Mastectomy Products

What to Expect After Breast Cancer Surgery

About 4-6 weeks after breast surgery it will be time to schedule your first fitting. Women who have had a mastectomy should be able to wear a weighted prosthesis at this time since their incision should be healed. Women who experienced breast conserving surgery will also benefit from a post-mastectomy fitting as there are partial prostheses to help fill in the missing portion of their breast and provide symmetry.

The Fitting Process

The fitting will be conducted in a manner that offers the person being fitted complete privacy.

• Our certified and specially trained mastectomy fitter will first assess the condition of your skin at the mastectomy site. There should be no drainage or open wounds at the surgery site, or incision. Either of these conditions would require permission from your physician before proceeding.
• We will determine your proper bra size by taking measurements at strategic points on the chest wall and around the rib cage. The fit of your bra is crucial to your comfort and how natural the fit will be. Mastectomy bras today are pretty and feminine while providing the support needed to keep the prosthesis in the correct position. Although it is not mandatory to use a mastectomy bra with a breast prosthesis, it is recommended.
• Next comes the prosthesis recommendation. We will note the shape and drape of your existing breast and try a prosthesis that best approximates those dimensions. Prostheses come in many shapes such as teardrop, triangle, heart shaped and more. Some taper the material into the underarm area to fill in missing tissue there. Some prostheses are symmetrical, meaning they can be worn on either side, others are asymmetrical and are side specific. For women who have lost both breasts, we will make suggestions for prostheses that are flattering to the patient's body dimensions. A variety of forms will be shown so you can select the type that most suits your lifestyle.
• Before leaving our facility, instructions on use and care will be given.
• Most prostheses have a two year warranty against manufacturer's defects. This does not include punctures or damage from perfumes or other personal toiletry items. Proper cleaning and storing the prosthesis in it's cradle when not in use should keep your prosthesis in great shape.

Who does the fitting?

We are specially trained to fit post-surgical bras and prostheses, including which products match best with different surgery types, and how to handle special circumstances. Ingrid Frank, C.P., CMF is a board certified prosthetist and a board certified mastectomy fitter, which is your assurance of quality care.

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