Nipple reconstruction
Comments
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Doxie the visits eventually get less and less. Once you have the follow up on this last surgery you should be seeing your PS only 1x a year.
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I've not had a chance to read through all the posts, but can anyone share their skin graft experience? What about the bolster dressing? I'm a little concerned about that, it seems awkward.
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I had a skin graft taken from my c-section scar to make the aereolas. They make the flap first to make the nipple & then attach the skin graft. My PS sutures on the bolster for 1 week & then removes them at the first check up. There was minimal discomfort, the most came from the abdominal area. I was told then to apply bacitracin & a non stick pad 4x/day for the next 2 weeks. I was told to be careful not to have to much pressure on them & protect them. I slept on the couch for almost a month so I wouldn't roll over. All has healed well. They loose most of their projection, there is just a slight bump, barely visible without a bra. It has made me feel so much better when I see myself in the shower or while naked. I am now waiting to hear from the insurance about laser treatment for hair removal. I was not told about this but it does make sense because of where they took the skin from. I guess it is good because the graft has taken & is healthy. After I get the laser I will probably get them tatooed just to make them a bit darker. All in all I am very happy I did it. Good luck
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Thanks so much for the information tenaj. I'm having scar revisions on my sides from my tram surgery and that is where the grafts are coming from for me. I was planning a week or so off work. I'm hoping this won't be too bad. My PS did say it would be my sides that would be sore afterwards.
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Got my bandages off yesterday after one week from nipple recon. Amazing, how great and real they look already! I need to post some pics. Looks strange after 2 years almost without them but I think I'm going to be happy with the outcome.
Jenny
Posted pics on forum; name on pic forum is mayflower.
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I am exactly one month out from nipple reconstruction. 1 hour surgery with just a local at a same day surgery facility. Talked to my PS and nurses during the whole procedure. Piece of cake and no pain at all. Scabbing almost gone. Nipples have started to shrink slightly and I think they are "works of art." I went home with a little gauze patch over new nipple and side incisions. Had post-op after 10 days and PS covered just the nipple with a small band-aid. I have more healing to go (2 more months) and then tattooing. I was skeptical about doing this at first but they look so good already that I am very glad I did it. sounds like every PS uses a different procedure. Mine was very easy and pain free. I wish everyone great results like mine.
Suzanne0 -
Congratulations Blogger, you sound very pleased and happy with the results so far. I'm glad that was the right decision for you! Good luck with continued healing and eventual tats!
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Surgery went well on Tuesday. I'm suprised that the nipples do not hurt at all, but my sides and lipo area are very sore. I haven't seen the results yet, but just knowing I have nipples makes me feel much better about everything.
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Congratulations! I'm really, really glad I had my nipple done. I found lipo to be the worst part of all my surgeries! But you're into it now. Soon it will be behind you too.
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Bilateral mastectomy on September13, 2012 with expanders. February 14 exchange to silicone implants. July 3 revision with nipples. July 6, it looks like I have REAL breasts!!!!! Sooooo glad I chose to have nipples made! I was fine with the way I looked through expanders and implants, and changed my mind from 3-d tattoos only a months ago. I just can't express the elation I felt when I looked at my new nipples!!!! Of course they are swollen and the end result will be much smaller, but I feel like I actually have breasts again! Oh what a feeling!!!!!!
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I agree. I feel soooo different when I get out of the shower.
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I will get to see mine tomorrow for the first time.
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First time posting on this thread, but have been active on a few others. I will be seeing my PS in a few weeks, to start "discussing" tweaks and nipple recon. I had a uni free flap recon done on April 12, that has healed well, without any complications. On the remaining "real" boob, I had a lift and slight reduction. This means that my real nipple was "repostitioned". It seems to have a slight bit of "headlight" ability, but not extreme. I don't know if this changes in time. My biggest issue is symmetry, and I'm wondering if any "uni"'s out there, have experience with how a recon'd nipple matches a "repostioned" nipple, over the long term "headlight" wise. Currently, the real (and at this time, only) nipple shows slightly through certain clothes like yoga tops.
Thanks in advance for any and all advice and support!
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It's funny, the last time I saw my PS, I commented on the fact that my natural, lifted and slightly augmented breast, doesn't seem as responsive to cold, etc. it doesn't seem to contract much at all and is a little numb. My newly reconstructed nipple sticks out more, but is very well positioned. My PS did a nice job. The natural areola is large; the tattoo doesn't really match it, not in color or size. This doesn't really bother me much. He told me I could have the other areola made smaller but I am done with breast surgeries for now, thank you very much. I'm just happy we have all these reconstruction options now. We are very lucky!
