Originally Posted by
YCTTSFM
No, the hassle of having them stolen/lost from baggage is far worse:
1) External breast prostheses may cost HUNDREDS of dollars EACH depending on shape (related to how much surrounding tissue was removed), covering material (scar areas remain very fragile in some wearers) and, of course, size. Some are custom-formed for the particular individual wearing them.
2) They are manufactured in limited runs and may take months to replace if lost or damaged.
2a) Large-breasted women with unilateral (one-side) mastectomies risk musculoskeletal deformation if they do not wear a prosthesis regularly to balance the weight of the remaining breast (in addition to possible discomfort about visible evidence of the mastectomy).
For these reasons I would recommend never checking prostheses, particularly if entering the U.S. via LAX or other high-theft locations. They feel, and high-quality models may appear, like breasts, so are quite susceptible to theft as joke items by ignorant, unethical people who have access to them.
Regarding the OP's predicament, he really should not have to disclose any medical information about them at all once it is established they contain no threat to the aircraft, but experience shows this to be unrealistic.
Carrying copies of his mother's prosthetic prescription and receipts, if possible, is advisable. Attempts to confiscate them may then more easily be resisted with an immediate formal complaint of theft, backed up with evidence their financial as well as medical value.
He is doing his mother a real favor which may promote her health and physical comfort, as well as appearance. I commend him, and wish him an uneventful journey.
Excellent post. Many thanks!
I was not thinking of custom made protheses but rather of a "blob" of silicone similar in shape to a breast. The OP didn't specify. Of course, custom made stuff should not go in checked luggage. But custom made stuff should also come with medical documentation, so as long as he has that, he should be ok, carrying the products.
I'd make a scandal if they tried to confiscate them. They can X-ray them, they can do the explosives test on them and that should be all that is needed.
You say "from experience". Have you had trouble with this kind of thing before. I find that would be outrageous.
This makes me wonder how a woman wearing such a prothesis is treated when she goes through the checkpoint.
Till