What does silicone gel in breast prostheses help simulate?

Silicone gel in breast prostheses primarily serves to simulate the weight of natural breast tissue. This is crucial because the feeling and balance of the prosthesis significantly affect a woman's comfort and overall body image after a mastectomy. Silicone gel closely mimics the density and heft of biological tissue, making the prosthesis feel more natural during movement and in clothing.

When prostheses accurately mirror the weight of natural breasts, they help maintain proper posture and alignment. This attention to weighting is particularly important for prosthetic fittings, as an ill-fitting or improperly weighted prosthesis can lead to discomfort, back pain, or shoulder strain.

Other aspects like skin texture and body temperature are also considerations in prosthesis design but are secondary to the critical need for the silicone gel to replicate the natural weight, which has a direct impact on how the wearer interacts with their body and environment. Additionally, while shape is important, it is the weight that significantly enhances the user experience by providing balance and stability, resembling the biological reality as closely as possible.