After surgery
You might use a prosthesis after you have surgery to remove the whole breast (mastectomy). This is called a full prosthesis. There are also prostheses available if you have surgery to remove part of the breast. These are called partial prostheses.
Some women may have a delayed breast reconstruction after a mastectomy. You can wear a prosthesis after the mastectomy until you have your reconstruction. A breast reconstruction is surgery to create a new breast mound after a mastectomy.
Some women have a prosthetic nipple and areola after breast reconstruction. The areola is the darker area of skin around the nipple.
Find out more about breast surgery
If you have a mastectomy without breast reconstruction, your nurse will give you a lightweight fabric breast shape to put in your bra. This is often called a comfie or softie.
You can wear it right after the operation if you want to, even if the area feels tender. It is very soft and will not put pressure on your wound.
Some women are happy with their comfie and continue wearing it instead of getting another type of permanent prosthesis. These are becoming more available in a range of different skin tones.
Photo supplied by Nubian Skin
Companies that sell breast prostheses
About 6 weeks after surgery, once your scar has healed and you have finished any radiotherapy you may need, you’ll be ready for a permanent prosthesis. The permanent prosthesis is made from silicone.
Your breast care nurse will help you arrange an appointment for a fitting at the breast prosthetic clinic. They have a specially trained prosthesis fitter. This might be a breast care nurse, a surgical appliance officer or someone from a prosthesis company.
At the appointment you can try on several different shapes and find out how to care for your prosthesis. You can take your bra to see how the prosthesis sits in it.
Sometimes your breast can get a little swollen after radiotherapy. You may prefer to have your prosthesis fitted when you no longer have any swelling.
Many types of breast prostheses are available free on the NHS. If you are a private patient, you might have to pay for this. Or you can ask for a referral to the NHS prosthesis fitting service.
If you have a mastectomy you will need a full prosthesis.
The breast shapes come in different sizes, shapes and colours. Most women are able to find something they are happy with on the NHS. But there are more choices available if you buy your own from a manufacturer.
Special mastectomy bras are available. They have pockets to hold the prosthesis. Or you can stich a piece of fabric into your usual bra to create a pocket if you prefer. You don't have to use a pocket. If your bra fits well and has full cups (rather than a low plunge), you should be fine.
These are available if you have part of your breast removed. You wear it inside your bra and it is shaped to fill out the breast outline. It’s made of the same silicone material as most full prostheses.
You might use this type of prosthesis if one breast is smaller than the other. The shell fits over the smaller breast.
Some women might have this type of prosthesis following breast reconstruction. They use this while the implant is gradually inflated until it reaches the same size as the other breast.
After breast conserving surgery some women use this to replace the volume or to create an even shape.
Breast reconstruction methods create a smooth breast shape without a nipple or areola. For many people their breast reconstruction doesn’t feel complete until there is a nipple and areola.
Some women choose to have a stick on nipple and areola. You can get them ready made that you can buy. Or you might have one made specifically for you.
You stick the nipple and areola on every day. It’s easy to take off for washing, and the glue you use is good enough to keep it in the right place all day.
You can wear your usual prosthesis for the occasional swim or make your own swimming prosthesis by cutting an ordinary sponge to fit.
However if you are a regular swimmer there are specially made swim prostheses that you can get. They don’t get damaged by the chorine and salt. You have to buy these as they aren't available on the NHS.
If you use your usual prosthesis when swimming, rinse it in clean water afterwards to get rid of any chlorine or salt.
If you use a sponge, you can discreetly press your arm against it when you come out of the water, to squeeze the water out.
You might prefer to wear a special mastectomy swimsuit. These have a pocket for your prosthesis, so it won’t move while you swim. Or you could sew a piece of fabric into your swimsuit to create a pocket.
Many breast cancer organisations supply bras and swimwear for women who have had a mastectomy.
Mastectomy bra and swimwear suppliers
Your prosthesis fitter will give you detailed instructions on how to care for your breast prosthesis. You should:
wash it in warm soapy water every day and pat it dry
store your prosthesis in its box when you aren’t wearing it
keep it away from direct heat, like a hairdryer or radiator
take care around sharp objects such as brooches, animal claws and sharp fingernails
avoid wearing an underwired bra
If you don’t feel happy with the shape or size of your new prosthesis, let your breast care nurse know straight away. They may be able to arrange for you to change it. You can usually get a replacement artificial breast shape on the NHS every 2 to 3 years. You might need a new prosthesis if yours gets worn or if you gain or lose weight. If your prosthesis gets damaged you might have to pay to replace it. You can ask your breast care nurse about a replacement. Or you may need to ask your GP for a referral to the breast clinic or a surgical appliance officer in your area.
You will find that you can usually wear the same style of clothes you wore before surgery. Sometimes making small adjustments to your clothes may help.
Wearing clothes that you feel comfortable and good in can make you feel more confident. It may help to talk to other people who have had similar surgery and experiences.
You can talk to other people affected by cancer on our Cancer Chat forum
Your breast prosthesis won’t cause the metal detectors to alarm, but it might alarm for something else you have on. Or it might show up on other types of body scanner. If this happens you may pulled aside for a more thorough search such as a pat down. You might choose to let the security staff know you are wearing a prothesis. Some women also carry a letter from their GP or healthcare team about this.
If security staff do ask to search you, this should be in a private room. You can ask for a female member of staff to do this, and you can ask for a friend or family member to be with you. Security staff shouldn’t ask you to remove your prosthesis.
If you have a lightweight silicone breast the air pressure can cause air bubbles to form in the prosthesis. This can look like small black dots. This is temporary and will gradually disappear afterwards.
If you carry your prosthesis in your hand luggage this is classed as medical equipment so won’t be restricted.
This is Pam's story about her diagnosis and surgery.
"I decided not to have a breast reconstruction. I felt that a mastectomy bra and breast sponge would be OK for me."
Last reviewed: 15 Jun 2026
Next review due: 15 Jun 2029
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