WHAT IS A BREAST PROSTHESIS?
An external breast prosthesis is an artificial breast form that is worn after a mastectomy. Choosing to wear a breast prosthesis is a personal decision. Many women select this option because they want to have the same symmetry when wearing clothing as they had before their surgery. A prosthesis offers other advantages as well: it protects a woman’s chest and surgical scars, helps balance posture, anchors the bra on the side of the mastectomy and keeps it from shifting side to side or riding up, and helps prevent problems with curvature of the spine, shoulder drop, and muscular pain in the neck and back. Breast prostheses are made from several different types of material (such as silicone gel, form and fiberfill) that feel similar to natural breast tissue and are usually weighted so they feel the same as the remaining breast. A prosthesis fits snugly into the pocket of a postmastectomy bra, which is fitted with pockets on the inside to hold the device in place.
