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Nipple reconstruction

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Comments

  • Blogger
    Blogger Member Posts: 7
    edited July 2013

    I am a little nervous about having the tattooing done by the nurse at my PS office. I am reading pros and cons about this. My PS has been so great through this entire process. Does anyone feel any obligation to their PS to finish the job they started? My nipple reconstruction went great although, as the healing process continues, the sides are not shrinking the same. I am a bit uncomfortable with this. I have almost two months to go so I am not going to panic just yet. What a process, what a journey, just want to be done.



    Suzanne

  • mybee333
    mybee333 Member Posts: 672
    edited July 2013

    I would not feel obligated to your PS. Think of yourself as a selective consumer. :) I changed my PS just after my first reconstruction. So glad I did. I had my implants redone and I was very pleased with the outcome. Hmmm....what do you mean by you still have two months to go?

    I'm sorry you are feeling your nipples are not matching. I didn't feel my nipple shrunk a lot but it did some. My surgery was the first week of April. My guess is it's done shrinking but you never know. I think it may get a little flatter. A couple of weeks ago my PS saw me and was very pleased with how it turned out. The science is so new. I really think it is more like an art than anything.

  • doxie
    doxie Member Posts: 700
    edited July 2013

    I had my surgery yesterday, the nipple reconstruction and the tattoo all at once.  Won't see anything until Friday.  I've got a strong protective bandage over it.  Only on Tylenol and an antibiotic, the latter to prevent LE. It was not prescribed in my earlier surgeries.  A little pain where the nipple was constructed.  Last night the area that was tattooed also hurt.  Pain is a good sign, I still have feeling there.  

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

    Congratulations Doxie!  I hope your healing progresses nicely and whatever pain you're experiencing fades quickly.  I'm leaning toward no nip reconstruction myself but I don't have to make that decision just yet.  Exchange is on August 7 and I'll see if I feel any differently a few months down the road after that.

  • 1AmazingSon
    1AmazingSon Member Posts: 4
    edited July 2013

    Hi Doxie, You are the first person I have found on here that had nipples and tattoo done at the same time. I had mine done 19days ago. They are healing great. My PS had me wear cups over them. I also had fat grafting to fill a couple of spots. Bonus! Tummy Lipo. I don't understand why so many PS are making women wait. He said if need be we can touch up in his office at my 6wk. checkup. Good Luck with yours! Like I said. "So far I am very happy with mine." They heal quick.

  • Blogger
    Blogger Member Posts: 7
    edited July 2013

    I was told that i have to wait at least 3 months between the nipple reconstruction and the tattooing. That gives the nipples and incisions on each side of the nipple time to shrink. I guess every PS has his own way of doing things. Thank you so much for everything you said. I have a great tattoo artist that has just told me he does cosmetic tattooing. He has tattooed me a couple of times over the years and is a real artist. I showed him my new nipples when they were only two weeks old and he said he would not touch them until they were completely healed. They did look pretty tender at that time. I want to do it right the first time. You are correct and I thank you for your support.



    Suzanne

  • doxie
    doxie Member Posts: 700
    edited July 2013

    Blogger,

    Tender is the word! Ouch!  Second day out of surgury and I'm finally over the anesethesia, but the new nipple hurts with movement.  A little better this morning.  My is reconstruction over a lympectomy, so I have full feeling in my nerves.  The tattooed area has mellowed out though.

    1AmazingSon, I met one of our Canadian sisters last night and she will be having the tattoo and nipple at the same time.  

  • Layla2525
    Layla2525 Member Posts: 465
    edited July 2013

    Kudos to the Canadians, I found they have banned BPH in baby bottles. Wish we could get the BPH banned in all the plastics.

    My support group is anti nipple. Also,I want the surg nips. I heard they shrink so dont think one would always need to wear a bra lifelong. However, my new PS said she would correct some of the items in the new implant surg. She did not! I only got the capsule removed and got the new bigger implants...which are so pretty. However, the left one as in the first surg with the other PS does not want to drop. The right one already dropped and I am only 3 wks out. She was supposed to correct that problem by putting the smaller implant in the non drop side. She also said she would correct the excess skin but did not. Now I dont want her to do the surg nips but dont know where to go. Fiance is pushing for a trip to either San Diego or Montreal in Oct when I would be getting the nips. I would love it if I could get tatoos and nips at the same time. Anyone know where I could get that in FL?

    Also, I could go to Niagara Falls and get the surg. Then cross the border to Montreal. Are our guys still doing the pat downs when we come back to the USA side? Is it cold in Canada in Oct? guess thats a dumb question. I went there in June and was nice. However when it rained I saw people in leather jackets and I was freezing! FL girls cant stay in Canada when it gets cold...lol

  • jennyfrombama
    jennyfrombama Member Posts: 30
    edited July 2013

    I had my nipples and tattoos done at the same time by my PS. He did a wonderful job and bobeena, I really had a hard time deciding also. I was really ok not having any and thought I would just leave alone but now that I've seen the results, I'm very happy I did it.

