Nipple reconstruction
Comments
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Would you try a "re-do" if one shrunk too much? I don't know whether to even consider it or not. Would love to know what others think!
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jill and anyone else looking to donate their gently used bras Soma Intimates is taking bra donations to go to women who are victims of domestic violence. If you have a Soma in your area you can just drop them off there. techinically the promotion for this drive is over but I know the store I work at in Kansas is still taking them I think the other stores will as well. If not and you would like to ship them to my store we are the one in Leawood Kansas.
mrscich the decisions of all this are almost the toughest part of it. It's a very personal thing and you have to think about what will make you happy in the end. I also was not given the choice to keep my nipples. Sometimes I wish I could have but I get my new ones on October 30th so the jury is still out. The surgeries for me what not so bad, I think most people say after that it was less pain than they thought it would be. reconstuction is a process though. I did not have any trouble with mine and very minimal pain. So for me I am happy with my decisions. Each surgery in the process becomes easier, easier because they are less complicated and easier because the anxiety is taken away. Just remember whatever you decide it was the right decision for you.
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Golden...I would think shrinkage is okay unless you want to have to cover them up with a padded bra. It's all in what you are comfortable with. If you aren't happy and don't mind another procedure by all means go for it.
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Hi ladies, new to this tread (thank you Uffda for leading me here) not new to BC.org Trying to decide if I should do nipple recon or 3D nipple tattoo.. i had unimx.. any input??? I see a lot of ladies from US have to pay quite a substantial amount for your treatment. I am in Canada and we are lucky enough to have full coverage for C treatments including recon. So the cost is not a factor for me as I am lucky enough not to have to pay for any of it
I am going to have fatgrafting done as I have some"funky" areas. Going to fill in around top of implant as well as filling a "crater" on my side where implant stops..
also where did they take your nipple from?
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I chose nipple recon, as I had a lumpectomy, right breast, and wanted some symmetry. PS said the lump scar tissue was used to form the new nipple. My insurance covers reconstruction, fortunately.
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Those of you that would have kept your nipples if you could....why would you? I'd like to know your reasoning. My PS informed me that either way I go, I will have no feeling in them and I'm not attached to them in any way.
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Ossa...spoke with someone this week who had umx. She chose recon so that her bra would fit the same on both sides.
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Since I'm a UMX I wish I had been able to keep my nipple. Just another thing that doesn't quite match up. My reconstructed one looks pretty good (only a little over 2 weeks since surgery) but next to her sister, not the same. Kinda like I have two different women's breast on my chest.
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Jamie, I'm having a BMX so they will match either way (I hope).
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Mrscich, I had a umx and it was not an option to keep the nipple, I also had a reduction on the other side to try and match the new with the old better and that required the nipple/areola area to be cut off and reattached. I guess in some ways it felt like the ultimate sacrifice at the time to lose a nipple completely, I wasn't particularly attached to them (haha) visually, but I had fed my four babies with them and I felt sad to have it go in such a harsh way.
But, you are right, there is no feeling in the nipple i kept or the new one and in fact that has been one of the hardest things for me. My breasts look different from each other and the nipples do too at the moment. I have a small revision to do and then the tattooing and I think at that stage it will be good enough for me to get on and just let them be what they are. I will never be the same on the outside and that reflects that I will never be the same on the inside but that is just the way it is and I'm going to be ok with that, someday soon.0 -
Suzy, thank you for sharing. I've had only 5 days to think about all of this. I was diagnosed just this past Monday and my BMX is Weds. So from diagnosis to BMX is 9 days. I've researched what I can and asked the Dr's my questions but they haven't experienced this first hand. That's why you lovely ladies are the ammo in my arsenal.
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Ossa, I'm in the US and my insurance covers everything. BMX and all procedures for reconstruction (including tattoos).
