Nipple reconstruction
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Jeannie! So exciting! I think you're so brave for being awake during the whole thing. Were you able to relax during the process, or were you nervous? DId you watch? I have so many questions. But mostly I'm just so happy for you!
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i couldn't see much during mine, but I chatted with my PS the entire time. It was fun! Asked him loads of recon questions and told him about some of the frustrations I've read on bco. The only part that hurt were the numbing injections.
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Dulcgirl - Sounds like you're doing really well - and it sounds like your nurse and PS are both keepers. I love that your PS takes your showering concerns into consideration. And thanks for saying that it was 'fun'. My nipples are somewhere in the near future and that makes me less nervous. I'm so glad you're doing well.
I assumed that there'd be a sedative involved but it sounds like you were all clear headed. So - just a few numbing injections?
I also have to have my dog ears tweaked and my PS suggested doing it all at the some time. My least favourite part of my surgeries has been the 'put under' part. (My most favourite was the morphine). But I don't think I can stay awake during a two hour procedure without freaking. But who knows? I find that we always surprise ourselves. And then there's the fact that I sort of have a crush on my PS, and would like to chat with him for a while. Maybe a sedative would be a bad idea - because I might actually tell him that I find him cute, or say something embarrassing.
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ROFL, Janet!!!
I had several numbing injections on each side and that was it. I was told that I could drive myself to and from, but DH drove me through a horrible snowstorm...and took me to breakfast on the way home! My two friends who got nipples at the same time as dog ear revisions did have general anesthesia as that is longer and a bit more invasive. I did enjoy the chance to talk with my PS for more than a peep show or stitch trim. And I hope that he remembers things I shared from frustrations I've read here. He does a lot of teaching and I think all doctors in this field would be better for understanding the issues and emotions that go with all of this.
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Dulcigirl, the PS put glue on them. I am allergic to most antibiotics so they didn't have the one ointment I can use. I have to call about that to find out if I should put it on (I have it here at home) over the glue or what. I have stacks of gauze with a hole cut in the middle over the nipples. I can shower tomorrow. PS says the tattooing really makes a big difference, too, so I am looking forward to that in three months.
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I have to use only paper tape, so I am anxious about the tagaderm adhesive, but I'm not itching or red, so hopefully this one is ok. I react to some bandaids, but not all.
I'm on Day 4 today. Question for those who have gone before...bruising???
I am very fair skinned so bruises show up very well. This morning when I showered I looked in the mirror to make sure everything was still there and dry. My skin that is visible through the tagaderm around the gauze is all sorts of lovely colors...yellow, brown, purple...NOT a huge surprise, but they didn't mention it, so I'm curious if others have experienced it also.
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I was told to expect bruising, especially because I took baby aspirin and Advil the day before.
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Yeah!!! .....Jeannie....you got nipples on Friday..........
and I got a colonoscopy
(My nips need fixing), but will be happening after our 11 day cruise to Sea of Cortez/Mexico
Di
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Di, take me with you! That cruise sounds wonderful.
Janet, I would think you would have to be under for dog ear repair. I'm not sure, though. I was happy and excited during my three hour procedure, other than when we had to stop everything so I could pee!! I wanted to be well-hydrated for my BP's sake but what goes in....my PS was very understanding. I showered today and am liking what I saw! I haven't had nips in two years so it's weird but good.
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not sure if dog ear fixing is the same as lipoing out the fat thats there, but I was told you have to be under for lipo.
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I'll be under for my dog-ear fix. Just saw my PS Thursday and he said about 2 hours 15 minutes. Not scheduled yet, I have to call his office tomorrow to let his nurse know to get it on the calendar......one step closer to that masterpiece I told him I expect to be
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I was awake for lipo in my left boob. He was breaking up scar tissue/necrosis. He didn't have to go through the whole process of preparing the fat to reinsert it because it wasn't put back into my body so maybe that's why I could be awake, dunno.
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You're one tough cookie, jeannie. I cannot WAIT to have two nipples again....I absolutely, positively, totally CANNOT WAIT!!!!!! Cross your fingers that after tomorrow's appt I'll have an idea of when that is going to happen.
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It is interesting to me. I really didn't think nipples would matter much to me. I'm comfortable with my scars. Well, as much as I can be.
But...I have not even seen my nipples yet, and it's just cool knowing they are there!!!
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I'm sort of indifferent to nipples. That surprised me as well, 'cus I don't like changes to my body. But now that I have boobs like Barbie, I'm kind of getting used to them. But I'm going with the group concensus that new nipples are fun, and I might as well go all the way.
Nihahi - My fingers are crossed for you!
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crap crap crap......just got a phone call, my PS can't make the appointment today, so I have to reschedule!!!!! I am now committed to some Red Cross stuff for the next three weeks, so I can't book anything until early March. Although I accept things happen..... I am so disappointed
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Nihahi!!!!I'm bummed FOR you!!
