stick on prothesis

berriesnblues · March 2008

stick on prothesis

berriesnblues · March 2008

I had a mastectomy last June, and got a prosthesis last July. I'd like to try the "stick on" kind this summer, but don't know anything about them. Can someone tell me how they work, how they stick on, how long you leave them on, can they get wet, etc. and if there are certain brands I should look for?

thanks, Laura

caaclark · March 2008

I use the Amoena contact form and really like it. It has sticky stuff on the back and attaches to your chest when pressed against it. I leave mine on all day and take it off at night. After taking it off it needs to be scrubbed with soap and water (the soap and a brush comes with it) and then I allow mine to air dry. On the off occasion that I need it immediately I have used the hair dryer to dry it-that only takes a few minutes. I have never gotten mine wet except for when washing it. I don't think they are made to be exposed to salt water or pool water.

I have no experience with any other brand of contact forms but maybe someone else will be along soon. I can tell you that I find it extremely comfortable and am really glad I tried it. I was hesitant at first but my fitter encouraged me and now I cannot imagine not using a contact form. One thing I also did was buy the stick on nipples and that is attached to the outside of my form. Then both sides of me look matched.

badboob67 · March 2008

Laura,

One of the ladies that posts here has a site with all kinds of information regarding prosthesis(es?). She has information about contact forms here:

http://www.breastfree.org/viewer.php?num=42

Diane

berriesnblues · March 2008

Thanks you guys. Now I won't feel quite so stupid when I go into the shop. Diane, the web site was very helpful! I'm hoping I can wear one of these contact forms and wear regular camisoles. I don't know if I can find some that are high enough tho...

One other thing, I remember last June at one of my visits to the breast center, the nurse handed me a brochure about some sort of custom made prosthesis. She said it would cost about $3000 but insurance may cover it. Does anybody have experience with these custom ones? I'm wondering if it's the same sort of thing, stick on for the day...

Thanks again,

Laura

Erica3681 · March 2008

I think Radiant Impressions makes a custom form that adheres. New Attitude and Contour Med are two other companies--not sure if their forms adhere. I've heard a comment recently that Radiant Impressions changed fabricators and is having some problems, but you might be able to find a fitter who deals with them and would know more.

pinklemon · March 2008

Caaclark gave you some good info. I am a certified fitter. I can tell you that the Amoena contact sticks very well. I know some women wears them in the pool and in the sea, but the adherence can be affected, and it can be different from one women to another (skin type, type of surgery, etc...). It is usually recommended to wear a prosthesis especially for swimming, but some women do keep their contact to swim, with no problem.

SusaninSF · March 2008

I use the Amoena Tria Contact Light too and love it. I have a regular form too that I wear in a mast sports bra when I'm doing yoga or dancing. I wear a swim form for swimming. I know! That's a lot of forms! They just sort of accumulate. If I had to buy only one form it would be the contact form. It's very comfortable and I can wear it in normal bras, which is nice. I have found that it starts to lose some of its stickiness over time but I've had mine for a year now and it's fine.

Carol, Where did you get the stick on nipples? I could use some of those! I tried writing to the Radiant Impressions people about custom stick on nipples but they never replied back.

- Susan

Beesie · March 2008

Just bumping this up so that a real post is at the top of the list and therefore on the front page forum list of the discussion board, rather than the spam post from that scumbag Steve Chang (aka Sophia).

sedosa · March 2008

Pinkemon,

Why is it important to wear prostheses while swimming? I have been swimming for about five months with no proth. Does it affect back? I am getting first prostheses next week. I had wound problems.

steffi

caaclark · March 2008

Susan,

The stick on nipples I have are made by Amoena. My fitter recommended them. I have to say, at first I thought it was not necessary but since I had a single mast. putting the stick on nipple on the prosth. makes me look so natural. I wear lots of tank tops and camis so it really makes a huge difference! Have I mentioned I love my fitter?

pinklemon · March 2008

Sedosa, I said swimming form are recommended, but I did not mean it is important... It is more for the look, if it's important for you. But if you want to wear a prosthesis for swimming, the one designed for swimming is recommended because it is more resistant to chlorine.

