Nipple reconstruction
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I have had fat grafting due to ripples and needing to smooth out the edges etc fill in and make fuller to look more natural. I had it done by Dr. Mustoe at Northwestern. He was wonderful. It does sometimes take several sessions to get it completed as some reabsorbs. I have read it is all in the technique. I am very glad to have had it done as it made me feel more normal and look real. My oncologist always shakes her head and says "man you look great" She can't believe the final look as I had a lot of complications after my mastectomy which resulted in 10 surgeries for the full reconstruction. I will always be glad I had the fat injections done.
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Dr. Mustoe also took a very difficult situation after my original plastic surgeon could go no further and made me look normal. He also created the nipples and new areolas from skin from each hip. I would recommend him to anyone.
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hello ladies, I am new in this thread and will be getting my new nipples in about six weeks. I a, six weeks out of my reconstruction.
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I am new to this site . I am looking for information about recovery and care of skin grafted nipples and areola. I had exchange and nipples done at same time on 3/11/2014 and did not realize all the care this would involve. I just want to move on ...any words of wisdom ?
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Welcome, Jonellis,
If you around the site a lot you'll see that each plastic surgeon seems to have their own rules and beliefs. What did your surgeon suggest?
I had star flap nipples and am planning tattoos later this year. Hopefully someone else can answer your specific question, but I am having that same "just want to move on" feeling. I got my nips on 2-5 and I'm still protecting them with stacked makeup rounds with holes cut out. Which means I have to wear tops that hide the odd shape of the rounds. But they're healing well and I paid a lot for them so I'm going to keep it up for a while longer.
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thanks for the reply...I notice you had surgery for permanent implants twice...did you have problems?
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I had some unresolved pain due to the weight of my first implants. I also wanted to be smaller. I'm very happy now.
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What are star flap nipples?
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Stix,
I was just going to ask the same question. Are there different kinds of nipples or ways to achieve a nipple?
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I go for preop tomorrow. Surgery Tuesday!
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good luck mammalou...we'll be thinking of you!
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Yay, Mammalou! It's been a long time coming!
I don't know the different type of nipples made. I asked my PS what method he was using and he just looked at me and said, "origami." I doubt that's a medical term....
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Yay, mammalou!!! All the best!
My PS and I discussed nipple options and I think the second choice she described were star flaps - three cuts outwards and bring it up and stitch it to form the nipple. She doesn't like them because they can easily be off-centre and are very easily squashed to nothing. I'm having the thigh skin grafts after all - apparently I have no other spare skin! Roll on June!
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You can google nipple recon and see different types. There are a few types of "origami" techniques. Here's a decent (not gross!) drawing of the type that I had:
http://sterileeye.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/nipp...
I had star flap or modified star flap. Perfectly level and centered and I'm on my way to my 7 week followup planning to ask if they will shrink more! Today I did not put any padding/protection around them. They are showing through a bra, thin T and cotton sweater. So I'm wearing a scarf.
I sure wish the nipple part of recon was more predictable. 50% less projection would be perfect for me!
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I am nervous about this nipple ruining my pretty little flap! I've gotten protective of it. I'm having some more fat grating and a surgical biopsy on good breast at the same time. I'm hoping to work that next day and I can't remember how I even felt the next day last time. I'm probably being stupid, so maybe I better schedule another day off.
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***THE GREAT NIP DEBATE***
To get or not to get, that is the question? So many pros and cons to decide. Any thoughts for an undecided....
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I think if you are on the fence then a part of you wants them. I was kind of neutral myself. I didn't think I would care that much. But I was quite thrilled in the end to get them. it made it all look so much better. When I got my nipples I was surprised how much I loved having them but it was way better with the tattoos. The surgery was super easy and my PS did some lipo at the same time.
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MereMere, my PS made the nipples in his office and I love them. I'll love them more with tattoos.
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Jeannie57, hope your tattoos turn out perfect. I got mine done yesterday. I did not have to have rads or chemo so I still have feeling. The aesthetician at the PS does it and she also does some lip plumping and permanent makeup stuff. She has been doing the areolas for some time now and did a good job. However, they had to numb me up like a dental procedure. They were pretty sore the rest of the day but they are ok now. Icing on the cake and then I got my yearly review at work. It was stellar! Did a great job in 2013. However, my fiancé whom I have know for 12 yrs is basically dumping me and I don't know if its cause of cancer. I am trying to date again in my late 50s but the guys left just wanna play games. Despair of finding someone or being comfortable with the new boobs and the aging body. Devastated. Should be happy but all that overshadows everything else. gonna call the original cancer psychologist tommoro for appt. doubt he can help but who knows...
