Nipple reconstruction
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I was a bit shocked at the size of my new nip at first, but today at 6 weeks out, she's just a cute little nub. I hope she doesn't shrink any more.
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I was a bit shocked at the size of my new nip at first, but today at 6 weeks out, she's just a cute little nub. I hope she doesn't shrink any more.
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I was a bit shocked at the size of my new nip at first, but today at 6 weeks out, she's just a cute little nub. I hope she doesn't shrink any more.
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I was a bit shocked at the size of my new nip at first, but today at 6 weeks out, she's just a cute little nub. I hope she doesn't shrink any more.
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sorry Ladies, my computer was very excited about my last post apparently and decided it needed multiple postings
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Rt, I havent had the surgery you are speaking of but I did ask my PS because I was curious. He said it depends on the surgeon and how the woman wants them....well this is the case in his office. They do not HAVE to be made to stay "on".
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Ok Tuesday is my preop appointment to the surgery to get my nipples and do some final fine tuning. I think he will do some lipo on my sides possibly some fat grafting up front and a skate flap for the nipples. He also may take some tissue out from under the on cancer side to even things out a bit. I think recovery will be a week. Don't know if I will stay in hospital or not. He will give me something to protect my new nipples while they heel.
Anything I should be asking him besides those issues?
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Carrol, I had nipple sparing surgery so I can't really help with your questions. Mine are yucky looking and I had my surgery Aug 31. My ps doesn't seem to think they look bad but I sure do. Good luck on your surgery.
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OK had my preop to get my new nipples plus doing fat grafting and lipo. It's almost over now. Surgery is oct. 30th.
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Carrol...that's exciting!
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Good luck Carrol2!! Look forward to hearing all about it. I'm looking forward to this next step, just haven't completely made up my mind.
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Yay Carrol - on the home stretch!
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Having my preop today.. nipple recon and fatgrafting Oct 26.. My port comes out on Thursday almost done woohoo
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wow thakns for the cheers!
ossa we are so close to being done together.
anyone know how they do fat grafting. I don't know why I did not ask my PS this pretty crazy. Is there an incision? or is it injected with a needle?
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Dear Brave Ladies & Courageous Women & Valiant Chicas,
I had BMX on 16May with immediate reconstruction with silicon cohesive implants. I could do nipple-sparing on my left side but not on my right side. I couldn't have it done on the right side NOT because of cancer being too close but because during my original lumpectomy on 11April, my BS wanted to also remove a benign lump and to access it, he made an incision on my areola. This compromised the blood supply too much and thus they thought it would not be worth the effort to try to save that nipple. (Makes me furious to think about it! However, trying to be zen and accept all that comes my way....) Anyway, my PS reconstructed my right nipple-areola complex NAC with excess breast skin (I was 34DD pre-BMX and wanted to go smaller. I am now small 34C and love the size so much!). The areola healed well but the nipple necrosized and had to be scraped off by PS. So it is all healed but flat. I really love having kept my left NAC, but the nipple projects a bit and shows through some bras and clothes, bathing suits, etc. My right side is totally flat. I would like to have a symmetric look and my PS said now is the time to go back to him (6 months post-BMX) to do it. He said it would be an office procedure. I also have to get color tattoos on it, eventually. But before I go in to see him, I want to have a clear idea on what I think would work best (he hates that, but I don't care). Questions: where do you think I should suggest he get the extra skin for a little nipple? Which would have the best chances for survival in your experiences? Please point me in the right direction! I am going to post this on several threads. Thank you in advance, dear info sharers!
Fearlessfoot
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Can't answer exactly as my situation is different. I got my new nipples in May. The left one is lovely but the right one healed "flat". I'm having 3D tattoos (not with Vinnie but with Rachell Hall in Scottsdale) in November. My PS recommended I go ahead with the tattoos before making any decisions about trying again for more of a nipple on the right side. I must say when I went for the consultation on the tattoos, I was pretty happy with just the ones she drew on! I waited until November because of personal reasons (new job, family trip, etc.). Now that I think of it, while the cancer was too close to the nipple on the left, no one talked to me about possible saving the nipple on the right last year when I had my BMX and it wasn't something I thought to ask.
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Hi ladies, I am a failed NSM from 12/09! Long story short removed both nipples and left partial areolas. The result was one much higher than the other. Well 8 surgeries and 16 incisions later I now have areolas and nipples. Because I did not have enough skin to do the nipples from the breast he used skin grafts from my hips One of the grafts had some tissue necrosis so was debrided. It is healing after 6 weeks. The nipples have shrunk to a nice size I think. He says he wants to do a bit of a revision on the right one.
