Come join others currently navigating treatment in our weekly Zoom Meetup! Register here: Tuesdays, 1pm ET.
Take our poll: Caregivers, what do you find most difficult about caregiving?
Weigh in: What are the best and worst gifts for people with breast cancer?

Nipple reconstruction

1…3839414344…71

Comments

  • farmerlucy
    farmerlucy Member Posts: 596
    edited September 2013

    Has anyone added a little spice to their nipple tattoos like a 3d nipple ring or something else? If so, did you regret it later?

  • di2012
    di2012 Member Posts: 871
    edited September 2013

    Carrol2,

    Do you know if Vinnie/ or Breast Center take care of billing insurance in NOLA?   Or is it cash up front?

    Di

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

    Don't know I only have Medicaid so it's not covered paying out of pocket for the whole thing. I've been lucky everything else was covered. But sure wish I had health Insurance.

  • hopefulhealing
    hopefulhealing Member Posts: 581
    edited September 2013

    Di2012  I paid $400 up front and $200 when done with Vinnie.  They gave me a sheet filled out after the appt. for me to submit to insurance.  I was bilateral. 

  • Sharon1942
    Sharon1942 Member Posts: 96
    edited September 2013

    I'm getting nipple construction on Friday for my unilateral DIEP foob. How long should it take to heal before I can get it tattooed?

  • vinniemyers
    vinniemyers Member Posts: 58
    edited September 2013

    Sharon... you should wait 20 weeks post-op if the tattooing is to be done over scars created during your last surgery. If the area to be tattooed has no scars then you are probably ready now... or at least 12 weeks from your last surgery just to let things settle down and rest in place. Good luck...! 

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

    For what it's worth, my PS told me that in his practice's experience, waiting at least six months helps to minimize the fading that he says sometimes happens if we get tattoos within 3 to 4 months.

  • kidznpets
    kidznpets Member Posts: 1
    edited September 2013

    Sadie,

    I just had BMX with immediate reconstruction; BS had to take part of nipple during surgery-PS took the rest.  Like you I have no interest in any more surgery-minor or otherwise-and like you, only my husband & I will ever see them, so, I will not be having the nipple recon.

  • Sharon1942
    Sharon1942 Member Posts: 96
    edited September 2013

    Thanks for the feedback. I get my nipple on my flap Friday & am so excited to be ending this saga! I'll keep this thread posted on my ongoing nipple recovery & future tattoo.

  • ablydec
    ablydec Member Posts: 36
    edited September 2013

    How do I separate my decision about nipple reconstruction from my resentment of a husband that is pressuring me to do it? It's a legitimate question, but by now I feel like I'm being bullied, and I almost have to say no just to maintain my own self-respect.  Does anyone know any numbers (not that it matters), what percentage of women who have had reconstruction also have some form of nipple reconstruction?  He says, "Virtually everyone".  Maybe, but a cursory Google search makes me think he may be making that up on the spot.    If he would have brought it up in a positive way, I'm sure I would have been open to it, but now the whole subject just makes me feel objectified and sick.

  • Tracy516
    Tracy516 Member Posts: 13
    edited September 2013

    My husband said it was my choice. I was the one upset because I thought he would miss them.

    So I'm gonna get the nipples and if the fail or are not to my liking THen 3d tat. BUT don't let anyone pressure u!!!!;(

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

    Ablydec our husbands are not always the best at handling all of this. Mine did the opposite of yours he just withdrew and had no opinions on anything. The tougher things were for me with treatments and surgery the tougher he was on me. Now it's all over and we are in Nola and he is here with me to gety tatoo and I feel like he is very supportive because I told him I needed that. Let your husband know in a gentle way that your not sure what you want that you feel he is imposing his opinion on you and you need time to decide for yourself. Btw I love my new nipples and my tatoos

  • hopefulhealing
    hopefulhealing Member Posts: 581
    edited September 2013

    Carrol2 glad you love them.  I love mine too!  Great ideas for ablydec.  I was so fortunate that my husband has been my hero.  Never once has he not behaved above and beyond what I expected.  I know I  am very blessed in that.  ablydec you have to be comfortable with your decision because it's your body and you have to live with it and go through the additional surgery if you do have nipples restored.  For me it was totally worth it, for others not at all.  Vinnie does a fabulous job whether you have nipples restored or going 3d.  I know women who just had the areola tatood (never know how to spell that) and have seen 3d and now wish they had done that.  If you can take some time and step back and reflect on what will make you feel the best.  Then gently share your thoughts chosing a time you are both calm and in a good space.  I know that is sometimes hard to do.  Will be thinking of you. 

  • Stix
    Stix Member Posts: 610
    edited September 2013

    I agree you have to be comfortable with your choice. A lot of the nipples flatten; therefore, 3-d nipple tattoing is an option also. They do have stick on tattoos that

    you can buy that are farely reasonable. You can get different colors to see what looks best on you - while you are deciding what you want to do.

    I have heard stories of women who had a not so supportive husbands or mates.  I don't think it is all that uncommon- But, I am very very very fortunate..:).

