You should always consult your physician about when to where a breast form. It varies for each woman depending on her surgery and healing. Most women will be able to wear a prosthesis (breast form) within two to eight weeks after surgery, once there are no longer any open wounds or stitches. Camisoles that have soft attachable prostheses can be worn immediately after surgery until the surgical site is healed.
A doctor usually writes a prescription for a breast form, and some insurance companies require a special authorization just like they do for specialists or other medical procedures referred from a primary care doctor. A typical prescription for a breast prosthesis and bras would say the following: "Breast prosthesis for (right, left, or bilateral) and (quantity) prosthetic bras for (diagnosis)."
Please note that if there has been a recent change in your body that requires a new prosthesis such as weight gain or weight loss, your doctor should include this information on the prescription. Any information that supports the medical necessity of the prosthesis will help your insurance plan understand what you need and why. This will facilitate more rapid authorization and/or payment processing by your insurance plan.
Please bring a copy of your CMN/Practitioner Notes with your prescription to your fitting appointment.