Nipples/No Nipples?

LoriQ
LoriQ Member Posts: 9
in Breast Cancer #1
I've had a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction. Trying to decide if I want to have another surgery to get nipples. My plastic surgeon wants to do a skin graft to create the nipples, which would mean another surgery and general anesthetic. I've heard of other surgeons that do a kind of "pucker stitch" to create the nipple. I would love to hear from anyone who has had nipple reconstruction, how it was done and how do you feel about it? Or anyone that has chosen not to have nipples...

Thanks!

Comments

  • Clementine_P
    Clementine_P Member Posts: 518 Member
    #2
    I had the
    "pucker stitch' as you put it. I too was deciding whether or not to do it and I ended up doing it because I want to feel as "whole" as possible again. It came out really well. I then got professional tattoos and I have to say unless you are looking fairly closely, I don't think you can tell it is a fake nipple. The surgery was super easy. I was awake the entire time - I think it took about an hour and other than a slight headache I felt fine afterwards. I had to wear sci fi looking "nipple protectors" for a few days afterwards and take antibiotics but that was it. I am happy to answer any specific questions you may have as well.

    Good Luck whatever you choose.

    Clementine
  • Chickadee1955
    Chickadee1955 Member Posts: 356 Member
    #3
    Clementine_P said:

    I had the
    "pucker stitch' as you put it. I too was deciding whether or not to do it and I ended up doing it because I want to feel as "whole" as possible again. It came out really well. I then got professional tattoos and I have to say unless you are looking fairly closely, I don't think you can tell it is a fake nipple. The surgery was super easy. I was awake the entire time - I think it took about an hour and other than a slight headache I felt fine afterwards. I had to wear sci fi looking "nipple protectors" for a few days afterwards and take antibiotics but that was it. I am happy to answer any specific questions you may have as well.

    Good Luck whatever you choose.

    Clementine

    Soon....
    I have an appointment next week for the nipple reconstruction. My plastic surgeon will do the tattoo at the same time. From what I've read it seems it is usually done in two stages, but she said it would take about 1.5-2 hours with just a local anesthetic and I would have both. I, too have been debating whether to go through with it, but figure I've gone this far, why stop before the very last step? Good luck!

    Chickadee
  • Mitzi333
    Mitzi333 Member Posts: 511 Member
    #4
    Chickadee1955 said:

    Soon....
    I have an appointment next week for the nipple reconstruction. My plastic surgeon will do the tattoo at the same time. From what I've read it seems it is usually done in two stages, but she said it would take about 1.5-2 hours with just a local anesthetic and I would have both. I, too have been debating whether to go through with it, but figure I've gone this far, why stop before the very last step? Good luck!

    Chickadee

    I'm also close to the next step...
    I've heard pros and cons on getting the nipple surgery. I've heard about 6-8 weeks the reconstructed nipples flattens out. Clementine how long ago did you have the surgery? Are they still up? I'm happy to hear it's a painless process. I'm looking forward to the next step in a couple of months.

    I'm interested in results and feedback as well.

    Thanks Ladies!!!

    Mitzi ;0)
  • Clementine_P
    Clementine_P Member Posts: 518 Member
    #5
    Mitzi333 said:

    I'm also close to the next step...
    I've heard pros and cons on getting the nipple surgery. I've heard about 6-8 weeks the reconstructed nipples flattens out. Clementine how long ago did you have the surgery? Are they still up? I'm happy to hear it's a painless process. I'm looking forward to the next step in a couple of months.

    I'm interested in results and feedback as well.

    Thanks Ladies!!!

    Mitzi ;0)

    Flatten out
    Mine did flatten out a lot after the surgery, but they are definitely still raised a bit. At first I was concerned that I would have headlights for the rest of my life! Now it is just slightly raised, which I think makes it look more authentic but not raised so much as to show through my bras and shirts.

    I had my surgery in September of 2011 - I would say that by about 2 months after surgery (or maybe a bit less) they had settled to where they remain now.

    Good Luck, Mitzi!

    Clementine
  • Mitzi333
    Mitzi333 Member Posts: 511 Member
    #6
    Clementine_P said:

    Flatten out
    Mine did flatten out a lot after the surgery, but they are definitely still raised a bit. At first I was concerned that I would have headlights for the rest of my life! Now it is just slightly raised, which I think makes it look more authentic but not raised so much as to show through my bras and shirts.

    I had my surgery in September of 2011 - I would say that by about 2 months after surgery (or maybe a bit less) they had settled to where they remain now.

    Good Luck, Mitzi!

    Clementine

    Thanks Clementine!!!
    I Appreciate your response. Happy to hear your new boobies look more natural after a few months. I'm looking forward to getting the nip/tuck, and moreover, that's it's not painful. How soon after did you get your tats? Or, did you get the tats at the same time? Any further words of wisdom to prep of the surgery?


