Nipple Reconstruction Poll

Options
SamuraiMom
SamuraiMom Member Posts: 295
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
My plastic surgeon is performing a procedure on me next Saturday where he basically purse strings the skin up to form the nipple and then tattos in the color once it's healed.

Anyone else out there do nipple reconstruction without the skin graft?

Skin graft folks are you happy with them?

Thanks for your help!

SamuraiMom
«1

Comments

  • Katz77
    Katz77 Member Posts: 598
    #2
    Options
    Sorry
    I don't think I'm going to get a nipple. Kind of liking the "smooth"look for now. I work in surgery and will say this. My own survey. Skin grafts sometimes have a hard time w healing, esp to the graft site. I think the purse string approach would be better. Also only one area to heal vs two. Graft site and donor site. I'll be interested on how you and ur new nipple do. Keep me updated. Gayla
  • jo jo
    jo jo Member Posts: 1,175
    #3
    Options
    Katz77 said:

    Sorry
    I don't think I'm going to get a nipple. Kind of liking the "smooth"look for now. I work in surgery and will say this. My own survey. Skin grafts sometimes have a hard time w healing, esp to the graft site. I think the purse string approach would be better. Also only one area to heal vs two. Graft site and donor site. I'll be interested on how you and ur new nipple do. Keep me updated. Gayla

    What is purse string?
    I am getting reconstruction and nipples too...but i havent got to that process yet, but my doc did say something about skin grafts and tattoos, but i never heard of this term purse string... can someone explain?
  • tommaseena
    tommaseena Member Posts: 1,769
    #4
    Options
    jo jo said:

    What is purse string?
    I am getting reconstruction and nipples too...but i havent got to that process yet, but my doc did say something about skin grafts and tattoos, but i never heard of this term purse string... can someone explain?

    Nipple reconstruction
    I had nipple reconstruction and if the purse string is where they use your skin on your breast area and then turn it and create the nipple then that is what I had. For the first few weeks the nipple is large. Once the swelling went down my new constructed nipples are smaller than my originals were.

    I had the tattooing done as well once the nipples healed.

    They look wonderful.

    Margo
  • jk1952
    jk1952 Member Posts: 613
    #5
    Options
    tommaseena said:

    Nipple reconstruction
    I had nipple reconstruction and if the purse string is where they use your skin on your breast area and then turn it and create the nipple then that is what I had. For the first few weeks the nipple is large. Once the swelling went down my new constructed nipples are smaller than my originals were.

    I had the tattooing done as well once the nipples healed.

    They look wonderful.

    Margo

    I think that I had the

    I think that I had the procedure that you're talking about. Mine were very prominent at first, but it was primarily the stitching. After they healed, they were relatively smooth. The PA in the doctor's office said that they could do it over, so I don't think that they are normally as smooth as mine, but I don't really want any more surgery and I like them smooth. I might not have done it at all if I didn't have to have some other 'adjustments' made, so they did them all at the same time. I havn't had the tatooing done yet.

    Joyce
  • Dawne.Hope
    Dawne.Hope Member Posts: 823
    #6
    Options
    Purse Strings
    Dear SamuraiMom,

    My plastic surgeon does the nipple reconstruction like you described. Although I didn't know that is what it is called; purse strings. Funny. He doesn't do the skin graft.

    I haven't decided whether or not I'm going to have the nipple reconstruction. I have my exchange surgery on July 19, so I have some time.
  • wendybia
    wendybia Member Posts: 73
    #7
    Options
    hey samurai
    i would say tatto over skin graph...i had skin graph but will have tatoo in a couple of months...insurance was an issue for me then and that's why we did graph...very painful...don't recommend it...wendy
  • tigger99
    tigger99 Member Posts: 44
    #8
    Options
    wendybia said:

    hey samurai
    i would say tatto over skin graph...i had skin graph but will have tatoo in a couple of months...insurance was an issue for me then and that's why we did graph...very painful...don't recommend it...wendy

