Nipple reconstruction
Comments
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Thanks for clearing that up Cdn Chick! I don't want any projection from nipples as I didn't have any prior to mastectomy. I don't think I would have made it through this process if it hadn't been for great ladies like you sharing and discussing things. Thanks so much!
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Carrol.......thank you so much for your comments. I think I may be calming down now! You girls are GREAT!
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Mine are a lot like the photo of button candy that lago has posted before. They definitely look like nipples, are slightly smaller than my former 'real' nipples, and they show through a tight T-shirt if I'm braless, but that would have been true of my natural nipples, too. They were quite large when freshly created but after a few months, much more reasonably sized, and over six months, settled down to a very nice petite size. My PS formed them from breast skin. I'm not sure if his method has a name, but they were not grafted.
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I had my nipple recon done yesterday, my ps tatooes first and then does the reonstruction using the reconstructed breast (I had unilateral DIEP with an implant) I'm SO happy with my new breast but SO nervous about the nipple...sounds crazy I know, I should be excited to be at the last step, just wondering about how happy others were with the result of the nipple recon
Also I'm feeling a little pain around the bottom of my breast...wierd since I didnt think I had any feeling...anyone else experience some discomfort?
Thanks:)
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Saw my PS for my 4 wk post op check today. I had areola grafts & nipple construction done. I am happy with the results so far. I am still healing....I still need to use bacitracin & a non stick pad, everyday I see improvement, more healing. I got the OK to wear whatever I want now. I must say how happy I am, especially in the shower when I look down, it does make a difference. No more Barbie look!!!
Ladym13- congratulations on your surgery & getting to the last step!!!! Now your even done with the tattoo! It's amazing how all the PS do things differently. Rest up & happy healing :-)0 -
ladym I had my nipples done in october and I really like them. My only complaint is that one side flattened out more than the other so they look really different. I see my PS in a few weeks to see if I have the go ahead for tatoos. He is also going to do some more lipo and fat grafting. I did nt have any real pain but . . . I do have feeling in one of my new nipples now, not like my old nipple but still nice. I also see some tiny hairs growing on them. I can't wait to get my tatoos.
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I also had my nipple recon in october. Mine however is almost flat.. Had a 3D nipple tattoo done friday.. It looks awsome
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Hi, for those of you that have had nipples flatten, were they made from tummy tissue or something else. My ps said they work better with tummy tissue since it's thicker, but I'm still thinking it over. Is it worth it?
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cg1234 my nipples did shrink/flatten but are the right size. My PS compensated for the shrinkage. The look perfect. He did some flap procedure using local skin. I hear this method tends to flatten more than taking tissue from elsewhere. I definitely felt it was worth it.
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Namaste,
I am still very happy with my nipples. I had them done middle of December. They were done as CV flaps from the skin over the implants and were sort of small to begin with, about the size of a new pencil eraser. They have basically remained that same size except with the right one some of the tissue died so it is maybe 1/6 th smaller than the left. So far they have not flattened yet and I am keeping my fingers crossed that they don't. If I push on them with my finger they shorten but not all the way to flat. Then when I let up the pressure they pop right back up. They actually have more projection than my originals. I just love seeing them in the shower, in the mirror and in my nightgowns they look just great showing that they are there. It has just been such a gratifying part of this reconstruction experience. The implants are "in me" but not "me". The nipples are ME!
Karla
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I had the CV flap as well
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Thanks, this is helpful! You gals are wonderful. I have a small circular area of tummy tissue on each breast from the diep flap, so I'm hoping it will work well. I'm really leaning toward having them done so I can enjoy that perky view karla mentioned too!
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Has anyone used a "regular" tatoo artist? Most of the nipple tatoos seem to be done with the same ink as permanent cosmetics and I thought that only lasted about 5 years. I don't want to go through this over!
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lbrewer, I too would love to hear about the differences between the various types of tattoo providers. What is the range of typical options? Pros and cons of each?
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Hi, I don't know a lot about the different inks but can tell you what worked on me. I have had permanent makeup for over 28 years. I would have the eyeliner done about every two years due to fading. The marks that I had done for radiation didn't even make it two weeks. The last person I went to is in North Carolina and uses only organic ink. This is the only time that I have had it last on me. It's really been great. She doesn't specialize in the nipple area which is a shame. Hope this helps. I will be looking to have my tattoos this year. Jamie
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Vinnie Meyers did mine using tattoo ink. He explained that in many ps offices they are abraiding the skin and using vegetable dye. Without the proper depth of abrasion the dye won't "take". I really like the dimension of the tattoo.