    Thanks So MUCH for the info!!!

    Have a FABO Weekend!!!
    Mitzi ;0)
  • Faith1122
    Faith1122 Member Posts: 46
    #7
    Mitzi333 said:

    Thanks Clementine!!!
    I Appreciate your response. Happy to hear your new boobies look more natural after a few months. I'm looking forward to getting the nip/tuck, and moreover, that's it's not painful. How soon after did you get your tats? Or, did you get the tats at the same time? Any further words of wisdom to prep of the surgery?


    Thanks So MUCH for the info!!!

    Have a FABO Weekend!!!
    Mitzi ;0)

    Nipples
    My mother had it done over 10 years ago & her nipple flattened out a little bit but not all of the way. The tattoo has faded a bit as well but she is 70 & not interested in having it redone. I will be getting all of it as well. I will be having my expanders replaced with implants in a about a month. I want to look as close as possible to my before cancer self. I realize that's a stretch.
  • Clementine_P
    Clementine_P Member Posts: 518 Member
    #8
    Mitzi333 said:

    Thanks Clementine!!!
    I Appreciate your response. Happy to hear your new boobies look more natural after a few months. I'm looking forward to getting the nip/tuck, and moreover, that's it's not painful. How soon after did you get your tats? Or, did you get the tats at the same time? Any further words of wisdom to prep of the surgery?


    Thanks So MUCH for the info!!!

    Have a FABO Weekend!!!
    Mitzi ;0)

    Mitzi
    I'm happy to answer your questions! I could have gotten my tats as soon as about 2 months after the procedure, but I ended up having them about 7 months later. It was because I was told you can't swim for about a month after getting the tats and that would have interfered with my summer. I guess the only words of wisdom that I have with respect to the surgery is to wear a jacket or thick shirt. The "nipple protectors" definitely protrude a great deal and if you have a fitted shirt on, people will definitely notice and I'm sure you'll get some incredulous glances! I got mine done in the winter so luckily I had a coat. Other than that, I was told to sleep on my back until they healed so as not to squish the little guys for a few weeks and I had to take antibiotics for a week. That was the extent of it, though. I really hope that you will be happy with the results no matter which way you end up going.

    I hope you have a fab weekend too!
    Clementine
  • butterflylvr
    butterflylvr Member Posts: 944
    #9
    Clementine_P said:

    Mitzi
    I'm happy to answer your questions! I could have gotten my tats as soon as about 2 months after the procedure, but I ended up having them about 7 months later. It was because I was told you can't swim for about a month after getting the tats and that would have interfered with my summer. I guess the only words of wisdom that I have with respect to the surgery is to wear a jacket or thick shirt. The "nipple protectors" definitely protrude a great deal and if you have a fitted shirt on, people will definitely notice and I'm sure you'll get some incredulous glances! I got mine done in the winter so luckily I had a coat. Other than that, I was told to sleep on my back until they healed so as not to squish the little guys for a few weeks and I had to take antibiotics for a week. That was the extent of it, though. I really hope that you will be happy with the results no matter which way you end up going.

    I hope you have a fab weekend too!
    Clementine

    Mitzi, first of all I
    Mitzi, first of all I finally answered your PM. I am so sorry I missed it... :(

    I am one of the few who am opting out of the nipple surgery and going with just the tattooing. From local breast cancer survivors I have a good lead on a tattoo artist who does excellent work and does it for free for area women. By going to a professional tattoo artist they can make the nipple and areola look three dimensional by shading and the use of multiple colors. They truly are the experts when ink is concerned.

    The thought of going through nipple reconstruction, wearing shields and then having them flatten years later have made me make the decision to take the fast track and just go to tattoos.

    Good Luck to each and all,
    Lorrie
  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    #10
    butterflylvr said:

    Mitzi, first of all I
    Mitzi, first of all I finally answered your PM. I am so sorry I missed it... :(

    I am one of the few who am opting out of the nipple surgery and going with just the tattooing. From local breast cancer survivors I have a good lead on a tattoo artist who does excellent work and does it for free for area women. By going to a professional tattoo artist they can make the nipple and areola look three dimensional by shading and the use of multiple colors. They truly are the experts when ink is concerned.

    The thought of going through nipple reconstruction, wearing shields and then having them flatten years later have made me make the decision to take the fast track and just go to tattoos.

    Good Luck to each and all,
    Lorrie

    Lori .. I hem and hawed for over a year trying to
    decide. Ultimately my decision was to have my nipples done (March 7th) a few months ago. Problem was that it had been well over a year after my bilateral, and exchange surgery -- so I felt alot of PAIN -- as my tissue and nerves had begun to heal.

    My tattooing is scheduled for July 13 and it will be performed in my Plastic Surgeon's office. My PS office offers the 3D shading -- now to pick out the prefect coloring.

