Durable Medical Equipment

Mastectomy

Our promise to you, our post-mastectomy patients, is to do whatever we can to help restore your confidence, balance, and body image. Our CFMs (certified post-mastectomy fitters) will make you feel at ease. We understand that your post-mastectomy choices are personal ones. Visit or schedule a consult privately with a board certified breast care specialist. Call us today to make special arrangements for a hospital, nursing home, or assisted living visit.

Helping Post-Mastectomy Patients Is Our #1 Priority

Benefits for Post-Mastectomy Patients

Chamber’s Apothecary participates with Medicare, and most insurances may allow for up to:

• 12 bras per year (up to 3 every 3 mos.). Items not received before the end of a quarter will be forfeited.
• 2 foam leisure / swim forms (per side of surgery) OR
• 1 silicone breast form (per side of surgery – every other year)

Make your appointment now, before you lose your benefits

Chambers’ Apothecary has a limited selection on hand but provides many solutions to restore confidence, balance, and body image. We can also order specific items as needed for women who have had all types of breast surgeries: Mastectomy, Lumpectomy, Reconstruction, Uni-Lateral/Bi-Laterial Surgeries, and Lymphedema compression management and therapy. Consult with one of our board certified breast care specialists for a discreet and private consultation in one of our elegant, private settings.

By appointment only

We are happy to contact your insurance carrier to determine benefits and eligibility prior to your appointment.

Prescriptions are required for all insurance filings and clinical notes are now required for all Medicare patients.

FAQ

Do you have an upcoming lumpectomy or mastectomy?

A private consult at Chambers’ Apothecary prior to surgery will allow you to meet the staff and preview our special post-surgical products including our camisoles, foam forms, and soft cotton bras. You can then return 4 to 6 weeks after surgery to be fitted for bras and silicone prostheses.

What is the importance of wearing my prosthesis?

The fitting of a breast prosthesis is not only for aesthetic appearances, it’s also a therapeutic measure that replaces the weight of the breast. When fitted with a breast prosthesis that matches its size to the remaining breast, the weight equilibrium of the body is kept in balance.

Not wearing a prosthesis or wearing one that is to heavy or to light can result in the following: spinal curvature, shoulder drop, muscle contracture with accompanying discomfort such as neck or back pain, and balance problems.

Do I need an appointment?

YES, fittings are by appointment only

I have an appointment for my first fitting. What can I expect?

When you arrive, we will discuss the type of surgery you’ve had and your lifestyle and activities to help decide what breast form is best for you. You will be measured by our certified fitter. We will then assist you in trying on breast forms and bras in your size to help you find the perfect fit and style. If it is your first fitting your appointment will take approximately 45 minutes to an hour.

Can I bring someone with me?

Absolutely! Many patients bring someone. You can come alone or bring someone with you; it’s up to you.

Insurance billing – what information do I need to bring with me?

Current insurance card(s) – If you have more than one card be sure you know which is primary and which is secondary as this will help expedite payment of the claim. Current prescription – We will be glad to request this from your physician. ID – we will need a copy of your ID.

Will my insurance cover these products?

Most insurance providers allow new products on a yearly basis. Your plan may have a co-pay and deductible that you are responsible for. We will be happy to contact your insurance carrier to determine what benefits you are eligible for. We can assist you by filing your claim.

How much will Medicare pay for my breast forms and bras?

Medicare will pay up to 80% of what they consider allowable. You can check with your local Medicare Carrier regarding allowable amounts.

What if I don’t have insurance?

We will help you to explore all possible options and determine a solution that makes sense for you financially.

Custom Compression

Why Compression?

Do you have questions about compression? Whether you have tired and achy legs, spider veins, varicose veins, edema, or more complex lymphedema – we can help.

Lymphedema is a highly under-diagnosed condition that affects the lymphatic vessels. If you have had a mastectomy, lumpectomy, radiation treatment, lymph node removal, surgeries, infections, or trauma to the limbs, you may be at risk for developing lymphedema.

Your doctor can best evaluate the cause of any post-surgical swelling. If you are diagnosed with lymphedema, we recommend seeing a trained manual lymph drainage (MLD) therapist or doctor specializing in lymphedema. Your doctor will determine what is best for your specific treatment – which may include elevation/exercise, day and/or nighttime compression garments, and/or a lymphedema pump. Our fitters are highly trained to measure and instruct you on how to wear and use all of these products.

Compression can be used to help alleviate swelling due to the following conditions:

• Diabetes – To help improve circulation and reduce edema.
• DVT (deep vein thrombosis) – To improve blood flow and reduce the risk of DVT or complications.
• Leg Ulcers – To support the healing of the wound, help manage pain, minimize edema, and protect the healthy skin.
• Mastectomy Patients – Compression helps reduce the risk of DVT and relieve the symptoms of heavy legs, leg pain, swollen feet, and ankles.
• Maternity – Prevent DVT, improve venous blood return and circulation, manage varicose veins, and minimize swelling.
• Lymphedema – Maintain reduction of fluid build-up, improve circulation, and aid upward flow of lymphatic and venous systems.
• Venous Disorders – To manage healing and maintain quality of life for common disorders like spider veins, varicose veins, edema, dermatitis and leg ulcers.
• Surgery – To help reduce edema and flush out potentially harmful fluids, aid in body contouring and skin retraction, and improve comfort during healing process.
• Travel – Prolonged travel (four hours or more) increases the risk of DVT. Compression helps reduce the risk and relieve the symptoms of heavy legs, leg pain, swollen feet, and ankles.
• Job – Help relieve symptoms of heavy and tired legs, leg pain, and swelling from standing for a living (i.e. healthcare workers, service men & women, teachers, factory workers, retail and customer service). Workers who sit for prolonged periods of time will also benefit from compression garments for leg symptoms and to reduce the risk of DVT.
• Sports & Competitive Athletes – Improve blood flow to provide much-needed oxygen and nutrients to tired muscles, helps delay muscle soreness, reduces injury, shin splints, and calf cramps.

What to expect at your fitting

• Our fittings are performed with respect to privacy and to your individual needs. We fit all genders, shapes, and sizes.
• We will determine your proper size by taking measurements. Getting these measurements are crucial in providing a good fit and the best results from your compression garment.
• We will make a recommendation of size and select from our wide variety of vendor options or use exact dimensions to provide a custom garment to offer the ultimate support for your individual situation.
• We strive to achieve a fit that is snug but not tight and without creases or folds. Communication is a key factor in getting the right fit, if the garment feels too tight or causes pain or indentations it is important to let us know.
• We provide detailed instructions and education on using and caring for your garment. We will also inform you of the manufacturer’s warranties and specific care instructions.

Replacing your garment

The elastic fibers of your compression garment stockings will break down with wear. Proper care will increase the lifespan of your stockings, but you will need to replace your stockings or sleeve about every 3 – 6 months depending on wear and care of your garment. As a general rule, if your garment becomes easy to put on, it probably needs to be replaced.

Our Bathroom Safety Checklist

Below is a checklist to determine bathroom safety for you or your loved ones. We proved a number of medical equipment devices to help increase bathroom safety and prevent dangerous falls or slips. Bring the results of this checklist to the store and we’ll see how we can best accommodate your safety needs!