Nipple reconstruction
Comments
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What a great group of ladies with nipples! You have given me such inspiration as I wait for my nipple surgery on Feb 27th. This is a different waiting game as I am excited and looking forward to it, as I was so anxious for all my other surgeries especially the bmx and LD recon. All seem easier as we go along this journey after the bmx. Hope mine turn out as good as all of yours. I do wonder about going back to work right after...I work as a nurse 12 hr shifts in a busy L&D. My PS says I can go back to work but not sure about having all the dressings...How about a bra? My PS didn't say if I could wear one after or not I don't like to do without especially at work, but will do what is best, you can hide anything in scrubs!
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I felt fine right after getting my nipples but ended up being very tired. I hadn't slept well the night before, though. I am wearing either camisoles with the shelf in them or a looser bra. Different PS's use different padding/techniques to keep the nips fom getting squished. I am very protective! Good luck!
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Mama,
I felt great after, but have backed off on any lifting, etc. this first week. I think the "bleeding incident" my first night made me worried I'd pop something. And I have been a tiny bit sore where the bruising was. I am fortunate (???????) that I had my first exchange and then chose to revise to smaller implants. So I am wearing my gigantic bras from the first exchange. There is enough loose space in the cups to accomodate the gauze stacks and I'm using the two bras that were kind of shaped foam so it helps even things out. When I wear a thinner bra I can see the square lump of gauze through shirts. I've been wearing t-shirts/sweatshirts with writing, patterned tops, or sweaters with a little bulk. You may want to use patterned scrubs initially.
Now, the rest of you...talk me down here. They WILL shrink, right??? Length AND width or do they stay the same diameter and just get shorter? (This is one of those I -can't-sleep-so-I'll-sit-here-and-overanalyze-everything moments.)
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Dulcigirl- Mine were huge also. They shrank to nothing. Completely flat. You will be lucky if they don't shrink to nothing- but sadly enough most do flatten completely Mine flattened almost completely by about 6 months- very little if any projection.
And, yes, I did use the protective nipple gards etc....
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I'm so curious as to why some shrink so much. May I ask how long you used the guards? My PS has not mentioned how long he suggests yet. My followup is next week.
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I can't remember- I think they told me to use them for 3 weeks- but I did use them for about 3 months. I used them a lot longer than they told me to...
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I just cant see myself getting them. Partly because if they flatten out, whats the point. And whats the point (for me!) anyway, having skin with no feeling just sticking up on there...I just picture them coming off and me finding one inside my shirt one day. Of course I know that wouldnt happen. Just seems pointless to me right now. I have large vertical scars right up the middle, so its not like theyd be hiding that anyway.
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I see your point, Aviva. I just got mine last Friday and they do indeed look like nipples. I will enjoy them while I have them.
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Yes please. I only discuss how I feel = for me== and dont in any way mean to diss or disagree with anyones wanting them and pleasure in having them... I sort of wish I could be in that category!
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Aviva - I'm right in that boat with you. For myself, and speaking only for myself - I just don't see the sense of building nubs with no feeling and then not being able to go braless again. I would consider it if my DH was having trouble being aroused by my changed bosom, but let me tell ya, that is NOT a problem. He loves my smooth as a baby's butt no nipple boobs!! Right now I'm like, if he doesn't need them, I certainly don't. Many ladies need that final icing on the cake to feel the journey is done and that's absolutely OK too. Just another way we're all so very different in how we deal with this horrid disease and the aftermath of treatment.
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Aviva and Sweetandspecial, you are right. This is all a difficult experience with different choices along the way. Maybe one of you should start a thread for those women who don't want nipples. I'm sure there are many others who share your feelings. NOT saying you're not welcome here. As for me, my experience getting nipples six days ago was really fun, exciting, interesting, fulfilling and basically pain-free. I didn't know it would be that great before it happened.
