Help please re NHS suppliers of prosthesis and challenges of getting one via NHS

[Seabreeze]

Thank you all - it's taking forever for the breast care team to get any shell and partial prosthesis in... phoned them with the design and make (which seemed to work well at the breast cancer care bra fitting event) stating which sizes i'd been advised would be best fit. Sounded like they hadn't actually ordered anything at that point....i'm now 5 months post op and still prosthesisless bar the funny fabric thing which just doesn't work sat on a c/d boob to equal a g! If it doesn't come through soon will either have to give up on nhs and buy one privately or get busy with some imaginative sewing or rubber kits! Argh! definitely not winning this post code lottery!
Seabreeze

[elma55]

My NHS prosthesis is made by Silima but I also had the option of Amoena. I live close to a Nicola Jane shop in Sussex (online suppliers of post surgery lingerie etc) and was referred to them first for measurement and bra, then back to BCN for fitting and stock supply of prosthesis. Explain that you've found the perfect fit elsewhere (guessing you know the exact size of the ABC) and see if your BCN can't place a special order for you or issue a voucher to cover or go towards the cost of the one you like. Good luck!

[PenguinBiscuits]

I have recently got a shell like prosthesis and it is a good fit. It is Amoema make. The BCN had several shapes and sizes which we tired to get a good match with the other side. I hope you get sorted soon.

[Hollyberry]

Hi Seabreeze,

My prosthesis that I got from the NHS was made by Trulife. As far as I can remember (my memory doesn't seem to be what it was since I started taking tamoxifen). I tried quite a few different makes before deciding to go for that particular one and I took it home with me from the fitting. I hope that you get a prosthesis very soon that you are happy with. I don't think you are asking too much to be able to wear a proper bra again as you said.

Good luck and take care.
Hollyberry x

[Lucy_BCC]

Hi Seabreeze

Whilst you await replies I am posting some information from BCC about different types of prostheses, if you look at the back of the booklet there is a list of suppliers which I hope may be of use to you:

http://www2.breastcancercare.org.uk/publications/treatment-side-effects/confident-choice-breast-pros...

Best wishes
Lucy BCC

[Seabreeze]

Hi
Would love to hear from anyone which makes of prosthesis your NHS provider has "allowed" you to have.
My nurse tells me they only get prosthesis from amoena. Anyone had any joy getting an ABC make of prosthesis on the NHS, or anything other than amoena?
Also - what has anyone else's experience been of getting a partial or shell prostheses? Is it normal for the hospital to have none in stock and only to want to order 1, maybe 2 sizes/types and to be told it will take about 6 weeks? I've been unbalanced (physically! I think my mind is hanging in there!) for just over 4 months now which it tricky when one cup is G and the other about a D. Also not a lot of faith that the nurse has ordered something which will fit well - she works really hard but not sure how many partials she has had to measure for/fit.
Tried on an ABC partial prosthesis diamond last week...which seemed great...just know it's going to be a battle to persuade my nurse to order it.
Any helpful comments, much appreciated...I just wanna be back in a proper bra! Beginning to feel like this is asking the earth from my local NHS and its meagre storage cupboard!
Seabreeze