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Layla, sorry to hear about your breakup. I met with my cancer psychologist after I was surprised by my 17 year relationship/marriage ending. I needed support and didn't want to start over with someone new. It helped the transition. Dating in my 40s is hard and I've gotten to the point that I'd just rather do my own thing. "They say" you will find it when you are not looking. Not sure if that's true, but that's my current strategy.
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had my pre op today. Surgery is on Tuesday and I'm getting excited. He is going to also do more fat grafting on my breast. He is going to put some fat into my ab scar also. I had to heal an open incision there, so the scar is thick and hard. I hope it helps. His plan is to revise it later, if I let him. I was thinking I would be done after this, but he still wants to fix abdomen and belly button. I'll have to decide if I care later. Uggg
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Oh, Layla2525, I'm so sorry for your heartache! I hope you do call the psychologist tomorrow. If you feel he isn't helping you, try another one. Not everyone is a good fit, in my experience. Despite your fiancee's actions, you are precious, valuable, have a lot to offer this world, especially us, and you have purpose! (((Hugs)))
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Layla.. So sorry about the pain you are suffering. It is hard to deal with cancer and anything else, so I hope you can find someone to help. Will be thinking of you.
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I had my nipples done a few years ago by the CV method. They are small nubs but nothing too prominent. I haven't had tattooing done, yet. Commitment phobia, you think?
I found a place that makes temporary tattoos of nipples/areolas, (http://www.shop.rubonnipples.com) and when placed over the nubs, they look very real. They are helping me get over my commitment phobia as they only last about two weeks, depending on how often you scrub your breasts when you bathe. Replacing these every week and a half could get expensive, so after trying them for a while, I'm saving the last pair for special occasions (wink, wink), or to use as models for a tattoo artist to copy.
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I am so sorry to hear about your hardships....
Right now I am really enjoying not having to wear a bra!! I always had a hard nips and had to wear padded bras to keep them from poking thru...
The new ones I have seen online look soft... after they settle.. is that true?? or are the always hard??
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MereMere,
My bc buddies that have had them longer than I have do not seem to be having trouble with concealing them. Yesterday was my first day trying my 7 week old nips without any padding to protect them. At 7 weeks they were definitely obvious through my favorite stretchy cup bra. I'm anxious to see if not protecting them will allow them to shrink a bit or soften up. Worst case scenario I know they can be trimmed. But I always wore a lined bra before to be safe, so it's not a big deal. I just really really like this new bra!!!! Lol. I'll let you know if a few days of freedom helps soften them up. They are not HARD...just still kind of "tall."
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dulci....TRIMMED!!!!
.....i think I just spit out my coffee and oatmeal!!!!! Yikes!!!!I was soooo hoping to get nipped during this *%&$@##ing winter/spring, to make it easier to conceal the "obvious" until things settled. That doesn't look like it's going to happen. So...I'll be very interested to hear how your "flirt with freedom" goes.
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I know!!! I don't drink coffee, but the first time I read "trimmed" I nearly threw up!
But one of my friends just had one worked on to make it match better.
So I guess you and I should not quit our day jobs to enter the medical profession.
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ha....funny thing, dulci....I was immersed in "yucky" medical stuff for years!!! I am a retired OT, and I worked on a burn unit. Saw and "did" lots of things that most people would find horrifying...didn't upset me that way at all, since I "had a job to do" mentality. Now....apply some of the "gasp" stuff to ME on MY BODY....omg....pass the courage!!!!
gotta get going for the day...have a great day everyone.
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Thanks m1970, Jeannie and all for your support. Made the apppointmt today. Had been up til 4 am crying so couldn't work today. Had to stay home anyhow to put ointment on the tattoos. I feel better and talking to a few new guys to transition to move on with life. Yes, my friend in NC, who has not had cancer,knock on wood...she is taking a break from dating. She says after about 7 yrs of meeting jerks she is gonna sit this one out. Good guys spontaneously appear from the universe now...ok this magic spell isn't working right,maybe need new batteries.
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