Nipple reconstruction
Comments
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I'm going to see Vinnie on March 31 (his first available appointment) to tattoo the areola and surgically reconstructed nipple. So glad I made this decision even though PS will be against it!
I'm one month out of nipple surgery. I so wish they will eventually flatten to nothing. Has anyone had this happen? If so, how long did it take?
Also, has anyone with buyer's remorse like me had their reconstructed nipples removed by a PS? I know this sounds like a weird question.
Thanks,
Peggy0 -
BayouBabe- BTW- it was a very close match. I highly recommend him0 -
PeggySull my PS said it could be removed, just like removing a mole but that I should be really committed. So I am still sitting on the fence trying to decide if I get one or not. I still have my right breast so I kind of want to match, but I am afraid to have one headlight on all the time.0 -
mrenee68,
What I realized too late (and I know our situations are different with your uni and my bilateral)--I wish I had tried the 3-D tattoo first and then, if I didn't like it, I could have gotten the surgical nip (well, it's probably not all that simple).
I have a call in to my PS for tomorrow to see what can be done at this point. I've been depressed for a month and I think it has to do with not feeling I had any choice with regard to changing my mind.
I agree with your PS--if you decide to get the nipple done, be committed. It is a game changer. If I can help you in your decision in any way, let me know. I think you're wise to keep sitting on the fence until you've weighed out all the choices, and their pros and cons--this is what I wish I had done in retrospect.
Thanks so much for responding!
Hugs,
Peggy0 -
Peggy if you don't mind me asking what about your new nipples do you not like? I have read it can take a few months for them to shrink. Are yours not shrinking at all, are they too big? That is my concern, that my PS will make it too big and it will show through all of my clothes, as it is I am having that problem. Ever since the lift on my healthy breast my nipple is on and off all day long.0 -
My PS said if the nipple is too big he can easily cut it down, but he can't build it up.0 -
I met with my PS yesterday and she agreed to do in-office surgery on November 12 to greatly reduce or even remove the reconstructed nipples.
I had to be very assertive with her since she thinks my nipples look so natural, and they do. She did a good job.
The comfort of going braless at my age is more important to me than looking that natural. I'm getting my 3-D tattoos done by Vinnie 5 months from the date of the surgery. My husband is all on board with all of this. I should have gone the 3-D route from the get go with no nipple surgery. I had delighted in going braless all summer long. I let the Ps sway me when I was feeling ambivalent.
I feel proud and relieved I was able to stand my ground with the PS this time. She was very nice about it but I knew she thought differently than I do.
Thanks for all of your input and support as I waded through this issue!
Hugs,
Peggy0 -
Yay for you Peggy! Glad you are doing what YOU want!0
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Peggy that is wonderful news. I hope this works out better for you and keeps you moving forward. Let us know how things go on the 12th.0 -
I now have my appointment for my new nipple at the end of Nov. My PS said he will be doing the CV flap surgery. He said it would take 20 min under local anesthesia and he'd put a dressing on and send me home. I can even drive myself. I told him that I am still unable to go without a bra for longer than it takes to shower (I need the compression) and he said that I can go home in the nonwire Bali bra I've been wearing since my exchange surgery 7 months ago. It's like a sports bra but not as tight. I cannot shower till I return to see him in 5-7 days. Then he'll remove the dressing and send me home, again in my Bali bra, so basically he's ok with me wearing a bra 24/7 from the get-go. He said I could pad the nipple with some gauze if I would like but it's not necessary. Eventually the stitches will dissolve and I'll see him in a few weeks just to check everything out. This sounds awfully cavalier compared to what others are saying they have to do! This is the same PS who, when i asked him about PT after my MX, said "whatever you want" which was exactly what he said when I asked about wearing an underwire bra 2 weeks after EX surgery (and he's not remotely concerned that I still can't wear an underwire bra). Pretty much every question I had, that was his reply. So all I learned, I learned here and it has worked great! Thanks to advice here I learned about exercise, PT, myofascial release therapy, bras, underarm waxing, Tamoxifen, vitamins and a whole host of other things. But I have to say, he did a spectacular job of matching my MX side to my native side, perfect match in clothes!
So my question is....does his idea of postoperative care seem to be okay? I will definitely follow some advice here as far as padding for at least a couple of weeks but should I do other things as well? He's a bit young and is sometimes surprised at some of the stuff I've learned here. (He was most surprised when I told him you could hold a flashlight underneath your foob and it would glow in the dark but that's a whole 'nother story!)
I have also read that the skate flap is better than the CV flap. Anyone know anything about these 2 surgeries and which one gives a better outcome?
I'm one of those people that likes to know every detail ahead of time and be completely prepared. He's one of those people who thinks it's his job to make me as close to perfect as possible and all the rest will work itself out. Thoughts? Advice?0 -
Hi girls, I am joining this forum if you dont mind because I will be up for the surgery, if I choose it, in a few months. Time to listen and learn.
