The journey of treating breast cancer is very painful especially for breast cancer patients who undergo a mastectomy, where they end up losing one or both breasts. Mastectomy is usually the last curative solution for breast cancer.
How do you restore your femininity after a mastectomy? The good news is that medical researchers have come up with innovative solutions for restoring confidence in mastectomy patients by creating breast forms (breast prostheses) that offer a replacement for the lost breast(s).
However, a breast form on its own is of little help to the mastectomy patient as it requires additional accessories to ensure it serves its purpose.
This article will outline the special categories of custom breast form accessories, and their respective functions.
Coverage and Support Accessories
A breast form is made of silicone gel enclosed in a membrane, and is shaped to have the feel and appearance of a natural breast.
However, the breast form needs to be supported and covered for it to properly sit on the chest. Some of the coverage and support accessories include;
Breast Form Covers
A breast form cover is usually made of an absorbent fabric that allows absorption of body excrement such as sweat, to prevent the breast form from causing reactive rashes on the skin.
The breast form cover is usually manufactured and customized to fit a specific breast form. Additionally, the breast form cover protects the breast form against external damages that would rapture or deform its shape.
Mastectomy Bras
Mastectomy bras are the most important accessories for a mastectomy patient as they not only hold and support the breast forms, but also help in draining the scars.
Also, the cups of most mastectomy bras are designed with pockets that conveniently hold the breast forms in position.
Furthermore, the mastectomy bras in most breast forms shop Florida have front zippers and locks that allow one to fasten the bra easily without straining the chest. The broad straps of the mastectomy bras ensure proper weight distribution to the back and shoulders.
Stick-on Adhesives
Certain breast forms are attached and rest directly on the chest without the need for additional support such as using mastectomy bras.
Therefore, for you to attach the contact breast forms, you need a special non-reactive adhesive.
Aesthetic Accessories
The sole primary function of a breast form is to replace the lost breast. Therefore, the breast form fitters will make breast form look as realistic as possible. Some of the major breast form aesthetic accessories include;
Adhesive and Detachable Nipples
When it comes to breast forms, contact adhesive nipples are the icing on the cake. The nipples give the breast form the final touch of a natural breast.
Additionally, adhesive nipples are designed according to the color of the breast form or the skin tone to ensure that they blend in flawlessly with your body.
Headlight Hiders
Adhesive nipples are made of synthetic material and often tend to highlight and imprint on the surface of the clothes.
Therefore, headlight hiders allow one to walk comfortably without worries by reducing the nipple imprint on clothes after wearing them.
Cleaning Accessories
A mastectomy scar is very delicate and requires a lot of care and cleaning for fast healing. Therefore, the breast forms require regular washing and sun-drying.
The cleaning accessories that are ideal for maintaining high levels of breast form hygiene are;
Scrubbing Brush
The scrubbing brush used in cleaning your breast form is different from a regular scrubbing brush, in that, the breast form scrubbing brush is designed with very soft bristles. The soft scrubbing brush is also smaller in size, allowing a proper scrub on the inside curvy areas of the breast form.
Breast Form Wash
Breast form fitters usually discourage the use of ordinary cleaning detergents since they may react with the thin membrane used in the making of the breast form. The membrane could also lose structural integrity and rapture, spilling out its silicone contents.
Conclusion
Investing in the right breast forms requires you to understand the various categories of breast form accessories. Therefore, it is crucial to be extra careful when buying breast form accessories in different stages of your breast cancer recovery journey.
