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Nipple reconstruction

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Comments

  • sciencegal
    sciencegal Member Posts: 546
    edited May 2013

    Sorry if I had missed this post, but have any of you had nipple reconstruction after radiation?

  • cg1234
    cg1234 Member Posts: 11
    edited May 2013

    I'm always bouncing over here with a question when it pops up, but you lovely women have been so helpful. Looks like my nipple recon will be put off a little since I'm having scar revision and a little lift on one side in a couple of weeks. Bummer, since I was looking forward to nipples soon and all of you are so happy with them. Ps just didn't want to do everything at once. My question is whether any of you have had fat grafting for projection at same time as nipple recon? I wasnt sure whether to push for fat grafting now or later, or whether the it has any effect on healing/results with nipple recon. Does this make sense. Just trying to gauge how much is possible and want to minimize the number of "stage 2" surgeries I have. Thanks as always for sharing your wisdom and experience!

  • cg1234
    cg1234 Member Posts: 11
    edited May 2013

    And sorry if I'm not very clear, but i meant fat grafting for breast projection since I kinda have bagel shape after diep. I think nipple projection should be ok.

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

    I had a revision to the left side, fat  transfer as well as nipple recon all in the same surgery. I was happy to have it all done at the same time. I don't get along with general anesthesia. It takes about a month for my body to recover from it. Glad I only went under once.

    and my nips look great.

  • jill47
    jill47 Member Posts: 85
    edited May 2013

    cq1234: while I haven't seen a topic for fat grafting  + nipple reconstruction all in the same surgery but the combo happens, see lago's experience.  My PS is calling my surgery "next phase" we've stopped numbering Smile as there is no set number of reconstruction and revisions to have to be considered "done"; we're all different.  Next Thursday is #4 for me: fat grafting due to side rippling and upper pole fill in (I have a small bony chest) + right nipple reduction (the left one didn't survive nipple sparing). Both aerolas look terrific but the nipples will be flat, zero projection. BS supports my PS on this one, nipples cored out during bmx were filled w/ skin + some breast tissue...good riddance to bt, not loved or wanted.  Getting anxious, I've never had tummy surgery, PS nurse said I'll feel like I did 1,000 sit-ups and advised me to take more time off of work.Cry

  • Stix
    Stix Member Posts: 610
    edited May 2013

    How much time off work is recommended for fat grafting and nipple reconstruction?

  • jill47
    jill47 Member Posts: 85
    edited May 2013

    Vicktoria: surgery 5/23 scheduled back to work 5/29; we'll see though, think the nurse wanted me to take even more days off, she didn't exude a whole lot of confidence that I'd be driving/working so soon.  If still on pain meds I can't drive, therefore no workie and DH is out of town on business that whole week so I'll be stuck at home.

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

    I think my surgery was on a Friday. My PS didn't want me back to work till they saw me again… which was Monday but I wasn't working at the time.

  • mcgis
    mcgis Member Posts: 74
    edited May 2013

    Being that there are 33 pages to this topic I haven't read them all. I was wondering if any of you chose not to do nipple reconstruction? I'm thinking of opting out of that. It's another surgery I just don't want to do, no one but my husband and daughter will see me... Are there pros to getting it done? Cons? Thanks!

  • cascader
    cascader Member Posts: 152
    edited May 2013

    Cg1234, I had both nipple recon and fat grafting just 2 weeks ago. I too wanted more projection in the breast , my football shaped flap was also tightened up a bit to help with that. No problem getting it all done at same time. I am like lago, takes me a long time to recover from the anesthesia. Part of my nipple did not survive however, the tip is black and I am waiting for it to fall off. Ick. Hoping that enough survived, I need to be done.

  • jennyfrombama
    jennyfrombama Member Posts: 30
    edited May 2013

    Well, cancelled again, this time by my PS, due to death in his family. I'm just not sure I was meant to have nipples. Is this a sign?

    Jenny

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

    Timbek2 I go braless sometiems and you can't see my nipples they are very small, you can tell they are there if you look really hard though. But I asked a coworker (i sell bra) and she couldn't see them.

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

    jennyfrombama you'll get them… and you will really be happy you did. I didn't think it was going to be a big deal but it is. Especially when you finish up with the tatts. They look so real

  • cg1234
    cg1234 Member Posts: 11
    edited May 2013

    Thanks as always for the info! I think I'm going to push for more fat grafting.



