Breast prosthesis

After breast surgery, you should be offered an appointment to be fitted for a breast prosthesis if you want one.

Your breast care nurse will usually arrange the fitting appointment. Speak to your breast care nurse if you’re not given an appointment.

Your appointment will usually be at your local hospital. Your breast care nurse may do the fitting. Or it may be done by another trained fitter, such as a surgical appliance officer or a representative from a prosthesis company.

You might find it helpful to look at the types of prostheses available before your appointment, or even before your operation if possible. You can discuss this with your breast care nurse.

You’ll usually get the prosthesis at your fitting appointment or very soon afterwards. If you choose or need a style that’s not in stock, you may have to wait longer.

You can also buy a prosthesis from a specialist supplier, online or in store, if you prefer. It’s best to try a prosthesis before buying it.

Your prosthesis fitting

What to take with you

Take a well-fitting bra to your appointment so you and the fitter can see how the prosthesis will sit in your bra.

A plain, light-coloured top can make it easier to see the shape of the prosthesis under clothes, so you can choose the best one for you.

Wear a top that you can put on and take off easily. Or take a variety of tops with different necklines so you can see how a prosthesis might work with different clothes.

It can help to tell your fitter about the styles of clothing and swimwear you might want to wear your prosthesis with and if you’re hoping to wear it for anything active.

At the fitting

The fitter will explain what will happen during the fitting and check you have a suitable bra.

At your appointment you should be given:

• A selection of sizes and styles of prosthesis

• A private area to try the prosthesis by yourself

• A large mirror and good light so you can see what the prosthesis looks like in your bra and with clothing over it. If you would prefer not to face the mirror, let your fitter know

• Enough time to make your choice

Your prosthesis should feel comfortable and secure, give you a good shape and match your skin tone as far as possible.

NHS patients do not have to pay for their prosthesis. However, not all prosthesis styles are available on the NHS.

If you’re a private patient, check to see if your private health scheme covers the cost of your prosthesis.

If you have to pay for your prosthesis, you will not have to pay the VAT on it. The fitter will ask you to sign a VAT exemption form stating that you’ve had breast surgery.

Alternatively, you may be able to have a prosthesis from the NHS in the same way that NHS patients can apply for a replacement.

Your prosthesis fitter or nurse will give you information on how to care for your prosthesis. If you follow the advice on looking after your prosthesis, it should last for several years.

Generally, you should look after a silicone breast prosthesis as you would your skin. Wash it daily in warm soapy water and dry it with a towel.

If you have a stick-on prosthesis, you may need to use specific products to keep the prosthesis clean. Your prosthesis supplier can tell you more about these.

When you’re not using a silicone prosthesis, store it in the shaped unit inside the box it came in.

Take care not to catch the prosthesis with anything sharp, like rings or pins, as these may damage it and make the silicone leak. If a silicone prosthesis gets damaged, you can usually seal the tear temporarily with a plaster.

How often should I replace a prosthesis?

Your prosthesis will have a guarantee but the length can vary. Most prostheses will last longer than the period of the guarantee.

You can ask for a replacement prosthesis every 2 years on the NHS or when yours is worn out.

You can also ask for a reassessment if your prosthesis is no longer a good fit, even if it’s still in good condition. This might happen if your weight or body shape change or if your lifestyle changes (for example, if you become more active).

Getting a replacement

The process for getting a replacement prosthesis will depend on policies in your local area and whether you’ve been discharged from the breast clinic.

If you’re still under the care of your breast clinic, contact them to arrange a prosthesis reassessment and fitting. If you’ve been discharged, ask your GP about a referral to the breast clinic or a prosthesis fitter.

New prosthesis styles are being developed all the time. When you need a replacement it’s a good idea to have a reassessment rather than directly replacing the one you already have.

If your prosthesis is damaged due to a manufacturing fault, you should be refitted with a new one for free if you’re an NHS patient. If it’s damaged because you’ve punctured it or not followed the care instructions, you may be charged for replacing it.

If you had your surgery privately, ask your insurance company if they cover the cost of future replacement prostheses. If they do not, you can ask your GP to refer you to an NHS breast clinic or prosthesis fitter to be fitted with a free replacement.

It’s safe to pack a silicone prosthesis in your hold luggage on an aeroplane. Silicone prostheses can develop air bubbles in the hold because of the change in air pressure. These might look like small black dots. This will not damage the prosthesis though, and the bubbles should go away soon after the plane lands.

If you pack your prosthesis in your hand luggage, it shouldn’t develop any air bubbles.

You can also wear your prosthesis, including through security, if you prefer.

Airport security body scanning

A breast prosthesis will not set off the metal detector when you go through airport security. But if you’re asked to go through an airport security body scanner, your prosthesis will show on the scan.

It’s a good idea to tell security staff before you enter the scanner that you’re wearing a prosthesis. You can also carry a letter from your GP or treatment team confirming this.

What to expect if you’re scanned

The scan will take place in a security area with a member of airport staff present. It only takes a few seconds and security staff should be trained to deal sensitively with issues around surgery, prostheses and medical devices.

The images are viewed remotely and cannot be seen by the public.

You can ask for a female security officer to look at your scan. They will not be able to identify you from the image. The images do not show facial features, hair or skin tone. And your scan will be deleted straight afterwards.

You may be asked to have an extra hand search if you’re wearing a prosthesis. This should take place in a private area with a member of staff who is the same sex as you. You can also ask for someone you’re travelling with to be present too. Security staff should not ask you to remove your prosthesis during the search.