My first language is French, so I don't express myself as well in English. ;-)

Anonymous · March 2008

pinklemon.......I noticed you are from canada and are a fitter, any recomondations on where to shop in ontario for this stuff? I guess there aren't too many places available. How long after surgery do you need to wait? I would like one that's good for swimming and one for everyday....will insurance cover one or two? Oh...and how long do they last? Can we get coverage for new ones once the old ones wear out??

pinklemon · March 2008

Crazydaisy, I'll do my best to answer your questions.

I am in Canada, but in Quebec (close to Ontario, but it is a bit far!).

But I do know Dianne, from Dianne's mastectomy. She is in Brampton, is it close to you? She is very good, with lots of experience (at least 20 years). Please write to me in private, I will look for her number. If it's not close to you, I know another person in Port Perry.

Right after your surgery, you can wear a very light form made of foam in an adapted camisole. To be fitted with a silicone prosthesis (heavier), you have to wait until you heal completely: usually between 6-8 weeks. Your doctor will tell you when you are ready to be fitted.

As for the insurances and what is covered by medicare, I think it might be different in Ontario compared to Quebec, but the fitter would be able to tell you.

Hope this help!

jerseymaria · March 2008

i was told the stick on was very very expensive - about $3000. and that insur didn't cover. maria

Erica3681 · March 2008

mariafromnewjersey,

Amoena and other manufacturers make "contact" forms--which stick on--for the same price as other breast forms, about $300 apiece. And insurance will cover those. Sometimes the contact forms can be found even cheaper, especially online. Some of the custom forms are attachable, but you don't have to spend that kind of money for a form you can attach to your chest. Also, the attachable Amoena forms come with a pad you can put over it so it can be worn like a regular prosthesis, unattached.

jerseymaria · March 2008

thanks erica...i got my forms almost 2 years ago and i'm guessing things have changed. due to disability medicare is my primary but i do have other insurance. for that amount of money i'd pay for it myself if it didn't shift. actually i guess its the bras that shift but they seem to fit well so i don't know. that's why i've just stopped wearing it most of the time even though i'm obviously lopsided.

hugs, maria

OLBinNJ · March 2008

I have the Amoena stick on form, but now that I finally found a mast bra that fits, I just wear it like a regular form. My experience with the stick on form is that it depends on your chest and on personal skin chemistry. I am pretty concave on my mast side, so there isn't much of the form that really sticks to my chest. Also, I found that the stickiness goes away after a while. My previous fitter insisted that I was doing something wrong, not washing it properly or something, but I was following the directions to the letter. I sometimes use double sided fashion tape to give me a little more stick. I also found that it's not as comfortable in the summer. Everyone's different, so unfortunately it's a (rather expensive at times) process of trial and error. My insurance pays for a new form every year as well as 4 mast bras, so I consider myself lucky.

gail1h · April 2008

I have had a bilat. mastectomy and initially had the adhesive prosthetics from Amoena and I did like them but could not swim in them. I then had some custom made and really liked them as I was able to swim in them and they were fitted more to my body. They were very expensive but insurance paid for most of it. I would recommend the adhesive ones for times when wearing clingy clothing such as camisolles or tanks. But, for swimming or comfort I like the custom made ones.

Erica3681 · April 2008

Hi Gail,

Just wondering, what company made your custom forms? Do you wear them against your skin or in a pocketed bra? Thanks!

jerseymaria · April 2008

the fitter that i used gave me a brochure for radiant impressions which is a custom breast form. the brochure says they take an impression of existing breast and match exactly. also says they will create your prosthesis form a carefully casted model of your chest wall. supposedly can be adhered to the skin so it can be worn with anything. 2 years ago she said they were very expensive and was not covered by insurance but things do change so i don't know about now. my 2 years will be up soon so i will be covered for a new form (every 2 years for silicone forms) and i will ask about this one since i have problems with the mast. bra shifting until the form is in the center of my chest. not cute i assure you, lol.

stick on prothesis

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