Peggy it is interesting to me that you regret having the surgery, although the results sound like they are good. I say this because I am also sure enjoying going braless for the first time since i was 13 (one of the "good" things about cancer)?? I just put a small bandage over my remaining headlight, since I am a uni, and wear a comfy cami for support. loving it.
Lots of food for thought.
Did someone mention that there are temporary 3d tatoos, to see if we like that choice? Where to get them please?
Thanks!!!
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Just a hint for protecting a new nipple comfortably. I used those round cotton cosmetic pads & cut a little hole in the middle. I stacked as many as I needed (3-4) to surround the nipple. When taped, the pads conform to the shape of your boob. Easy Peasy!0 -
Sharon1942---Do you get the cosmetic pads that are rough on one side or the ones that are spongy? And can you reuse them alot or do you use different ones every day?
Any other advice?0 -
lala1, I used the 100% cotton pads & used new ones after showering daily. I folded the pad in half, then in half again & with one scissor snip made the hole. Wallah! My PS's nurse is going to have his patients start doing this.
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www.rubonnipples.com0 -
Hi ladies, I had nipple recon done 2 days ago. All went well. I was a little surprised how caviler and free hand my PS was with nipple placement. This part was very important to me, I thought it would be very mathematical with protractors and set squares !!! Etc. Not so for me, I wished I had spent time at home with hubby with our own placement ideas. PS got me to close my eyes, and guess where they would be, (quite an accurate gauge), but any adjustments were done free hand. I felt quite out of control, sitting down looking into an iPhone camera to confirm placement. Not ideal, I was expecting a big mirror. After such a long process , I now feel insecure the nipples might have been decided too quickly and be slightly out of whack, spoiling the end result. I'm sure it's me being emotional and insecure. It's hard being a patient, no insight or control.
Is this your experience ? How did your PS help you decide placement of nipples?0 -
virgilia my ps drew a lot of lines and measured but them he eyeballed it too so they were placed where they looked centered which isn't always the real center. Them he showed me in the mirror . They look different to me when I look down than when I look in the mirror. But overall they look correct.0 -
Right before the nip surgery, my PS placed a couple of those EKG stickers on and then we went to a bathroom mirror ...pulling the IV pole with us ..to make any adjustments, but her eye was correct and none was needed. I think it's important to have a PS whose practice is almost exclusively in reconstruction.
If you have tattoos after, they can make a big difference in the symmetry and minimize any imperfections .0 -
My PS measured everything and then drew circles and the lines where he intended to cut for the nips the day before surgery. He also sent me into the restroom to look in the mirror to make sure that I would be comfortable with the placement. In my estimation they came out perfect and better than original equipment - LOL. My pictures of the markings and nipple construction progress are on the picture forum under "My reconstruction Journey" If you are interested.
Best of luck for your decisions and surgery.
P.S. I have been extremely happy with my reconstructed nipples and so happy I had them done. Have had no tattooing but would be interested except that DH says no and he is the one who has to look at them so won't do it.0 -
You know, Delilahbear, you actually have to look at them more than he does. (Well, I guess unless you walk around nekkid a lot!) Seems there could be some sort of compromise. When I came out of my mx, my sis-in-law who came over to look after me, said "Just remember, right now it's all about you!" And every time I would start to think of what someone else would want instead of what I wanted, she would look at me and say "Who's it all about?" And I would say "Me!" And she'd make me shout it if necessary! We are the ones going through this and we need to make sure we get what we need to feel happy and healthy. I think being happy and healthy helps keeps cancer at bay, among other things of course. If not having the tattoes for the DH makes you happy, then great. But if it's something you would really want, then you should give it more thought. After all, it is your body....
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lala1-thanks for your thought provoking response. You are right and I never stopped to think it is about "me". I guess I am too busy taking care of DH and other things I don't take the care of "me" as I should. I may at some point get the tattoos, but right now I am tired of having healing of anything going on as I have had to have pocket repair twice in 2 months (July and Sept) and am still trying to get them healed. Nevertheless, I still like my nipples and areola complex reconstruction and would do them again in a heartbeat.0 -
Delilahbear--Absolutely heal first! Can't do any tattooing for a few months anyway so gives you plenty of time to decide what you want. After all....who's it all about?!