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Good to hear MrsCich.. I see alot of ladies on these treads have a large out of pocket expense for recon.I do not think that is right as recon should be considered part of the treatment no matter where in the world you are..My GFF in Norway had UMX six years ago, she was not given a choice when it comes to recon.. so sad.. Every woman should be able to make her own decision as to recon or not.. Money should not be the deciding factor
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I am so excited! I saw the specialist for a consult on my tattoos today and learned that she does 3D tattoos! Her recommendation is that we go ahead with tattoos even though my right nipple shrunk so it is completely flat. She "drew" with make up what the tattoos might look like and even though my nipples aren't straight across from each other, it was hard to tell once she did the drawings. I see the plastic surgeon next week and we'll see if he concurs but I expect he will. She's been doing this for more than 20 years and trains others as well. She also heads up a nonprofit that helps women without insurance go ahead with the tattooing. She answered all my questions about safety and uses all disposible items, mixes the ink for each patient, etc. She has published a book of her work and I had to ask if women had a reconstructed nipple or it was her 3D work (it was her 3D work every time). She's in Scottsdale, Arizona which is a great place to visit especially if you are looking at tattoos come this fall or winter! Her name is Rachell Hall, here's the link to her website: http://www.breasthetics.com/default.html
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Well I have a nipple! It was done last Monday and I went back to work this last week (I also had minor revision/fat grafting). It's surreal to have a nipple again. I didn't realize what a difference it would make. It still has that frankenstein look, but not bad. It has shrunken a little, gotten a little flatter. Saw my PS yesterday and he said that's it! I'm done! Well, except for the tattoo part in about eight weeks. He said I can wear a bra now, but I'm feeling protective of the little bugger. I've only worn a really soft bralette, cammie type bra. I'm hoping it won't flatten out too much more because I think I like it the way it is now. It's fatter than the real one, but it's still ok. If it does flatten too much can he redo it?
I can't belive how much a nipple means. I never thought about it until I didn't have one and now I do.
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Congratulations! It is a great to make progress.
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I had my nipples done on 7/26 and PS has still not given me permission to wear a normal bra. I have worn the horrible bras of shame ( surgical bras) since BMX in February. Is my PS just super cautious? I long for my pretty underwires instead of the industrial hot miserable ones. Any insight into my PS's delay? I could ask him I guess. His response the last time I asked has me thinking he will tell me when he is ready.
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My areola grafts and nipples do not look as good as they did. There are dark dark areas. There are areas that seem a little raw. There is no drainage. A small dark area to the left of one nipple and a dark areas that has actually gotten smaller but the area that is not dark now almost looks like it could slough off. I am very very scared this graft isn't going to take. I have had so many complications related to the original failed NSM I am so down. I can't bear to think there might be another failure. This is the 8th surgery I have had related to the original failed NSM. I know I need to try to stay postive and have hope but I am so scared. I am tearful at the thought of all of this happening after 2.5 years! It will be three years that this all started at the end of December. I am beside myself but putting on a calm face. But can't be around people easily as I am so worried and scared and those not having gone through this just DON'T get it! Thanks for letting me vent.
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Hopeful - when did you have your grafts done? I'm 4 weeks out today, and still have some scabby parts.
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August 22nd. But they look black not like a scab.
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sorry Hopeful. I was so scared when mine turned all sorts of colors, so I get what you're saying, although I certainly haven't been through all you have. When do you see your PS again?
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A week from today. I just need to take a deep breath I guess. I am doing all they told me to do. If they don't work at this point I can't change anything........... right. Thanks for understanding!
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Hopeful - All of this waiting and having no control over the outcome is so hard. Keep us posted. (hugs)
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JamieB86 your description "Kinda like I have two different women's breast on my chest" that is brilliant and the best discription I have seen so far and totally sums up my feelings for my new look. Made me laugh in a good way, needed that. Cheers0
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Glad I could help Hils!
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One week ago today I had my NSBMX. I saw a glimpse of my nips yesterday and cried. They are so dark purple and pushed in due to the padding they had sewn on top of them. My PS says it's completely normal and they will pop out some. I don't look at them and I don't put Vaseline on the gauze when we have to change it out..my DH has to do that or I will have a breakdown.
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The worst time for me was the time after BMX and Phase II. Your body is healing. I know it is hard and above all traumatic. Your body has been altered forever. Take time and heal. It really does get better.
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Mrscich: my DH was my at home nurse for weeks post nsbmx, changing my gauze, draining my drains, putting on antibiotic ointment on my incisions/nipples. It was a very painful and dramatic time for me too, I would of folded without him. DH was so supportive and encourging telling me how good when in fact I looked like crap all I saw were purple nipples, drains, stitches, on top of that everything hurt like hell. It's such tough period what you are going through at the moment but it is temporary, you will get and feel better as the weeks go on, celebrating little victories like getting drains out, stitches removed, weening off pain meds. But all this takes time, healing from nsbmx is slow. Bring your concerns and talk openly with your PS, that is relationship you are going to have for a long time.
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I weened myself off of the pain pills a few days ago. I don't really hurt, just tight and sore from the TE's. My initial fill was 500cc. I was a 36DD pre BMX. My drains were removed yesterday and I'm about to take my first shower in a week! Hallelujah!!
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MrsCich isn't it wonderful when you can take that step forward.......... a shower who knew that something we have taken for granted can be so wonderful! I know what you mean about your husband mine is my hero. It is a long, long process. It is hard to be patient but that is what we learn.
And it is ok to cry. You have been through a very traumatic experience. Those tears are a release and totally normal. Take gentle care.
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