Buying a Breast Prosthesis: Guide to Silicone, Foam and Special Forms
Trendisland.de
Share
Image created with AI
Summary
A breast prosthesis (mammary prosthesis) is a medical aid. After a mastectomy or breast-conserving surgery, and in certain cases also with a congenital malformation of the breast, it restores the shape and weight of the breast. It is usually not bought in an online shop but at a medical supply store: there it is fitted on medical prescription, and in Germany people with statutory health insurance receive it as a benefit from their health insurance fund. This guide explains the types of breast prostheses, the path to getting one and what you should look out for. Trendisland itself does not sell medical breast prostheses; our silicone breasts are fashion and styling items.
Key points at a glance
- Breast prostheses are available in silicone, as a light foam or textile version, weight-reduced, as a partial prosthesis (shaper) and as a swim prosthesis.
- Directly after surgery, care begins with a light initial prosthesis; once the scars have healed, a silicone prosthesis follows.
- It is bought and fitted at a medical supply store; a medical prescription is the basis for cost coverage.
- A special bra with a prosthesis pocket ensures a secure hold; health insurance usually subsidizes two bras per year.
- Silicone breasts for crossdressing, drag or styling are not breast prostheses and do not replace medical care.
Basics
A breast prosthesis is worn externally, usually in the pocket of a special bra or in swimwear with prosthesis pockets, or, as an adhesive prosthesis, directly on the skin. It restores the shape, weight and silhouette of the breast. In Germany, the products that can be prescribed are set out in the medical aids directory of the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds (GKV-Spitzenverband). Higher-quality options than the necessary care are possible with a personal contribution.
The material determines the wearing feel, weight and care effort: silicone prostheses resemble body tissue in weight and movement. Foam and textile prostheses are particularly light and are used mainly directly after surgery while the scar is still sensitive. Weight-reduced models combine a realistic shape with less weight.
Breast prostheses compared
| Type | Material | Wearing comfort | Water resistance | Weight | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silicone breast prosthesis | Silicone gel | Very high, natural feel | Limited (not for prolonged use in water) | Medium to heavy | Everyday life, long-term care |
| Foam prosthesis | Soft foam | High, very light | Not suitable | Very light | Initial care, summer, sleep |
| Weight-reduced prosthesis | Hollow silicone core or foam core | High, relieves shoulders and back | Limited | Light | People with neck problems, long-term wearers |
| Partial prosthesis | Silicone or foam | Good, complements existing tissue | Limited | Very light | Breast-conserving surgery, asymmetry, tissue defects |
| Swim prosthesis | Closed-cell foam or silicone | Good, water-repellent | Fully suitable for water | Light | Bathing, swimming, sports |
| Symmetrical prosthesis | Silicone gel | Very high | Limited | Medium to heavy | Double mastectomy, even silhouette |
| Asymmetrical prosthesis | Silicone gel | Very high, anatomically fitted | Limited | Medium | Single mastectomy with individual breast shape |
Where do you buy a breast prosthesis?
The right place is a medical supply store with specialist advice on breast prosthetics that is a contract partner of your health insurance fund. There the prosthesis is adapted to your situation and billed directly to the insurer. Silicone breast forms that are freely available in stores do not replace medical care without fitting and a prescription. The guide How much does a breast prosthesis cost? explains what you pay yourself for a breast prosthesis.
What you should look out for
Tips for getting a prosthesis
- Get a medical prescription: Without a prescription, statutory health insurance cannot cover the costs. The prescription is issued, for example, by the hospital or your gynecologist.
- Choose material and weight according to your situation: Weight-reduced prostheses can relieve the shoulders and back. For holidays, swimming and sports, a swim prosthesis is a useful addition.
- Choose the right bra: A special bra with stable prosthesis pockets provides a secure hold and a natural wearing feel. Health insurance usually pays a subsidy for two bras per year.
- Consider symmetry and shape: After a single mastectomy, an asymmetrical prosthesis matched to the remaining breast is often chosen. After surgery on both sides, symmetrical prostheses ensure a balanced silhouette; after breast-conserving surgery, a shaper may be an option.
