Areola graft vs. tattoo

canoegirl

Anybody have an areola skin graft done with their nipple reconstruction? My PS had always talked about getting an areola tattoo, but when I was there for my pre-op we decided to do the skin graft....more because I would be done sooner and not have to go back in 2 months for the tattoo (I've moved 4 hours away). I'm wondering if anybody knows the pros and cons. I had never thought about a skin graft, so I didn't do any research on it. I did have DIEP reconstruction without any problems, so I'm hoping this goes smoothly as well.
Marcy

Ballerina

Sorry I don't know the pros and cons
Hi Marcy, sorry I don't know the pros and cons. I saw my surgeons portfolio picked out the breasts I would like to have and he said he would deliver. I had breast reconstruction with nipple reconstruction and micro pigmentation (tattoo) My reconstructed boob looks almost identical to my real boob with the exception of the scarring from the latissimus dorsal flap. I am so pleased with how it looks, I have to keep from showing family and friends.


Ballerina

RE

Nipple Recon
I had nipple recon here is how it went. Surgeon made an incision in which he created a nipple out of, then he took skin from just above my pubic hair line (sorry if too much info) because he said that area turns more of a natural color after it heals. He put that skin over the newly created nipple sewed it all together and I had to keep it lubricated and bandaged for ten days. No tattooing was needed as once it healed it matches in color with my natural breast and I am very happy with the results.

I was warned that there was a small percentage that do not take and require that the graft be redone. I chose the graft because I was not keen on the tattooing. My sister had double mastectomy and she opted for the tattoo's, although they looked realistic there was no depth to them and I wanted to regain more of what I lost, I wanted the depth. As stated above I am very pleased with the end results.

Hope this helps,

RE

canoegirl

RE said:

Nipple Recon
I had nipple recon here is how it went. Surgeon made an incision in which he created a nipple out of, then he took skin from just above my pubic hair line (sorry if too much info) because he said that area turns more of a natural color after it heals. He put that skin over the newly created nipple sewed it all together and I had to keep it lubricated and bandaged for ten days. No tattooing was needed as once it healed it matches in color with my natural breast and I am very happy with the results.

I was warned that there was a small percentage that do not take and require that the graft be redone. I chose the graft because I was not keen on the tattooing. My sister had double mastectomy and she opted for the tattoo's, although they looked realistic there was no depth to them and I wanted to regain more of what I lost, I wanted the depth. As stated above I am very pleased with the end results.

Hope this helps,

RE

Thanks
Thanks for the response. I went ahead and last Tue I had the areola graft. Just saw it today for the first time when they took all the bandages off. Looks pretty good so far. They took the skin from my groin and I had heard it would be painful, but I really didn't experience much discomfort. Certainly nothing that would require pain meds.

Glad to have over 2 years of surgeries and treatments done and looking forward to my first real shower in a week!

Marcy

Alexis F

canoegirl said:

Thanks
Thanks for the response. I went ahead and last Tue I had the areola graft. Just saw it today for the first time when they took all the bandages off. Looks pretty good so far. They took the skin from my groin and I had heard it would be painful, but I really didn't experience much discomfort. Certainly nothing that would require pain meds.

Glad to have over 2 years of surgeries and treatments done and looking forward to my first real shower in a week!

Marcy

So happy for you Marcy!
So happy for you Marcy! Enjoy that shower!


Hugs, Lex