Surgical Appliances
Prosthesis Care
If cared for properly your new prosthesis should last for a number of years. This guide will help you care for your prosthesis and let you know what to do in the event of a problem occurring.
Manufacturer's Guarantee
Your new prosthesis is supplied with a manufacturer's guarantee of between 2 and 3 years. If your prosthesis develops any of the following within this time please contact the department that issued the prosthesis for advice and assistance (the numbers are in the 'when to contact us' section towards the bottom of this section).
Your prosthesis becomes:
- Dry
- Cracked
- Lumpy
- Sticky or leaks
- If the interior separates from the outer casing.
If the prosthesis develops a fault after the guarantee period, again, please contact the department for advice and assistance.
Care
Your new prosthesis is designed to cope with the demands of modern life and is pretty sturdy however by following the few simple steps below this will help the prosthesis to be of maximum benefit:
- Treat it as carefully as you would your own skin.
- Store prosthesis in the original box overnight.
- Be careful not to puncture or tear it with sharp objects.
- Wash your prosthesis by hand in warm soapy water.
- 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.
Further information regarding types & care of prosthesis is available here: Click here
When to Contact us
- If you have any queries about your new prosthesis.
- Within 2 weeks of supply of your new prosthesis if you are not happy or feel uncomfortable with the prosthesis.
- If the prosthesis develops a fault.
- If you gain or lose a large amount of weight shape.
In all instances please contact either the Breast Nurse team or the Surgical Appliance department for advice. If you cannot speak to anyone directly we will try to return your call within 24 hours.
St. Albans Hospital | 01727 897465 |
Hemel Hempstead Hospital | 01442 287999 |
Watford General Hospital | 01923 217548 |
External Organisations & Companies
The following organisations are able to provide information, support and advise to patients regarding breast cancer and prosthesis. These numbers and links are provided for information purposes only and the Trust does not endorse or cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information supplied.
Breast Cancer Care:
Is a leading provider of information, practical assistance and emotional support for anyone affected by breast cancer. Every year over 750,000 people with breast cancer or breast health concerns contact the organisation. All its services are free.
For more information call the Breast Cancer Care helpline free on 0808 800 6000 or visit www.breastcancercare.org.uk
Macmillan Cancer Support
Telephone: 0808 808 0000
Website:
https://www.macmillan.org.uk/Home.aspx
Amoena
1 Eagle Close, Chandlers Ford, astleigh, Hampshire SO53 4NF
Tel: 0800 072 6636 or 02380 270345
Website: www.amoena.co.uk
Anita UK Ltd (mail order)
15/16a Eton Garages, Eton Avenue, London NW3 4PE
Tel: 020 7435 2258
Website: www.anita.com
Eloise
Eloise Lingerie, Truebell House, 5b Lombard Road, SW19 3TZ, London
Tel: 0845 22 55 080
Website: www.eloise.co.uk
Kettering Surgical Appliances
73 Overstone Road, Northampton NN1 3JW
Tel: 01604 622886
Nicola Jane (mail order and fitting service)
Tel: 0845 265 7595
Website:
www.nicolajane.com
Otto Bock
32 Parsonage Road, Englefield Green, Egham, Surrey TW20 0LD
Tel: 01784 744900
Salts Healthcare
Lord Street, Heartlands, Birmingham B7 4DS
Tel: 0121 359 5123
Thamert-Contura Belle (mail order and fitting service)
20b Wildmere Road, Banbury, Oxon OX16 3JU
Tel: 01295 257422
Website:
www.conturabelle.co.uk
Trulife Ltd (mail order and fitting service)
4A Bechers Drive, Aintree Racecourse Business Park, Liverpool L9 5AY
Tel: 0800 716770 or 0151 525 9200
Website:
www.trulife.co.uk
Woman Zone (mail order)
7 Greenwood Court, Taylor Business Park, Risley, Warrington WA3 6DD
Tel: 01925 768992
Website:
www.woman-zone.co.uk
The Trust does not endorse any of the companies listed above. Companies are listed for information purposes only and patients use them at their own risk.