Nipple reconstruction
Comments
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nahahi... I am just like you at 99% happy. I am going to do some more fat grafting in April for a little lack of volume in the cleavage. I figure I may as well go for it and not regret it later. My scar is my biggest vanity. It is bugging me. I'm doing scar treatments, and if that doesn't work, I may ask dermatologist to help me out later. I say, go for it!
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nihahi - I don't think it's vain at all. None of us asked for this nasty disease. You're not doing this to look younger, after all. You're doing this because for whatever reason you ended up with breast cancer and now you have the opportunity to do what you can to end up with a masterpiece bosom. Do we have breast reconstruction simply because we're vain? I don't think so, at least in most cases. We do want to feel pretty, yes, but mostly we want to feel and look like a woman. I don't think that's vain......my 2 cents
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Nihahi, you are very much ALIVE and you've come this far so I say go for it if you want to!
In my case, I developed scar tissue in the upper pole on one side. PS broke it up twice, tried fat grafting in Stage II, and I'm giving up on it. My upper poles could use a little plumping but I, personally, am done. You don't have the scar tissue problem. I just hope you don't mind wearing compression for several weeks after lipo! Adding fat to your boobs isn't pursuing "a younger body." It's seeing this thing to a great boobalicious end!
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nihahi, I had no problem telling people I was getting a BMX with DIEP, but I was ashamed to tell people I had lipo to fill in my breasts. I don't want to be judged for having plastic surgery, and I would never have done it otherwise...BUT my breasts and thighs look amazing, and the recovery was not that bad. I'm glad I did it and it's really no ones business.
I do feel like somewhat of an imposter when people remark how great I look. I do feel good about how I look, but I feel sheepish when I say thank you. I feel like I'm wearing a disguise.
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You all are 100000000% awesome. Thank you so much for your replies/feedback. What a rollercoaster this whole thing is, eh!
Still on the fence, but leaning decidedly to trying the lipo/fat grafting option. I have asked some trusted friends here, and one very special to me "non BC" friend for their opinions, as well as hubby, and everyone has encouraged the "try it" route. My usual theory of "will you be happy in the future" with the choice you make today, has been the second big factor, after reading your personal stories/outlooks. I don't want that "wish I had" buzz in the back of my mind.
Hugs to everyone.
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Got some of my stitches out this morning. Um. Ouch!!
Don't go back for a month now. The nurse told me to keep gauze/bacitracin on for a few more days and then I don't have to do anything. WHAT?????? They're only two weeks old!! Guess who will still be stacking gauze for a while? THIS GIRL!!
She said to expect some spitting sutures too. Nice.
But she said everything looked great. So, yay!!
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Dulcigirl, mine will be two weeks old tomorrow! No appts. scheduled, which is weird.
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Mine are 7 weeks and I'm still treating them like they are newborns! I want to give them a fighting chance to keep their projection. Originally I thought lefty was a good bit lower than righty, but as they shrink I think they will be about right. I think Vinnie will be able to make them look level with his optical illusions. They have not shrunk too terribly much. I'm using two cosmetic sponges sewn together with circles cut out of the center. Since they are healed and not oozing any more I can reuse them. With the outside edges sewn together they don't show quite as much as two just taped together. I have no idea how much longer I will use the sponges probably until it warms up and I start wearing my fitted tees! Hurry up spring!!!!! Now all I have left in my reconstruction journey is a little skin touch up (done with local) and tattooes.
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Dulcigirl--what do you think? Do you love them? Are they shrinking much? I will be 3 months with the new nip tomorrow and that will be my last day of gauze protection. Then I've decided I'll just get what I get!
And watch those spitting sutures! I had my EX back in March and complained of an infected suture all summer and into the fall to the nurse who said it's a spitting suture and don't worry about it. (I had 8 of those before this one so I KNOW what one is!) When my PS made my nip back in Nov, I showed him the infected area (it was a bit red and painful and had been off and on for months) and he decided to do another (my 2nd) round of antibiotics but for longer this time. Didn't work. So 3 weeks after the nip, in Dec, I went under the knife again to see what the infection was. Sure enough, the knotted end of my purse string suture (the one that goes all the way around the areola) hadn't dissolved. He pulled it out, threw in a couple of new ones, and I've been pain free since. Moral of the story...I know these guys love to treat spitting sutures as a common thing that just requires a bandaid, but just keep and eye on those sutures. The good part of that last surgery was that I made him tidy up the new nip while he was there and I was snoozing so no more wiry things hanging out!!
