Forum Discussion

Jane_Elizabeth's avatar
Jane_Elizabeth
Member
7 years ago

Travelling with a prosthesis

Hi all,
At the risk of sounding silly......
I am going to Europe in February, and am wondering whether my breast prosthesis (silicone) will set off any alarms or alerts when going through customs, more specifically if I have to go through one of those full body scanner things. Shoould I get a letter from the doctor to explain what it is, just in case?
Also, I had been thinking about changing to a lighter style of prosthesis filled with some kind of granulated material rather than silicone, but I wonder whether that would be even more suspicious looking?
I would be interested in people's experiences 
Thanks
Jane
prosthesis
travel
  • Jane_Elizabeth's avatar
    Jane_Elizabeth
    Member
    7 years ago
    Wow that escalated quickly! It took me long enough to decide to go to Barcelona, hadn't thought as far as my burial wishes yet!
    Thanks for the advice, I think I will ask the gp for a letter just in case.
    Thanks everyone!
  • iserbrown's avatar
    iserbrown
    Member
    7 years ago
    Hi!
    My background is Cemetery management in Victoria.  Not all Cemeteries have a Crematorium, hence ours doesn't . 

    I  just sought clarification to give some of you comfort about cremations as the Internet can have unsubstantiated information. 

    "...we only require information in regards to battery devices, and nothing else. ACCA has advised that breast implants are safe to cremate with no removal necessary..."

    I hope that gives comfort even though it's not a topic by choice just a response to a comment within this post

    Take care
  • Patti_J's avatar
    Patti_J
    Member
    7 years ago
    @Jane_Elizabeth. Nothing will happen with your silicone implant at an airport. I travelled to the USA with my implants. 
    I worry more about what might happen if I  have a heart attack and they have to use great pressure on my chest 😂. I also think about the explosion they will make when I  am cremated! 
  • Afraser's avatar
    Afraser
    Member
    7 years ago
    Take a letter by all means just in case, but I have travelled a lot overseas In the last six years, on a wide number of airlines, with a prosthesis with no issue whatsoever. I confess I did wonder on my first overseas trip but then again, nothing had happened on domestic flights.  I've also gone through one of the newer, all body scans and no problem with that either. My prosthesis is silicone. Best wishes for your trip, I am planning to head that way in May, can't wait! 
  • Blossom1961's avatar
    Blossom1961
    Member
    7 years ago
    Oh dear Jane. I am a visual person. I just imagined you at the scanner putting your prosthesis in the little tray to go through. Sorry, I’m bad. Maybe I will do that next time I fly just to see their expression. 
    I don’t know the answer to your question but I imagine your BC nurse should know if none of the ladies here can help. Logically I would say it won’t go off, but it was probably designed by a man. (oops, sorry again, to the guys on here)
  • primek's avatar
    primek
    Member
    7 years ago
    Whilst I haven't travelled overseas or with an external prosthesis a Drs letter plus product information that should come with the new prosthesis would be great idea just in case. Most scanners are for metal objects I believe. For my expanders I had product info to carry with me as there was a tiny bit of metal. 
    I'm sure other traveller's will have better info though.