Tat for a Tit?

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pmillr2000
pmillr2000 Member Posts: 26
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I just got my nipple tattoo 2 days ago. I'm a bit surprised that I'm so sore in the area surrounding it. I greet this with mixed feelings. I had pretty much decided that side was dead to feelings, but I can actually say that I CAN feel pain in that area! I guess that's better than nothing! Also, I'm experiencing some bruising and swelling. Do any of you know if this is normal? I've seen new tattoos before, of the "artistic" variety, and I've never noticed any bruising or swelling.

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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 0
    #2
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    The easiest way to locate ...
    Dear pmillr2000,

    The easiest way to locate other CSN members with similar experiences is to type keywords (such as "breast cancer," "nipple tattoo," "breast pain," etc.) on the search bar at the top of the home page. You can refine your search by clicking on the “Advance search” link listed underneath the search field. The major categories of content on CSN are blogs, discussion boards, personal pages, etc. For example, if you are looking for a specific posting on a discussion board, you can limit your search to discussion boards only by clicking on the "discussion" and "advanced search" button at the bottom of the "advanced search" box. Remember that you must be logged on if you want to post anything on a discussion boards, view personal pages, use the chat room, etc.

    Cordially,
    Your CSN Staff
  • Joycelouise
    Joycelouise Member Posts: 482
    #3
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    Where have you seen some of
    Where have you seen some of the artistic variety? I know this sounds wierd, but is there a site for possibilities. You know, like a rose or something. I haven't had mine reconstructed yet, just looking forward to the future. If you have a natural nipple, does it look real? I hope that you are feeling better, and maybe even celebrating what must be the end of lots of TX and surgeries. Getting this tattoo is really the cherry on the top! love, Joyce
  • mmontero38
    mmontero38 Member Posts: 1,510
    #4
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    Hi I just had my nipple
    Hi I just had my nipple reconstructed and will now get the aerola tattooed. I'm surprise that you are feeling pain. My breast is on the numb side, almost as if I had a shot of novacaine, so I was expecting not to feel anything. Hugs, Lili
  • pmillr2000
    pmillr2000 Member Posts: 26
    #5
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    It's funny, a few months
    It's funny, a few months later, I hardly remember it hurting. It was just a little sore, not terribly painful, but I wasn't expecting it to hurt AT ALL, because the area was numb, like you said, like a shot of novacaine! It still is, but I DID feel a little soreness in the area, and it bruised a lovely yellowish green color for about a week!

    The "artistic" tats I was referring to were not nipple tats, so maybe that area just bruises easily. Who knows? I DO intend to get another tattoo, at the end of my scar. It will be a purple (survivor color) butterfly (signifying new life) with a pink ribbon. I'm planning it for my 50th birthday, unless I decide I can't wait that long (Dec. 09). If you just Google "Tattoo Designs" or something like that, you'll come up with LOTS of sites.

    As I've said before, I sometimes feel more like a reconstruction survivor than a cancer survivor. I've FINALLY got "OK" boobs. Not great, but not too bad. The fake one LOOKS good, the real one FEELS good. I guess that's the best of both worlds. If you took a marker and drew a line down the middle of my chest and took a picture, you would think it was two different people!

    My tattooed nipple DOES look fairly natural, better than I expected. It does NOT look ANYTHING like my natural nipple. Well, it's pretty close to the same color, but that's where the similarities end. In fact, it's WAY prettier than my natural nipple, because of the scarring.
  • mmontero38
    mmontero38 Member Posts: 1,510
    #6
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    pmillr2000 said:

    It's funny, a few months
    It's funny, a few months later, I hardly remember it hurting. It was just a little sore, not terribly painful, but I wasn't expecting it to hurt AT ALL, because the area was numb, like you said, like a shot of novacaine! It still is, but I DID feel a little soreness in the area, and it bruised a lovely yellowish green color for about a week!

    The "artistic" tats I was referring to were not nipple tats, so maybe that area just bruises easily. Who knows? I DO intend to get another tattoo, at the end of my scar. It will be a purple (survivor color) butterfly (signifying new life) with a pink ribbon. I'm planning it for my 50th birthday, unless I decide I can't wait that long (Dec. 09). If you just Google "Tattoo Designs" or something like that, you'll come up with LOTS of sites.

    As I've said before, I sometimes feel more like a reconstruction survivor than a cancer survivor. I've FINALLY got "OK" boobs. Not great, but not too bad. The fake one LOOKS good, the real one FEELS good. I guess that's the best of both worlds. If you took a marker and drew a line down the middle of my chest and took a picture, you would think it was two different people!

    My tattooed nipple DOES look fairly natural, better than I expected. It does NOT look ANYTHING like my natural nipple. Well, it's pretty close to the same color, but that's where the similarities end. In fact, it's WAY prettier than my natural nipple, because of the scarring.

    So glad you're done. I may
    So glad you're done. I may have to go in again. Unfortunately, my new breast is no where near in size as my natural one. I had tram flap reconstruction and according to the doctor I didn't have enough fat. LOL, I should have waited til now. Anyway, they are going to try some fat injections to fill in the hollow above the breast and under the collar bone. I hope this time it works because I am DONE. Do not want any more surgery. Love, Lili
  • pmillr2000
    pmillr2000 Member Posts: 26
    #7
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    mmontero38 said:

    So glad you're done. I may
    So glad you're done. I may have to go in again. Unfortunately, my new breast is no where near in size as my natural one. I had tram flap reconstruction and according to the doctor I didn't have enough fat. LOL, I should have waited til now. Anyway, they are going to try some fat injections to fill in the hollow above the breast and under the collar bone. I hope this time it works because I am DONE. Do not want any more surgery. Love, Lili

    "As good as it gets"
    Lili, I know how you feel! My first surgeon left me in tears with "This is as good as it gets!". I had a hard saline implant on the left, sticking up, looking nothing like a boob, and HALF my natural boob GONE in his attempt to make it "match". I ended up with a new surgeon, and silicone implants on BOTH sides! Much better, still not an exact match. The new surgeon wants to do a little more work on it. I think I'm done, too!
  • dbs1673
    dbs1673 Member Posts: 203
    #8
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    pmillr2000 said:

    "As good as it gets"
    Lili, I know how you feel! My first surgeon left me in tears with "This is as good as it gets!". I had a hard saline implant on the left, sticking up, looking nothing like a boob, and HALF my natural boob GONE in his attempt to make it "match". I ended up with a new surgeon, and silicone implants on BOTH sides! Much better, still not an exact match. The new surgeon wants to do a little more work on it. I think I'm done, too!

    options
    I'm finishing radiation so I will need to wait several weeks before I can get rid of my expanders and get the implants. I know the nipple reconstruction is several months away but I'm thinking of not having it done. I kind of like the idea that I have no nipple show in any of my clothing. I'm also liking that I haven't worn a bra in months. I had a double mas so matching sides has been much easier. Perhaps I'm also just getting tired of the thought of more surgery. comments?
  • mmontero38
    mmontero38 Member Posts: 1,510
    #9
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    dbs1673 said:

    options
    I'm finishing radiation so I will need to wait several weeks before I can get rid of my expanders and get the implants. I know the nipple reconstruction is several months away but I'm thinking of not having it done. I kind of like the idea that I have no nipple show in any of my clothing. I'm also liking that I haven't worn a bra in months. I had a double mas so matching sides has been much easier. Perhaps I'm also just getting tired of the thought of more surgery. comments?

    I totally agree. If I could
    I totally agree. If I could get away with not doing any more surgery I would. But unfortunately, mine is still very noticeable. Just wearing a neck you can see the hollow. Sometimes, I wonder if I shouldn't have had both removed. Anyway, concerning the nipple, the reason I did the nipple was because of the other breast having one. My girlfriend who had a bi-lateral, is just having them tattooed. She is thrilled because she doesn't have to wear a bra anymore. I guess it's a matter of preference. Good luck to you and keep us posted. Hugs, Lili

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