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what the heck is a splitting suture?
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sutures that poke through the healed or almost healed skin...
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undissolved sutures that work themselves out. Eeeew!!!
Lala,
This jury of one is still out on the nip verdict. Lol. Removing stitches yesterday aggravated lefty a bit so she's healing back up. They have not shrunk much yet...maybe not at all. I'm looking forward to a bit of shrinkage! I think that I will like them once they aren't sore and such high maintainance.
It is nice to see something there when I shower. But the head on view in the mirror after is a bit frightening. Ha!! I do give them an A for symmetry at this time. Hope they stay that way! Shrink together little nips!
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Can someone please give me some guidance on healing times after skin graft nips? I'm due to have mine done on June 23 and I really want to book a vacation for about 6 weeks after, but I'm concerned about the donor sites and nips themselves not being ready for summer travel.
I missed last summer with DX and surgery, and I really don't want to miss another one - it will probably be the last chance I get to vacation with my son before he decides he's too old, like his brother.
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has anyone gotten their tattoo lasered.... MY ps put the nipple slightly higher and lateral. I told them when they measured I thought it was too higher...and he convinced me it would be fine. They want to move while they are trying to make both side symmetrical at nola and re tattoo. Which would leave part of the old tattoo areola. The tattoo now is a fairly pale peach. Any comments would be helpful.
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Woohoo! I took the steri-strips off my nips today and cut some pokey stitches. It's weird to have nips that aren't my original color yet but I'm keeping them.
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lala, Yes, our PS seem to think alike. I am supposed to get my tattoos end of March. Kind of psyched to be nearing the end of all this but a little scared of getting tattoos, if I don't like them or the pain..can they be re done or re touched if I don't like them? Are you getting tattoos later?
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Hi,
My name is Ashley and I was dx with IDC 6/4/2013. I had a bilateral mx 7/13/2013. I will have my tissue expanders exchanged for implants on 3/10 and then I have to make a decision about nipple recon.. I have an apt with Vinnie Myers for 3d tattooing at the end of September but I can't make up my mind about having my nipples reconstructed first.. I am 30 years old and have been with my boyfriend for almost a year. He won't give me an opinion on this because he thinks it needs to be my decision. I'm ultimately afraid that if I don't do the nipple recon I will regret it if I ever find my self single again.. On the other hand I wouldn't have to wear a bra if I just go the tattoo route. Im honestly leaning more toward the 3d tattoos but my plastic surgeon thinks I will regret it as he has never seen this technique before. Has anyone else struggled with this decision? Or had the nipples redone and regretted it? My PS says I wont have to wear a bra after recon but if I have a protrusion I don't see how that is possible. Any info will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your time in advance!
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I believe Vinnie requires 5 months since last surgery so you may want to factor that into your planning, ARae. Each PS is different, but mine required 3 months post-exchange before nipple reconstruction. So 3 plus 5 would put you later than end of September. For MANY women the recon nipples shrink to nearly nothing.
I think it's great that your boyfriend wants it to be all your decision. My husband was the same. FRUSTRATING, but ultimately the best!!!! I chose to go ahead with nipples because I always wear bras anyway. If not wearing a bra is something you'd love why not show your PS some pictures from Vinnie's website? He'll be amazed!!! Ultimately you need to do whatever makes you comfortable and able to move forward. If you find yourself single some day I would hope you meet a wonderful man who loves ALL of you!! (That was a little "mom" sounding. Lol.)
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Ashley, I say go for the nipple reconstruction. Pros - looks & feels more real; painless; simple outpatient procedure; minimal recovery. Con - bra wearing (but only in thin clothing) just like before your mastectomy.
