Breast prosthesis
The breast prosthesis, or rather breast epithesis, is used to replace one or both female breasts in everyday life, primarily after mastectomy , but also to correct the body image of breasts that are individually perceived as too small.
Breast prostheses are preferably made of silicone , which is relatively similar in softness, weight and vibration behavior of the natural, female breast. They are available in various shapes (teardrop, triangular, symmetrical or asymmetrical for left / right), sizes and colors. Simple models for inserting into bras under the outerwear are made of foam.
High-quality breast prostheses are usually sold as individual pieces (left or right) and can sometimes also be delivered individually adapted, which is particularly useful after a partial amputation of a breast. The nipples are usually only slightly indicated in such breast prostheses. There are artificial silicone nipples in different colors, shapes and sizes from the same manufacturers, which can be glued to the prostheses individually. The back of these prostheses often has a special, particularly skin-friendly coating that hugs the body surface.
Cheaper breast prostheses - mostly made in the Far East - are usually delivered in pairs and often have already embossed nipples. They are preferably used by transsexuals (man to woman) or transvestites to represent a female body contour, but also by women who are not comfortable with their very small breasts. The back of these prostheses is mostly flat, but in some designs it is also concave in order to attach to an existing, small breast.
A widespread special form are relatively thin bra inserts made of silicone, which are strongly curved inwards on the back, which are only used to enlarge an existing breast by half a cup to two or three cup sizes . In the smaller sizes they are also traded as “silicone bra”: here the two shells are connected to one another with an openable closure; the back is coated with a special, wash-resistant skin adhesive. So these silicone cups can be worn without a bra; the connection in the middle, with which the breasts are drawn a little closer together, optically creates the effect of a push-up bra .
Breast prostheses are usually worn in a brassiere. For the high-quality models there are partly from the same manufacturers specially matching prosthetic bras and bathing suits, in which the prosthesis lies in a cloth bag and cannot slip. Alternatively, small breast prostheses and lighter silicone cups for breast enlargement can also be attached with special skin adhesives and thus worn without a bra.
