Breast forms are prosthetic replacements worn by mastectomy patients for additional breast coverage. Basically, breast forms give the appearance of natural breasts (especially when worn with mastectomy bras).
A mastectomy procedure involves the removal of an entire breast. If the breast cancer is not severe, only the affected parts of the breast will be removed. A lumpectomy, on the other hand, involves the removal of growths from a breast.
Since breasts are part of a woman’s identity, removing them (either partially or in entirety) greatly affects how she sees herself, damaging her self-esteem and self-image.
Primarily, custom breast forms vary depending manufacturing materials. In this article, we will discuss the different types of materials used in making breast forms; features, benefits, and limitations.
Foam Material
Foam is a lightweight material that has the ability to take different shapes. Regardless of the patient’s specific needs, custom breast form fitters are able to mold different breast shapes for them.
Wearing a foam breast form under a mastectomy bra gives a massaging effect that effectively reduce any cramping around the scar.
Due to the breathable nature of the foam materials used, these forms are ideal for warm climates. Foam breast forms are also easy to clean, and can withstand several machine washes. Since foam is an inexpensive material to produce, the cost of a foam breast form is low compared to silicone breast forms.
However, foam breast forms may have an unnatural feeling due to their lightweight nature. As such, the foam breast form may be uncomfortable for most patients, more so patients with a significant breast tissue remainder. The weight mismatch makes patients more conscious of the breast form, which is contrary to the intended purpose.
Silicone Gel
The majority of breast forms in the market today are made of silicone gel. Intrinsically, silicone gel enclosed in a thin membrane pocket mimics a natural breast to a great extent. The gel is made to mimic the breast tissue and weight, while the thin membrane resembles the outer skin.
Primarily, silicone breast forms move, weigh, and feel like natural breast. Most breast form fitters recommend getting your custom breast prosthesis Florida made from silicone gel due to their versatility. It is easier to match the weight and shape of an existing breast using silicone gel than with foam material.
Nevertheless, breast forms made of silicone gel are more expensive than those made of foam. Additionally, silicone gel breast forms require significant maintenance to increase their longevity.
Fabric Material
Textile-based breast forms are commonly used by post-surgery patients who need coverage with little to no pressure on the scar. Basically, fabric is lightweight and provides a softer coverage solution. As a result, recovering patients are able to wear fabric breast forms for longer.
Additionally, fabric breast forms are breathable and are ideal for warmer climates. Furthermore, fabric breast forms can be sewn into a mastectomy bra’s pocket cups for easier care and maintenance.
Hybrid Materials
Hybrid breast forms feature a combination of different materials, such as silicone gel with foam. Fundamentally, breast fitters combine different materials to capitalize on the functional properties of each material.
For example, a breast fitter making a custom breast form may have a hard time balancing the weight-size ratio. A bigger silicone-gel breast form will be very uncomfortable to accommodate in a bra or even wear for extended periods. As such, the breast form fitter may decide to combine silicone gel with saline liquid gel to get a less dense gel.
Therefore, making a big custom breast form will no longer pose a weight problem since the resultant gel is less than silicone gel by itself.
To get the best hybrid breast form, it is best to give a clear description of your ideal breast form to your breast fitter.
Conclusion
Although there is always a hype on fabric materials usability on the custom breast forms, they lack the aesthetic touch and realism of a natural breast. Also, fabric breast forms lack shape-retention components, which makes the breast forms more susceptible to deformation within short usage period. It is therefore good to try all other materials to see what matches your liking