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Ashley - I'm on the other end of the spectrum. I'm a generation older than you so that probably makes a big difference. I don't have any desire to create bumps that won't have any sensual feeling and that would require bra wearing again sometimes. If I pursue anything in terms of nipples it will be 3D tit tats
. I follow this thread to keep up with everyone's decisions, results, level of content with the results and so on, even though I'm 99.99999% sure I won't go the nipple route. As with everything related to this journey - we all feel differently about almost every little thing!0 -
Only a day and a half away till my nipples arrive. Why is it always the nerves hit before any surgery no matter how small a procedure. Seems silly in the whole scheme of things. Just nervous but not terrified like for bmx!
Ready to get this done and move on to the next step. Wish me luck! Many hugs!
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Mamsixtaz, how exciting! You will do great. I've had mine for two weeks. The procedure was in PS office, not difficult at all for me. I am very happy.
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I opted to go with the 3D tattooing and she did an amazing job. Its a very personal decision... I didn't like the idea of permanent high beams, and even with nipple reconstruction you still need to have the aereola (sp) tattooed. My tattoo lady only does reconstructive tattooing and bills insurance, so each session only cost me a copy. In addition, I was sharing with her my frustration on how my right side was affected from the radiation and how obviously different it looked from lefty. She said "I can do something about that" so I did some serious thinking and on my next session she did an additional design and it looks amazing. Totally detracts from the scar and skin damage and the first time since my mastectomy where I am actually ok with looking at my boobs.
Best decision is the one that is best for you... not for boyfriend/husband/potential future lover... its about you and how you feel.
Is it appropriate to post pics of the tattooing on here? Maybe it would help people to see the difference. I am sure you could Google it too.
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Hi Ashley - I'm struggling with the decision too. My Barbie boobs used to scare me, but now I'm kind of getting used to them. I've seen reconstructed nipples, and they look fabulous, but if they haven't any sensation, I'm not convinced they're necessary. I've also seen 3-D tattoos - which are also fabulous. I'm notoriously bad at making decisions so I've been asking anyone and everyone what they think I should do. My favourite nurse, who I trust with my life, said that ladies are usually thrilled once they have some nipple action. My PS wants to do it because he thinksI'd be happier, and he likes to finish the job and give me the best boobs ever. The ladies on this board who I've come to know and love are also thrilled with their nipples, no matter what their age.
I like all these pro and con lists. I always wear a bra, not matter what, so I'm not concerned about 'head lights' . I'm in a long term relationship and he (Jim) is leaving the decision up to me. ( My boobs, even when nippled, won't be quite perfect, so if Jim and I ever break up, I'll have to start dating an 'ass man'.) I think your boyfriend is smart for leaving it up to you. I'm older than you are, and I think as you get older your body becomes a personal trophy of your life, rather than something for other's to look at. So it's got to feel right.
I realize I've been no help in your decision making - but I just wanted to let you know that there's someone out there in the same nippless boat.
Janet
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rennamr - can you share the name/location of your 3D tat artist? I would love to see your results too if it's not too personal. I'll PM you my email so you don't have to post the pix here. Thanks!
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Thank ya'll for the comments. This is such a big decision and I don't want to leave any room for regret. This last year has been rough but I'm finally in the home stretch for it all to be over. I am the worst decision maker ever so I'll probably change my mind a few more times
. My main concern with nipples is that they will be permanently stuck in high beam. I couldn't stand to wear a bra before but now that I haven't had to deal with one since July, I can never go back haha. My only fear is that I won't feel as complete without them. Ugh.. At least I have a few more months to make my decision. Good Luck to you all and God Bless!0 -
I have NO experience with them, so this is just a suggestion for those ladies who are "on the fence" about nip recon. Apparently there are available, temporary "stick on" nipples, and temporary nip tattoos. Probably available "on-line". Maybe getting those and giving them a try, would help you with your decisions? There is no universal "wrong or right" choice....it's just what is right for YOU that's important.
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ok my two cents I am very happy I had my nipples done.
They are really flat so they don't show in my clothes if I go braless.
The surgery was very easy.
I also got my 3d tattoos from vinnie and together it all looks very real.
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Carol - I like the idea of flat nipples - my last ones were pretty small. And it just occurred to me that part of my hesitating is that I don't want something big and clumsy that looks out of place.
I am KICKING myself for not taking a picture of my pre-surgery boobs so that I had a point of reference. Wonder if I should contact my ex boyfriends.....
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Hi who did your tattooing and where 80 she located...? Are you on the picture forum so we can view?
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