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Nipple reconstruction

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Comments

  • Alldone
    Alldone Member Posts: 5
    edited July 2013

    I should mention that I am 48 and have an athletic build. My gf who is 45 just had double prophylactic mastectomies with immediate implants. Followed a few months later with same areola/nipple recon and she is also thrilled. ( her mom and 2 sisters had BC so genetic oncologist recommended mastectomies). I do recommend u research and get the BEST plastic surgeon tho.

  • Alldone
    Alldone Member Posts: 5
    edited July 2013

    I should mention that I am 48 and have an athletic build. My gf who is 45 just had double prophylactic mastectomies with immediate implants. Followed a few months later with same areola/nipple recon and she is also thrilled. ( her mom and 2 sisters had BC so genetic oncologist recommended mastectomies). I do recommend u research and get the BEST plastic surgeon tho.

  • cascader
    cascader Member Posts: 152
    edited July 2013

    Hi ladies, just want to share my experience. I am a uni and had sgap flap for my recon breast. 2 months ago I had a nipple made using the C-V flap method and I will have areola tattoo this winter. As far as symmetry, my placement is great and both nips do show thru most bras unless padded. My natural breast had a lift and so I think because of that the nipple is most always "on". This does not bother me at all. My recon nip started out a bit larger than I would have liked and now has shrunk quite a bit and recently gotten flatter.I would guess that it is about 1/3 the size of my natural. My PS says there are things we can do to enlarge it and always a possibility to  reduce the natural nipple, which I would be more inclined to do as I always thought after nursing twins that it was kind of big. either way, both options require more surgeries and honestly I just want to be done so will just leave things alone.  I am planning on going to Vinnie with hopes his skills can create the illusion of a slightly larger nip on the recon side.  Unilaterals are so much more difficult but I am really happy with how everything turned out, a long process but very worth it to me.  

  • Stix
    Stix Member Posts: 610
    edited July 2013

    Hi All,

    I would not recommend any PS office to do the nipple tattooing to match a native nipple. They are NOT tattoo artisits.  And, the Ns. Pract and the nurse aren't either no matter how confident they seem and how great they tell you it will look. I had a bad tattoo= suppose to match my native (which is now gone--- just had a px mx. for atypical). The reputable PS ns. pract.. screwed up the tattoo-looked nothing like the non-mx. breast.  

    GO TO VINNIE for the tattoos.... he fixed mine.... still needs some color correction though

  • Stix
    Stix Member Posts: 610
    edited November 2013

    Anybody who says it is OKAY for a surgeons office to screw up or they are okay with  the bad  tattoo after numerous surgeries is just kidding themself.  They should not be doing these tattoos in their office. They need to farm them out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • mybee333
    mybee333 Member Posts: 672
    edited July 2013

    Hi- I am not kidding myself or in some kind of weird denial about my tattoo. I am not focused on my reconstructed breast and am happy with my body, my cleavage and the fact that I have my health and am alive. My children could care less that my tattoo is slightly off color or smaller. Who gives a damn anyway! Many women choose not to have reconstruction at all; that is their choice! If you are not happy with my body and my choices then you have some issues. Some perspective here would be nice.
    If I choose to date again, and I may, any man that had a problem with my reconstructed breast would not be good enough for me; off the list he would go. Lets keep some perspective here folks. We beat cancer (at least for now) for gods sake!!

  • doxie
    doxie Member Posts: 700
    edited July 2013

    Actually I feel better having my PS tatoo my radiated breast.  Not many tatoo artists are going to know how to handle this fragile skin.  I see this as a medical procedure.

    Like mybee333 I'm not looking for perfection, but something good enough to make me feel that I'm more normal.  If I was in my 20s, 30s, or 40s I might think differently.  I am looking to start dating after a difficult marriage ended some years ago.  BC got in the way.  The nipple reconstruction should help my confidence and eliminate the last obstacle I've put in my way.  My new guy is not going to find perfection in this late 50s body, so no need to build the perfect nipple.

  • nihahi
    nihahi Member Posts: 1,068
    edited July 2013

    mybee....gosh, I hope I haven't indicated that I am ungrateful for being fortunate enough just to be here....not my intent at all. I'm almost 3 months out from flap recon, and just looking for the best way to bring it to a reasonable conclusion...then defo....the whole thing is going on the back burner and life is going forward. I totally agree with the pursuit of perfection....I'm just looking for normal, and there is no "perfect" in that world.

