Contact Breast Form Questions and Answers
Why choose a self-supporting breast form?
After mastectomy, it’s natural to have concerns about the changes to your body. You might feel you’ll be limited in your choice of clothing when you wear a prosthesis, or that you’ll have to wear a mastectomy bra rather than the type of lingerie you’ve been used to. You may also worry that your breast form won’t stay in place and will be noticeable to other people.
That’s why some women consider breast reconstruction, but for those who are reluctant to undergo further surgery, Amoena can offer you a realistic alternative. Contact breast forms adhere directly to the body, so they feel much more natural than a standard prosthesis. They stay in place during movement and won’t fall forward when you bend down or raise your arms in the air. You’ll also have a lot more choice in the type of lingerie and clothes you wear, so strappy tops, sexy lingerie and evening dresses needn’t be a thing of the past.
And because Contact is made from a soft silicone which is incredibly realistic to the touch, close physical contact, even a hug, will not reveal that you are wearing a breast form.
Best of all, a self-supporting breast form will let you forget you’ve had a mastectomy, because it will look, feel and behave like it’s part of you.
The benefits
Comfort: Because Contact is worn directly against the body, weight is distributed evenly, helping to reduce pain or tension in the neck, back and shoulders. Contact’s adhesive surface is kind to the skin and does not cause irritation.
Security: Contact’s firm adhesion means your breast form will not slip or fall forward, so you can move freely in any situation with complete confidence.
Freedom of movement: Contact’s unique two-layered design ensures that it moves naturally with your body in any situation. Whether lying down, bending forward, running or raising your arms, your prosthesis moves with you and feels so natural that you will even forget you are wearing a breast form.
How does it work?
Secure yet gentle adhesion
Contact breast forms have an integrated adhesive surface on the inside, which allows the breast form to adhere directly to the body without the need to apply a separate adhesive. This "tacky" silicone surface is the same as the adhesive used on hold-up stockings and strapless bras, and has been used by the fashion industry for many years. It is known to be very gentle to skin, providing firm adhesion yet easy removal. The advantage of this is that the breast form stays securely in place but is easily adjustable.
Easy to use
Contact is so easy to put on – just prepare your skin using the special tonic, pop your breast form in the cup of your bra, press it against your body, and go! You can wear it all day long without a break, and even at night if you want to.
The breast form can be easily loosened from the body and adjusted at any time, and will not leave any traces of adhesive on your skin. Once removed, Contact just needs a quick clean to help rejuvenate the adhesive surface.
Contact is so versatile that you can also wear it like a standard breast form. It comes with a backing cover which allows you wear it loose in the cup of a bra if you choose to do so.
Comfortable to wear
Contact breast forms have been designed for daily wear – there’s no need to keep it just for special occasions. In fact the more you wear it and clean it, the better the adhesion will be. And you can rest assured that our Contact breast forms have been thoroughly tested to ensure that they won’t cause irritation.
Contact will actually feel lighter than a normal breast form, because the weight is held against your chest wall (just like the weight of a real breast), and is therefore distributed more evenly. This is good news for larger-breasted women, and anyone with neck or back problems, or lymphoedema.
For optimum security, we recommend that you wear your Contact with a bra. Contact can be worn in any regular bra, and Amoena has a range that are perfect for it, including underwired styles.
Will it be suitable for me?
Contact is suitable for anyone who has had a breast removed, as long as your scar has completely healed and treatments such as radiotherapy or chemotherapy are finished. We recommend that you wait six months after the completion of radiotherapy and two weeks after your last chemotherapy session before starting to using Contact. During chemotherapy, Contact can be worn with the protective cover strip in place until your treatment has finished.
Contact works best on clean, dry skin. During sport, hot weather, or if you are taking certain medication which can cause hot flushes, your skin may become moist and adhesion may be affected. When swimming, uneven scarring can sometimes allow water to penetrate between the breast form and the skin, again affecting adhesion.
Adhesion can also vary according to whether your skin is oily or dry, if your scar is irregular or the prosthesis is worn without the support of a bra.
Why do other women like Contact?
Most of our customers are thrilled with Contact because it’s so easy to use. They can forget they’re wearing a breast form, and get on with their lives. Tests have shown that 3 out of 4 women who have been wearing an adhesive prosthesis for more than 6 months would not choose to wear any other type of prosthesis again.
Here’s what some of them have to say about Contact:
I am very happy with the Contact breast form. Once stuck on I forget it is there and carry on with all the activities I did before – tennis, gym and swimming. Trina
I can honestly say that in all my life I have never bought anything that has given me so many positive benefits. Now, I have 2 "breasts" that move in perfect harmony with my body and each other, the comfort of a softer looser bra, and the confidence to wear a top with thin straps and light support. Even at 71 years of age the boost to morale is terrific. I can undress completely normally, leaving the breast forms in situ and so still have a natural outline under a night-dress, I have frequently found them still in perfect position on awakening! Thank you again to whoever thought up the idea, it was worth it! Mrs Stafford
Contact changed my life – I feel more confident dancing and exercising again. Sue
You can’t help being inhibited in a dress or jumper with a low neckline when you wear a standard breast form, but now I feel I can wear almost anything without fear of embarrassment. Ulrike
Since wearing Contact it has been easier to accept the "new look" me. Petra
Contact is marvellous. I do not have to think about the prosthesis slipping, as it feels part of me. I can swim in it and even wear it without a bra. Nobody would know that I have had a mastectomy. Helen
Prior to trying Contact I was planning to have a bi-lateral reconstruction. However, I am so happy with my new breast forms that I have decided not to go ahead with further surgery. My Contacts are great – I’ve worn them abroad on holiday, in strapless evening dresses and even in the shower. I’d definitely recommend others to try them. Mrs Short
Contact allows me to look as good as I did before my op. Jean
As well as working full time, I am also a fitness instructor, which means I have a very busy schedule. Contact is great because it’s quick and easy to use. Once it’s on I can forget about it and continue doing all the things I used to do. Julie
Do you want to try Contact for yourself?
