According to one study, more and more women who have had a mastectomy are forgoing breast reconstruction surgery in favor of removing one or both breasts and laying them flat instead. 1 Sometimes some women who choose to go flat want to look like they have breasts in certain situations, so they wear breast forms (or prosthetics).
There are many types of breast prostheses.
Silicone boobs look like boobs to many people. This type of breast prosthesis may be of interest to you if you want balance after a mastectomy in which only one breast is removed (also known as a simple or unilateral mastectomy).
Some women prefer lightweight breast forms that shape the breasts, but they are more akin to removable breast cups that come with the bodice of some swimsuits. These breast prostheses are usually made of foam, polyurethane or polyester and can be placed in a mastectomy bra with pockets. You can get breast forms at places like Athleta, AnaOno, and The Busted Tank. Cheap, lightweight breast forms are often washable and easy to use and replace. Many women say that these types of breast forms are comfortable when playing sports when worn inside a pocketed sports bra or sports t-shirt.
There are three main types of breast forms: recreational, silicone, and custom.
Learn moreA certified mastectomy fitter is a healthcare professional trained to fit female breast prostheses.
Learn moreAll breast forms come with instructions for optimal care. You can hand wash some silicone-free molds with a mild soap, depending on their composition, and let them air dry. Some breast prostheses also come with removable covers that can be hand washed.
Some silicone breast forms include cleaning kits with non-abrasive cloths and mild soaps that are safe to use on silicone. Certified mastectomy specialists can offer advice on store-bought soaps or cleaning products that are safe to use. Adhesive-backed breast forms have special cleaning instructions to ensure they retain their stickiness for as long as possible.
It's also a good idea to hand wash mastectomy bras with a mild soap and line dry, just like other delicate lingerie.
The Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998 is a federal law that requires health plans that cover mastectomy to also cover breast reconstruction and breast prostheses. 2 Of course, most health insurance companies offer costs for breast prostheses and mastectomy bras on prescription. Some health plans even cover more than one type of breast prosthesis if you need them. But it's important to realize that health plans don't necessarily cover all types of breast prostheses available. You'll also need a prescription every time you want to replace your breast prosthesis.
While health plans cover mastectomy bras, they generally do not cover other clothing, such as B. swimsuits with pockets, bodices, lingerie tops or sports tops. It's helpful to check your health insurance plan's website or speak to a representative to fully understand what your plan covers.
Regardless of what your health plan covers, you are responsible for all co-payments and deductibles. It's a good idea to keep a record of any bills or charges so you can refer to them if you contact your health insurance company.
Medicare does not cover custom breast implants. But you may be able to get coverage for custom forms if you have supplemental insurance. 3 Although coverage varies by health plan, Medicare, Medicaid, and most commercial health plans generally cover:
two to four prosthetic bras a year
a new silicone breast prosthesis every two years
a breast prosthesis made of foam or another form of non-silicone breast prosthesis every six months
Most health insurance companies cover future breast reconstruction surgeries. Still, it's a good idea to make sure health insurance for a breast prosthesis doesn't limit your options for reconstructive surgery, especially in the same year. 4
If you're concerned about costs, including co-payments and meeting your plan's annual deductible, you can ask your medical team if they can recommend financial assistance. There is also an organization called Knitted Knockers that offers knitted padded breast forms for free.
Written By: Kristine Conner , Contributing Author
- Last update on Jun 24, 2022 at 7:24 p.m
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