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Nipple reconstruction

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Comments

  • fitzdc
    fitzdc Member Posts: 755
    edited May 2013

    Yes, I knew that the reconstructed nipple would be 'always alert';  I am really not that bothered by it, either.  I rarely go braless (except around the house) as I need the side support a bra provides, so I don't worry about hiding it or covering up. The PS did a great job with size and color and position.  Just pleased it did not flatten out (that can happen, too). 

  • Carrol2
    Carrol2 Member Posts: 1,477
    edited May 2013

    I work at soma and they have nipple covers as well. I have not had any problems with mine showing even without a bra really. But soma has really nice covers that are silicone and can be used I think 25 times before the adhesive wears off. They stick on your skin. If you become a passport member shipping is free.

    http://www.soma.com/store/browse/product.jsp?maxRec=13&pageId=1&productId=550001207&viewAll=&prd=Bra+Gel+Petals&subCatId=cat1170003&color=&fromSearch=&inSeam=&posId=4&catId=cat40089&cat=Bras+Bra+Accessories&onSale=&colorFamily=&maxPg=1&size=

  • lala1
    lala1 Member Posts: 974
    edited May 2013

    Thanks all for the info on "always on" nipples. I don't ever go out without a bra anyway but had gotten the impression that they could still be seen even when wearing a bra. If that's not the case, then I will definitely look into getting a nipple for the MX side. Just didn't want something that would even show through a bra!!

  • Obxflygirl1
    Obxflygirl1 Member Posts: 106
    edited May 2013

    Lago...thanks for the warning..... You're so right. They seem really large but PS again said, don't worry. How long did it take for yours to be kind of normal.? I still have lot of stitching visible.



    Protecting them like Fort Knox :)

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

    Yeah they really look like Franken nipples with the stitching. My stitches I swear were black. In the first 3 months they shrink a lot. Then will continue I think for another 3 months but not as much if I remember correctly. I'll have you know that today I am wearing a bra with no padding thickness but lacy. No nipples showing. The seams of the bra do show a little under my thin shirt.

  • GreenMonkey
    GreenMonkey Member Posts: 291
    edited May 2013

    I am late responding but I wanted to say that I love my new nipples! My PS used a alloderm in them. Yes, you can see them if I don't wear a bra but I don't mind that, I think I kind of like it (I'm a bit of a freak).

  • TJP1071
    TJP1071 Member Posts: 1
    edited May 2013

    I called mine the same thing.....Candy Button!

  • Chris13
    Chris13 Member Posts: 112
    edited May 2013

    Had my tats done, and it looks great. Nip was created from the breast skin (a DIEP procedure used my own tissue.) Honestly, the real and the foob look almost the same. Except for some scaring on both (had a lift on the other side) I hardly look like I had surgery. Freaking amazing considering what I went through from DX on.

  • lala1
    lala1 Member Posts: 974
    edited May 2013

    Chris13---Did your PS do the tattooing? Did he do it at the same time as the nips? And does your new nip show through if you're wearing a bra?

  • CdnChick
    CdnChick Member Posts: 40
    edited May 2013

    Chris13 - was wondering if you had any loss of sensation from the lift on the other side.  My plastic surgeon is asking me to consider this and I'm wondering what your experience was like.  Thanks.

  • mags20487
    mags20487 Member Posts: 1,092
    edited May 2013

    so glad I found this thread....I am done with the flaps and will be starting stage 2 soon.  First up though is my VLNTx in June.. I am very undecided on the nipple thing.  Your posts give me some great insight!  Tats or nips has been on my mind since BMX...what to do   what to do

    Maggie

  • carol57
    carol57 Member Posts: 1,550
    edited May 2013

    I'm grateful for the posts, too.  Mags is right; this can be such a what-to-do, what-to-do dilemma!  I have the nipples already, and they've settled down to lovely little low-profile candy buttons that I'm quite happy with. Now I want the tattoos for color, but I'm torn, torn, torn over whether I want to go to the great lengths of seeing Vinny or finding someone else who can do 3D far from home, or just take the path of least resistance and settle for whatever my PS's office does.  It feels like such a project to get the best tattoos, and my batteries are pretty worn down over all things reconstruction by now, so it's hard to get excited about planning and going on a tattoo trip.  But I don't want to find myself with tattoo remorse, either!

    I'm 3 hours from Detroit and 3 hours from Chicago (where my PS is), so it seems like I should be able to find a 3D tattoo artist in one of those big metro areas, but I'm not aware of any.  Even doing the research feels like work these days.  Anyway, posts here have been eye opening.  Thanks to everyone who has shared.

  • Chris13
    Chris13 Member Posts: 112
    edited May 2013

    CNDchick,

    No loss on the lifted side at all. And after a year, the "lollipop" scar is very faint. My surgeon didn't offer the lift, but I asked for it (being mid 60s) -- and with the successful DIEP including the tummy tuck, I have a younger looking front. Butt still saggin, 'tho, LOL.

    Good luck...I think it's worth it. I don't recall the lift adding to my recovery or discomfort, since the DIEP is what I focused on. But you had your DIEP already. 

    [This is for others considering the DIEP]

    And for me the DIEP wasn't terrible, no complications. I was swimming in 2 months and the only stage 2 tweaking was the nip and removal of some necrosis. Overnight in hospital for that. 

