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Nipple reconstruction

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Comments

  • hopefulhealing
    hopefulhealing Member Posts: 581
    edited August 2013

    Going on Aug. 22nd for my tats with Vinnie.  Very very nervous due to 10 surgeries to fix a failed nipple sparing mastectomy.  I have nipples reconstructed.  I have had a complication with almost every surgery so very nervous.  But exctied.  It will be really strange to have color after 3.5 years.  That is how long I have been in this reconstruction journey.  I have friends who never got nipples just areolas and are very content.  Although when one saw a women with 3D nipples she was thinking she should go that way. 

    I will keep you posted on how it goes with already having the nipple reconstructed then tatooed. 

  • lala1
    lala1 Member Posts: 974
    edited August 2013

    Violet--I had my exchange in March and my PS said we would talk nip after 3 months. I was actually going to be away for the summer so I told him we'd talk in Sept (6 months). Glad I did because my foob has changed alot from 3 months to the current 5 months. I saw him at 2 months out and he said I MIGHT drop just a bit more. Now when I see him at 6 months out, I think he's going to be surprised. So if it doesn't bother you to wait a while, I would...just to be sure. My pictures are on the picture forum if you have access.

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

    I have an appointment in NOLA with Vinny September 10th and I have reconstructed nipples. I just want it all to look as real as possible.

  • violet_1
    violet_1 Member Posts: 335
    edited August 2013

    Lala,



    Thanks for the info. HOW have your foobs changed?

  • Obxflygirl1
    Obxflygirl1 Member Posts: 106
    edited August 2013

    Carrol2.......Woot! Woot! for you! I hope all the girls who are seeing Vinny will come back on the board and let us future Vinny girls know how your appointments went.....

  • Obxflygirl1
    Obxflygirl1 Member Posts: 106
    edited August 2013

    Hopefulheal..... And another Woot! woot! . Please let us know how your Vinny appt. goes tomorrow.... I also had reconstructive nips ...mine in April . Vinny appt. in Baltimore on Sept. 18th. So anxious to hear your experience!



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

     Obxflygirl1 I am very excited but I am trying not to get my expectations to high. A big mistake throughout this process for me. it is what it is. 

  • lala1
    lala1 Member Posts: 974
    edited August 2013

    Violet--My foob is now much softer and has dropped quite a bit. I do get weekly massages to break up scar tissue and I feel it has helped my foob to settle in nicely. The masseuse has also helped to reduce the upper pole on the foob so it matches better. I've got pretty good symmetry going with my native boob. I'm going to post updated pictures in the next couple of days and you can see the difference. I'm 5 months out from exchange and still getting change!

  • violet_1
    violet_1 Member Posts: 335
    edited August 2013

    Lala

    Thanks...will find out tentative date next week.

  • hopefulhealing
    hopefulhealing Member Posts: 581
    edited August 2013

    Okay Vinnie update............  wonderful.  Ritchie who helps set up appointments is a gentle caring soul.  Vinnie did a great job!  We had a great time hubby was with me.  Plus I had a concern about the ink on the next day and he had let me come in and take a quick look.  No issues.  My Oncologist saw it for the first time today.  She kept saying "I can't believe it, this is so good"  She kept looking and saying how great and normal it looked.  I didn't have any scabbing at all.  I am finally done!!!!  Three years and 9 months and finally done!!!!!!!!

    I would recommend Vinnie to anyone.  I had the nipples and areola reconstructed so he tatooed those.  I have seen picutures of his 3D and know they are wonderful.  I am hoping my best friend who can't have nipple recon will go to him for 3D.  

    I feel pretty and normal again. 

  • TLR
    TLR Member Posts: 35
    edited August 2013

    Hopefulheal... Congratulations, so happy for you!!

  • hopefulhealing
    hopefulhealing Member Posts: 581
    edited August 2013

    Thanks TLR.  It is a wierd feeling to be done after all this time.  And no telfa pads today so just a bra like normal.  Now have to deal with hysterectomy and oopherectomy in September that I had not counted on but hey.  At least the top half is done ha!