- Do not skip the professional fitting: At the medical supply store, scar maturity, body contour and size are checked. A poorly fitting prosthesis can press and slip.
Care and use
- Clean silicone prostheses daily with lukewarm water and a mild, fragrance-free soap; do not use solvents or cleaners containing alcohol.
- After cleaning, pat dry with a soft cloth, do not rub.
- Store in the tray or cover supplied to prevent deformation and damage to the surface.
- Keep pointed and sharp objects away; the silicone skin is delicate.
- Foam prostheses can usually be washed on a gentle cycle; follow the manufacturer's instructions.
- Rinse swim prostheses with clear water after contact with chlorinated or salt water and let them air dry.
- Avoid direct sun and great heat, for example in the sauna.
- If there are cracks, deformations or discoloration, contact the medical supply store. As a rule, a new prosthesis can be prescribed every two years.
Not a breast prosthesis: silicone breasts at Trendisland
At Trendisland you will not find medical breast prostheses, but BIONORA silicone breasts as fashion and styling items. They are an alternative for anyone who does not need medical care but wants to change their silhouette without surgery and reversibly at any time: for example for crossdressing, drag and travesty, as a trans or non-binary person in everyday life or to try things out, for cosplay, stage and photo shoots, or for an outfit with more volume.
Important: Our silicone breasts are not medical devices and not breast prostheses in the sense of medical aid provision. They are not intended for the time after breast surgery and are not covered by health insurance. You can read more about the differences between silicone breasts, breast prostheses and implants in the guide Silicone breasts: costs, shapes and differences.
Frequently asked questions
What types of breast prostheses are there?
Silicone breast prostheses are the usual long-term solution for everyday life because they come closest to the natural breast in weight and mobility. Foam and textile prostheses are used for initial care directly after surgery. Weight-reduced prostheses relieve the shoulders and back, partial prostheses (shapers) balance volume after breast-conserving surgery. For water and sports there are swim prostheses.
How is a breast prosthesis fitted after a mastectomy?
The fitting is carried out by a medical supply store with trained consultants. The consultation covers the time of surgery, scar maturity, the size of the remaining breast as well as weight and shape. Different prostheses are then placed in a suitable special bra on a trial basis until fit, silhouette and wearing comfort are right. If the body contour changes, a new fitting is possible.
Are breast prostheses covered by health insurance?
Yes. In Germany, people with statutory health insurance are entitled to a breast prosthesis on medical prescription after breast surgery, usually renewed every two years. For special bras there is usually a subsidy for two per year, and for swimwear with prosthesis pockets every two to three years. The statutory co-payment applies, and more elaborate preferred models may involve additional costs. Privately insured people should check the conditions of their plan.
What is the difference between a silicone prosthesis and a foam prosthesis?
A silicone breast prosthesis consists of a silicone gel core with a thin silicone skin. It is heavier but feels more natural and moves similarly to breast tissue. A foam prosthesis is considerably lighter, dries quickly and is particularly suitable for the first period after surgery. On the other hand, it is less durable and feels less realistic.
Can I buy a breast prosthesis at Trendisland?
No. Trendisland does not sell medical breast prostheses. You can get a breast prosthesis on medical prescription at a medical supply store. Our BIONORA silicone breasts are fashion and styling items for purposes without a medical background, such as crossdressing, drag or cosplay, and are not a substitute for medical care.
Sources and further links
- KKH: Breast prostheses (in German)
- betanet: Breast cancer, breast prostheses and special bras (in German)
- ABC Breast Care: Breast prostheses on prescription (in German)
Editorial team Trendisland.de, as of September 2026. This guide is for general information and does not replace medical advice, advice at a medical supply store or information from your health insurance fund.
Images: The cover image was created with AI (AI-generated image). It is for illustration purposes and may differ from the actual product or condition.
Not looking for medical care, but for silicone breasts for styling, crossdressing or cosplay? You will find teardrop, triangular and round shapes in the BIONORA silicone breasts category.