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I used a "regular" tattoo artist love it
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Well ladies, I don't know if it was just a combination of my skin and the cosmetic ink used for my tattoes, but mine have faded so much it's rather ridiculous. I had them done last June with a touch up in July and they are very pale. The first touch up is included in the price but I hate to go back and waste money on more color if it's going to be so temporary. If I had known this prior, I may have sprung for the trip to Vinne Meyers from the get go. I wish that there was someone in WI with the skills to do permanent tattoos.
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I had nipple surgery Thursday. Got my first look today. OMG... area in front of boob is all depressed now. Nipples look......well......not so good. I know this is early but would love some re-assurance that the concave look of foob is temporary. Nipple can just go away as far as I'm concerned. Thanks for heads up on tattoo. Don't think I am going to let anyone but Vinnie do mine. Thanks
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Hi Chawkins, I had my nipple recon last June and I understand what you mean about the indentation of the breast but the good news is it goes away. I think it has to do with the cutting, pulling and stitching which of course creates more scarring but this softens up and the boob recovers its shape. The answer may well be time - as always!
As to the tattooing, I am getting mine done next month - by my very own daughter! She is a Fine Arts graduate, majoring in painting and after university she developed an interest in 'skin art' after repeatedly being asked to design tattoos for people. She decided she wanted to learn how to apply them also so went ahead and targeted a studio and persuaded them to teach her. She is now in an all female studio and is becoming well known for her beautiful designs. The reason I trust she will do a wonderful job for her mother, is in her third year at uni she did an amazing series of paintings of breasts and nipples (it was all about gender and what a fluid definition it is) and her colouring and attention to detail was beautiful. She would love to be able to do this for other women who need it and I am more than happy to be her first. An unusual experience for mother and daughter to share!0 -
My ps did mine Feb 7th 2012. They still look great. They have faded a little and I think he expected to do a touch up. I'm pretty sure he uses tattoo ink because I saw a catalog for tattoo supplies on the counter. It was both funny and kind of weird to see that. My PS is geeky smart, opera listening, majored in literature in undergrad (Yale) type of guy.
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Well tomorrow is a week and the bandages come off..I'm nervous for the big reveal...just wondering what to expect, did your new nipple/nipples look good or scary right away...so nervous to take the bandage off.
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They looked like Franken nipples. Also seemed to project a lot. Don't worry they change over the next few months.
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Hi Lago......got my "franken nipples" last Friday. PS is asking me to apply neosporin 4 x day. Messy!!!!!!! He wants me to wear these nipple guards for 3 weeks!!!! Yikes! Was this your protocol? Thanks!
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Lots of neosporin. I just had to gunk it on 2X a day. I didn't have nipple guards. I made them out of gauze instead. Put built up gauze on either side then one over the top.
So it sound about the same.
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The big reveal was a success, the nipple looks better than I was expecting. I can tell that it's gonna look good once fully healed. There is a little blister though on the bottom of the nipple, anyone else have this?
Lago..I see on here that most of you are told to put neosporin or cream on, my ps said to just remove the bandage and that's it. nothing about neosporin or gauze or keeping it ccovered...how long did you have to do this.
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ladym my doctor told me to just use vaseline to soften the scabs, not neosporin, he said that if you use it too much it causes liver problems.
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ladym13 I think maybe a week or two. I really don't remember. BTW every PS seems to do things a little differently. Don't worry too much if your PS says something a little different… but if you're concerned you can always call and ask the nurse. They will explain your PS reasoning for doing things. There is no 1 right way.
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I'm a week out now (some necrosis removal as well) and mine in much bigger than I would like. Sounds like they do get smaller--I hope! BTW, sitting here reading the threads, I lifted my top to check and it was green! Freaked for a second until I realized the crystal I have hanging in my window had reflected directly onto the fip!
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Chris - If I remember correctly you had your surgery at HUP. Will you be getting tattoos? If so, are you using the micropigmentation specialist at HUP? I just had my DIEP phase 2 three weeks ago and am now considering the next step.
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