    Mcgis, I initially thought 3d would be fine for me but decided I wanted to look "normal" again after 6 months of a blank slate. I had worried I'd have headlights but everyone here has reassured me that most are only a few mm high. That's perfect to me.

  • mantra
    mantra Member Posts: 189
    edited May 2013

    I have a question but will preface it with a brief/not so brief Cry history.  DMX, implants, nipple reconstuction (CV flap method), followed by fat grafting to plump up the nipples a bit more.  Perfect!!  . . .. until the "tattoo disaster".   Due to negligence on the part of the tattoo artist, all my skin fell off (only wish I was exaggerating!!) and of course the nipples came off too.  This was then followed by the use of bandages used on burn victims to regrow the skin.  The only thing left is 100% major scar tissue.

    I have gone through 3 additional surgeries to have fat injected to try and recreate the nipples that were lost.  As expected, it was not successful.  I may require skin grafting but we're leaving that on the back burner for now. It will not replace the nipples but may make tattooing results better if I ever have the courage to try it again.

    Having nipples is extremely important to me.  I just can't get over that they are gone.  For me, 3D nipples will never make me happy.  And in reality, the aerola tattooing may not be that successful because of the scar tissue regardless.

    The only thing keeping me emotionally together is hope; believing that a solution to rebuild the nipples is out there waiting to be found.  I have researched and spoke to my surgeon about several ideas I found but unfortunately none of them will work for me. 

    Has anyone had a procedure different than CV flap, purse string, fat grafting?  Alloderm is not available in Canada except in a trial so that is not an option for me at this point either. 

    Any suggestions would be very much appreciated. I've read about using ear lobes.  Anyone tried that?

  • PeggySull
    PeggySull Member Posts: 368
    edited May 2013

    Mantra, I'm so sorry about what you have gone through. I haven't done any of the things you mentioned (my nipples are scheduled for the fall). However, I have read many posts where people who have disastrous whole or part reconstruction and have been saved by the surgeons at NOLA (New Orleans). I kept (and am keeping) that in the back of my mind all during reconstruction. I would go there in a heart beat if I experienced what you are going through. Their surgeons are known for being very creative and tech savvy with tough "redo" cases, according to the posts I have read.



    At the very least, it wouldn't hurt to ask for a phone consult there and find out if they have experience in a case such as yours.



    Hope this helps,

    Hugs,

    Peggy

  • Catie2013
    Catie2013 Member Posts: 241
    edited May 2013

    Mantra -

    So very sorry about your nipple ordeal! I know what scar tissue is from a previous lumpectomy years ago - but certainly not to your extent! I can though, say that the Drs in Charleston (Dr. Kline and Dr. Craigie) are so very compassionate microsurgeons and they speak to you on the phone and might give you some options. They also have on their website an area to ask the Dr. www.naturalbreastreconstruction.com I did that when I was looking to have my bmx last year. I thought I'd get an answer in a week or so, but the Dr. emailed me very quickly and answered many of my questions then referred me to Gail, his office manager who spent hours on the phone with me. All before me making my decision to go there! I am a very happy patient of theirs now!



    Not knowing what the cost to call Charleston SC is, (by the way beautiful place to go by the ocean) from Canada, but the email certainly would be worth your while.



    Hope this helps.



    BTW, for first go round when I had a lumpectomy, the biggest thing I had against a mx was the nipple loss. So I absolutely know how you feel about wanting nipples. Now, I'm on the fence, one day I do and the other I'm not sure. I like the fact that I never have to worry about 'headlights' and can go braless but it looks like I'm wearing a bra because my breasts are very nicely shaped. But, it's your decision and your satisfaction that is important. Again, thank you for sharing.



    Where did you go for your tattooing? A dr office?? If you don't mind - if you'd rather not say - no worries, just makes me freaked that that could happen and I'd try to avoid it if possible as I am exploring my options for nipples - 3D, etc.

  • mantra
    mantra Member Posts: 189
    edited May 2013

    Thanks for the suggestions.  I just emailed NOLA and also sent them photos so they would be able to see exactly what happened.  I'm familiar with NOLA because I've had endless discussions with Vinnie over what happened to me.  He's been wonderful and whenever I have tattooing again, Vinnie will be the only person I would go to.  But I never thought of actually contacting NOLA to see if they could come up with a solution for me.  Hopefully they will get back to me soon.