  • tenaj
    tenaj Member Posts: 365
    edited September 2013

    Carol, so glad your happy!

  • ablydec
    ablydec Member Posts: 36
    edited September 2013

    Can someone direct me to a good description of each option?  I just called my PS to ask her that question, but have not yet spoken to her about it.  When everyone says "3D tattoo", is that the same as a "regular" nipple tattoo, or something else? (I'm having a hard time picturing how a tattoo can be 3D.  Is it atually surgery, or just a tattoo?)

  • farmerlucy
    farmerlucy Member Posts: 596
    edited September 2013

    Ably If you haven't already check out http://vinniemyers.com/section/105672_Nipple_Areola_Tattooing.html

    Vinnie says on each pic if it is 3D, one side only, tattoos with reconstructed nipples, and so forth.

    You can get the rub-on nipples @ http://rubonnipples.com/

    I tried some of them, and from a distance they are OK, but not really 3-d in MHO. They are fun to try to see if you like the nipple look or the Barbie look. My PS was thrilled to find out about them because some ladies with radiated skin can't get the nipple recon (?) Also, since I live in the south, they don't stay on that long in the summer when it is blazing hot.

    I believe that generally women have surgery to form the nipple, and then have tattoos locally or otherwise to color it and the areola. (Not 100% sure, since I see Vinnie in October (WOO HOO!).

  • 1resilientchick
    1resilientchick Member Posts: 1
    edited October 2013


    I've been doing some research on nipple reconstruction and found this guy Vinnie Myers. He has a website. I was impressed with pics here's his email vm@vinniemyers.com good luck!

  • di2012
    di2012 Member Posts: 871
    edited October 2013


    I will be getting my nips on Dec. 1 and as Vinnie said on this site, one needs to make an appointment 20 weeks after the surgical nips are put on by PS, to get Vinnie to tattoo the nips and to create the areola.


    If you just scroll up to sept 8, Vinnie sometimes post here too.

  • PeggySull
    PeggySull Member Posts: 368
    edited October 2013


    DI2012,


    I'm thinking of going to Vinnie. My PS is critical of having a tattoo artist rather than a medical professional.


    Does Vinnie tattoo the surgical nips? If so, why? I regret not getting the 3d tattoos rather than having my surgical nipples done. I so miss going braless.


    I don't want to make a mistake by listening to my PS when Vinnie might be better. I saw Vinnie's portfolio recently. Really good. Is that why you are going with him. Did your PS object?


    Any thoughts or feedback would be appreciated.


    Thanks, Peggy

  • Stix
    Stix Member Posts: 610
    edited October 2013


    I went to Vinnie

  • di2012
    di2012 Member Posts: 871
    edited October 2013


    My PS said if I want coloring on nips (he is going to do surgery in Dec) and an areola made of INK "go to a tattoo parlor"....I choose Vinnie!

  • Stix
    Stix Member Posts: 610
    edited October 2013


    I wouldn't go to anyone else except Vinnie

  • farmerlucy
    farmerlucy Member Posts: 596
    edited October 2013
    Peggy - Braless is exactly why I decided on no surgical nips. I haven't asked my PS, but they thought the temporary tattoos were really good, and Vinnie is waaaaay better than that. Since this is such a permanent thing, I decided I'd better have it done by the best.
  • BayouBabe
    BayouBabe Member Posts: 1,467
    edited October 2013


    viktoria1 - if I can ask a personal question, how close a match is the tat to your "native" side?

  • Obxflygirl1
    Obxflygirl1 Member Posts: 106
    edited October 2013


    Vinnie is wonderful..... I saw him September 18 and couldn't be more pleased. I had CV flap nip surgery in April . He tattoos the nips also. I didn't have areola surgery but Vinnie made it look like I did with his work. My PS does tattoos also but after looking at Vinnie's web site with me, said she would go to Vinnie herself.


    You won't be disappointed if you choose Vinnie!

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


    ditto what boxy said

  • PeggySull
    PeggySull Member Posts: 368
    edited October 2013


    thanks so much for the feedback about Vinnie. I've decided to go against my PS's recommendation and have Vinnie do it instead. I'm in the process of calling him to make an appointment. Your testimonies along with his portfolio really really helped in making the decision. I'll post back as soon as I get a date.


    Hugs,


    Peggy

  • Stix
    Stix Member Posts: 610
    edited October 2013


    Bayoubabe- He did a correction on me b/c my plastic surgeons office did not do a good job. So the color was off a bit b/c of that I could have gone back for more color correction. However, I had an abn. mammogram with atypical on bx - so I had a mx on the native side .... So, I will go back to him. NOT sure what he can do to the already tattooed side- I want the color corrected a bit more a bit too peachy d/t the ps. Not sure if he will do the new side at the same time as the side I want a little correction of color on? Who knows.... day by day now. One month out of stage 2 exchange. :). But, I am cancer free!

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


    viktoria1 - thanks for sharing. Yay for cancer free!

Categories

Join Us on Zoom: Upcoming virtual meetups. Read more...
Give your account some personality! Add a profile photo.