Dealing with cancer and the side effects of chemotherapy, Alopecia or other medically related changes to your appearance is both emotionally and physically challenging. It is not a journey you need to take alone, rather a time to reach out for support and guidance. Let the professionals guide you through this episode in your life. The caring professionals at A Fitting Place are here to assist you with solutions for your post-surgical requirements.

Ask a loved one or friend to help you, then call your insurance company and find out what services and products are covered under your policy.

A Fitting Place is a provider with most PPO’s and Medicare and Senior Plans. We are the ONLY PROVIDER FOR CRANIAL PROSTHETICS (WIG’S) FOR THE STATE OF MN. We will process all of your claims for you.

Wear open front, loose fitting tops. You will need a garment that will help you manage your drain tubes, this is a must have.

A Fitting Place has post-op camisoles designed to be used immediately after breast or chest surgery for drain management, we can bill your insurance company for this item.

You can be fitted for a bra and forms as soon as your doctor takes the bandages off and they feel you are ready for a fitting. You will need an RX from your surgeon stating you can be fitted. At A Fitting Place you will be assisted by certified mastectomy professionals that will assist you in achieving symmetry and balance. Our bras & lingerie are both feminine and functional. Mastectomy forms are light weight and so natural they pass the hug test.

Only if you feel you are not balanced on each side. This may never happen or may happen after several months or years. If this happens we can manage the imbalance by inserting a filler form into our bra. A Fitting Place has shapers that bring symmetry to both your breast whether you have had surgery or not. Not all breasts are created equal.

Yes! We have sports bras and a large selection of Amoena swim wear & Trulife water resistant swim forms designed just for you.

A Fitting Place offers high quality wigs, with lots of styles and colors in stock. Penny has over 40 years experience as a hair-loss specialist, she is a cosmetologist trained to cut and style your wig so you look natural, you could even look better. We have Wallaroo hats, turbans and scarves, hair halos and so much more to offer. A FITTING PLACE IS THE ONLY MEDICAL PROVIDER IN THE STATE. This means if you have insurance coverage we can bill your wig to your insurance company for you as an in-network provider, not all policies have wig coverage so call your insurance company and find out if you have this benefit.
Call us for a private consultation, together we will look for solutions that work for you.

Get help from a friend or loved one with all of the appointments and follow up care. But get the answers and solutions from the professionals. We suggest a calming massage from our massage therapist Chrissy right before surgery and as soon as you are healed post–op. Our clients tell us it was the best gift they ever gave themselves.

Bra fittings for all women, specializing in hard to fit sizes • Mastectomy forms and apparel • Lumpectomy forms and breast shapers • Nipple covers • Bathing suits • Hats • Wallaroo Hats • Scarves and Turbans • Massage by Chrissy.

Skin Care products by Lindi Skin, serums formulated for the side effects of radiation and chemotherapy as well as cool packs to help sooth the skin after radiation treatment.

Lymphedema develops when the lymph pathways are unable to circulate the excess fluid due to inflammation or infection. Causes of lymphedema include lymph node removal or damage related to breast cancer surgery or another medical problem, or congenital deformity.

Patients with lymphedema may experience a constant achy sensation because of swelling in the arms or legs. They may also have trouble fitting their clothes over the swollen areas. Lymphedema symptoms may require specialized treatment.





Lymphedema Treatment
Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute and Virginia Piper Cancer Institute have partnered to offer a Lymphedema Treatment Program, certified by the National Lymphedema Network.

Lymphedema can be treated. The goals of treatment include:

• Reducing swelling and infections
• Establishing new pathways for lymph fluid
• Reducing scar tissue
• Improving strength, range of motion and use of the arm or leg

Physician Services
A rehabilitation physician specializes in lymphedema  issues their consultations inclued:

• Conducting a thorough history and physical examination, focusing on the cause and location of swelling
• Assesses other medical problems that may be related to swelling (lymphedema), such as vascular conditions, skin problems, pain, joint stiffness, weakness, paralysis and balance problems
• Recommends treatment options

Recommendations may include diagnostic tests, X-rays, scans or other consultations as needed. Physical therapy, occupational therapy, equipment and special garments are prescribed as needed.