    I weighed the pros's and con's regarding the every present protruding nipples -- and I
    decided that I could use lightly padded bra. Honestly, my I wear my sports bra's daily ..
    and my protruding nipples are not a concern, or present. This is just my story, and
    my opinion.

    Good luck with your decision, do what is best for you.

    Strength, Courage and HOPE.

    Vicki Sam
  • Mitzi333
    Mitzi333 Member Posts: 511 Member
    #11
    VickiSam said:

    Lori .. I hem and hawed for over a year trying to
    decide. Ultimately my decision was to have my nipples done (March 7th) a few months ago. Problem was that it had been well over a year after my bilateral, and exchange surgery -- so I felt alot of PAIN -- as my tissue and nerves had begun to heal.

    My tattooing is scheduled for July 13 and it will be performed in my Plastic Surgeon's office. My PS office offers the 3D shading -- now to pick out the prefect coloring.

    I weighed the pros's and con's regarding the every present protruding nipples -- and I
    decided that I could use lightly padded bra. Honestly, my I wear my sports bra's daily ..
    and my protruding nipples are not a concern, or present. This is just my story, and
    my opinion.

    Good luck with your decision, do what is best for you.

    Strength, Courage and HOPE.

    Vicki Sam

    Thanks Lori for the PM...
    I Appreciate your feedback!!! Vicki... let us know how yours goes next month. All the info I can gather the better, before I make the plunge. I plan to have my nipple reconstruct in late Aug. Think I'll go for the nipples. Decisions, decisions...

    Thanks Bunches for all the info ladies!!!

    {{{Hugs}}}
    Mitzi =)
  • LoriQ
    LoriQ Member Posts: 9
    #12
    Mitzi333 said:

    Thanks Lori for the PM...
    I Appreciate your feedback!!! Vicki... let us know how yours goes next month. All the info I can gather the better, before I make the plunge. I plan to have my nipple reconstruct in late Aug. Think I'll go for the nipples. Decisions, decisions...

    Thanks Bunches for all the info ladies!!!

    {{{Hugs}}}
    Mitzi =)

    VickiSam,
    Did you have skin
    VickiSam,

    Did you have skin grafts to create nipples?

    Thank you all for you input. I have an appointment with my PS next week. Maybe that will help me decide.

    Lori
  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    #13
    LoriQ said:

    VickiSam,
    Did you have skin
    VickiSam,

    Did you have skin grafts to create nipples?

    Thank you all for you input. I have an appointment with my PS next week. Maybe that will help me decide.

    Lori

    My new nipples were created from my existing
    tissue. Cut, pinch and twist -- ! I think my PS referred to my surgery/procedure
    as the 'cylinder' method.

    I truly wished I remembered more ...


    Vicki Sam
  • Bar_B
    Bar_B Member Posts: 27
    #14
    Bilateral with reconstruction here, too, but no nipples... yet.
    I decided not to have nipples done as I was getting so sick from all the surgeries and anesthesia. Maybe I will get up enough courage to get them done someday, but am just as happy without them. I did find a bra insert that has nipples so when I want them I can have the look, just have to make sure they are going the same direction! ha!!
  • RE
    RE Member Posts: 4,591 Member
    #15
    Nipple Recon
    I have had one mastectomy and I waited two years after recon to have the nipple reconstruction and to have the surgeon correct a few concerns that I had with the original recon. The nipple was created with the same pucker method mentioned earlier, I also had the skin graft for the outer portion of the nipple that many have tattooed. The skin graft was taken from just above the lower hairline and it turned out wonderful! The color is right and I am so glad that I finally choose to do it. The nipple did flatten out a bit but it is still raised and looks quite natural (it has been 2 years since the surgery). I hope this has helped a bit.

    Hugs,

    RE
  • jonahrex98
    jonahrex98 Member Posts: 23 Member
    #16
    Bar_B said:

    Bilateral with reconstruction here, too, but no nipples... yet.
    I decided not to have nipples done as I was getting so sick from all the surgeries and anesthesia. Maybe I will get up enough courage to get them done someday, but am just as happy without them. I did find a bra insert that has nipples so when I want them I can have the look, just have to make sure they are going the same direction! ha!!

    NO NIPPLE
    I opted for no nipple also. I was sick of surgery too. I am happily married and plan on not needing one, so I don't really miss it. It does look kind of weird though when I look in the mirror once in a while, but I try not to look.
  • kermit2831
    kermit2831 Member Posts: 3
    #17
    nipple reconstruction
    I had mine done 10 years ago, as a separate procedure. The skin graft came from my lower pelvis. I then had to wait a bit for another procedure to have it tattooed in the ambulatory center by my plastic surgeon. With everything that I went through, that was the easy part. My tattoo color has faded quite a bit, and it definitely has flattened out, but I'm happy with my decision. Good luck with whatever you decide!!

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