nipple reconstruction

confused123
confused123 Member Posts: 251
in Breast Cancer #1

Hi I had a double mastectomy in 2009 and had implants put in.  The side I had radiation on looks horrible, its tighter and there is a large scar because I got an infection where the incision was.  There are also tiny red dots on the top of the breast.  Anyway I haven't done the nipples yet and am wondering if I should bother.  My skin is very thin on radiated side as well.  Have any of you had a problem with the nipple recontruction?  Anyone happy with them?  Unhappy with them?

thanks

Comments

  • tufi000
    tufi000 Member Posts: 745 Member
    #2
    Also have thin radiated skin

    and other post=rad issues.  But  I love my nipples!!!!  They did a great job

  • confused123
    confused123 Member Posts: 251
    #3
    thank you for your response

    thank you for your response and I am so glad you love them.  Did you have to have surgery?  My friend just had hers done in the office and was awake.  THe doc just pulled the skin I guess. I am thinking my doc is going the surgery route because the skin is so thin.  He wants to take skin from my stomach.

  • Josie21
    Josie21 Member Posts: 382 Member
    #4
    Hi

    I am almost five years since my BL mastectomy and still thinking about doing nipple reconstruction.  I know several people who have done it and they are very happy.  My only concern is that they are always erect, so iI would always have to wear a padded bra.  I live in Florida, where it's hot as hell, and I get away without wearing one now.  Sounds silly, but braless helps with the hot flashes from the aromasin and is one of the perks of having boobs that barely move. Good luck with your decision.  Do whatever feels right for you!!  If I decide to do it one day, maybe I would just have them tattooed.  Boy would I be a hit at the tattoo parlor!!  

    Hugs,

    Ginny

  • Chickadee1955
    Chickadee1955 Member Posts: 356 Member
    #5
    Josie21 said:

    Hi

    I am almost five years since my BL mastectomy and still thinking about doing nipple reconstruction.  I know several people who have done it and they are very happy.  My only concern is that they are always erect, so iI would always have to wear a padded bra.  I live in Florida, where it's hot as hell, and I get away without wearing one now.  Sounds silly, but braless helps with the hot flashes from the aromasin and is one of the perks of having boobs that barely move. Good luck with your decision.  Do whatever feels right for you!!  If I decide to do it one day, maybe I would just have them tattooed.  Boy would I be a hit at the tattoo parlor!!  

    Hugs,

    Ginny

    I had nipple reconstruction

    I had nipple reconstruction about a year after reconstruction.  It was done in the office with just a local.  You'll be surprised what a difference they make in the appearance

    of the 'foobs'.  I took a picture to remind me of how the nipple-less mounds looked and it is really more realistic to have the nipples.  Of course, the down side is that now I can't wear a light colored shirt without a bra!

    Best wishes.

     

     

  • tufi000
    tufi000 Member Posts: 745 Member
    #6
    confused123 said:

    thank you for your response

    thank you for your response and I am so glad you love them.  Did you have to have surgery?  My friend just had hers done in the office and was awake.  THe doc just pulled the skin I guess. I am thinking my doc is going the surgery route because the skin is so thin.  He wants to take skin from my stomach.

    It was an office thing

    he has developed a technique that is very simple resulting in a few stiches.  After its healed they do the tattooing.

  • tufi000
    tufi000 Member Posts: 745 Member
    #7
    Josie21 said:

    Hi

    I am almost five years since my BL mastectomy and still thinking about doing nipple reconstruction.  I know several people who have done it and they are very happy.  My only concern is that they are always erect, so iI would always have to wear a padded bra.  I live in Florida, where it's hot as hell, and I get away without wearing one now.  Sounds silly, but braless helps with the hot flashes from the aromasin and is one of the perks of having boobs that barely move. Good luck with your decision.  Do whatever feels right for you!!  If I decide to do it one day, maybe I would just have them tattooed.  Boy would I be a hit at the tattoo parlor!!  

    Hugs,

    Ginny

    not erect

    The tissue is so soft he made them so they arent hard enuf to peek through garments. And they have a specially trained tattooist that comes to the hospital.

  • RE
    RE Member Posts: 4,591 Member
    #8
    Hugs!!!

    I waited a little over a year after having recon to have the nipple put on (only one side), I too have a large scar but it is fading and I am over the moon happy with the results from the nipple recon, for me it made a world of difference in my happiness factor.  Whatever you choose to do I wish you happiness!  Hugs!!!!

