Forum Discussion

Karma03's avatar
Karma03
Member
5 years ago

Taking the next step - buying prothesis

Hi, I haven't posted for a number of months as I have been settling in to my new life with no breasts and trying to get my energy levels back.  I had a bilateral mastectomy in February last year and spent chemo and my 60th birthday in lockdown. I am now on Letrozel for 5 years but otherwise life is more or less back to normal.  I had lots of support from my church and my work friends during the whole ordeal so I was very blessed.  I am not sure about anyone else but it is when chemo had finished and I went back to work that I found the hardest.  My life was just not quite the same as it had been, apart from the physical which was magnified by the fact that my belly seemed to swell during chemo - (I look like a pregnant woman and full term at that)   but I just can't seem to shake the fatigue and I need to be careful not to be too hard on myself and let my thoughts run away from  me.  I look at myself sometimes and think "Oh my gosh...".  I have finally decided to try getting a prothesis as I am tired of trying to adjust my bra with the chicken fillet moving all the time.  If I don't wear the bra, which is far more comfortable, I really look like I am all belly.  I would love some feedback on the breat prothesis you can purchase from others who have them.  Are they heavy?  Do they move around all the time like the stuffed ones we got in the care packs?  Is there anywhere that you can go to get used ones to try before you outlay the money?  It just feels like another step that brings back the reminder of having cancer.  Sorry it probably seems silly to be so thrown by looking at getting these prothesis but it just brings the reality of life back to me I guess.  Any feedback is really appreciated.  
bilateral-mastectomy
coping
prosthesis
  • AllyJay's avatar
    AllyJay
    Member
    5 years ago
    I also had a bilateral mastectomy in 2017. I found that the soft "stuffies"....I got the care package ones, plus I had crocheted ones as well as a pair of Knitted Knockers from a fellow knitter. With all of them, if I lifted my arms just a little, the whole bra, foam titties and all, would end up just under the collar bones. I was then fitted with two Amoena silicone gel prosthetic breasts and as they are heavier and fit closely to what's left of my chest, they more or less stay put. Having said that, even when I had my own 18D breasts and wore a bra, I was always fiddling with it to bring it down. I have very narrow and somewhat sloping shoulders and so had to have the straps fairly tight or the shoulder straps would just slip down. If I had better shoulders, this would probably not be an issue at all and all would stay where it had been placed. They cost me 2 X $400.00 and the entire $800.00 was reimbursed to me, in full by medicare within a week of the claim.
  • Afraser's avatar
    Afraser
    Member
    5 years ago
    Depending on where you are, best to be personally fitted, there are various types and people vary in what they like best. I had a soft pad for a year (single mastectomy)and a proper prosthesis not only felt better but sorted out the twist in my spine which had developed. Myer can fit but there are also specialists who may fit at home. Best wishes.
  • Locksley's avatar
    Locksley
    Member
    5 years ago
    Hi karma03 I got fitted during lockdown in Melbourne  thank goodness. It was considered  as essential care.   I had a left mascectomy.  The brand that  was recommended to me was Anita.  It's very comfortable silicone fabric.  I Wash it in warm soapy water and dry it with a towel.  Looks very natural through my clothes and doesn't slip like my knitted knocker does.  Cost $400 but fully covered by Medicare.