Many docs I believe take the skin if doing a graft from the upper and inner thigh area. My doc is from Northwestern in Chicago. He said he hasn't done that for 20 years. He prefers the hip area as it is less unsightly unless you are wearing a low bikini
and less difficult for healing. It has worked out well. I did have problems with the incisions becoming inflammed but not infected due to friction from jeans. So if you have it taken from hips I would recommend wearing sweats or work out pants. If you have to wear jeans or pants put a gauze there to protect for awhile. I have had fat injections and that was done in the office. They took it from my rear and I noticed tenderness for a bit but that was all. I believe they used a syringe. I will have fat grafting done when they revise the nipple and hoping they take from my thighs
The skin grafts for the nipple and areola were done at the hospital but not under general anethesia. They gave me IV valium and other stuff to do a sedation. I don't remember any of it except toward the end I remember saying ouch when he used staples to cover the graft with a foam dressing. There were 15 staples per breast and I only remember two going in. I am all in all very happy with it. Would have been nice if I hadn't had complications but that seems to be my journey Hope this helps.
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My nipples were made from the skin on my breast. Basically he made an incision and wrapped the ends around each other to make the 'mound'. That was done 8/7. Will have areolas tattooed 11/13. Very happy with them!
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Carrol - I had nipple recon and fat grafting in August. The fat is injected. The lipo causes major bruising, but just get some Spanx and you will be fine. My nipple was not too big, not too small. I wore gauze with a circle cut out for about a week. No bra for about a week or two too. Then only a soft thin one until it healed. But now it seems rather flat. If I'm looking down at it I can see a slight protrusion. But if I rub my finger over it I don't really feel it other than the slight scaring. If I look at it in the mirror then I can see it, but it doesn't show through my clothes if I'm wearing a thin bra. Maybe it's hard to compare since I had UMX and my real nipple is always "on". I kind of wish the recon side stuck out more just so if they were showing I would be more even. I get the tattoo in November.
Still pondering if I should see if it can be redone. But then I also think that it is what it is. Since the tissue is just skin tissue (from my back, I had the lat recon) it really isn't the same as a nipple in that it doesn't grow and flatten, it's just sort of a slightly puffier section of skin. Not firm.
I guess I should update my pictures on the picture site.
Anyway, that's my ramble on the nipple subject.
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fearlessfoot, my PS uses the inner thigh, believing it to be a superior result over the breast tissue. I opted for tattoo only so I can't speak to how that procedure went. I've read a good bit on here that it's relatively easy but to be prepared to wear boxers or spanx or something fitted to keep it from rubbing. I've also read that it can heal more slowely because of the area, of course it doesn't get to "breathe" much.
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I'm having a hard time deciding what I want to do. I received my implants in January and decided to wait until November for any other surgeries. I could enjoy the summer wearing t-shirts etc with no bra. I do kind of like it, although I do like to wear a bra; think it just looks better. I'm very happy with my implants. I have an appt to do my nips the week after Thanksgiving, but I'm considering again the 3-d tattoos. I know it's my decision but any more words of experience would be nice. I've looked at some pics and have seen some in both catergories that look great.
Something else to worry about!
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Jenny, me too. I can't decide! I'm leaning towards no. I really don't want any more surgeries right now but I need to decide before my insurance starts over in January.
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I know it won't be fun, but I don't mind the surgery part; just want to be happy with the outcome and not regret my decision. My PS is great so I have lots of confidence in him.
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I too am leaning toward tattoos only. I am concerned about nipples because they could flatten, not be symmetrical, additional surgery. I think the main reason though is because there won't be any feeling there.
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Had my nipple recon yesturday with some fat grafting, doing pretty good today had some bleeding on my right nipple not to bad ps said this could be expected. Very sore from the donor sights for fat (tummy). Took one oxy when got home and only EX-tylenol since. Can't see anything all bandaged up, waiting waiting. Almost DONE!
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thanx to everyone so much for all the posts keep em coming they really help since my nipple surgery is coming up.
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I am a week out from my 2nd implant exchange. These girls are much better but a lot more painful. After much thought on nip/areola recon, I have come to a most calming decission. I plan to have only nipple recon. done in office with local anesth. and then have the areola tattooed on. No worries over transplant sites because he uses the breast skin tissue for this type surgery. The areola doesnt work anyways and the tats look so real. I am so happy with this decission! I dont have to have dry heaves after surgery!!!
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incogneato I am doing the same thing but I am not getting a local because I am also getting lipo and fat grafting during that surgery. I am so exited that this is almost over.
Final surgery Oct 30th. I wonder what life will be like without having to plan around all the surgeries I have had. bmx, TE placement, exchange, nipples. It has really been quite a hall.
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With my nipple revision I am also having lipo and fat injections. I am not going under but getting a mixture of oral meds so I am somewhat in a concious sedation. That is what he did with the first fat injection and with the areola and nipple recon using hip tissue for the skin grafts. It worked well for the most part.
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For those curious...I've heard that constant headlights are pretty common with recon. At least you can choose no bra if hou wish without them. I didn't want additional surgeries and cuts either. I'm going to New Orleans for 3d tattooed in one month!
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