    I'm not holding out a lot of hope but you never know.  My surgeon is one of the top PS and she did an absolute amazing job.  I was beyond thrilled with the results.  Then the tattoo person destroyed everything and of course it's a constant reminder every time I take a shower.  I'm hoping that perhaps a nipple procedure is available in the US that isn't availale in Canada. 

    Catie, the tattoo artist is in Ontario so you don't need to worry about it.  The issue was caused by a facial wipe package she gave as an aftercare product . . . one that should never have been given in the first place.  It was a new product and she never tested it.  I was one of the unlucky 5 people she gave the product to.  Basically it burned the skin right off.  I learned afterwards that the manufacturer recommends cleansing with soap and water. 

    I will keep in touch . . .hopefully with good news!

  • sciencegal
    sciencegal Member Posts: 546
    edited May 2013

    Oh my gosh Mantra, i am so sad to read about what you have been through. Can you sue that tatoo artist? my gosh, what a huge error in judgement they made.



    I have just the typical "one scar across the middle" type surgery but have seen pictures of "football grafts" of skin taken from the back or the abdomen in the flap procedures, could you be a candidate for that? It seems like it might make a clean slate for new nipples.

    SO sorry.

  • Stix
    Stix Member Posts: 610
    edited May 2013

    Matra

    I had a terrible tattoo also.  I went to vinnie myers and had it redone. it looks good now. I am still going to have some color correctionl 

    My nipple has flatened and i have just recently gotten a px mx. on the other side due to precancerous.  I will try to go to NOLA and have nipples reconstruction  and fat grafting to fill in the mastectomy defects.  Hopefully my insurance will cover it. 

    Sorry you have to go through this. 

    I think tattooing should be banned in physicians offices! They are not tattoo artists and it is impossible for them to learn this overnight!

    Viktoria.

  • Catie2013
    Catie2013 Member Posts: 241
    edited May 2013

    Mantra, actually could happen here as well if given the facial wipe!



    I have 3 sons - no tattoos, 1 daughter - enough tattoos for all of them!!! She offered to take me when/if I go that route!



    Viktoria the Drs in Charleston, Kline and Craigie do the football paddles as well - that's what I'm working with. So sorry about your bad tattoo too! (That sounds like I'm saying tutu!) LOL

  • mantra
    mantra Member Posts: 189
    edited May 2013

    Catie, true!! BTW, I got your PM, thank you, and agree that one more opinion can't hurt. 

    Sciencegal; It's my understanding that grafts cannot be used to create nipples (although if anyone knows differently, please let me know). 

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

    Viktoria my PS did my tattoos and they look fabulous. My insurance didn't even cover the cost because I didn't meet the deductible… and he charged me $0!  While I'm sure I would have a little more detail with Vinnie I doubt the difference would be that noticeable. Mine look pretty real unless you are examining closely.

  • mybee333
    mybee333 Member Posts: 672
    edited May 2013

    My PS did my tattoo at the time of my surgery for nipple reconstruction.  So far the nipple looks great, although he said they tend to flatten out anyway.  I am about two mos. out from surgery.  The tattoo is not right.  I don't think they should be allowed to do it either; it would encourage them to make arrangements with tattoo artists that know what they're doing.  The color on mine doesn't match my other nipple but more importantly it is a different size, the color is uneven and there is a circular 'border'/stripe on the upper part of the outside circumference of the 'circle'.

  • loulou24
    loulou24 Member Posts: 42
    edited May 2013

    Hello girls !

    Nipple surgery tomorrow morning !!!! I'm VERY excited !!!!!!

  • PeggySull
    PeggySull Member Posts: 368
    edited May 2013

    Best of luck, loulou,



    Are you getting the areole tattoos at the same time?



    I'm excited for you!



    Hugs,

    Peggy

  • Catie2013
    Catie2013 Member Posts: 241
    edited May 2013

    Woo hoo lou Lou!

  • sciencegal
    sciencegal Member Posts: 546
    edited May 2013

    Yay loulou - best of luck!!!! May they turn out well, we are rooting for you.

  • loulou24
    loulou24 Member Posts: 42
    edited May 2013

    Little problem at the hospital monday morning so my nipple surgery is at noon today !!!!

    Thank you girls !!! I'll keep you posted !!

  • loulou24
    loulou24 Member Posts: 42
    edited May 2013

    CV Flap procedure and no areola tattoos for today !

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