Silicone prostheses are made of soft silicone. This makes them heavier, but also provides a more natural feel. Due to their weight, these can help with a person’s posture and prevent their shoulder from dropping. The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS is its apt acronym), which audits all surgery figures, put the steep decline down to two things. First, a simple blip after a ‘post-austerity boom’ in 2013. But, secondly, and more interestingly, a change in ‘aesthetic preferences’. As BAAPS President and consultant plastic surgeon Rajiv Grover explained in a report at the time: ‘2014 saw men sporting bushy beards and women bushy eyebrows; the natural look [was] definitely on the rise.’ But why did our preference suddenly shift away from ‘bigger is better’? The prosthesis fitter or nurse will give you information on how to care for your prosthesis. If you follow the advice on looking after your prosthesis it may last for several years. Read about what happens after breast surgery, exercises you need to do, and how to cope with possible problems.

We learnt a lot from the era of more is more,’ says Mallucci. ‘It’s associated with many negatives – PIP, ill-sitting implants –and the fact that, actually, it’s ugly.’ In 2014, alongside a fellow surgeon, Mallucci came up with the ‘perfect’ 45:55 ratio, with 45% of volume above the nipple, 55% below. ‘Naturally a breast, even in a fit 19-year-old, will have more volume below,’ he says of the subtle difference. Where surgery had once turned breasts into firm, round oranges, it was actually more of a natural pear shape that surgeons, women, men, everyone preferred. (A study of more than 1,400 people was conducted as part of this research.) What’s a good example of that ratio? ‘The Kate Moss shape is often referred to,’ says Mallucci. That modestly sized, natural-looking breast – and the one that I became familiar with working in the fashion industry in the 2010s – became the gold standard. A breast prosthesis is an artificial breast form that replaces the shape of all or part of the breast that has been removed. So it’s not surprising that, even though breast augmentation has been around since the 1960s, demand for the surgeries, well, surged. Even the 2010 PIP scandal (with its stories of ‘erupting’ Poly Implant Prothese implants, made from non-medical-grade silicone) couldn’t dissuade us. At their peak in 2013, more than 11,000 women went under the knife to boost their breast size in the UK (a huge 30% jump from 2009).

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The latest generation of lightweight implants– called B-Lite – are 3O% lighter than standard silicone, meaning the drop, over time, will be slowed down. Skin tightening A prosthesis will have a guarantee but the length of this can vary. Most prostheses will last longer than the period of the guarantee. If you have had both breasts removed, you can select the size you feel most comfortable with. Partial or shaped prosthesis I decided not to have a breast reconstruction. I felt that a mastectomy bra and breast sponge would be OK for me." Our advanced technology enhances comfort and eliminates oiliness, making these breastplates ultra-realistic.

We know that it is common to struggle with your mental health when you have cancer or care for someone with cancer. These can suit women who are more physically active or who want to wear a less supportive bra, as not all of the weight is taken by the bra. Foam prostheses are also available. A foam prosthesis is lighter and cooler. It may be more suitable if you’re particularly active or you may find this style more comfortable in warmer weather. I was at an annual industry ball my then-magazine was hosting (as a clipboard warrior, not a guest, sadly) and the CEO of the world’s biggest online fashion retailer arrived. Petite, pretty, in her mid-forties, she wore a floor-sweeping feathered full skirt and a silk shirt, unbuttoned to just about the navel. Her breasts – neat, perky but with a natural-looking, gentle slope away from the breastbone –were braless. On show, but not showing off, giving her look the perfect balance of sexy and nonchalant; the ultimate goal when dressing for a fashion crowd. In a sea of celebrities in microscopic and outlandish designer outfits, hers (and her braless bravery) were the talk of the office the following day. This technique uses a 3D scanner to produce a computerised 3D image of the chest area, which can then be used to create a customised prosthesis shape. It is made to give a good fit to the chest, which stops the prosthesis moving, and is matched to your skin tone. Made-to-measure breast prostheses are not currently available on the NHS. Air-inflated prosthesisA full prosthesis is designed to go straight against the chest where all breast tissue has been removed. It’s matched in size, shape and skin tone to your other breast. These small bubbles will disappear shortly after you have landed and will cause no harm to your prosthesis. Some women find it helpful to look at the selection of prostheses before their appointment, or even before their operation if possible, so they have an idea of what to expect. You can discuss this with your breast care nurse. There are different types of surgery for breast cancer, including mastectomy, breast conserving surgery, lymph node removal, and breast reconstruction.

Shell: A person places these over the existing breast tissue, it provides a natural look following a partial mastectomyThese are generally more suitable for women who have had more tissue removed, as they have extensions to fit under the arm or upper chest. However, they can also be used by women who have not had extensive surgery. They are specifically designed for either the left or right side. Made-to-measure