Exercise bad for silicone prostheses

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Sassa
Sassa Member Posts: 1,588
edited June 2014 in Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy
Exercise bad for silicone prostheses
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  • Sassa
    Sassa Member Posts: 1,588
    edited May 2008

    An FYI for anyone else who doesn't know that exercise and silicone prostheses are a bad mix.

    I have been wearing bilateral silicone prostheses since the end of July 2007.

    I exercise almost everyday and frequently have my prostheses on when I do it.

    On Sunday, I had sprung a leak on the seam of one of the prostheses.

    I bought it in today to my prostheses lady and mentioned during our conversation that I exercise almost everyday.

    She immediately asked if any of my exercises involve contracting and expanding the chest area .  When I said yes, she said that type of motion will cause the silicone prostheses to breakdown.  The backing pulls away from the prostheses and causes a crinkling sound (so that was the noise I was hearing !).

    I was never warned not to exercise with the prostheses on.

    In any case, the prostheses are still under warranty (the second one is going to leak soon ) and will be replaced at no cost (even though I unintentionally abused the product).

    I will be also be buying some foam forms to wear during exercise.

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  • caaclark
    caaclark Member Posts: 936
    edited May 2008

    Hmmm...I wear my Amoena swim form for exercise.  Does anyone know if they are any different than the silicon forms?  Since they are more hollow would they be better?  Just wondering.

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  • Erica3681
    Erica3681 Member Posts: 1,916
    edited May 2008

    I was told my clear silicone swim forms are for swimming and other exercise, so hopefully that means they're designed to withstand rigorous movement.

    Sassa, I've never heard that about breast forms breaking down from exercise. My fitter told me to use my forms for exercise--in fact, she suggested a bra that she thought would work well for vigorous exercise with my regular silicone forms. However, I don't use them for exercise, as I prefer the unweighted foam forms for that.  

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  • Sassa
    Sassa Member Posts: 1,588
    edited May 2008

    I was surprised to hear it also.  I bought  the silicone forms to wear with my swimsuit.

    I have been working with a physical therapist to try and correct the neck, shoulder and back problems I have developed from years of being so big busted, then having bilateral mastectomies and being flat.

    I have been doing a lot of exercises that involve stretching and flexing the chest and shoulder areas - according to my fitter the flexing of the chest area caused the prostheses to rub and break down.

    My silicone forms are by Airway. 

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  • edna1901
    edna1901 Member Posts: 17
    edited June 2008

    I don't wear my prostheses during exercise.  I might look a bit funny but that's not my concern.

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  • edna1901
    edna1901 Member Posts: 17
    edited June 2008

    I don't wear my prostheses during exercise.  I might look a bit funny but that's not a concern for me.

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  • SusaninSF
    SusaninSF Member Posts: 1,213
    edited June 2008

    I too exercise every day (usually 1+hr of dance or yoga but when I'm pressed for time, I jump on an elliptical machine for 45 minutes) and almost always wear my regular silicone forms. I have not had a single problem in two years. Sometimes I wear an Amoena contact form in a regular bra and sometimes I wear a regular Tru-life form in a Janac sports bra. I have also gone on long bike rides and hikes, skied all day, etc. No problem.  

    Perhaps its the type of form you have. For example, my regular form doesn't have a backing, it's the same all around. And I have never heard any kind of crinkling noise.

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  • ddd
    ddd Member Posts: 82
    edited June 2008

    The Pals forms are also good for exercise, even contact sports!  They are virtually indestructable and cheap.  You can wash them and towel them dry.  Foam forms of course are lighter and that might be better for some people.

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