I had to reschedule my first exchange date and was devastated for a day or so. It all ended up working out, but that doesn't make it better right now!!!!
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that is really a bummer to be let down at the last minute. Don't they realize how we want to get this stuff done!
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Dulcigirl---I had bruising as well which my PS said was totally normal. At one point, a part of my nipple was so bruised, I thought it had gone necrotic and was falling off!. My poor DH....I went running through the house panicking that my wonderful new nip was dead and he just looked down at it and said "It's a bruise you crazy woman" and walked away. If it was one of his nuts.....
Anyway, sounds like you are progressing well. I am now almost 3 months out and still stacking the pads. My PS thinks I'm a complete whacko (maybe he heard that from my DH!) but you should see my nip. It still looks really good. It shrank (is that a word?!) a bit and is very soft and if I don't wear the padding, it goes flat. But as soon as I take my bra off, it pops back up to normal. Exactly what my native one does so....awesome!!!
As to the procedure itself, I, too, was just numbed locally. Didn't really "hurt" so much as quickly uncomfortable. Then we just chatted the whole time. Lots of jokes and such but it was also a great chance to ask him lots of questions cause ususally it's a wham-bam-thank-you-maam visit. Not that he's abrupt. He always tries to answer my questions but does seem to always be rushing somewhere. Anyway I found it to be quite a fun little procedure which is sometimes nice in this crazy BC journey!
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Exactly, lala!! That's JUST how I felt about my chat time.
I was cracking up about your bruise story. I would totally do that. But I remained oddly calm when it spurted blood. Or maybe I was in shock.
It wasn't really a lot, but I sure was not expecting to see bright red gauze.I'm so glad you mentioned the actual nipple being bruised because I'm getting my first peek tomorrow morning and I'm nervous. I'll be overprotective too. I'm currently sleeping in the recliner again and avoiding hugs of all kinds. Fist bumps are ok IF they are way out to the side!!!
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lala...thanks for the laugh....("nuts" related....and SO TRUE!).
thanks for the support and understanding gals.....PS appt has been rebooked now for next Tuesday....hoping this one goes off without a hitch and I can get a date set! Onward to nipple recon !!!!!
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Nihahi, you will love it. I didn't know how important it was to me until now. I hope yours is scheduled soon!
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Oh. My. Word.
Just had my first peek and spent 20 minutes figuring out how to redress them.
I am so very, very, very thankful others have said they are big at first.
HUGE!!! Like industrial-sized toothpaste tube caps. With threads hanging out!!
Good news?? Location is acceptable. Level. (Righty is pointing down a tad.) But I'm relieved!! I was so scared they would be pointing up. Lol.
More good news??? I am no longer afraid of them shrinking. 75% would probably be good.
Whew!!!
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Dulcgirl - What an excellent visual!
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My apologies.
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Dulcigirl, I hope they shrink to your liking! I only want a little shrinkage, lol. This nipple talk is still so bizarre to me...people have been asking how I'm doing and I blurt out, "I got nipples on Friday!" Then I see the shocked looks on their faces and think, "If you only knew the whole story!"
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All of you ladies have me so excited. I was only able to keep one of my nipples. I have been on the fence about nipple reconstruction for months. I see my PS in March. I have flip flopped so much about what I want to do, with fears that they won't match. Hearing how excited everyone is to complete this process has finally made up my mind. I am going for the nipple(with fingers crossed for a good match). Thank you all so much for sharing your happiness and excitement.
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jeannie!! I blurt it too!!
Plus I annoy my family...cuz every once in a while I say, "Hey! Did you forget I have nipples????"
My poor daughter may need therapy some day.......
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haha, Dulcigirl. My girls have been talking together and one of them let slip that they think all I talk about are my boobs and, now, nipples. I am looking forward to not thinking about it so much.
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Man, I wish I could talk to someone other than you guys about my nipples. I have a caringbridge but I have coworkers that subscribe to it so I was vague about the details of my last breast revision. For some reason I didn't have trouble telling people I was getting a mastectomy with reconstruction using my stomach tissue, but I feel self conscious telling people I had lipo to my legs, fat grafting and nipple reconstruction. TMI. The first surgery seems necessary and seems to warrant sympathy. The second was necessary (to me), but telling details seems to open myself up for stupid comments so I'm not going there. My nipples are 3 weeks old and still crusty. I'm supposed to be able to take off the guards in 1 more week.
The really cool thing about my fipples is that I think they will look better than the weird inverted originals when we are all done.
I called Vinnies and they said that I needed to wait 5 months after surgery for tattoos when Nola said I could do it within 3 months, however they didn't have openings until June which doesn't work for me. Vinnies said just because the doctor says I can do it in 3 doesn't mean that they know what the Tattoo artist needs to get a good result, and they wouldn't want me to travel to be turned away. I was so crossing my fingers that I could manage to combine this with a Lindy Hop exchange in New Orleans that was exactly 3 months from my surgery, but maybe I'll have to make that 2015.
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