    My nipple was created 3
    My nipple was created 3 weeks ago. The skin was taken from the breast area, to left and right of the nipple. He didn't refer to it as "purse string" but rather he described it as a technique "sort of like origami" folding/tucking the skin and sewing it back down. It was not painful at all & is healing nicely. I just had to wear a "donut" of gauze to protect it for the first 2 weeks, so that the new nipple wouldn't be smooshed flat by the jog bra.
  • TawnyS
    TawnyS Member Posts: 144 Member
    #9
    Options
    Holy smokes! OUCH!
    Oh my goodness girls! I have expanders right now. I knew about the possibility of nipples, but haven't spoke about them to the ps or even really researched it. I swear, some of this stuff we talk about just seems so torturous....and it is! I always joke with my friends that if the government ever wants a terrorist to talk all they have to do is send them up to the clinic I go to and have them fitted with some drain tubes and stitches and sutures and then have them come back in about 3 weeks and yank them off and out when their not looking! That'll get 'em talkin'! Am I right ladies? That torture would make 'em sing like a canary! That's the way my doctors roll. They just are casually talking to you then reach up there and pull the H E double hockey sticks out of whatever it is they want out and it's done! They don't know it, but I'm on to 'em! :) Luckily our government doesn't torture, so that was all just a joke. Anyway, purse string me a new nipple?!? I'm in! :)
  • SamuraiMom
    SamuraiMom Member Posts: 295
    #10
    Options
    Nip Nip Hurray!
    OMG I love you ALL so much! First thing I do when I get home from work is log on to see what my invisi-sisters are up to and what they have to say!

    OK sounds like the purse string technique is the new way to go. They basically explained it as taking a section of the skin around the top, making a v-type incision and twisting it into the nip. Then tatooing later.

    I'm still on for next Saturday but going in tomorrow bc I've got a weird large vein roaming around under the skin right near my incision that is new that I want them to check out before they dive in. (my cuts are straight down the front vertically)

    Anyone have strange looking random veins beneath the surface? I know that's pretty random but hey, anything can happen around here!!

    I'll take the photos and post them on my site after the procedure so anyone can take a look.

    xxoo,
    SamuraiMom
  • SamuraiMom
    SamuraiMom Member Posts: 295
    #11
    Options
    jo jo said:

    What is purse string?
    I am getting reconstruction and nipples too...but i havent got to that process yet, but my doc did say something about skin grafts and tattoos, but i never heard of this term purse string... can someone explain?

    xxoo
    Hi JoJo!!!

    This is JoJo too!

    I replied on the purse string thing. Hope it helps!

    I'm sure there's a technical term but i have no idea what it is. ;)

    XXOO,
    SamuraiMom/JoJo
  • Balentine
    Balentine Member Posts: 393
    #12
    Options
    SamuraiMom said:

    Nip Nip Hurray!
    OMG I love you ALL so much! First thing I do when I get home from work is log on to see what my invisi-sisters are up to and what they have to say!

    OK sounds like the purse string technique is the new way to go. They basically explained it as taking a section of the skin around the top, making a v-type incision and twisting it into the nip. Then tatooing later.

    I'm still on for next Saturday but going in tomorrow bc I've got a weird large vein roaming around under the skin right near my incision that is new that I want them to check out before they dive in. (my cuts are straight down the front vertically)

    Anyone have strange looking random veins beneath the surface? I know that's pretty random but hey, anything can happen around here!!

    I'll take the photos and post them on my site after the procedure so anyone can take a look.

    xxoo,
    SamuraiMom

    My reconstruction will be done next summer
    I am going to have muscle sparing free tram flap surgery next summer so I will keep this nipple reconstruction technique in mind when I have mine. Since I did not finish chemo until just last month, the plastic surgeon told me I could not being reconstruction until August but I will be going back to work at school in August so I am waiting until next summer to have mine done. I am looking forward to it of course but not looking forward to the recovery of 4-6 weeks with 3 drains. I have a whole year to get mentally and emotionally ready for another surgery though so I am sure by that time I will be ready.
    Lorrie
  • Balentine
    Balentine Member Posts: 393
    #13
    Options
    SamuraiMom said:

    Nip Nip Hurray!
    OMG I love you ALL so much! First thing I do when I get home from work is log on to see what my invisi-sisters are up to and what they have to say!