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Ive been following the thread for awhile, as Ive been pondering the choice over the months...Have been interested to see the procedure and how women are recovering, and also outcomes. Has been helpful in my journey thru all this. But a no-nip thread might be good!
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6 weeks+ post op for nipples.....loved loved 'em at first.....then realized they were not even....PS says about 1.5 CM difference, I say 1.5 inches.....now at 6 wks out....righty is FLAT, could not even have show through in a wet t-shirt.....lefty is getting flat but getting bigger in diameter, much bigger than when I was nursing my babies......
I have feeling all over foobs and nips (just not as intense as the REAL ones), so might just settle for "feelings" rather than looks, and perhaps Vinnie tatoos will disguise the size discrepancy
I wore the round donuts for 5 weeks....(PS said 2 week)
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Dulcigirl---Go find the makeup rounds (I bought mine at Target for about $2). They come in a long plastic "sheath" of a hundred I think. They don't show near as much under clothes as the square gauze pads. I'm guessing the round shape naturally conforms to your breast better. I would cut a hole in one and put another on top with a piece of paper tape across. If I cut a hole in both, the tape would stick to the nip! This pack has lasted me almost 3 months as I'd reuse the top one a couple of times. And at 3 months my new nip is almost the exact size as my native one.
My DH also had no problem with me only having one nip. He just likes boobs...ALL boobs!
But he was totally supportive of me getting the new nip. After it healed up and he really saw it (no stitches, or gauze or whatever) he was shocked at how symmetrical I now looked. And he has said all along that he thought I looked very symmetrical. I get my Vinnie areola in June so I'm stoked to think that will make it even better!0 -
i have makeup rounds ready to go, but not switching to them until I'm done with the oozy part of this. Keeping everything sterile for now. Thanks!! Sure hoping I keep a tiny bit of projection. I'm so glad you are happy with yours!!
I think the key to this nip/no nip controversy is the Bra Issue. I've always worn one and plan to continue wearing one. The implants are perky now, but it's still just skin/muscle holding them up. I did not want saggy natural breasts. I sure don't want saggy implanted breasts. What would that look like? Tennis ball in a sock? Anyhoo...I like my bras. I don't mind wearing them. If I want to wear a sundress I'll just make sure the top is puckery or patterned....same as before.
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I'm so curious about what causes flattening. I did some googling and came across this link. I do not know how current or accurate the info is, so just read for interest value.
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Good article! I also wear a bra all the time. I need the compression for muscle spasms. My problem is that I still can't wear an underwire bra because the wire sits right wear the scar tissue is from my drains and it's painful. So I've been wearing the soft Bali bra for the last year. When I got my nipple, my PS said to wear my MX bra which is a bit looser and hooks up the front with pockets. I wore this for the 3 months between MX and EX. He had me wear the MX bra for 3 weeks. Then I swapped to my Bali bra which is definitely more compressive which is why I decided to keep using the pads for protection. I'm also a side/almost stomach sleeper so it makes me feel a little better to know the nip is protected. The pads don't show under the Bali bra even with a tshirt. But I think if I could wear an underwire, I'd feel much better since those types of bras tend to keep their form and aren't so compressive. I'm 14 months post MX but I'm still holding onto hope that I'll find a comfy underwire bra!
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I LOVE my Wacoal Awareness underwire. But it is definitely too compressive for the nip thing right now. I've been wearing my Wacoal La Femme bras from after my first exchange. They are too big in the cup now which allows a little room for my massive gauze stacks. Lol. I'm wondering what to wear for the next 3 months.
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flattening occurs because the skin is so thin from being stretched.
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Maybe that's why mine haven't really flattened. My PS said my BS was able to leave a nice amount of tissue and that I have good supple skin so he found making my nip to be very easy.