    Jenny (mayflower)

  • bobeena
    bobeena Member Posts: 46
    edited July 2013

    Thanks Jenny ... I live in my head too much sometimes.  I have many years to live with these implants, and probably at least one exchange in my lifetime.  I guess am a little heasitant about the permanency of the tatoos and nipples. Would love to hear from anyone who has had their implants exchanged after nipple reconstruction and tattoos - did they still look as good??

  • jennyfrombama
    jennyfrombama Member Posts: 30
    edited July 2013

    bobeena, I kept thinking what you said about "living in your head". I had never really heard it put that way but I do the very same thing. I thought I was just a worrier but the way you put it seems more accurate. I need to work on that.

    My PS told me if I ever had to have the implants replaced he would go under the curve or bottom of the breast not the original scar so it would not be very visible and I don't think would bother the nip reconstruction.

    I need to post an updated pic because even after 3 weeks they look even better. Good luck with your decision. You'll be happy either way I think because it's YOUR decision.

    Jenny (mayflower)

  • 1AmazingSon
    1AmazingSon Member Posts: 4
    edited July 2013

    Jenny or Doxie, If you don't mind me asking what did your PS have you wear to protect them and how long? My PS has me wearing these litte cups over them. It drives me crazy! I have to really pad a bra to hide them. I don.t see him again until  July 29th it feels like forever.

  • jennyfrombama
    jennyfrombama Member Posts: 30
    edited July 2013

    1amazingson; I only had a gauze dressing on them for 1 week. The 2nd week I was told just wear a cami or something light; I just went without a bra but still put on some gauze during the day because they showed through my shirts a little. At my 2 week visit he said I could resume normal activities and wear a bra because most bras leave a little room in the front. He said not to wear anything too tight on them but I've been wearing a bra and seems fine.

    Did you have nips and tattoos done at same time?

  • 1AmazingSon
    1AmazingSon Member Posts: 4
    edited July 2013

    Jenny, Yes I had both done at the same time. But my PS seems to be a little over protective of the nips. LOL! He said he wants to make sure they don't  flatten. I am not allowed to wear anything without the cups underneath. I plan on going to some gauze or sponges as soon as he says its ok. He said if they  flatten out before they are completely healed they will stay that way. So I guess better safe then sorry this late in the game. How long ago did you get nips done? Did you have to touch up tattoo?

  • jennyfrombama
    jennyfrombama Member Posts: 30
    edited July 2013

    I had mine done just before you on 6/24/13. My PS said they are going to shrink some anyway and doesn't seem too concerned about wearing a bra. I wear it to go to work and usually take off when I get home.

  • doxie
    doxie Member Posts: 700
    edited July 2013

    I had mine done on Monday, nipple and tattoo.  The unveiling was today.  It looks really good.  I'm to wear a gauze covering with a hole cut for the nipple, and to smother it with antibiotic gel.  After two weeks of this, then I'm to use a silicone cup for protection.  So from date of surgery about three weeks covered and thick layers of gel.  Not sure how long for the silicon cup.  

    The treatment might be more cautious because this breast was radiated and the nipple was partially constructed out of some remaining areola which blistered after radiation.  As a result this week it has been at times very painful.  But that means my nerves are firing and healthy.  I'll have feeling there.  

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

    Just wanted to say thanks to everyone sharing their nipple recons. Mine is going to be more delayed than I thought, ps feels the flap recon breast is still swollen, and want things to settle down first...will also be doing a wee bit of "tweaking", so may be delayed until after that resolves too. I will keep checking in to see how you all are doing.

  • rachelvk
    rachelvk Member Posts: 564
    edited July 2013

    bobeena - I was undecided too for a while but had my recon last month - and I was so excited to peek under the gown and see nipples! It does make it harder to go  braless, but I'm amazed at how much a difference it makes psychologically to look down and see nipples instead of plain ski slopes.

    1amazingson - When I got out of surgery I had NOTHING on them - not even a bandaid! I was shocked and called the office the next day (because it was so late, the PS had left instructions with my Mom before I woke up) and was told I could put a bandage over if I wanted, but not to worry about wearing a bra. When I went in for my follow-up, the PS said he's found it doesn't make a difference - that if they're going to fail or flatten they'll do so regardless. Once month out and mine are a little smaller (but he made them tiny to begin with), but they're fine by me.

