FAQ's

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Who is covered for a breast prothesis?  

Your private insurance may cover the full or partial cost of your breast prosthesis and mastectomy / surgical bras after a lumpectomy or mastectomy surgery. Anything not covered by your insurance or the government may be eligible as a medical expense on your income tax.

Does the government help pay for the breast prothesis?  

Any woman that has undergone mastectomy / lumpectomy surgery with an O.H.I.P. card is eligible for partial grant by the government under the Assistive Devices Program (ADP).  *Bras are not covered by ADP.

Often private insurance may cover the full or partial cost of breast prostheses and mastectomy / surgical bras.

How long does a breast prosthesis last?  

Breast prostheses are under warranty for 2 years from the date of purchase. If any manufacturers defect occurs during that time, the prosthesis will be replaced at no charge.

Why do I need to wear a special bra?  

Mastectomy bras are designed with a special pocket built into the cup so that the breast prosthesis can be placed there securely. The special pocketed bra holds the prosthesis in place and prevents it from falling out or becoming dislodged. Many women try to wear a non-mastectomy bra after surgery but find that their breast prosthesis moves or falls out during activity.

Do breast prostheses come in different colors to match my skin tone?  

Most breast prosthesis come in lighter and darker tones to accommodate all women.

How often should I replace my breast form? 

Your breast prosthesis is under warranty for two years and is usually replaced at that time. You may apply for ADP funding every 2 years. 

What should I expect during my first appointment?   

You will be greeted in a warm and friendly environment and we will gather some general information from you. You will be measured for a properly fitting mastectomy bra by taking a measurement with a tape measure around your body, just under the bust line to gage your band size. This is done over your clothes and involves close contact.

Next, we will have you try on some bras to determine your perfect fit. While the fitter will be in the large fitting room with you, there is a privacy screen for you to change behind. It is important for the fitter to see how your bra fits and to make minor adjustments to it while you are wearing the bra since all bras fit differently, even if they are the same size (this is how all bra fittings should be done whether you’ve had surgery or not). Once we find your perfect bra fit, we can then move to fitting you with a prosthesis.

Your prosthesis will be fit into the inside pocket of your bra, and this is often done while you are wearing the bra. We will be making close contact with you as we try different sized prosthesis to determine together, the best fit. It may be helpful to touch the outside of the bra cups while you’re wearing the bra to determine if there is any gapping and to adjust the prosthesis while you are wearing it in the bra.

We will answer any questions you have, teach you how to take care of your breast prosthesis and mastectomy bras and go over any warranty information.

As this may be an unfamiliar experience for you, we want to make you as comfortable as possible. If you would like to bring someone with you to support you through the fitting process, we are happy to accommodate your request.

What should I bring to my appointment?

You should bring the following:

* Your doctor’s contact information

* Any insurance information you have 

* Your favourite shirt that you like to wear often 

* A list of questions

* Your O.H.I.P. card

Your first appointment should take approximately 1 hr. Please be on time to ensure that we have ample time to visit with you.