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I'm not really sure where to ask this question so I'll try here first. I am 7 months post EX surgery. I had implant on left and lift/augment on right to match. My PS used the donut incision on the right side. Everything healed well at first. Then about 3 months later I started developing spitting sutures, or what I thought were spitting sutures. Over the last 4 months, I've had 7-8 instances and each time the area popped but no actual suture has ever come out. Then in late August I developed another that "spit" and healed over and over for a month. I saw my PS in Sept and it happened to be spitting at that point so he squeezed out all the pus he could. Healed right up. Month later....spitting again. Same area. PS finally put me on antibiotics. Ran the course. Healed up well. No problems. Five days after finishing antibiotics, pain back. This time no "pimple" area like usual, just pain. No redness, no swelling but about an inch long area on my incision around the nipple is VERY tender to the touch. Pain fades away at night but by midday it's back. Feels almost like it does when you have an infected tooth. My PS seems to think that this is just another "spitting suture" and will go away over time; he feels these periodic "episodes" are nothing to worry about since there's no redness or swelling or heat. He basically wants me to just live with it for a while and see what happens. I, of course, am worried about getting an infection in my implant and having to remove it! Has anyone ever had something like so long after a surgery? Has anyone had "spitting sutures" (if that's what this is) so many months after surgery? I'm scheduled for my new nip the week of Thanksgiving and really want this resolved before I go letting him cut into me again. Any advice would be most welcome!0 -
hi lala, I think you need to insist on antibiotics. I experienced something very similar 3 months after my exchange and ended up in the ER while on vacation. I was VERY sick from infection and implant was removed. I don't want to frighten you but also do not want anyone to experience what I did. Trust your instincts on this.0 -
Hi ladies,
I posted this in the Trip to Vinnie section, but thought I'd post here too. Would be interested in hearing peoples thoughts/experiences. Also, has anyone had experience with having the areola constructed from a graft from the groin area? How long did it take to heal? Was it worth it?
What are people's thoughts about Uni (I had BMX with one nip spared) and getting just the nip flap w/ tattoo, or nip and areola reconstructed w/ tattoo? I'm thinking I at least want the nipple reconstructed so that there is some projection compared with the natural nip, but am debating on having the areola grafted too. My PS says that it's best to have the additional grafting for projection, but I'm really not looking forward to having to heal from a donor site as well.
Has anyone had the nipple and areola reconstructed and then tattooed on one side with natural nip on the other? Are you happy with the results? I heard when there's grafting and it's a uni, it's harder to match the other side in pigment when tattooing. Is this true?
Thanks so much!!!0 -
I'm 4 months out from nipple reconstruction and tattooed areola. I only had the flap and tattoo. I was offered other options, but I had radiation so wanted as little surgery as I could get away with. Had infected stitches a few weeks out, even after 14 days of antibiotics after the surgery. The fear with radiated tissue is that the surgery won't heal and you lose whatever was done and can no longer go back in.
Matching is very difficult. The nipple itself will be harder and flatter (an maybe wider) once it fully heals. Getting the areola graft may help with projection, but then you want to make sure there is not too much projection or the nipple with be too "on" all the time. The native nipple collapses or firms up depending on temperature, pressure, or stimulation. The constructed one won't.
Matching color of areola is challenging. My PS said mine is still fading, but I think it will be too dark. It's also larger than the healthy areola. But that is a moving target since it changes sizes as my nipple does. The created nipple and areola will never look and act like the healthy one. Anyone who can get a nearly perfect match has a fantastically gifted PS, in my mind.0 -
Thanks doxie for sharing your experience and knowledge. My natural nipples never really matched in shape so I'm hoping I won't be too picky when it comes that. though i don't want to always be too "on" either. I'm hoping to save for a trip to vinnie as he sounds like he is the best and will be my best chance at having the reconstructed nipple match in color and be as realistic as possible. I am going to email him and ask about pros/cons of having the areola reconstructed before tattooing and what his experience has been.0 -
OMG, I found you girls again. Thought I had lost the thread. I posted in July but had capsular contracture so didn't get nips.
Getting nips on Dec 11th. Also fat grafting. Worried to pieces on the fat grafting and lipo. PS says I wont have any pain. (Is she planning to buy me a bottle of Vodka??) I can see on hear that those newbies are gonna be tender when I get them. Are we supposed to put jojoba oil on there or just keep clean & bandaged?
Congrats on getting your 3Ds FarmerLucy. Guess you got them by now? How are you liking those?
Have a grt Xsgiving everyone!!0 -
Layla,
I am getting my nips and fat grafting/lipo on Dec 2 and my PS said I will be sore for a couple day, told me to get a cheap waist slimmer unless I have something like spanx or similar......fat will be taken from my flank (since I had a tummy tuck by a surgeon...not a PS
, after losing 129lbs through gastric bypass 12+ years ago)
Di0 -
To girltravel77,
You might want to consider a custom nipple prosthesis from Naturally Impressive (www.naturallyimpressive). Check out their photo page for what a good match it is! I am so happy with the match I got for my unilateral. It stays on great too....mine stays for at least 3 weeks through showering, sex, even swimming!
It's much less expensive than traveling to Vinnie, and gives dimension without too much nipple projection. You make an impression of your natural nipple and then they can lower it some, so it's a predictable height that won't give too much headlights.
They have really good color matching too. You get a kit with color samples made from the actual materials and dyes to hold up to your nipple and areola and choose which one is best (they have a huge selection of colors).
It's something simple to start with at least and see if you like it. No bridges burned, no worries about improper positioning.
Fat grafting ladies....are you having breast reconstruction with fat grafting or is the FG just for the nip recon? You mention a waist belt. I'm surprised that they would do nips before recon is completed? Maybe I'm misunderstanding???0