    OK sounds like the purse string technique is the new way to go. They basically explained it as taking a section of the skin around the top, making a v-type incision and twisting it into the nip. Then tatooing later.

    I'm still on for next Saturday but going in tomorrow bc I've got a weird large vein roaming around under the skin right near my incision that is new that I want them to check out before they dive in. (my cuts are straight down the front vertically)

    Anyone have strange looking random veins beneath the surface? I know that's pretty random but hey, anything can happen around here!!

    I'll take the photos and post them on my site after the procedure so anyone can take a look.

    xxoo,
    SamuraiMom

    My reconstruction will be done next summer
    I am going to have muscle sparing free tram flap surgery next summer so I will keep this nipple reconstruction technique in mind when I have mine. Since I did not finish chemo until just last month, the plastic surgeon told me I could not being reconstruction until August but I will be going back to work at school in August so I am waiting until next summer to have mine done. I am looking forward to it of course but not looking forward to the recovery of 4-6 weeks with 3 drains. I have a whole year to get mentally and emotionally ready for another surgery though so I am sure by that time I will be ready.
    Lorrie
  • SamuraiMom
    SamuraiMom Member Posts: 295
    #14
    Options
    Balentine said:

    My reconstruction will be done next summer
    I am going to have muscle sparing free tram flap surgery next summer so I will keep this nipple reconstruction technique in mind when I have mine. Since I did not finish chemo until just last month, the plastic surgeon told me I could not being reconstruction until August but I will be going back to work at school in August so I am waiting until next summer to have mine done. I am looking forward to it of course but not looking forward to the recovery of 4-6 weeks with 3 drains. I have a whole year to get mentally and emotionally ready for another surgery though so I am sure by that time I will be ready.
    Lorrie

    Sista-Friend
    Hi Lorrie,

    So glad to hear your chemo is over! What a relief! Man oh man I bet you're glad to put that behind you!

    I love how you're taking your time.

    I wish I'd have been calmer out the gate and slowed the process.

    I was in a mad dash to get them out, reconstruct and well, whatever.

    Please keep in touch.

    xxoo

    Your Invisi-Sister,
    SamuraiMom
  • Christine Louise
    Christine Louise Member Posts: 426 Member
    #15
    Options
    Thanks, SamuraiMom
    I get expanders out and implants in July 7. Haven't decided about the nipples yet because I so love my new smoothness. My real nipples were long and almost impossible to suppress. If I had a nickel for every time my daughter said, "Mom, you're nippin' out!"

    Those of you who've gotten nipples -- are they so small that you could go braless without embarrassment?

    I've thought about getting just the tattoos. Anyone done that and like it?

    On the other hand, someone on this board once commented that getting the nipples really reduced the Frankenstein look of her scars. That's appealing.

    I'm looking forward to hearing all about your procedure, SamuraiMom. Please keep us posted, and best of luck to you on Saturday and always.
  • m-star
    m-star Member Posts: 441
    #16
    Options
    Christine Louise said:

    Thanks, SamuraiMom
    I get expanders out and implants in July 7. Haven't decided about the nipples yet because I so love my new smoothness. My real nipples were long and almost impossible to suppress. If I had a nickel for every time my daughter said, "Mom, you're nippin' out!"

    Those of you who've gotten nipples -- are they so small that you could go braless without embarrassment?

    I've thought about getting just the tattoos. Anyone done that and like it?

    On the other hand, someone on this board once commented that getting the nipples really reduced the Frankenstein look of her scars. That's appealing.

    I'm looking forward to hearing all about your procedure, SamuraiMom. Please keep us posted, and best of luck to you on Saturday and always.

    well im still 50/50 on
    well im still 50/50 on gettin nips,but if i do,i'll get the ones where they cut like a T shape in the skin then fold the flaps round to form the nip.

