Click here for a list of Trulife Breast Care retailers.  Most States produce a list of mastectomy fitters and corsetieres and usually these lists will provide the brand names stocked by the retailer. You can also contact OPC Health for the closest retailer to you.  Some retailers may not keep the full range stock but are often happy to order in for you.

 
Body shape, breast shape and the type of bra you wish to wear will influence the breast form shape that you wear.  Your mastectomy fitter will discuss the options with you and show you how the different shapes look in different bras.

 
The most important thing is to choose a bra that fits properly and supports the weight of your breast form adequately. You might find you feel more secure wearing a pocketed mastectomy bra that is designed to hold a breast form. There are many beautiful styles to choose from, including under-wire styles if that's what you prefer.

You may find that you can adapt the bra you were wearing before surgery.  Bras that reveal a lot of cleavage may no longer be suitable as the breast form needs to be contained within the bra for security. 

Yes.  It is very important that you make sure that your underwire bra is still a good fit.  It is important that you always get a professional bra fitter to check any and every new underwire bra that you buy after surgery. A well fitted underwire bra will give you a great shape and help you feel like your normal self however if it is not well fitting it will aggravate the very area of your body that needs extra care after surgery.

You may wish to check with your Breast Specialist Nurse/Breast Care Nurse or your surgeon.  All your wounds need to be fully healed at a minimum.  If you are undergoing radiation therapy or are planning to in the near future you may want to wait a while as your chest wall may be quite sensitive or your skin may be irritable; check with your nurse or doctor.

Wearing a breast form should not prevent you from enjoying any of the hobbies, sports or activities you did before your surgery. Swimming is a particularly good form of exercise after surgery and provided you wash your breast form carefully to remove chlorine or salt residue, your breast form will not be damaged in the water. If you are very active, you might find it more comfortable to wear a lighter, temporary form occasionally - there are foam and silicone forms to suit every need.

From traditional silicone, to lightweight cooling technology Trulife has lead the way in producing the best products to fit advancements in technology and the ever changing needs of their customers. Impressions offer women a prosthesis that is natural looking and provides an intimate fit in the lightest form available. The honeycomb core ensures optimum breathability for maximum comfort and is balanced to fit any lifestyle.

Click here for more information on Impressions.

Breast forms are most commonly damaged by sharp objects or extreme pressure. Some common anecdotal pitfalls are everyday sharp items: brooches, dressmakers’ pins, quilter’s needles, cats, rosebushes, animal feed like hay – it has prickly bits. Breast forms are designed to rest inside your bra or attach to your body but are not designed to take your full body weight – so be careful in your yoga practice.

Treated carefully, your breast form can last for many years. Treat it as you would your own skin – be careful not to puncture or tear it with sharp objects, and wash it daily in warm soapy water to remove dirt and residue from oils or perspiration. Try not to use powder, lotions or perfume near your breast form. Wear a bra that fits you properly and doesn’t force the breast form into a different shape; if the bra is too small it can cause the silicone to deteriorate and eventually make the form un-wearable. When not being worn, store your breast form in the foam cradle of the box to help maintain its shape and protect from accidental harm.

Generally, your breast form will need to be replaced every two to three years. Changes in your body shape may mean you need a new size or shape to suit you better, or perhaps your current form is just showing the wear and tear signs of age. Breast forms can last a long time - make an appointment to see your fitter once a year to check that you are still wearing the correct size bra and the breast fits properly in the bra.

Naturalwear bras feature quality fabrics, components, and construction. We recognise that every woman is an individual with very unique needs and desires. That is why our wide selection of styles and sizes are specially designed to incorporate features that accommodate specific needs for after breast surgery.

Proper care will prolong the life of Naturalwear bras and provide lasting comfort, security and an overall natural look and feel. We recommend hand washing in warm water with mild soap. Hang until completely dry for the best results. Avoid using fabric softeners when bra contains CoolMax® fabric.

If your bra is well cared for (see above) it will probably last 12 months, it is preferable to have more than one so that you can alternate wearing.

Yes. All States and Territories have funding programs to help women buy new Breast Forms. The eligibility for these programs varies from State to State and usually there is information available on the Cancer Council website for each State that outlines the funding arrangements. Click here for the Cancer Council in your state: ACT, New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia.

Your Breast Care Nurse will know the system in operation in your State or Territory. Often your fitter will also know the contact details or procedure for applying in your local area.

No. None of the funding programs will reimburse you for a breast forms that has been purchased before an application has been approved. You need to apply for funding and get approval, (usually in writing) before you can be fitted for a breast form.

Depending on your health fund and level of cover, there may be rebates available. Check your insurance plan and contact your health fund directly.