  • coco2008
    coco2008 Member Posts: 418
    #9
    Chickadee1955 said:

    I had nipple reconstruction

    I had nipple reconstruction about a year after reconstruction.  It was done in the office with just a local.  You'll be surprised what a difference they make in the appearance

    of the 'foobs'.  I took a picture to remind me of how the nipple-less mounds looked and it is really more realistic to have the nipples.  Of course, the down side is that now I can't wear a light colored shirt without a bra!

    Best wishes.

     

     

    Love  the term "foobs".  It

    Love  the term "foobs".  It really fits the circumstance.  I have my BMX and reconstr later this month and anything that can make me smile about it is a good thing.

    Thanks,

    Sandy

  • Chinda
    Chinda Member Posts: 15
    #10
    RE said:

    Hugs!!!

    I waited a little over a year after having recon to have the nipple put on (only one side), I too have a large scar but it is fading and I am over the moon happy with the results from the nipple recon, for me it made a world of difference in my happiness factor.  Whatever you choose to do I wish you happiness!  Hugs!!!!

    I have my breasts mastectomy

    I have my breasts mastectomy and reconstruction done on Sep.11th, 2013. I have lost one of my nipple. I will need to wait for 3 months to have my nipple reconstruction done. I can't wait as I don't like to see my breast without nipple. It looks so sad.

  • Scotti233
    Scotti233 Member Posts: 3
    #11
    Confused 123 response

    I guess I am alone in that I didn't bother with nipple reconstruction.  I happily call my boobs "Barbie boobs" cause thats what they look like now:). My husband was fine with it and I was tired of having procedures.  As I was super big before, just having smaller boobs that don't sag is good for me.  But my plastic surgeon did tell me he could do it anytime if I decide and it would be done in his office.  Give yourself time to feel well and then decide what you want to do.  Best of luck!

  • sandra4611
    sandra4611 Member Posts: 121
    #12
    Scotti233 said:

    Confused 123 response

    I guess I am alone in that I didn't bother with nipple reconstruction.  I happily call my boobs "Barbie boobs" cause thats what they look like now:). My husband was fine with it and I was tired of having procedures.  As I was super big before, just having smaller boobs that don't sag is good for me.  But my plastic surgeon did tell me he could do it anytime if I decide and it would be done in his office.  Give yourself time to feel well and then decide what you want to do.  Best of luck!

    Scotti, you aren't alone

    Scotti, you are not alone. I couldn't care less about having nipples. I love the idea of Barbie Boobs...no chance of a nip slip! No interest in having another surgery (no matter how minor) to create a nipple and then "tit-toos" - no matter how real they look. I have 30" of scars criss crossing my chest. A fake nipple will not make a difference. Maybe if I were 30 years younger it would be different. But at 64, I'm satisfied without them.

  • hope4thebest
    hope4thebest Member Posts: 108
    #13
    tattoos

    I had a BMX w immediate reconstruction.  It was a long process.  If you are ok with your new set, I would skip the nipples.  It was many trips to Dr, and your skin sounds like it has been compromised.  That is just my opinion, everyone is different.  I am 43, so they did make me feel more natural, so I am pleased moreso with their psychological value.  Aesthetically, they look more real... but seriously, you are the only one who can make that call, if you need them.  I was lucky and did not have any chemo/rads so skin was fine.  They have to cut into it once, and it is not fun.  The Dr can build them however you like, but if you go that direction maybe show him a photo, or ask to see a photo of their work.

  • Chinda
    Chinda Member Posts: 15
    #14
    hope4thebest said:

    tattoos

    I had a BMX w immediate reconstruction.  It was a long process.  If you are ok with your new set, I would skip the nipples.  It was many trips to Dr, and your skin sounds like it has been compromised.  That is just my opinion, everyone is different.  I am 43, so they did make me feel more natural, so I am pleased moreso with their psychological value.  Aesthetically, they look more real... but seriously, you are the only one who can make that call, if you need them.  I was lucky and did not have any chemo/rads so skin was fine.  They have to cut into it once, and it is not fun.  The Dr can build them however you like, but if you go that direction maybe show him a photo, or ask to see a photo of their work.

    Thanks you for sharing great

    Thanks you for sharing great information. I really like the way my new boobs look:-) I am 51 years old and my new boobs make me look and feel younger :-) I really like my left breast with nipple. My right breast without nipple might look better after I have nipple reconstruction done. I just can't wait. Thanks God that I don't need radiation or chemo.

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