    Without nips,you will always look symetrical without a bra. WITH nips there's a risk they may not be fully symetrical,which would mean having to wear a bra to cover it up.

    Thats the only thing that puts me off a little. I want to never wear a bra again so the no-nip thing is appealing. But then to look like a 'normal' breast when im in the buff,i need nips!

    Will def go for tattoos regardless. The 3D ones look amazing!
  • Christine Louise
    Christine Louise Member Posts: 426 Member
    #17
    Options
    m-star said:

    well im still 50/50 on
    well im still 50/50 on gettin nips,but if i do,i'll get the ones where they cut like a T shape in the skin then fold the flaps round to form the nip.

    Without nips,you will always look symetrical without a bra. WITH nips there's a risk they may not be fully symetrical,which would mean having to wear a bra to cover it up.

    Thats the only thing that puts me off a little. I want to never wear a bra again so the no-nip thing is appealing. But then to look like a 'normal' breast when im in the buff,i need nips!

    Will def go for tattoos regardless. The 3D ones look amazing!

    3D tattoos!
    I need to google up a picture of those. Glad to know they can look that good.

    m-star, are you done with expansions?
  • Balentine
    Balentine Member Posts: 393
    #18
    Options
    Christine Louise said:

    3D tattoos!
    I need to google up a picture of those. Glad to know they can look that good.

    m-star, are you done with expansions?

    Thanks for all of your encouraging words and support
    Samuri,
    I love to read your posts. They are always so encouraging and uplifting. I have always by nature been a most melancholy personality but reading yours and so many others posts here, I have learned to be more positive and look up a whole lot more. It is easy to lay down and just have a big pity party...we can all do that just about everyday...but to pick yourself back up, look to God and know that He will carry you during those times gives you hope and causes you to know and believe that with His help and the help of my sisters here that I know I can get through this.

    I am also glad that my insurance company (tricare) is allowing me 2 years to do my reconstruction. I really needed that time to get past my mastectomy and chemo physically and also emotionally and mentally be able to prepare myself for another major surgery and recovery. I just hope that by next summer I don't chicken out of it. I am sure I will be ready by then. Thanks and God bless you!
    Lorrie
  • Megan M
    Megan M Member Posts: 3,000
    #19
    Options
    tommaseena said:

    Nipple reconstruction
    I had nipple reconstruction and if the purse string is where they use your skin on your breast area and then turn it and create the nipple then that is what I had. For the first few weeks the nipple is large. Once the swelling went down my new constructed nipples are smaller than my originals were.

    I had the tattooing done as well once the nipples healed.

    They look wonderful.

    Margo

    How are you doing Margo? I
    How are you doing Margo? I don't see you posting much. Are you working at home yet?

    Glad your latest surgery went so well for you!
  • m-star
    m-star Member Posts: 441
    #20
    Options
    Christine Louise said:

    3D tattoos!
    I need to google up a picture of those. Glad to know they can look that good.

    m-star, are you done with expansions?

    Christine~
    i have another
    Christine~

    i have another fill next week and im pretty sure it will be may last. Not through my choice,but they only put 300ml TE's in me and my next fill should take me to 450ml (a 50% overfill!!!!!!)

    Don't think they'll risk any more than that but will see.
  • tommaseena
    tommaseena Member Posts: 1,769
    #21
    Options
    Megan M said:

    How are you doing Margo? I
    How are you doing Margo? I don't see you posting much. Are you working at home yet?

    Glad your latest surgery went so well for you!

    Me?
    Me--I am doing fine.
    Busy with Jake and baseball--don't get on line much.
    Working from home should be middle of July--at least what they are saying at work but we still haven't gotten our "office in a box" yet.

    If anyone gets tattoos put ointment on them more than what the doctor says because I put it on 4 times a day and still got some scabs and when the scabs come off the color isn't there. I don't want any touch-ups done--at least for now.

    Margo

    Thanks for asking.

Discussion Boards