Nipple reconstruction
Comments
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It started pretty quickly for me then slowed down. Lost most in the first 6 months then maybe a little bit after that.
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karla mine went down the minute i took the cones off and then a little more about a month after that. So I would say if your still holding at 6 weeks and wearing bras you should be good.
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2 more sleeps till my nipple surgery!!! I am very excited & a bit nervous.
Something different about this pre-op from my other surgeries...I was given 2 surgical scrub packets to use. One the night before,then sleep in freshly washed sheets & shower again in the morning. I think this is a good idea as I had to deal with cellulitis after my TE exchange last year. Years ago I know they use to instruct patients to shower with special soap & I was surprised that my 3 surgeries I had in 2011 didn't require that. Anybody else asked to use special soap?0 -
tenaj - I wasn't instructed to use special soap, but I did do the wipes. One caution, if you want to shave your legs, do it in the morning. I showered and shaved, then used the wipes about 2 hours later before bed - OUCH!
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I was instructed to wash with antibacterial soap which is basically Dial. You can get that anywhere but it's very drying.
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Namaste!
tenaj: I would advise you not to shave between now and surgery, esp. since you have had a problem in the past with cellulitis. The skin, no mater how clean has some bacteria on it. When one shaves, no matter how carefully you do it, little microscopic cuts occur. These little microscopic cuts can let bacteria into your blood stream and multiply. When we are healthy the body just takes care of these bacteria. However, when somethng occurs like an incision, those bacteria that have gotten in from the shaving head to that incision like a magnet! When a surgery requires hair removal -clipping is done, not shaving, and it is done immediately before the incision so the bacteria present don't have time to multiply.
I too am suprised you were not given a special soap (chlorihexidrene/hibiclens) or insturcted to use an antibacterial bar soap the night before and morning of surgery.
Good luck. I am excited for you. Nipples on the way!
Karla
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Karla, thanks for your wisdom. :-)
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Tenaj - good luck with your nipple surgery and I agree with Karla's advice about shaving. I was just instructed to wash with dial soap and not use any lotion or deodorant.
Karla - I didn't notice until now that you're from the big O! That's my hometown too...I grew up in Bellevue and am home at least once a year to visit my parents.
My nipples/skin graphs are healing well. I'm a day shy of two weeks out and have a lot more pink healthy skin than the crusty stuff. I haven't noticed much shrinkage either, but they also aren't grotesquely big (like I had pictured in my head). I alternate btw bactracin and aquaphor about 4x a day. I've been using Vitamin E oil (Trader Joe's brand) on my surrounding breast skin and really like how it absorbs without making me greasy or break out in a rash. I have a week more before I can start using ScarAway on my incision lines...but those are healing well too.
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tenaj I had the wipes for all 4 of my surgeries. The bmx, TE placement, Exchange, and nipples. I did not get any special soap nor was I advised to use any special soap. I took a shower the night before and used my Dove body wash like I always do then used the wipes. I don't recall what I did about shaving I think I shaved the morning of the day before. Anyway no infections or complications in any surgery. When I woke up after the nipple surgery I was covered in antibacterial goop all up my neck and under my arms and it was a pain to wash off it took a few days to get it all off.
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My surgery went well. I went in about 12:00, it was about 3 hrs & I was on my way home by 4:30. I have a dressings sewed on my chest, I'm to see him next Tuesday. He did some lipo from my abdomen for fat grafting on side. They have some foam underneath the binder that I had to lift off already as I am allergic to adhesive. I told everyone and the last time was as I was walking in the OR, getting on the stretcher. ( kept asking me to repeat my allergies) WTF??? Sorry...don't mean to around cranky. I folded the foam over & will call them in the morning.
I had hoped he would do some grafting in the upper pole, but he doesn't like to do that because he says about 1/2 of it dies & can leave lumps.....:-(0 -
Had my 3 month check up with plastic surgeon today to discuss step 2 in my reconstruction for shaping of tram flap & nipple shaping. He does these procedures on Tuesdays & Thursdays. I was hoping I could get on his schedule within the next few weeks & was EXCITED to find he had a cancellation for tomorrow. Ready to take this next step in my recovery journey
Peggy0 -
Lucky you Peggy! You are so close to being done. I wish you well with your shaping and new nipple.
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I'm 4 days post-op grafting &nipple construction. I have what looks like pin cushions sewed on my breasts. I see the PS Tuesday for the unveiling. I have been watching more TV than I care to admit. Right now I'm catching up with a new HBO series, I'm watching Girls on demand in marathon form.Lol....
I'm sore in the abdomen where he took the skin & did minor lipo. Too soon to see if there is any difference. Wearing my binder & resting......0 -
I LOVE girls! rest up and happy healing ~
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Hi All...
I am scheduled to have breast lift (non cancer side) and origami nipples on April 4th... Please share experiences Please...
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sohard.. I had lift and exchange done at same time.. It was easy.. took Tylenol for a couple of days then nothing.. make sure you follow doctors orders and do not lift to much or stretch to much.. easy to do.. I took two weeks off work.. probably should have taken three,, had drain on lift side not exchange side.. drain came out after three days..