Physical Therapy
A physical therapist with advanced training provides treatment based on an individual’s needs. The therapy may consist of:

• Manual Lymph Drainage: This is a special light massage performed by a therapist to assist in moving the fluid to other parts of the body. This will also soften areas of hardness in the tissue.
• Compression Bandaging: The therapist applies multi-layered bandages to the arm or leg after massage. Bandages keep the fluid out of the arm or leg by increasing pressure to the skin and causing the muscles to contract, stimulating the lymph vessels.
• Exercise: A specific exercise program to increase lymphatic flow is developed for each person.
• Education: Individuals with lymphedema are at a higher risk of developing infection. Education focuses on recognizing signs of infection and how to perform proper skin and nail care.   
• Compression garment: If swelling has been treated and decreased as much as possible, individuals will be fitted with a compression garment. This garment helps maintain the reduction in swelling achieved during treatment.

Wigs, hairpieces and integrations
Women undergoing chemotherapy or complete hair loss require the comfort and coolness of a cranial prosthetic. A cranial prosthetic is a hair system designed specifically for those suffering from hair loss due to medical conditions. Cranial prosthesis are different than department store wigs in quality, performance and service. They come in a Varity of styles and colors and can be custom cut and styled. Wigs and hair additions are worn for fashion and fun and are designed to go over hair, they lack the comfort needed to go over a baldhead. Wigs have a set style-what you see is what you get; often they don’t fit correctly and have a heavy, fuller appearance. Wigs ordered through the mail may result in the wrong color, fit and style and cannot be returned.

Hairpieces are for those with extreme hair loss in a specific area such as alopecia, cranial surgery or burns. They are designed in various sizes, color and lengths AFP is a licensed cranial prosthetic specialty location we accept and bill most insurance companies.

Hair integrations are designed to blend with an individuals’ own hair this system is for creating fullness, volume or length, and is for the individual with thinning hair making the most of their natural hair.

Turbans and Hats
Headwear is not just a cover for your head; we lose 80% of our body heat through our head with hair loss. Turbans, hats, scarves, headbands with hair and face framers offer an alternative for the person experiencing total hair loss. Most turbans and sleep caps are made with comfortable breathable material for sensitive scalps and come in a variety of colors and designs. Face framers, bangs and fringe are worn under a turban or hat to help soften facial features and provide the appearance of a full head of hair by covering the neck and forehead.  For many women experiencing total hair loss the sleep wig offers a stylish alternative to the sleep cap for those intimate evenings. AFP is a licensed cranial prosthetic specialty location we accept and bill most insurance companies.

Alopecia - cranial prosthetics
Alopecia areata is thought to be an autoimmune disease affecting both men and women equally and is often experienced first in childhood. This means that the body’s immune system acts as if the hair follicles are foreign and attacks them. The white cells called T-lymphocytes attack the hair follicle, which causes the hair to stop growing and enter into the resting phase referred to as telogen. In approximately three months when the resting phase is over the hair will begin to fall out.

There are three types of Alopecia:
• Alopecia Areata is mild patchy hair loss
• Alopecia Totalis is the loss of all scalp hair
• Alopecia Universalis is the loss of scalp and all body hair

Minnesota state statute 62A.28 (2002) requires all health insurance polices to provide coverage for “scalp hair prostheses worn for hair loss suffered as a result of alopecia areata” Contact a dermatologist for an accurate diagnosis of your hair loss. Once you have obtained a diagnosis of alopecia areata have your dermatologist write a prescription for a cranial prosthetic, a prescription is required to process an insurance claim.  AFP is a licensed cranial prosthetic specialty location and is qualified to accept and bill most insurance companies.

Female pattern baldness
ANDROGENETIC ALOPECIA
(FEMALE PATTERN HAIR LOSS)

The most common type of hair loss seen in women is androgenetic alopecia, also known as female pattern alopecia or baldness. This is seen as hair thinning predominantly over the top and sides of the head. It affects approximately one-third of all susceptible women, but is most commonly seen after menopause, although it may begin as early as puberty. The most common causes can be: Physical stress, emotional stress, thyroid abnormalities, medications, and hormonal causes. AFP is a licensed cranial prosthetic specialty location we accept and bill most insurance companies.

MYTHS RELATED TO HAIR LOSS

• Frequent shampooing
• Hats and wigs cause hair loss.
• 100 strokes of the hair brush daily will create healthier hair.
• Permanent hair loss is caused by perms, colors and other cosmetic treatments.
• Shaving one's head will cause the hair to grow back thicker.
• Standing on one's head will cause increased circulation and thereby stimulate hair growth!
• Dandruff causes permanent hair loss.
• There are cosmetic products that will cause the hair to grow thicker and faster.
• Stress causes permanent hair loss.
• Hair loss does not occur in the late teens or early twenties.