Tatooing after reconstruction

mrsziggy
mrsziggy Member Posts: 20
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Has anyone had tatooing done after reconstruction? I'm always nervous facing the unknown and was wondering if someone has gone thru it.

Tracy

Comments

  • susie09
    susie09 Member Posts: 2,930
    #2
    Hi Tracy. I had a
    Hi Tracy. I had a lumpectomy, so, I didn't have any reconstruction. But, I, personally hate tattoos. I have never understood why anyone would do that to their bodies. But, I know that some have and love it. It is just one of those personal things I guess.

    Good luck if you do!
  • dyaneb123
    dyaneb123 Member Posts: 950
    #3
    susie09 said:

    Hi Tracy. I had a
    Hi Tracy. I had a lumpectomy, so, I didn't have any reconstruction. But, I, personally hate tattoos. I have never understood why anyone would do that to their bodies. But, I know that some have and love it. It is just one of those personal things I guess.

    Good luck if you do!

    Hey Tracy
    I'm assuming that
    Hey Tracy
    I'm assuming that you mean the tatooing of the missing nipple.I'll have this done when I have my "good" breast reduced to match my implant. I dont think it will be a big deal, just a little cosmetic surgery to make the nipple color match.
    Dee
  • RE
    RE Member Posts: 4,591 Member
    #4
    not yet
    I have had the recon done and still need to do the tattooing. My sister had it done and showed me her results it looked quite realistic. I will update you when i have mine done a few months from now.

    RE
  • susie09
    susie09 Member Posts: 2,930
    #5
    RE said:

    not yet
    I have had the recon done and still need to do the tattooing. My sister had it done and showed me her results it looked quite realistic. I will update you when i have mine done a few months from now.

    RE

    Oh sorry Tracy. I thought
    Oh sorry Tracy. I thought you just meant a regular old tattoo. Sorry. I didn't realize you meant the nipple. I know nothing about that.

    But, good luck!
  • cats_toy
    cats_toy Member Posts: 1,462 Member
    #6
    Hi Tracy
    I had a lumpectomy so I can't really say what that feels or looks like, but I do have tattoos! Only four, but if you would like to see my 2 year (from bc surgery) commemorative tattoo, it is on my expressions page.

    =^..^=
  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    #7
    Didn't have it as I had a
    Didn't have it as I had a lumpectomy, but, I know a lot of women that have and are pleased with the results.

    Good luck!
  • Kylez
    Kylez Member Posts: 3,761 Member
    #8
    DianeBC said:

    Didn't have it as I had a
    Didn't have it as I had a lumpectomy, but, I know a lot of women that have and are pleased with the results.

    Good luck!

    I had a lumpectomy too, so,
    I had a lumpectomy too, so, no need for the tattoos.

    I am sure your plastic surgeon can show you pictures of what it will look like.

    Good luck!
  • stmgriffin
    stmgriffin Member Posts: 25
    #9
    Waiting to have mine done also
    I am still in the expansion process..But, I have spoken to several people that have had it done and they said it turned out great..I will be having it done, but, I am in the beginning of the reconstruction process..Good luck..
  • Terri5
    Terri5 Member Posts: 24
    #10
    I had my tattoo done and I
    I had my tattoo done and I hate it, I wish I didn't have it done or else went to a regular tattoo artist. The nurse at my plastic surgeon did the tattoo, I figured since he specialized in reconstruction and did this all the time, she would be good at it. Well I was wrong, it really looks bad, I would have been better off using a permenant marker and doing it myself.
  • GreeneyedGirl
    GreeneyedGirl Member Posts: 1,077
    #11
    Terri5 said:

    I had my tattoo done and I
    I had my tattoo done and I hate it, I wish I didn't have it done or else went to a regular tattoo artist. The nurse at my plastic surgeon did the tattoo, I figured since he specialized in reconstruction and did this all the time, she would be good at it. Well I was wrong, it really looks bad, I would have been better off using a permenant marker and doing it myself.

    For what it's worth~~
    Hi Tracy~
    I am 6 weeks out of reconstruction, and am choosing to not have a nipple tattooed. I just feel like i don't need it, am fine without it, and am really happy with how things look. Plus I have been thru so much in the last 3+ years, I am ready to move forward. It is difficult to make all the decisions that come with breast cancer, treatment and reconstruction. No one will see my nipple except my husband and I, and we don't miss it (smile) one is plenty.....((((smile))))
    I wish you the best.
    Melanie
  • Akiss4me
    Akiss4me Member Posts: 2,188
    #12
    cats_toy said:

    Hi Tracy
    I had a lumpectomy so I can't really say what that feels or looks like, but I do have tattoos! Only four, but if you would like to see my 2 year (from bc surgery) commemorative tattoo, it is on my expressions page.

    =^..^=

    Love your tattoo!
    Really like your tattoo cat. That was very well planned. I posted mine on my expressions page. Now I want it colored in after seeing yours. :) Pammy
  • cats_toy
    cats_toy Member Posts: 1,462 Member
    #13
    Akiss4me said:

    Love your tattoo!
    Really like your tattoo cat. That was very well planned. I posted mine on my expressions page. Now I want it colored in after seeing yours. :) Pammy

    thanks!
    I checked yours out too. I really like it, I was considering an angel of some sorts, with my Dad in it somehow, because I figured he "had my back" throughout. I put his name on my wrist instead because it is also my middle name. My nieces boyfriend and I designed the dragonfly and I absolutely love it! I think a pink ribbon on yours somehow would be good too! Post updated pics when you get it done.
    thanks for sharing

    =^..^=
  • Trisia
    Trisia Member Posts: 10
    #14
    GreeneyedGirl said:

    For what it's worth~~
    Hi Tracy~
    I am 6 weeks out of reconstruction, and am choosing to not have a nipple tattooed. I just feel like i don't need it, am fine without it, and am really happy with how things look. Plus I have been thru so much in the last 3+ years, I am ready to move forward. It is difficult to make all the decisions that come with breast cancer, treatment and reconstruction. No one will see my nipple except my husband and I, and we don't miss it (smile) one is plenty.....((((smile))))
    I wish you the best.
    Melanie

    Many people decide not to go
    Many people decide not to go through with the nipple reconstruction and/or the tattooing. It's a personal choice and after all we've been through it's perfectly understandable to have just had enough. I kind of the just did it all as fast as I could because I knew that if I stopped I would never go back. I had the nipple reconstruction in February and had the tattooing done about 2 weeks ago. It definitely gives the illusion of real breasts and it does make me feel better when I look in the mirror. I think though if I had to do it again I would not have done the nipple reconstruction but would have gone for the tattooing. I heard they can tattoo the nipple and Aeolus area and it looks kind of 3d. I guess I just really liked the freedom of not having to wear a bra and now the nipple shows a little. There is no right or wrong and it is just a personal decision...definitely not as critical as dealing with the cancer...Thank God!

    Trisia
  • sunrkt
    sunrkt Member Posts: 1
    #15
    dyaneb123 said:

    Hey Tracy
    I'm assuming that
    Hey Tracy
    I'm assuming that you mean the tatooing of the missing nipple.I'll have this done when I have my "good" breast reduced to match my implant. I dont think it will be a big deal, just a little cosmetic surgery to make the nipple color match.
    Dee

    About the Tram. Surgery.
    Hello, My name is Sonja and I am interested in getting a Tram. Surgery. I would like to speak to you about it, and were your surgen was located.

    Please reply to sunrkt@hotmail.com

    Thank you
    -Sonja
  • carnic8488
    carnic8488 Member Posts: 11
    #16
    Trisia said:

    Many people decide not to go
    Many people decide not to go through with the nipple reconstruction and/or the tattooing. It's a personal choice and after all we've been through it's perfectly understandable to have just had enough. I kind of the just did it all as fast as I could because I knew that if I stopped I would never go back. I had the nipple reconstruction in February and had the tattooing done about 2 weeks ago. It definitely gives the illusion of real breasts and it does make me feel better when I look in the mirror. I think though if I had to do it again I would not have done the nipple reconstruction but would have gone for the tattooing. I heard they can tattoo the nipple and Aeolus area and it looks kind of 3d. I guess I just really liked the freedom of not having to wear a bra and now the nipple shows a little. There is no right or wrong and it is just a personal decision...definitely not as critical as dealing with the cancer...Thank God!

    Trisia

    nipple reconstruction and tattooing
    I am glad to see the comment about the freedom not to wear a bra. I had bilateral mastectomy with a tram reconstruction and I like not wearing a bra. I had small drooping breasts before with very large nipples and I hated them Now I have beautiful muffin breasts and I may just get the tattoing.
  • bfbear
    bfbear Member Posts: 380
    #17
    carnic8488 said:

    nipple reconstruction and tattooing
    I am glad to see the comment about the freedom not to wear a bra. I had bilateral mastectomy with a tram reconstruction and I like not wearing a bra. I had small drooping breasts before with very large nipples and I hated them Now I have beautiful muffin breasts and I may just get the tattoing.

    I'm on the fence, too
    Although I have an appointment scheduled in Oct. to do the nipple-recon./tattooing, I'm still not sure I want to go through with it (after a double mastectomy w/recon at the same time). I'm getting a lot of pressure from my plastic surgeon, but sometimes I think she just wants to "perfect" her work...
    My husband would like me to do it, too. But I am waiting until I'm sure that I want it, as opposed to everyone else.

    Debi
  • kiley40
    kiley40 Member Posts: 17
    #18
    I went to a tatooing place
    I went to a tatooing place today. The artist told me that the plastic surgeon has his boss do the work for him.
    I do plan on having this done. But I don't believe I'll have a nipple other than a tatooed one. I did not like them showing through my shirt and I have been bra less since May. :)

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