  • sweetandspecial
    sweetandspecial Member Posts: 1,669
    edited July 2013

    Mybee333: It's your body, your decision, do what's right for YOU.  If there's one thing I've learned from these threads it's that there are so many ways to 'skin a cat', so to speak, on this journey, it's a wonder any of us can decide what to do, why to do it, how to do it, when to do it, who to have do it, do it or not do it. Egads!  In the end, our personalities are as diverse as snowflakes and so are our individual perspectives and choices.  As long as you're content and feel comfortable with your direction that's what counts.

    All you lovely ladies have a blessed, wonderful day today!

  • mrenee68
    mrenee68 Member Posts: 48
    edited July 2013

    I totally agree with sweetandspecial, we have been through so much and have had to make some really fast, tough choices, it's a wonder we are still sane. What matters most is if we are happy with our own personal outcome. As I tell my children all the time life is about choices, there are good choices or bad choices, and consequences to both. Life is about living with those choices and what you make of them.

    By the way I'm still trying to choose, nipple or no nipple.

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

    So many Michiganders in here! Does anyone know of a 3D tattoo artist with nipple experience here or nearby?  I'm not sure I'm up for all the expense of a trip to see Vinnie.

  • Janetanned
    Janetanned Member Posts: 118
    edited July 2013

    Carol - My PS has a micro-pigmentation specialist who does the nipple tattoos in his office.  I understand that she is very good.  I will be using her when the time is right.  You might want to google 'micro-pigmentation' for your neck of the woods.  A quick search turned up a PS who provides this service in Michigan - http://www.rthplasticsurgery.com/micropigmentation/

    I don't know if they are any good, but it is a start.  You might find someone better.  They are out there and, while highly recommended, Vinnie isn't the only option.

  • nihahi
    nihahi Member Posts: 1,068
    edited July 2013

    mrenee, sweetandspecial,janetanned.....and others, COULDN'T AGREE MORE....Geez....I sure hope this isn't one of those "only one way is best" threads. I have encountered ladies with those mindsets before on this site....I have NO interest in another. Can't we just share thoughts, information, support and understanding without the drama of superiority???? We ALL want the best results we can get, but that means different things to each of us.....come on...let's help each other, not judge!!!!!!

  • cascader
    cascader Member Posts: 152
    edited July 2013

    I have had my nip recon done and just waiting to figure out tattoo. So glad to hear what I keep thinking in the back of my mind but have not voiced. I am very much an individual but honestly feel pressure( from me!) to go to Vinnie, which of course means travel and expense . Ridiculous because of course there are others who do excellent work. So again, lets share our experiences and support each other with our decisions, whatever they may be.

  • sweetandspecial
    sweetandspecial Member Posts: 1,669
    edited July 2013

    I haven't been on this thread as long as a couple of others I follow (exchange city and breast implant sizing 101), but I came across it and thought I'd start following.  My mindset right now is no nip recon, just good 3D tats so it looks like the headlights are on to the naked eye, but no physical nubs.  My hubby has NO and I do mean NO problem with my breasts as they are now even with the TEs (if you know what I mean Wink) and while it did take some getting used to, I'm totally comfortable with the way they look without nips.  Following this thread, though, keeps me aware of the various perspectives, issues, thoughts, choices, results, etc just in case I change my mind.

  • Dulcigirl
    Dulcigirl Member Posts: 864
    edited July 2013

    Carol57:

    I'm in MI too and really hoping to find a tattoo artist closer to home! My Nip Day is August 7 (Yay!!) so I've been doing some searching online, but haven't found anything yet. It's hard to believe there isn't SOMETHING at least in Ann Arbor area! Please let me know if you find someone and I'll do the same.

  • sweetandspecial
    sweetandspecial Member Posts: 1,669
    edited July 2013

    Dulci and Carol: please keep me in the loop on Michigan tattoo artists, k?

    Dulci: you're getting your new nips on my birthday!!! And I'm exchanging on my birthday.....YAY!!!

  • BayouBabe
    BayouBabe Member Posts: 1,467
    edited July 2013

    Count me in on the info on MI tattoo artists. There has to be someone near by for us! The search begins ladies!

