Come join others currently navigating treatment in our weekly Zoom Meetup! Register here: Tuesdays, 1pm ET.
Take our poll: Caregivers, what do you find most difficult about caregiving?
Weigh in: What are the best and worst gifts for people with breast cancer?

Nipple reconstruction

1…2829313334…71

Comments

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653
    edited April 2013

    yes sent you a PM

  • sciencegal
    sciencegal Member Posts: 546
    edited April 2013

    Hi VIolet- I am also in NorCal. It would indeed be great to find someone on the West Coast who does great nipple tattoos! I am with you!

  • cascader
    cascader Member Posts: 152
    edited April 2013

    http://www.breasthetics.com/default.html

    I just saw this link on another thread. It gives links to specially trained tattoo artists in other states. Looks like one in SFO

  • violet_1
    violet_1 Member Posts: 335
    edited April 2013

    Cas: Thanks! Am wondering if they take insurance...;)

  • fitzdc
    fitzdc Member Posts: 755
    edited April 2013

    Violet - the nurse at the PS office did my tattoo and it looks really good.  The color is a perfect match as is the size.  I know many people would never have the tattoo done at the PS, however I am very pleased.

    Teresa

  • violet_1
    violet_1 Member Posts: 335
    edited April 2013

    fitzdc:  Thanks! Mine does them also...not sure if she does 3-D though...gotta ask. Is yours 3-D? Busy week, but I'll soon follow my instructions to get into the pic forum...check out Y'all & post my own Frankenstein Boob (TE's) pics...;)

  • Golden01
    Golden01 Member Posts: 527
    edited April 2013

    Posted this on another thread but thought I'd share again here. For insurance to pay, Rachell needed to do the work in my PS's office. My out-of-pocket was great! 

    My PS works with Rachell Hall in Scottsdale, AZ. She trains others throughout the country. Here is her websitewww.breasthetics.com/default.h.... Check the link for the foundation info on the left to see a video with pictures of her work. When she did my 3D Tattoos, she even created an “illusion of symmetry” as my right breast is just a bit lower than the left. That is not as easy to notice since I got my tattoos. A IV nurse at a Surgicenter wasn't really looking as another nurse talked to me about the tattoos and she thought they were real! Rachell had a book that's been published of her work and I couldn't tell which ones were just tattoos and which ones had nipple reconstruction.  She did the work at my PS's office and my insurance paid all but the $30 co-pay. Here's a link to Scottsdale Living Magazine and an article about the work Rachell does: scottsdalelivingmagazine.com/b...

  • sarasowise
    sarasowise Member Posts: 32
    edited April 2013

    Golden01!!! thank you for info, I am calling there today!  I was planning to go to Vinnie, but so happy to hear of someone so close. (i live in Tempe).  My reconstruction is only 3 weeks old, so I know I have a wait but so much easier than planning trip to NOLA.

    thanks so much :)

  • cascader
    cascader Member Posts: 152
    edited April 2013

    So great to learn of other talented artists in various locations. I am traveling to Charleston on Friday( yikes!) for nipple recon so probably

    Tatts in the fall . Nice to have choices .

  • Obxflygirl1
    Obxflygirl1 Member Posts: 106
    edited April 2013

    I am having CV flap surgery in the morning. I was suppose to have a pre-op today but the scheduler cancelled it and said for me just to show up at the hospital in the morning at 7. So I didn't get to ask any questions about the procedure. I thought I would be going to the doctor's office.



    Can someone tell me if I will be put to sleep for The procedure? What was your experience? Thank you so much.

  • fitzdc
    fitzdc Member Posts: 755
    edited April 2013

    Violet - my tattoo is not a 3-D tattoo - just a plain ol' one dimensional one.

    Obxflygirl - I was not asleep for the nipple CV flap surgery.  It was done outpatient as the PS office (not at the hospital) and I was talking to the nurse during the surgery.  A nap when I got home and I was fine.

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653
    edited April 2013

    If they are going to put you to sleep you can't eat anything after a certain time tonight. I would think they would have told you that if they were putting you out. Even if it's just local. I had a revision & fat transfer too so I was out and under for 3 hours! nipples don't take too long and not all that invasive compared to a revision.

  • Obxflygirl1
    Obxflygirl1 Member Posts: 106
    edited April 2013

    Lago. .....thanks for that . She did tell me not to eat or drink after midnight. That makes sense.



    Fitzdc .....thanks for your info also.



    I keep reading there's a good chance of failure or flattening ....and if that happens, it's okay. I'll be done..no more surgery. Talked to Vinnie in MD and I'm going to be paying him a visit for tats. So ready for tomorrow!

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653
    edited April 2013

    My PS overcompensated for the flattening. They were huge at first but they settled down. Nice button candy look now.

  • Golden01
    Golden01 Member Posts: 527
    edited April 2013

    sarasowise - Glad the info on Rachell Hall was of interest. 

    My PS made the nipples good sized, one is lovely and the other went totally flat. The PS says he could make either one look like the other but once I had my 3-D tattoos, I decided to leave everything alone for now. 

  • Obxflygirl1
    Obxflygirl1 Member Posts: 106
    edited April 2013

    Thanks, girls. Had my nips done yesterday. Was put to sleep. It's a 2 & 1/2 procedure at Chapel Hill. Told PS no cocktail franks when all is said and done. I was very small in that area before MX.