  • 1AmazingSon
    1AmazingSon Member Posts: 4
    edited July 2013

    rachelvk- I agree with you on the phychologic impact of seeing nipples again. I feel complete with them. It also puts  a finalization on my journey. Also thank you for the feed back about your recovery . It is amazing to hear the differences in all our PS. 

  • doxie
    doxie Member Posts: 700
    edited July 2013

    I feel the same.  I makes me whole again, but it hit me that it also indicates that I'm putting that fear of recurrence away.  Going through the surgery means I don't think it will come back in my breast and require an MX.  I waited quite a while longer than I needed and I think that was partly why.

  • Blogger
    Blogger Member Posts: 7
    edited July 2013

    I have a question I hope someone can answer for me. I had my nipple reconstruction done on June 7 with the understanding from my PS that they will shrink some. I must wait 3 months for the shrinking and healing to be done before my tattooing set for Sept. 9. Well, so far I see NO shrinking of my new nipples which I think are too large. Should I have seen some change by now? I was thinking of waiting a full 2 months and if I don't see any shrinkage by Aug. 7 I should call him and see what is happening. Should I be concerned by this time? My gut tells me I should have seen most of the changes by now. Please help. Many thanks.



    Suzanne

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

    Don't worry they will shrink. Mine really stuck out there but now they are just little bumps (button candy size). The got wider. I have yet to hear anyone say their nipples are too big.

  • Stix
    Stix Member Posts: 610
    edited July 2013

    blogger,

    I am jealous!  My nipple shrunk to nothing.... 

    Don't worry they will shrink. It took about 5 months for mine to deflate to nothing.

  • Kurorin
    Kurorin Member Posts: 12
    edited July 2013

    Blogger,

    I had a nip recon about a month ago and it is still huge!  At the last followup, my PS told me reducing the size of nip is very easy but he needs to be absolutely sure that it is done shrinking, as there is no way to make it bigger.  I am pretty sure your PS can reduce the size if needed.     

  • Obxflygirl1
    Obxflygirl1 Member Posts: 106
    edited July 2013

    I'm 3 months out and mine really didn't start shrinking until after 2 months. Did you have the CV flap procedure? Not sure if it makes a difference, but that's what I had.

  • Blogger
    Blogger Member Posts: 7
    edited July 2013

    Yes, I did have the CV flap procedure. My nipples are real miracles, just too large. Thank you for all your responses. You have made me feel much better. I will be more patient.



    Suzanne

  • violet_1
    violet_1 Member Posts: 335
    edited August 2013

    Hi All...I need to research this Entire Thread...BUT, I'm wondering if anyone knows of a good 3D tattoo artist in Calif.? Northern or Southern...? Has anyone had theirs done in CA?

    Thanks!!!!!

  • violet_1
    violet_1 Member Posts: 335
    edited August 2013

    Ok, so I re-read some of this thread and found MY old posts/?'s...and some of your very helpful answers! Cool

    What I'm wondering is HOW in the heck would one get a great tattoo artist to do the 3D in a PS's office (so the darn insurance will cover the procedure) IF one's PS is in another STATE? Know what I mean? I'm in Calif...so if I was to travel to Scottsdale, AZ, for example, how could I swing it so insurance would pay for it? Anyone?

    ALSO: Has ANYONE else had 3D or reg. areola tats w/ a tattoo artist in San Francisco or L.A.?

    AND: IF you had some pain in one of your foobs (mastectomy pain/unexplained pain from bra/seatbelt pressure, etc. but NOT an infection or anything like that) BEFORE nip recon., was that pain way worse AFTER the procedure?

    I'm asking because I have always had more trouble w/ my Left foob...like deep inside where the nipple used to be...and on the outer rim of the foob. It hurt way more w/ my TE's also, even though my Right foob never did hurt much. They don't know WHY...could be MX pain syndrome...nerve stuff--who knows! It is NOT lymphdema or whatever that is called when your arm swells cuz lymph nodes were removed...

    My foob usually only starts hurting when I wear most bras OR when I drive cuz of the seatbelt pressure...doesn't take much pressure at all to set it off! Both my PS and my surgical oncologist say they just don't know why...but some pain/discomfort can be normal...we know I don't have an infection, etc...& mastectomy pain is a possibility...Frown.

    Anyway, has ANYONE exprienced this? Afraid their boob pain might worsen if they get more surgery on it? Anyone NOT get nips done because of Foob PAIN?

    THANKS!!!!

  • farmerlucy
    farmerlucy Member Posts: 596
    edited August 2013

    Yay! Just made my appt for 3d nips on oct 23rd w vinnie! Woo hoo! As my 3 y o granddaughter says "I'm so cited""!"

  • Dulcigirl
    Dulcigirl Member Posts: 864
    edited August 2013

    You shoud be, Farmer!!! Woohoo!!!!

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