  • Obxflygirl1
    Obxflygirl1 Member Posts: 106
    edited August 2013

    Thanks for the Update..Hopefulheal.. So glad it went well. I'm CPU ting down the days until Sept. 18

  • hopefulhealing
    hopefulhealing Member Posts: 581
    edited August 2013

    Obxflygirl good luck!!!!!

  • violet_1
    violet_1 Member Posts: 335
    edited August 2013

    Hopeful,

    So cool you got to go to Vinnie! I looked at the pinkink websites....the one in San Francisco is closest to me, BUT I wasn't that impressed w the pics on there. Vinnie's work seems much better, but I just can't afford the travel from CA...:(

    ***Has ANYONE attempted to get financial help/for travel to go there?

    Also, Hopeful, why do you have to have ooph & hysterectomy?...if ya don't mind me asking.

    Since you are Stage 1...am especially curious about the ooph...;)

    Thanks!!

    Violet

  • hopefulhealing
    hopefulhealing Member Posts: 581
    edited August 2013

    violet 1 he also goes to New Orleans would that be more affordable?  I had bleeding in June and my uterine lining has gotten thicker by more than what is considered normal.  I was on Tamoxifen for 2.5 years. Side effect uterine cancer.  Biopsy was negative but the surgeon and I both agreed.  Thickening is not normal nor the bleeding and not sure exactly why.  Breast cancer increases your risk of ovarian cancer slightly.  So get both out now before it does turn to cancer.  Her words I would rather remove it now without cancer than wait till it is there and I have to be careful then about getting all the cancer out.  I am post menopausal so no more kids ( I am 56) anyway.  So something is going on.  

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

    hopeful thanks for sharing your story. I am seeing Vinne in New Orleans on the 10th and I so excited!!! I have not let my hsuband see my reconstructed nipples. I have been hiding in the closet to dress. I don't want hime to watch em get the tatoo. I want him to see it all done and healed.I want to feel normal and I want him to see me whole again.

  • runnermom1956
    runnermom1956 Member Posts: 30
    edited August 2013

    hey Ladies..I am now 2 weks post exchange and my PS said the left on is encapcalating? He recommeneds massage but gave me no direction or referral for someone  to do that. any advice? Is there something online that can show me what to do? Other than that they look good..more natural than I thought they would and I don't know yet if I will get nipples..alot has changed in the last week in that DH and I are separated now(I only have 18 months of his healthcare left and then I have to find alt) sigh..life can change in a moment.

  • PollyP
    PollyP Member Posts: 5
    edited August 2013

    There is detailed stuff online, Runnermom. I recall seeing a video- google breast implant massage and you will get some choices. Boy, your DH picked a fine time to leave! What a guy!!



    Quick question: must you have a tattoo post nipple reconstruction? Once your PS finishes making the nipple from skin, do you really need the tattoo? And if you go to New Orleans to see Vinnie, what kind of shape are you in post-tattoo? Are you able to run around New Orleans?



  • farmerlucy
    farmerlucy Member Posts: 596
    edited August 2013

    Runnermom - I fell on my right side three weeks post exchange and had bleeding in the right pocket. My PS put me on Papaverine to help with blood flow (I was on it for six months), and she also had me move the implant around in the pocket. To massage the right, i would keep my right arm loose and hanging and use my left to squeeze the bottom of my breast below the implant to where I could see the implant rise up at the top. I did the same thing at the top to push it towards the bottom. Then I did both sides. She had me do this ten times a day for several months. Both sides are equally soft. This is only what was recommended to me. BTW Papaverine is a very old drug that is no longer widely used. I had to get mine from a compounding pharmacy.

    PollyP if you haven't already check out the thread "Trip to see Vinnie".

