx Member Posts: 20
    edited March 2008

    Thank you all for your kind comments and good suggestions. I found some prosthesis on a close out sale and bought 2 for the price of one. Then on ebay I found 4 bras-my size and bought all 4 for $40. dollars--God was watching after me ! I had been to ebay before and looked but this time I was in the right place at the right time I guess

    Thanks again for all the help.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Texgirl
    Texgirl Member Posts: 211
    edited March 2008

    I have a Lia prosthesis I will give to someone ...would prefer to give to someone without insurance or ability to buy..just let me know.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Maggietx
    Maggietx Member Posts: 20
    edited March 2008

    Never heard of the brand--what size are they? 2 or just 1?

    I might be interested-after all everyone needs a spare set

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Maggietx
    Maggietx Member Posts: 20
    edited March 2008

    After rereading that I realize it is only one--I hope someone reads this that needs it--I know how desperate I felt till I got mine. Your kind to offer it

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories