nipple reconstruction

OMG- Ditto!!
I'm struggling with the same thing tonight! I had bilateral w/ tram flap in October, and I was looking forward to taking the final steps to feel like I was "finished". I had both nipples done by using the skin already on the breast on Thursday, and by Saturday, New Year's Day, I was calling my plastic surgeon because one nipple was pink, but the other one was turning black! And I don't just mean dark, I mean really black! It looks ghastly, and I was afraid I was getting gangrene! He assured me I wasn't, lol. I saw him yesterday and while he acknowledged it wasn't good, he said he still thinks it will be okay (salvagable?) I'm hoping he's right but for now I just have to wait and see. I hope your's is also fixable; maybe the dead skin will come off like a scab and some pink skin will remain underneath?

I know that logically, this is not a big deal medically (it can be redone) but you know what? It IS a big thing emotionally, and I totally understand why this is so upsetting to you. For one thing, it's hard to look at right now- at least in my case, since it was taken from the breast skin I now have more stitches going right across the center of both breasts, with icky steri strips that I'm not allowed to change yet, but gauze over the nipples that should be changed daily. It looks really painful so I start to cringe, but then I realize that I really can't feel anything, and that makes me cringe again! Before this I had kind of gotten used to my smooth breast skin- it had scars, but they were healing, nothing was bloody, no bandages.... now it just looks so violent again! And I could accept that because it was temporary and for a good reason, but now to think it could all be a waste because one is dying-ugh, it is disheartening.

Nipple reconstruction for many represents the end in sight, so to hit a roadblock now is very upsetting. But the truth is if you've made it this far, you'll make it through this also. I know you know that, but just remember it when/if you feel weepy again. And remember, you're not alone- you have a 'sister' in NY who is going through the same thing.

Stay strong!

Susan

sorry it didnt' work out
Nice your husband was with you....sorry you had to go through all this...!

MyTurnNow said:

Thanks, Betsy for sharing
Thanks, Betsy for sharing your information. I am not at the final phase (nipples) yet but I would think getting very close. For all the problems you and the other ladies have had with nipples, I am seriously considering a 3D tatoo. Does anyone have any experience with this? Good luck and I honestly hope that the tissues heal and this becomes just another distant memory. Good luck!!

Oh My LORD .. You ladies are reading my mind ...
My Plastic surgeron's office called .. in an effort of getting me to make a decision to nipple, or not nipple my new ta-ta's. I somewhat freaked out and told Kip that I was in that mental state of making a firm decision yet. Thank You .. Thank You for the posting! It will be just my luck, or lack of luck that I go in for the nipples reconstruction, only to end up .. dis-satisifed! Believe me when I say, I truly and honestly want new nip's however, if I end up with 1 more necessary surgery or hiccup due to my breast cancer, I will seriously go POSTAL. 8 surgeries in 13 months .. 18 consective TCH chemo treatments, 1 year of herceptin .. enough for my poor, and tired body.

I am so sorry for the misfortune of your nipple. Dawne.Hope the same to you, my dear friend. Sucks having to deal with yet, another disappointment!

MyTurnNow .. I've seen photo's of the 3D tatt's and they are UNBELEIVABLE. I sense this is the option I will be choosing in a few months .. probably about April or so .. I very much would like to give my body a chance to health .. last surgery 9/29/10 .. For what I've researched ... you can have the 3D tatt's now, and get nipples down the road ..


Good Luck to all,

Vicki Sam

Dawne.Hope said:

3-D tats ARE awesome!
If you can find a good tatoo artist, the 3-d tats are awesome!

I strongly leaned towards just getting the tats ... but deep down I really wanted to try to see if I could get an actual 'bump' for a nip. I think with everything we've lost in our surgeries ... having something that actually looked like a nip was extremely important to me. I didn't realize it until I had almost cancelled my nip surgery twice.

Anyway ... if you're not comfortable with the nip surgery, I say go for the 3-d tats! They are impressive and look sooooo real. From what I've read, you have to go back for touch-ups but that's the least of our worries, right?

The after-care for the tats is extremely important so, follow the instructions given to you by your artist.

It's my PS's Physician assistant who does the tats ... and that makes me kind of nervous. I'm thinking about getting a 3-d tat too!

P.S. Here are some links to 3-d tattoo artists that I've found if you've never seen one:

http://vinniemyers.com/section/105672_Nipple_Areola_Tattooing.html

http://www.facecrafter.com/scarcamouflage.htm#areola

http://www.ashevillepermanentmakeupclinic.com/Areola-Tattoos.html

And yes, you can get 'stick on' nips:
http://myreforma.com/

3-d tattoos
Those of you looking into 3d tattoos -i urge you to research some reputable tattoo shops in your area. I have a regular tattoo artist, professional, clean, award winning -and has been doing tattoos for MUCH longer than my plastic surgeon's assistant (who does the tattooes at the office), I talked with him (tattoo artist) about if he was willing & comfortable with doing the tattoos for me - he is, and I'm sure I will get a much better, more realistic looking areola. I HIGHLY emphasize the research part of finding a reputable tattoo artist. If you are willing to travel I have seen some websites of people who specifically do the 3d nipple tattooing, also, I just googled "3d nipple tattoo".
I have an appt with my PS on Friday to discuss getting my nipples done. At first I was leery about having them done, but I want my boobs to look more real to me.
*hugs*
Heather

betsymorgan said:

thanks!
You're all so great--the words of support from women who have been there or who ARE there. I can't tell you how comforting it is (well, you know, don't you!)