    Slept the 4 hour drive home. They must have given me good drugs. Stayed up a little and went back down at home. Slept 10 hours. I needed it, I've been so wired up about the nips this last week.



    Can't see anything as they are wrapped and will have unveiling in 7 days. Going to find a wishing well, throw penny in, and pray for no cocktail franks on the foobs. :)



    I can't thank everyone enough for you words of wisdom. Hugs to you all.

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653
    edited April 2013

    Obxflygirl1 I hate to tell you this but they start off as cocktail franks (actually I called mine monkey dinks). But the shrink a lot so don't be alarmed at first. I have the little button candy nips now.

  • Obxflygirl1
    Obxflygirl1 Member Posts: 106
    edited April 2013

    Lago......I had heard they start out large and the PS told me not to freak out next week when wrappings come off. I just wanted to make sure she knew what I was looking for as the end result. Thanks!

  • beth1118
    beth1118 Member Posts: 5
    edited April 2013

    I had my nipples reconstructed over 2 years ago then had tatoos.  The tatoos didnt stick on one side and it was redone, and it still doesnt look right.  Now I am having issues with them turning black in areas.  I think I need to make an appt with my plastic surgeon and ask about why its doing that after this long.  Also, tonite, I just noticed a lump on my nipple. It kinda looks like a pimple.  I tried to pinch it, but it just turned red.  I freak out about any new pain or lump anywhere.  My cancer came back after 2 years cancer free.  I feel sad right now and upset. Husband says I shouldnt worry about it.

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653
    edited April 2013

    Beth I would call your PS Monday. Turning black doesn't mean cancer but it could mean something that needs attention. I get all sorts of "pimple" type things that come and go. Mine are not cancer.

    Keep us posted on what your PS says.

  • Stix
    Stix Member Posts: 610
    edited April 2013

    yes, call you PS monday. If u can't get in monday then go to your pcp Monday. . They will look at it and get you in somewhere that day if  needed.

  • Chris13
    Chris13 Member Posts: 112
    edited April 2013

    Heading to U. Penn for my last phase: the tattoo-- with Mandy. Nip looks pretty much the same size as the other "real" one. I'll report back for those in the PA/NJ region.

  • Janetanned
    Janetanned Member Posts: 118
    edited April 2013

    Chris - Can't wait to hear how it goes.  I will be making an appointment with Mandy for this summer.  I need to give my rad side a little more time to heal.

  • violet_1
    violet_1 Member Posts: 335
    edited April 2013

    Hi Ladies! I have a ?:

    If you have nipple recon. does it help fill out the tips of your bras better than if you didn't...& just have 3-D tattoos? I know sometimes the new nips flatten out, but it's still gotta be better projection than tattoo-only, right?

    Please share your experiences here...Smile

    THANKS!!!

  • tenaj
    tenaj Member Posts: 365
    edited April 2013

    Violet, I am 3 months post nipple/areola surgery today. They have flattened & do not fill my bra out anymore, but I am still very happy I did what I did. There is enough projection to look real & not too much that I couldn't go braless. I will probably get them tatooed to even the color out & found out that I need electrolysis to remove the hair that is growing.

    ( they took the skin from my csection scar) I didn't know about that pre-op. I was told that my insurance will cover it. I feel more complete now, I'm very happy. With that being said, things are not perfect but feel that I can move on now! Good luck to you.

  • fitzdc
    fitzdc Member Posts: 755
    edited April 2013

    Happy with the nip recon. Only had uni so was worried about mathcing, but PS obtained a very good match - color, size, position.  My only complaint is that the nipple is always 'on'.

  • mrenee68
    mrenee68 Member Posts: 48
    edited April 2013

    fitzdc that is my concern, my nipple always being on. I to am a uni and fortunately have time to contemplate my decision, next Wed. I will be having my revision surgery. How hard was the healing process? I have a very physical job and it concerns me.

  • fitzdc
    fitzdc Member Posts: 755
    edited April 2013

    The healing process was very easy.  I had the nipple recon in December and a few weeks later was on a vacation. I kept the entire thing covered (and was careful that I did not bump into anyone) but I was not in any pain.

    The nip was HUGE right after surgery and for a month after, but it has gone down. My DH says that the size difference is not that noticable and I do like having a nipple and the tattoo (done in PS office, too).  So for me - it - the reconstruction, the tattoo, the recovery  - has been doable and I am pleased.

  • lala1
    lala1 Member Posts: 974
    edited May 2013

    Fitzdc---I am also a UMX and looking at nipple reconstruction in the fall. Did your PS tell you that the new nipple would always be "on"? That is the one thing that makes me hesitate to do the recon. How do you hide it or do you even bother? Do most recon nipples stay on all the time?

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653
    edited May 2013

    My nipples don't show unless I'm braless and in a thinner tee. But then my real ones probably would have been noticeable under those conditions as well. Before my nipples shrunk to their current size I use Wacaol's No Peek.
    http://s7d5.scene7.com/is/image/WacoalAmerica/85999_NN/?$CategoryIndex$

Categories

Join Us on Zoom: Upcoming virtual meetups. Read more...
Give your account some personality! Add a profile photo.