Contact breast forms adhere well to the skin and some women are able to wear it without the support of a bra.
Use a bra pocket or a breast prosthesis cover with a regular bra to help absorb sweat (perspiration). Check whether your fitter supplies covers. Wear a bra made with fast-drying or sweat-wicking fabric, such as a sports bra, which may be more comfortable if you perspire a lot.
Prostheses usually last around two years, but they may last a shorter or longer time depending on how often they are worn, how well they're looked after and your lifestyle. Check that your bra fits correctly every 12 months. You will probably need a new bra and breast prosthesis if your weight changes.
Silicone breast forms are designed to look and feel like a breast. Silicone forms used to be made of solid silicone — so they were heavy and could be uncomfortable to wear in hot weather. Newer versions have pockets of air that make them lighter and more comfortable to wear.
Most are made from materials that are designed to move, feel and weigh as similar to a natural breast as possible. It's important your prosthesis suits your lifestyle as much as possible. You may want to consider the different clothing styles you want to wear your prosthesis with.
A great idea is to wash your breast forms when you shower. You can easily take the forms into the shower or bath with you and wash them as part of your daily routine. Keep a bottle of Amoena breast form wash and a soft brush in the shower for a quick and easy way to maintain your prosthesis.
Silicone breast forms are more natural feeling and looking, but are typically more expensive. They can sometimes feel cumbersome in the warmer months and are heavier. Foam forms are lightweight and easy to wear directly after surgery. They have less of a natural feel but are usually more affordable.
Triangle shape
The most popular and widely available shape, this is a symmetrical breast form which can used on either side of the body. It mimics the shape of a natural breast and is available in shallow, average or full volumes. It is most suited to ladies who have not had extensive surgery to the lymph glands.
Why are prostheses so expensive? A good quality silicone prosthesis is carefully made and hand-finished so it resembles the natural breast as closely as possible. Cheap versions may be available but they don't last very long or give the correct fit and feel.
Swimming with a prosthesis
Although you can swim in a silicone or foam leisure prosthesis it's important to rinse it well afterwards to avoid any possible damage from the chlorine or salt water.
You can get breast forms at places like Athleta, AnaOno, and The Busted Tank. Often fairly inexpensive, lightweight breast forms are washable and easy to wear and replace. Many women say these types of breast forms are comfortable during exercise when slipped inside a pocketed sports bra or athletic top.
"If you don't wear a bra, your breasts will sag," says Dr. Ross. "If there's a lack of proper, long-term support, breast tissue will stretch and become saggy, regardless of breast size." Still, both experts agree that multiple factors play into if and when sagging (technical term: "ptosis") occurs, bra-wearing aside.
A 15-year-long study, concluded and published in 2013, seemed to find that forgoing a bra could actually decrease any sagging. According to the study, the support of a bra can weaken the tissue surrounding the breasts, causing them to droop.
The adhesive strength lasts from 12-14 months on average, depending on wear, care and skin type. This is an extraordinarily long life, since the breast form can be worn directly on the body for up to 16 hours a day!
Place the forms gently against your chest and hold for 5-10 seconds to allow the adhesive to bond. For the first few times, it can be helpful to use a non-toxic washable marker to mark the position of the breast form on your skin.
Slip-on teenager bras that offer support without hook & eye or underwires are the perfect option in this case. As the breasts are in the development phase, the size will constantly vary and grow.
The skin on your breasts should naturally be more or less flat and smooth. Again, consistency is key. Bumps and birthmarks that are always present are not a problem. A sudden change in the skin on your breasts should be reported to a doctor.
The most expensive option, silicone breast forms, also offer the most natural appearance and feel of full breasts.
As far as the implant weight itself goes, for every 100cc, a silicone implant weighs 0.23lbs. For every 100cc a saline implant weighs 0.21lbs. Thus, the average 300cc silicone implant weighs 0.69 pounds and both of them together weigh 1.38 pounds or less than a pound and a half.
Generally, you should look after a silicone breast prosthesis as you would your own 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.
Still, you feel lured. But when you get intimate with the augmented breast, two things are certain: You can always feel the implant, and feeling it will always lead you to the conscious realization that someone pimped this breast.
Be breast aware
Get used to how your breasts feel at different times of the month. This can change during your menstrual cycle. For example, some women have tender and lumpy breasts, especially near the armpit, around the time of their period. After the menopause, normal breasts feel softer, less firm and not as lumpy.
First, yes, your breasts can sag for a variety of reasons. Drooping is the result of changes in the ligaments that form the supporting structures inside the chest. Over time – and for various reasons – these ligaments can lengthen and weaken. But no, going without a bra is not one of the reasons.
There's nothing wrong with wearing a bra while you sleep if that's what you're comfortable with. Sleeping in a bra will not make a girl's breasts perkier or prevent them from getting saggy. And it will not stop breasts from growing or cause breast cancer.