  • Janetanned
    Janetanned Member Posts: 118
    edited May 2013

    Chris - Did you have Mandy do the tattoo?  If so, what do you think?  I'm hoping to have mine done this summer and will probably stay at HUP to have them done.

  • sarasowise
    sarasowise Member Posts: 32
    edited May 2013

    Carol57, I am having same thoughts as you.  I had the reconstruction and was thinking i still wanted 3d (I even found lady who does them here in phoenix).  Then I was talking to PS and his office has a lady that does regular tattoos.  He thinks since I did recon that 3d isn't necessary.  Like you I am not sure which route to go.  I have a consult with 3d artist in a week or so and hope that will help me decide.  

    With reconstruction do most of you have one color tattoos or did you still get 3d?  Love to hear your experience.

    thanks, Sara

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

    I did the once color although I think my PS might have used more than one. It's not 3D but looks pretty darn good to me.

  • Stix
    Stix Member Posts: 610
    edited May 2013

    Well, my nipple reconst. nipple flattened!  I do have 3-D and I would go no other route.  You have to live with this for the rest of your life... I want it to look the best it can.  I went to Vinnie after my PS office screwed up the tattoo.  I am extremely glad I went to Vinnie for 3-D. 

    For the PS saying you don't need it - he is not going through what you went through. And, he doesn't have to look in the mirror every day and have it on his body. Therefore, I would not even consider his opinion

  • Carrol2
    Carrol2 Member Posts: 1,477
    edited May 2013

    well my PS told me to find a good tattoo artist because he doesn't like the one he uses. So since one nipple looks different than the other even though I had both nipples done I figured amybe Vinny could make them look more matched. So I am going to see him in Spetmeber. I'll let you know how it goes.

  • Stix
    Stix Member Posts: 610
    edited May 2013

    I have heard a lady named Arlene is good also.  She use to do them free for breast cancer patients. However, I don't know anyone who has used her.

    thanks

  • sarasowise
    sarasowise Member Posts: 32
    edited May 2013

    thanks for info Vicktoria.  You are right.  Funny how I think I need to listen to dr when I usually do what I want!  I have consult with Rachell Hall next week.  She has been recomended here and does 3d too.  Thanks again :)

  • Dovehome
    Dovehome Member Posts: 41
    edited May 2013

    Question, I had DIEP flap on Jan 2 and recon revision on May 1.  Does anyone know if the stiches around the created nipples dissolve or does my doc need to remove them?  Never had stiches sticking out of my skin before and I didn't think to ask my doc about.

  • Catie2013
    Catie2013 Member Posts: 241
    edited May 2013

    Every dr might do something different. My Dr just had some stitches in my new flaps after fat grafting - and under one side because of removing some extra skin. He told me the plastic fishing line sort of stitches I saw sticking up and out were dissolvable and can dissolve in my body.



    He also told me the black ones from my donor site were not dissolvable



    BUT I'd ask your Dr as again, we and they are all different!

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

    My nipple stitches were all black and had to be removed. I did not have diep.

  • Obxflygirl1
    Obxflygirl1 Member Posts: 106
    edited May 2013

    Question ?? How long did you protect the nipples with gauze or nursing pads after surgery. I had CV flap. I'm 2 weeks out and stitches are dissolving.



    Thanks everybody!

  • Carrol2
    Carrol2 Member Posts: 1,477
    edited May 2013

    I had to have the stitches removed I did not have diep. 

    I wore nipple protectors for 2 months.

  • Chris13
    Chris13 Member Posts: 112
    edited May 2013

    Jane in Media,

    Yes, Mandy did it. It looks unbelievably natural. The reconstructed nip (Dr. Serletti) is also amazingly real. I have a small spot on the nip where the color seems to have worn off, but it's not worth the bother to go back as I'm in a 41-year marriage and not planning to do Girls Gone Wild stuff. I know I could go back for the tiny fix if necessary.

    So yes to Mandy! 

  • jennyfrombama
    jennyfrombama Member Posts: 30
    edited May 2013

    Well Monday is the day. Surgery at 9:30. I have had to reschedule 3 times due to my Mother's lung cancer (she was a 13 yr breast cancer survivor) plus I've just had hard time deciding what to do. I'm still not quite sure but I've made a decision and I'm getting nipple recon on Monday. Hope I'm not disappointed. My PS is awesome and that's part of why I made this decision. I'll let you know!

    Jenny

  • cascader
    cascader Member Posts: 152
    edited May 2013

    Jenny, I had nipple recon done almost 2 weeks ago. I was not 100% sure going into it, just knew that I wanted to complete the process. I am so glad I did this, no regrets.

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

    seems most of the people who have done it have not regretted. I didn't think it was a big deal but once I did it, then added that tattoos I was so glad I did. I look pretty normal if only I didn't have the BMX scars. The scars from that nip recon are barely visible. Wish my BMX scars looked so good.

  • timbek2
    timbek2 Member Posts: 64
    edited May 2013

    For those that got the nipple reconstructed do you go braless or not? I enjoy not wearing a bra especially in the summer so am leaning towards tattoos only. Everyone seems pleased with the nipple result so I just wondered. Thanks!!

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