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

    Runnermom: I'm always sad to see a separation or divorce. Weddings are so happy and full of love and promise it's hard to see it fall apart be it a long or short marriage. I don't recall if earlier posts shared the situation or not but whether you're relieved or sad about it please know I'm thinking of you and send you virtual hugs and kisses Kiss.  I can't give any advice on the encapsulation problem but the ladies are already chiming in for you.  Hang in there.

  • di2012
    di2012 Member Posts: 871
    edited August 2013

    Suppose to have nips "installed" along with fat transfer to an empty upper pole in cleavage area (on cancer side) in Oct.....I am not sure I want nips at that time, since I want to know what I have before the installation of the  "cherries on the tops"

    Anyone else have fat transfer at the same time as as nipple reconstruction?

    Di

  • SweetCaroline2
    SweetCaroline2 Member Posts: 28
    edited August 2013

    I am almost a year post-mastectomy and have developed breast and arm lymphedema. I would like to have a nipple reconstruction, but am concerned that the compression bra that I must wear for lymphedema would just flatten the new nipple. Does anyone have any experience with this?

  • di2012
    di2012 Member Posts: 871
    edited September 2013

    I haven't had my nips created yet (OCT).... but I understand that after the nipple surgery you wear a "nipple shield" (it must have a different name) for 2 weeks to 4 weeks, or more (depending on PS instructions) but I would ask your PS would it do any harm to wear the shield for an extended period of time due to your compression garment, squishing your foob.

    Di

  • doxie
    doxie Member Posts: 700
    edited September 2013

    SweetCaroline2,

    You are correct to be concerned about the squashing your new nipple.  Having LE certainly will complicate nipple reconstruction, both with your LE and with compression garments.

    I'm six weeks after my nipple surgery and tattoo. I suspected possible truncal LE before the surgery.  Had a mild flareup after surgery that spread to my upper arm.  Pushed me to go to an LE specialist. So if you have surgery, you'll want to be proactive to minimize an LE flair.

    I've worn the nipple guard for two weeks now, after four weeks of gauze pads.  The ones I have are hard and very uncomfortable under compression.   Excellent at protecting the nipple though.  

    I had to buy a sports bra with cups to exercise.  Even that only made it tolerable to jog.  I've been wearing a bra with on oversized cup so there isn't pressure on the nipple area with or w/o a guard.  Also added a bra band expander to ease pressure around my chest.  I go w/o a bra and nipple guard whenever I can for comfort.

    My nipple was constructed out what remained of areola and additional breast tissue.  So I have fully functioning nerves to transmit pain.  With a mastectomy, this may not be as much of an issue for you.  

    I need to wear a compression t-shirt at the least to exercise, but can't yet because of the surgery.  Thinking of cutting a hole out of a shirt for the nipple to avoid compression there.  

    So, caring for your nipple after surgery will be complicated by LE.  My PS added Alloderm to the nip to keep it from collapsing.  You might inquire about that.  You might also consult with your LE therapist also.

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

    Polly I am getting my tattoo in Nola and plan to do lots of running around after I understand its ok to drink hurricanes and I intend to I can't wait let you all know how it goes

  • PollyP
    PollyP Member Posts: 5
    edited September 2013

    Carrol2, I am eager to hear all about it! Hurricanes and all!! How far in advance did you have to book the appointment? Did you insurance cover it?

  • cascader
    cascader Member Posts: 152
    edited September 2013

    I called a few weeks ago and they are booked out as far as February. Vinnie is one busy guy!

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

    yeah i booked Vinny a few months ago. I hope it not too hot there next week. Its pretty bad in KC. I figure he must be really as good as he seems. I am looking so forward to being whole again all my hsuabnds thinks about is getting away he needs a vaca.

  • SweetCaroline2
    SweetCaroline2 Member Posts: 28
    edited September 2013

    Doxie- Thank you for sharing with me about the nipple reconstruction. I have an appointment with my LE therapist to try a compression pump and will talk to her then about surgery and also talk about the LE to my PS when I see her- I am afraid she will not do the surgery after I tell her, though. You are right that I won't have any problems with pain- perhaps the only benefit of having a mastectomy instead of a lumpectomy.

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