As you navigate the prosthesis choices available to you after a mastectomy, you’ll see you have a few decisions to make. Post surgery, you will wear small, lightweight breast forms while you heal or wait for reconstructive surgery if you choose.
After you’ve had time to heal, if you’ve chosen not to have reconstructive surgery, you’ll be fitted for a weighted breast form or forms. If you’ve had a bilateral mastectomy, you can choose the size you prefer. If you’ve had a single mastectomy, you will be fitted for a form that matches your remaining breast in size, shape, and weight to ensure your body looks and feels balanced.
Next, you’ll choose your post mastectomy bras. It is necessary to use special bras, as these are designed with pockets that hold the breast forms in place. This makes it much more comfortable and convenient to wear the forms. You’ll likely have a single breast form or set of forms, but you can opt for as many bras as you desire. In general, insurance covers one form or set of forms every two years.
Post mastectomy bras are available in all the sizes, styles and colors found in traditional bras, so you can choose what feels most comfortable to you.
Most post mastectomy bras have wider straps to help support the breast form, making it more comfortable as you grow accustomed to wearing the form. However, you can find bras with narrow straps or convertible bras that can be worn strapless to go with summer clothing styles.
Talk with your mastectomy bra consultant as you’re being fitted for your forms and choosing your bras. These experts have helped thousands of women choose the right products to make them feel and look their best after surgery, and they can help you make choices that will ensure you feel comfortable and look great.