Nothing that we, or others, tell you about Contact can replace the experience of trying it for yourself! Why not take advantage of our unique sample fitting service and three month trial offer – we’re sure you won’t be disappointed.Three Month Trial Offer
Because adhesion varies from person to person, it’s best to find out for yourself how many hours Contact will stay in place reliably on a daily basis.
That’s why Amoena offers a three month trial period with your first Contact breast form. If, after trying Contact, you find it is unsuitable, or you are dissatisfied with it for any reason, it can be returned and exchanged for an alternative Amoena breast form of your choice. Bear in mind that adhesion will become more effective the more regularly the breast form is worn and washed, so we would recommend you take full advantage of the three month period – just ensure it’s returned within that period if you decide you don’t want it. See full terms and conditions.
Sample fitting service
If you are obtaining a Contact online or via our mail order service and are unsure of your size, we would recommend that you try our sample fitting service. Remember sizing can vary between different makes and styles.
To order a sample, select the Contact breast form you would like to try and select sample from the drop down menu before adding the item to your basket. You will be charged full price for a sample Contact breast form; however, this amount will be refunded to you on return of the sample breast form, if you decide not to go ahead with your purchase. A sample breast form will be sent to you for fitting purposes and should be returned to us within 14 days. You can return your sample Contact breast form in exchange for a different size as many times as you require. Once you are happy with the fit, return your sample Contact to us and we will exchange it for a new breast form. You can also order a sample Contact via our orderline on 0800 0726636.
For further information on either of these services, please email us or call our freephone helpline on 0800 0728866.
How can I obtain Contact?
Through your hospital
If you are an NHS patient, it should be possible to obtain a Contact breast form via your hospital. Simply ask your breast care nurse or fitter for details when you are next due for a fitting.
Your breast care nurse will be able to help you decide whether this type of breast form is suitable for you, and will measure you to ensure you obtain the correct size. She will also explain how you should care for your Contact breast form to ensure that maximum adhesion is obtained for a long period of time.
If you are unable to obtain Contact through your hospital, you may like to consider purchasing one either online or via our mail order service. Our friendly and experienced helpline advisors are available to talk to you about the product and answer any questions you may have.
Alternatively, we also provide a free fitting service at our showroom in Chandlers Ford, Hampshire. Fittings are by appointment only, every weekday afternoon. For further information on this service, or to make an appointment, please contact us on freephone 0800 0728866.
Right to exchange
It is our usual policy to allow items to be returned within 14 days for an exchange or full refund. However, because Contact is adhered directly to the body, we are unable to offer this service for health and hygiene reasons. Although Contact can be returned as part of our Three Month Trial Period, it cannot be exchanged for another Contact, so it is essential that the Contact breast form you order is the correct size. If you are unsure of your size (sizing can vary between different makes and styles) we would recommend that you take advantage of our sample fitting service.
Frequently asked questions
Can Amoena Contact also be worn as a traditional breast form?
Yes, a backing cover is provided with Contact so that it can be worn loose in the cup of a bra, if you do not want to wear it as a self-adhesive breast form.
How can I get maximum adhesion from my Contact breast form?
Careful regular cleaning directly after wear is the best guarantee that your Contact will adhere securely. We would also recommend that you prepare your skin using the Amoena Skin Preparation Tonic and wear Contact in a well-fitting bra. Additionally, adhesion seems stronger for some women when Contact is worn on a regular basis, rather than just once in a while.
Will Contact stay in place without a bra?
Contact breast forms adhere well to the skin and some women are able to wear it without the support of a bra. However, for complete security in every situation, we would recommend that you wear Contact in a bra.
How long does the adhesive surface last?
The adhesive strength lasts from 12-14 months on average, depending on wear, care and skin type. This is an extraordinarily long life, since the breast form can be worn directly on the body for up to 16 hours a day! After prolonged and intensive wear, sweat and skin particles collect on the adhesive surface, which can gradually diminish the adhesive strength.
Can Contact be used when swimming?
Yes: however, adhesion may be limited. In cases uneven scarring can allow water to penetrate between the breast form and the skin, affecting adhesion. Amoena Contact will not be damaged by salt or chlorinated water, but should be washed with Amoena soft cleanser soon after being worn in the water.
How important is it to clean the adhesive surface regularly?
When the breast form is removed, particles of skin get onto the adhesive surface. The adhesive surface should therefore be cleaned every time the form is worn or whenever adhesion is diminished. Thorough, daily cleaning reactivates the adhesive strength and is therefore the best way to ensure the breast form stays firmly in place.
Why is it important to clean the Amoena Contact breast form with Amoena skin and form care products?
Amoena Skin and Form care products are designed especially for use with the adhesive surface of the Contact breast form. Substances that can cause skin irritations have deliberately been eliminated. Other skin and form care products can impair the adhesion of the Contact breast form.
How do I clean the Amoena Contact breast form?
Cleaning Contact is quick and easy. Simply use the Soft Cleanser and Brush supplied with Contact and allow to air-dry or use a hairdryer on a low temperature setting.
Has Contact been tested?
Amoena has a policy of ensuring that all new products have been thoroughly tested by women who have had breast surgery.
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