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

    I'm near Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids but would have no trouble using a tattoo resource anywhere in the lower peninsula or nearby in Indiana, western Ohio or eastern Illinois. Maybe we should do some googling in our backyards and then get on the phone to see what we can find.  I'm consumed with work deadlines now and go on vacation in about a week, but after that, I'll do some poking around in west Michigan. No great hurry for me; wouldn't want to get a tattoo during water sport months because I don't want to miss my kayaking during a few weeks of healing time!

  • cat24
    cat24 Member Posts: 47
    edited July 2013

    Had the big reveal for my new nipples on Monday.  Happy, Happy, Happy, can't wait to see what they look like after they heal.  I had skin grafts taken from scar revisions from my Tram flap surgery.  It makes a big difference seeing my reconstructed breasts with nipples, I can't believe they're mine. 

  • nihahi
    nihahi Member Posts: 1,068
    edited July 2013

    cat24.....how wonderful to hear how happy you are with the new "finishing touches". That's great news.

  • mrenee68
    mrenee68 Member Posts: 48
    edited July 2013

    Cat24, congrats on your new nipples! One step closer to the finish line.

  • Stix
    Stix Member Posts: 610
    edited July 2013

    Hi Carol57-

    I have heard Arlene is good in New Orleans.  She does

    it free for breast cancer patients.  I had emailed her prior to Vinnie-

    I only went to Vinnie instead of arlene b/c it was a big correction.

    Arlene is a warm heart nice person.  Just some thoughts for you.....

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

    Thanks, Viktoria.  That's a good suggestion, but I've not given up hope on finding a god person near home, or at least within a driveable distance.  I'm self employed, and taking time off costs me dearly--no paid vacation, plus the loss of revenue. So I prefer to be doing something fun when I take the time to travel!  If I can do the medical time off without adding travel time, that's a bonus.  If it turns out I need to travel, I will, but it would be so much better to be able to stay nearby.

    Michigan friends here-I found a 3D tattoo artist who does nipple work, in Northeast Ohio.  www.enhancementsbyann.com gets you to her website. I have corresponded with her and for me, she's a possibility if I don't find anything closer her in MI or IN or IL.

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

    I had my tattoo done by my PS. They look fantastic. If you are going to have your PS do it I would ask to see many (not just a few) examples. Keep in mind you will be seeing his/her best work. If you just think they are OK then go to a cosmetic tattoo artist but keep in mind… if not done in a doctors office your insurance will not cover.

    I also agree with Doxie. If you had radiation or any issues with your skin healing I would go to a medical professional.

    Final note: This is not a perfect science. There will always be people that don't have a good experience either because mother nature isn't cooperating or the PS screws up. Don't assume this will happen to you but also remember it is always a possibility. Ask your PS or Tattoo artist about the complications. If they say none… you might consider using someone else. Nothing is 100%

  • renee-tattoos
    renee-tattoos Member Posts: 14
    edited July 2013

    I have someone listed in MI www.PinkInkProject.com

    Funky MOnkey.....google the shop and you can find the article on them.....

    Really any tattoo artist can do a realistic NAC ....it is like doing a portrait of a nipple...

    Tattoo artist understand shading techniques which is what creates the illusion........

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

    Renee, I now recall seeing that on your site, and I looked at the MI website. Do you know if all the listed tattoo artists do the areola work, or just one person there?  I was hoping for some photos, and don't see any.  By the way, thank you immensely for your website!

  • renee-tattoos
    renee-tattoos Member Posts: 14
    edited July 2013

    If you google the shop name there is an article about the areola work......I would call the shop for info...

    Let us know what happens......

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

    Renee, thank you!  Here's the article I believe you're referring to: http://www.annarbor.com/business-review/lucky-monkey-puts-stamp-on-tattoo-business/

    I will definitely call, and hope to schedule something with them at the end of the summer.

    Carol

  • bobeena
    bobeena Member Posts: 46
    edited July 2013

    I have been away from the boards for a while - found the support here invaluable when I was going through my mastectomies, delayed reconstruction with TE's, and my exchange surgery to implants a year ago.  I met with my PS today for a follow-up and we discussed nipple reconstruction and tattooing.  Up until today I was set that I did not want to take this next step, and that I was fine with how I looked ... now I find myself undecided ... maybe I would like to have everything finished and done. Thanks for sharing your experiences, good and bad!

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