Nipple reconstruction
Comments
-
I got my nipples on February 7th. I said to my PS, "Go big or go home!" They started out big but shrunk by half. They are soft (no erectile tissue) so they don't really show much.
0 -
It took about 5 months for mine to flatten completely. ...
0 -
Got my "date" today.....April 14...nip and minor fat grafting to flap. Let's get this show on the road!!!! (yikes
)0 -
great nahahi. Got my nipple yesterday and also sime fat grafting. I'm looking forward to seeing it at my first shower on Friday.
0 -
yep, we're getting there, mammalou!!!!
0 -
YAY for both of you!!!!
I still have not called to schedule my Vinnie moment. Lots of car repairs (thank you Michigan winter!
) and med bills, so when finances calm down I'll be calling! Meanwhile my nipples are doing well. (How's that for one of the oddest sentences I've ever written???!)
After my 7 week checkup I stopped protecting them and they IMMEDIATELY shrank down to a reasonable size. I'm hoping they stop now, but we'll see!
0 -
wowzer.....IMMEDIATELY??? I guess it means no worries about "snipping them to the right length"
0 -
Yep. No snipping needed!! Lol.
And truly after the FIRST day I did not stack gauze around them they had noticeably shrunk. It's been very gradual since, but I really like them now. They seem to flatten during the day in my bra and then by morning they've fluffed up a bit. Lol.
0 -
dulcigirl.....I'm very glad to hear that you are so happy with your new nips.
FYI....your description is in sync with my energy many days......"flattens during the day, fluffed up by morning"....hence, why I strive to get my daily exercise in before noon!
0 -
my nipple isn't that big. I sure hope it doesn't shrink away. I feel very protective of it right now. The reconstructed breast doesn't hurt at all, but the biopsied breast, abdomen and thighs sure hurt. I really don't understand how putting fat into my ab scar will help, but i guess it's an experiment.
0 -
I would like my nips to stop shrinking. Since I've been working out wearing a sports bra, I've noticed more shrinkage. I am happy, though, to be this far along in this interminable process.
0 -
Dulcigirl---that's exactly what mine is like...flattens with the bra and fluffs back up without. Mine has sorta "leaned over" so that it's a small bump but looks like a nipple if I "straighten it up". It's shrunk to smaller than my native nip but is still noticeable when looking down. I'm happy with it and will be happier when I get my aerola tattoo in June!
0 -
I am scheduled to have nipple reconstruction tomorrow and am becoming increasingly anxious about the procedure. I had a bilateral mastectomy, nipple sparing on non cancer side. PS wants to take bit of remaining areola and make it into nipple for other side. I am very attached to my remaining nipple and keeping it has given me a very good looking result. I guess I am looking for reassurance from someone who has had this type of procedure done that remaining nipple came through it fine. I have expressed my concerns to my doctor and he feels all will go quite well and be just fine.
0 -
Kadyann....I understand the anxiety. I don't know anyone who has had your version of nipple recon, but just want to send hugs and positive vibes to you, that tomorrow will go well, and you will end up happy with your surgeon's procedure.
0 -
Good luck kadyann..I have heard of your type of reconstruction but it is hard to imagine having spare areola on one nip. I'm sure they know what they're doing.
Can anyone tell me what their post op nip covering instructions were. I'm just curious. Mine said to put nipple guard on and then breast binder they put me in. I also taped some gauze over the guard just to keep the thing In place. I have a little infection going on topically today and I feel it is just too warm in there. It is about 85 degrees here and that doesn't help. I see doc tomorrow for post op but infection after having an open ab wound for 3 months just makes me nervous.
0 -
I don't blame you for being nervous, Mammalou. I just wore stacked gauze on the nipples for two weeks, with loose bras or camisoles. I wanted to protect them longer but I'm so sick of feeling like a patient, with bandages, etc. that I didn't make it past two weeks. I did try stacked nursing pads and makeup pads with a hole cut out, too. A friend loaned me nipple guards (the plastic domes) but I hated them. I was afraid they would somehow move around and mess up the nips. Do you know why you have to wear a binder? Just curious as I know PS opinions on them seem to vary widely. I am praying for you and your appt. tomorrow, sending good thoughts.
0 -
I have a plastic nipple guard and I think the binder is mostly just to keep it in place, plus I have the biopsy site on the other breast. It's not a tight binder, more of a tube top.
Thanks for the prayers. I'm thinking positive thoughts! Plus, I'll get this pus checked out. Yay!
0 -
Mine just had me in stacked gauze (hole in center) with antibiotic cream (like bacitracin) til skin healed. I chose to continue stacking gauze for 7 weeks...but somewhere in there switched to makeup rounds with holes cut. Just like Jeannie said I was sick of it! Wearing scarves, etc. the conceal the gauze lumps. After my 7 week recheck I stopped protecting them and the shrank by about 50% within a week. I think that was about 3 weeks ago now and they have not changed more. I like them.
0 -
I would advise anybody getting the tattoos to wait at least six months after nipple reconstriuction. Mine totally flattened at I thing five to seven months. If they do flatten you can always get it done again.....that way you don't have the tattoo there already.
0 -
does the tattoo interfere with doing another nipple? How long did you wear a nipple guard?
0 -
I'm getting excited for my June appointment!
Breast Cancer Survivors Find the Michelangelo of Nipple Tattoos | VICE United
0 -
That's a great article. I plan on contacting Vinnie at some point in the next year. I don't think you need to be told, Lala, to keep us posted on your results, right?? Can't wait to hear!
0 -
Lala1, that article was great! Can I copy it to another thread?
0 -
Question for the ladies who have already had nipple recon. I know all docs are different, but how much "padding" should I dress for tomorrow? Are we talking 4" protrusion of pads....or something much less significant???? All responses greatly appreciated.
0 -
well...I started with 4 gauze 2x2" squares with holes and then one more on the top to cover everything. You'll want something that will cover obvious lumps. Lol. I wore sweatshirts with writing, cardigans with cabling, loose patterned tops, or sonething with a scarf. Basically dress like you did for wonky TE times.
(So 5 gauze squares high...maybe 1/2-3/4 inch??)
0 -
thanks, dulci....I was envisioning something muuuuuccccchhhh worse.
0 -
Lol!!
Well, prepare yourself, cuz when you first see them you may feel like you need construction cones...
Mine looked SO HUGE to me after getting used to nothing that I found it a shock every day to realize a stack of 4 could do the job.
Best wishes and Happy Nip Day to you!!
0 -
Home and "hazy"...thank you ativan. Numbing of the thigh and breast went very well. Just a few twinges every now and then. Once procedures stopped, no pain at all, at the moment. Turns out, it's likely going to be a 2 stage procedure..He lipo'd only one thigh today. Said he wants to see how that fat grafting goes. If I need more fat for grafting, he still has the other thigh to draw from. If he doesn't need it, he'll lipo it to match the other side "done" side.Not sure yet what variety of technique he used for the nipple recon. Gauze paids are covering things. No in any pain, but very foggy from the ativan....will type more tomorrow. Just want to say thanks for the support!
Hugs....Nihahi
0 -
2nd time around---go right ahead! Everyone should see it!
Sweetandspecial---Don't worry....I hope to be shouting my delight from the rooftop!
0 -
Nihahi,
Just came here to see if you'd checked in. Get some good rest!! Speedy healing!!
0