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I posted yesterday, then read back and realized most of my questions had already been asked and answered. I had a tram free (uni) on April 12, and will be meeting with my ps in a couple weeks for my 3 month followup. I'm sure at that time the topic of tweaks and nipple recon will come up. My biggest concern/wish is for the recon nipple being a good match in "appearance through clothing" to the real nipple, which is part of a "lifted, reduced" breast. Thanks for all the info, ladies!!!!! Hope we all end up with just what we're hoping for!
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Nihahi,
I had almost the same path. Undecided at first if I really needed nipples. Didn't mind the look without them; until I got them. Wow! So glad I did. I, too, have some healing and shrinking to go but the nipples look fantastic and, after the tattooing, I will feel perfect and beautiful. It has been a long journey and I am ending on a positive note. I pray everything continues this way.
Suzanne0 -
Blogger....My biggest stress is the "matching" of the real with the recon....I know that even if both nipples are recons, there can be differences, but I just can't wrap my head around the difference between the two I will have. Crazy, I know, because I'm really quite ok with the difference between my real breast and the flap recon....It just seems like the nipple difference (because it might "show" through clothing) will be obvious to others!
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Nihahi - this is my fear as well. I was able to keep one nipple, with the promise of the surgeon to "split the nipple" and share with the other breast at a later date. So, I did a nipple sparing on one side without a second thought. Now it is looking more and more that this will not be an option. For me, not so much worried about show through clothes, just want to be symmetrical so badly! Hoping others will pipe in with having done one nipple and their satisfaction with the match. Ladies, anyone, anyone? Please?
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BayouBabe,
I'm going for nipple reconstruction to match my good nipple on Monday. The reconstruction and tatooing will be in one session. I've not heard of this before, but am greatful for one less medical procedure to endure. I'm not looking for a perfect match, just some respectable symmetry, so I don't see BC everytime I see my breast in the mirror.
Will let you know how it goes.
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I had a uni MX. In April I had my nipple done. They are most definitely symmetrical in placement, despite the fact that my breasts are two diff sizes and hang slightly differently. The areolas do not match. This doesn't bother me in the least. I might redo the tattoo in the years to come but that is low priority for me at this point. I am just thrilled that we have these reconstruction options at this point in history. I would like the nipple to shrink and flatten a bit more as it shows through, just a little, with certain bras, but I am very happy I did it. Btw- I am single and no one sees it but me. I may date some day but that is also low priority for me too.
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Mybee333 - if you don't mind me asking, how do the areolas not match? Color, size??? Trying to prepare ahead so I am not so disappointed with the outcome. If I know what to expect, it will be easier.
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My question too, BayouBabe, thanks for asking it.
Doxie.....I'm with you...not looking for "perfect", but want as much symmetry as I can get. It's not like I'm going to be putting myself in a lineup to compare myself with others
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My PS is not a tattoo artist. Lol. The color is not even and doesn't match the color of my other nipple, although he tried. It is the size he believes is a good size for an areola. He would like to reduce the size of the one on my lifted size. It stretched a little when I was slightly augmented (long story). I said I was fine with it and didn't want him to touch the other side anymore.
It is difficult to get symmetry in all regards with a uni Mx0 -
Thank you for sharing. I just noticed you are from Michigan. Can I ask who your surgeon is? Might want to skip tattoo there if it is same as mine!
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Hi there. I had nipple and aerola reconstruction done 10 wks ago whereby the labia tissue was used. Amazing results. My surgeon felt my tissue was too thin for tattooing (had prophylactic mastectomy with immediate implant and alloderm on the right side ; and the left side had had 2009 mastectomy and rads so had fat graft/transfer to restimulate stem cell growth and repair rads damaged tissue, then expander and implant )
So, reconstruction of areola and nips on both sides but I really researched my surgeon to ensure he was the best.0 -
Ouch! Loss of sensation and libido issues have been so huge through all of this. Did having them created from such a sensitive place affect you at all in this manner?
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Hi. Nope. Altho I did wait 6 weeks to be with my hubby! My oncologists cannot believe my results!
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There is no sensation in the nipples of course, but the areola and nips look authentic! And the implants I was able to get on both sides....I look better then before. I went from a B cup for a full B cup.
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Bayou babe: PM me.
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So glad you have results you are happy with. I am going to do some research on this method. Thanks for sharing!
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