I have another appointment with my ps next Tuesday; I'm hoping that the black skin cracks and underneath is a little pink nip. Thanks for the uplifting thoughts. I too cringe at the thought of yet another surgical procedure, but I'm not going to let cancer beat me: I'm going to look the way I want to look. :-P

betsy

nipples...
did you ever think this would be a major topic of conversation? Did you ever think we would have to make these kinds of decisions?

I am so sorry for each of you that are going through this. I am looking at breast reconstruction but nothing like what you have gone through. I am praying for all
of you. Praying that the black skin cracks and there is a beautiful pink nipple
underneath!

I don't know what you are going through but my thoughts and prayers are right there with you!

Hugs~
Betsy

Sally5 said:

MyTurnNow,
Hi. I think we
MyTurnNow,

Hi. I think we are probably at the same point. I am trying to decide, as well. (About the nipples and / or tatoo)

My dr. knows I am NOT anxious to do any more surgeries. He did suggest that I could get the tattoo....

If you know more about, I'd love you to share.

Thanks,
Merry (Sally5)

Merry-
Merry - I have an appt this afternoon with my PS - my 2nd post exchange follow up, and to discuss nipple reconstruction. I have decided that I'll be getting them done, I am hoping and praying that I can get them done with no difficulties! I'll post an update on my appt when I get home.
Is it more info about the tattooing you're looking for? I know quite a few reputable tattoo artists & shop owners who know other artists & shop owners, lol. If you let me know what city you're in I could probably get a few suggestions & recomendations for you!
*hugs*
Heather

Dawne.Hope said:

Please keep us posted,
Please keep us posted, Betsy, on how you are and how things turn out!

Healing to you & strength,
dh

Betsy and Dawne.Hope .. what's next for the two of
you? We are worried ): Praying and hoping for BETTER results for the two of you.


Let us know .. I think between Dawne.Hope and myself, this post will be on page 1 of our site for a few weeks ...


Vicki Sam

Dawne.Hope said:

LOL, vickisam!
I'm OK. The left nip has lost some projection but it is ALIVE! Time will tell the tale ... if it hasn't gone completely flat in six months, I'll be happy!

The next step for me is tats. I'm still thinking/praying about what to do/where to go. I'm not real comfortable with my PS's PA doing the tats. But, with the issues of LE I've had ... I'm not comfortable flying somewhere to get them done and I don't have the money to fly right now anyway. So ... I'm researching different tattoo artists and the three I posted above are very good.

February 25th will mark the 1 year anniversary of my DMX. I'd so like to be done by then ... but we'll see. In about 4 weeks my nips will be healed enough to get the tats ... it is just of matter of who is going to do them and where I'm going to get them done. Another decision and more patience. *Sigh*

I just had mine done
I just had mine dne 6 weeks ago and just like you girls mine turned black and I freaked out!!I was so mad when the girl at the desk said this is normal and I will fall off!!What really!!Well when I went in my doc said yes its normal for the tip to turn black and fall off!!I was releived until it did fall off and I have the smallest nipplr bump I have ever seen!!LOL!!Definatly does not match the other but it will do!!I talk to my artist and he showed me pics of some ladies that he has done and they look great he also says even though I have the bumpe he can still do it and it might look even better!!Im so very glad I found this site I finally have someone to talk to about this!!

VickiSam said:

Oh My LORD .. You ladies are reading my mind ...
My Plastic surgeron's office called .. in an effort of getting me to make a decision to nipple, or not nipple my new ta-ta's. I somewhat freaked out and told Kip that I was in that mental state of making a firm decision yet. Thank You .. Thank You for the posting! It will be just my luck, or lack of luck that I go in for the nipples reconstruction, only to end up .. dis-satisifed! Believe me when I say, I truly and honestly want new nip's however, if I end up with 1 more necessary surgery or hiccup due to my breast cancer, I will seriously go POSTAL. 8 surgeries in 13 months .. 18 consective TCH chemo treatments, 1 year of herceptin .. enough for my poor, and tired body.

I am so sorry for the misfortune of your nipple. Dawne.Hope the same to you, my dear friend. Sucks having to deal with yet, another disappointment!

MyTurnNow .. I've seen photo's of the 3D tatt's and they are UNBELEIVABLE. I sense this is the option I will be choosing in a few months .. probably about April or so .. I very much would like to give my body a chance to health .. last surgery 9/29/10 .. For what I've researched ... you can have the 3D tatt's now, and get nipples down the road ..


Good Luck to all,

Vicki Sam

Vicki Sam
Just to muddy the waters.... I had a mastectomy with tram pedicle flap reconstruction in 1987-1988. My nipple turned out great.

In 1993, I had another mastectomy and SGAP "free" flap at the same time. That nipple turned out great too. I never had any problems.

Two reconstructions at separate times and no problems with nipples! I'm glad I didn't even know that there could be a problem. as I would have worried.

But the 3D nipples look awesome too. Do what your gut tells you to do. And, with any plastic surgery, ask to see actual photographs of the surgeon's work. My plastic surgeon made me look at more photos than I wanted ;-)