I had nipple and fatgrafting done five months later..
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Sohard - I just got my origami nipples and had dog ears removed on Friday at HUP. Also, he did a little lipo around the waist. I didn't have a lift since I had a BMX. Overall, it wasn't too bad. I was at the surgicenter at 6am and home eating lunch by 12:30. I rested this weekend and went back to work today. I'm exhausted but glad I was able to get through the day.
The nipples look great and seem to be healing well. No special care or instructions were given to me other than keep the area clean and dry and restrict activity for a few weeks. No lifting or bending or stretching for a while as well. The dogears (or whats left once they were removed) are still under wraps as I was sent home with a binder that I have to wear until I see my PS in two weeks. I was able to shower 48 hrs after surgery. The binder is uncomfortable but bearable. I was told to wear a soft bra (after 48hrs) or the surgical bra I was sent home in.
I took pain meds the first two days right before going to sleep. I found my recliner was more comfortable than getting into bed, so I'll be sleeping there for a few more days. I'll be using tylenol for pain management now that I'm back to work.
Good luck!
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Hi
I haven't posted here before but have a nipple question. I had nipples done on January 7th. The right side is looking awesome, the left, seems to be disappearing. Is it possible to redo the left one? I've been super careful and followed all doctor instructions. I just don't get it. I see ps on Feb. 21st. Thanks!0 -
Hi ladies ... just visited my plastic surgeon and I'm freaking out a little. We talked about the 2nd stage of reconstruction which would involve a breast lift and nipple sharing off my native breast (I had a unilateral mastectomy with diep reconstruction). I'm wondering if any one else has had this done and could share their experience. I'm worried about how much (or total) sensitivity loss there would be as they'd be taking 1/2 of my nipple. I asked her about a nipple flap but she said wouldn't be able to closely match my other nipple and I'd have a 1 headlight on look. I didn't want the party to be over for the remaining girl
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Hello girls.....After reading CdnChick's post and what her PS told her, I am freaking out over my nipple surgery Feb. 28! I really don't want nipples at all!!!!!!!! Especially ones that have the "headlights on" look. Problem is my lefty is lower than righty and he says insurance will not pay to fix that as it is considered "cosmetic". It will pay for nipple surgery and he will fix it then. Will some of you that have had this surgery let me know how it turned out for you? I am praying they will just "go away"! Did the flap surgery leave a scar? My scar is underneath and the skin is beautiful on my "foobs". I don't want a scar......Would love to hear about your experiences. Thanks so much. You brave ladies have meant so much to me during all this "upset"!!!
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chawkins.......Tattooing can create symmetry...........The 3D nipple gives the illusion of a protruding
nipple without nipple recon....no headlights.
You have a choice.....if you choose te 3d nipple tattoo first, and later down the road you decide you want a protrusion ......you still can have it done......
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CdnChick You need to decide what is more important to you. Having twin nipples or keeping sensation in your remaining nipple. I agree that tattooing by the right person will help them look more like twins but it won't be 100%. BTW I had a BMX with nip recon. My PS used local skin. The only time I have headlights is if I wear a thin tee shirt with a bra that has no thickness. They only protrude a little. They look like that button candy.
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I have seen some really great 3D tatts on unilateral women, so know that it looks pretty good, but I would love to hear from unilateral women who have chosen either a single tatt or a single reconstructed nipple and how they actually FEEL about them now and if they would make the same choice again. How did you decide?
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I am also a uni. I had a lift on my native side, and unfortunately lost most of my sensation. I can feel it, but it's not an "on" button anymore. My reconstructed nip looks good - skin graft from breast tissue and pigmented by tattooing. It's not an exact match, but all in all I'm happy. I am glad I chose to do the lift even though I miss the sensation. The discrepancy between my two breasts was too much for me to be happy with. It's a tough call to make. Best wishes.
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Thanks for feedback ALL...
EVERYONE HAVE A GOOD NIGHT...0 -
Just left PS office. His nurse told me that I would leave surgery with huge nipples and nipple protectors. If I didn't protect nipples for several weeks, they would "go away". Hope this is true! Because that is my plan. Any thoughts?
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chawkins ... re my earlier post about the headlights on, that would be due to my native nipple if I was wanting to go braless. She said the projection from a nipple made with skin flap from the reconstructed breast wouldn't be as prominent(a few millimeters?). From what I've been researching the reconstructed nipples will shrink down over months. When wearing a lightly padded bra I wouldn't think there'd be headlights at all.
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Oh Lago........George is too funny!!!! Don't know why I am so afraid of all this! Seems like every step of this ordeal has been filled with anxiety and second guessing. I guess it's because these will be ours forever and I don't have any prior experience with this! I know my PS does though and I like him SO much. I guess I'll just put this in his and God's hand. I want it all over!!!!! Thanks so much for your responses. You have helped me so much!
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ok just for the record my new nipples are more like my old ones when the headlights are not on. They are not constantly on and they don't show unless I wear a very very shear tight fabric not even in an unlined bathing suit.
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