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hmm....I'm not sure about that always being the case, Stix.....There are many nip recons done after a flap recon, and I have read of a number of those ladies having the nipple flatten quite dramatically. The skin isn't stretched in that scenario as it is with an implant recon. I have my second "try" at a PS appt tomorrow, and again, am hoping to discuss/book the nipple recon. I have questions to ask....I will post what answers I get.
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My nipple shrunk, but it doesn't take much projection, especially with the tattoo, to look like a real nipple. My PS said they determine how large they'll make the nipple by how wide they know the resulting scar will be. He tries to cut across just enough so that there will be little to no scar showing outside the areola once it is tattooed. Makes sense to me. Nips shrink because there is no scaffolding or firm base for the nipple to rest on - just soft skin & it melds into the foob. Some docs use rib cartilage inside the nip, but I wouldn't want a hard nipple that feels like a little bone. Yikes!
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Hello ladies,
I have had the pleasure of being trained by a phenomenal women and BMX survivor who I belief entered my life note by chance but because it was by divine attraction. She allowed me to be her only apprentice during her recover phase. Often uncomfortable, She was determine to train me because she was intrigued by my interest and mission to help build confidence to medical aesthetically challenged woman and ease the journeys of those fellow woman BC survivors. You see, I am a certified Para Medical Micro pigmentation (Tattoo) artist. My specialty is 3D Areola / Nipple repigmentation and scar revision. After a life defining experience. I asked God to allow me to use my gift , talent and education to be a blessing to others.Today I have a specialty practice devoted to this cause. In reading your post I see many of you have had areola tattoos and others are considering it. As a word of encouragement and advice areola tattoos can be aesthetically beautiful and safe if preformed by a properly trained, aesthetically conscious, permanent cosmetic artist professional. Clients express having their areolas tattooed as being an amazing, unimagined, improvement on their image of self post breast reconstruction.
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I asked my PS to make big nipples, haha, because that's what I had before and I know they will shrink. I had round circles of tummy skin after DIEP on my new boobs. He obviously cut into those, making origami nipples and then stitching them back onto the boob, again in a circle. It was fascinating to steal glimpses as he worked. He said nipples with implants tend to shrink more, can't remember why. I know DIEP nipples can flatten, too. I just decided if I was going to all the trouble, knowing there is shrinkage, go big or go home! That's just me, though.
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Nihahi, good luck!!!!!
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My how time flies! Only 9 days away till my nipples arrive. I think I have always felt I would do the whole package which included nipples. My PS asked me from the beginning what I wanted and I said make me as much as you can the way I was. He has done a great job and my body will never be the same but no one but me knows. In my locker room no one ever says anything, as my bra is as filled in as anyone else. They are excited for me as I get my final "icing on the cake".
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my PS canceled my nipple reconstruct at my first stage 2 surgery. He said my skin was too tight. He had just put in an implant under diep. Now I'm thinking maybe that was because it might make them flatten out easier.
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Mammalou, you could be right. My PS said that adding the tattoos makes a huge difference so I am looking forward to that.
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4 weeks post surgery the nipple guards come off today, yay! Still some scabs and wiry threads on them, but those should rub off now that they are not protected. The guards were uncomfortable so I'm glad about not wearing them, but hope I get a good result.
I saw this product for henna tattoo for areolas. I wonder if there are any risks? I would wait until my nipples healed and not do it near my real tattoo which I have to wait another 4 months. I'm just so ready for the finished product.
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Appt review.....had a good appt yesterday, but looks like nipple recon is about 3 months out. Question for everyone.....I'm 99.9% happy with the recon result, but when pressed by my PS yesterday, brought up the slight lack of volume in the upper pole area. He would like to do some fat grafting to see if he can get some improvement, admitting that not all fat will "take". I have always been against lipo to "build a younger body", but my PS and hubby are encouraging me to try it, and I admit, I'm leaning that way now, which completely surprises me. I'm 63.......is this too much vanity/insanity????
Looking for honest opinions from ladies who have been close to 100% happy, and from those who have had fat grafting.
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