how did you protect nipple after nipple reconstruction?

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  • Route53
    Route53 Member Posts: 340
    edited February 2009

    Thanks Erin,

    That was helpful.

     http://route53.wordpress.com

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  • lvtwoqlt
    lvtwoqlt Member Posts: 6,162
    edited February 2009

    Route, my nipples flattened out but I found Earlene (makeupchicknc)on this site and she does the 3-d effect tattoos and enhanced the look. Check out www.ashevillepmc.com for her photos of the areola/nipples she has done.

    Sheila

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  • tldrose
    tldrose Member Posts: 39
    edited December 2011

    i just had my nipple reconstruction surgery 5 days ago and can't imagine wearing the nursing pads layered for four more weeks - I'm wondering how the nipple shields work, if that is easier. Also, I have incisions from the new nipple down the bottom of my breast on each side that are hurting, so not sure how long I will need to wear my surgical bra, but need to get back to work soon - any suggestions would be helpful. Am glad I found this thread,it has been very helpful. :)

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  • Laurie08
    Laurie08 Member Posts: 2,891
    edited December 2011

    like mawhinney- my ps had me use the end os a syringe to guard the nips for 8 weeks.  After two weeks of them being taped to me I was developing sores on my skin from the rubbing of the plastic.  My ps and I came up with our own thing- he gave me foam pads that had adhesive backing.  I stuck them together cut the hole in the middle for the nip and taped the syringe to it.  The result was huge fake nips- actually kind of funny.  (look on the picture forum I posted them :)  I lost all projection once they came off but I was told to not get my hopes up.  So- it worked great no wounds, comfy etc.  Good luck to you!

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  • ArlaFP
    ArlaFP Member Posts: 1
    edited April 2013

    My nurse recommended I use multiple layers of gauze and cut out a hole!  OMG!  You've GOT to be kidding.  There HAS to be something that is on the market that we can use.  The first week after N surgery, I wore a N shield that was really nice.  Had a crisscross cut in the top of it that I squirted bacitracin in.  However, now that I'm a week out, she wants me to use the gauze.  i've GOT to find a different way.  I have about 6 layers of gauze with a circle cut out with scissors!

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  • cascader
    cascader Member Posts: 599
    edited May 2013

    I had nip recon 3 days ago. My doc put a Tupperware looking small bowl with air holes over it. Works great.

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  • monicaelise
    monicaelise Member Posts: 29
    edited May 2013

    Hello all,

    Just found this link, which I'm sure many of you have seen.  It looks this is one reasonably easy way to go.

    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19841969

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  • LilacBlue
    LilacBlue Member Posts: 1,636
    edited May 2013

    I find this thread remarkable in that for a week after my nipple placement, I had a spongy rectangle bandage that was changed each check the first two weeks and then, nothing, no shields, nada. I looked at my PS and asked, should I wear some protection at least at the gym, oh no, he said that is not necessary. Just treat it like you would your right breast.  Okay....four months on, I've had normal, roundness of size shrinkage yet the nipple has full contour and excellent projection.  I'm having another refinement revision at the end of July and at my last PS appointment, I expressed concern about a negative nipple reaction (shrinkage and lack of projection) as a result to the next phase.  PS waved that off, saying he would place a bit of fat in it to ensure projection.  My doc is perhaps into tough nipple love?Wink

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  • cascader
    cascader Member Posts: 599
    edited May 2013

    1000 ways to protect your nipple! Lol. Amazing how the docs differ in there approach. I am one week out from a skate flap nipp recon. The tip is black and did not survive. Hoping that what is underneath will have enough projection. Will wait and see. I have the plastic cup covering mine , works great I think , but not sure how I will feel after 6 weeks of wearing.

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  • Newbies
    Newbies Member Posts: 1
    edited July 2013

    Today was the unveiling from week ago nipple reconstruction. Good info on here about some choices for protecting these delicate nubs and areola. Would be tragic to mess up. So no bra or tight clothing as per dr., So just cut out holes in some tank tops so can walk around house with nips free as can be as they heal. Think I will try the nursing shields and be creative with gauze to get them safely through the nights. Anyone else tired of sleeping sitting up?

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  • TechLady
    TechLady Member Posts: 39
    edited May 2014

    I'm struggling with how to protect my newly reconstructed nips. I had an areola sparing BMX, so nipples were removed but they were able to leave much of the areolas (evidently I had larger ones - who knew??). 

    My PS did my exchange and the nipple reconstruction at the same time, creating the nipples out of my areolas. 

    I had it done May 13 and the nipples were in plastic cones for a week. At the appt this past week when the cones came off my PS said to still wear a sports bra but not a tight one as to compress the nipples. Maybe I haven't found the right bra but I want to give support to my new implants but am having a hard time not squishing my nips. I finally got desperate and cut nipple holes in a cheap sports bra and use a gauze "hat" that sticks through. It's not easy finding tops that don't show this though!!

    I tried gauze pads with holes cut out and different similar solutions that go in the bra, but they keep leaving indentations on my breasts and flattening my breasts out. As the implants settle I hate to do this. I would like my implants to not be affected by what I'm doing to care for my nips.

    Anyone have any suggestions??

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  • Arlenrch
    Arlenrch Member Posts: 4
    edited March 2015

    I just had nipple reconstruction last week. I was told to go to a medical supply store to by gauze for nipple reconstruction surgery. I called several medical supply store but not one had what I was looking for! I can't believe after all I've been through now I have to spend time on the internet looking for ways to make a nipple gard!! Why can't someone create something affordable to buy? I noticed the latest post was in 2014, isn't there been something new made since then?

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited March 2015

    Hi Arlenrch, and welcome to BC.org. We hope you find it to be a place of support and helpful information!

    As you noticed, this thread is not active since May 2014, and that may impact your receiving responses. Perhaps you might consider starting a new topic and posing your question under this same forum (Breast Reconstruction). Please let us know if you need help doing this.

    Also, you can post, or read through the many pages of a very active topic called Nipple reconstruction, with tones of info and experience from members of this wonderful community.

    Hope this helps,

    The Mods

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  • LilacBlue
    LilacBlue Member Posts: 1,636
    edited March 2015

    I had a nipple recon revision again, at the end of January and even using by using a special, soft foam nipple protector - it left an indentation. Arlenrch. I don't think "perfect" nipple protection exists and and by perfect, I mean, easy to use, soft on healing tissue and leaving no pressure marks. I hope you have found what works best for you.

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  • Arlenrch
    Arlenrch Member Posts: 4
    edited March 2015

    I just had nipple reconstruction last week. The nipples are very large and I was told by my Dr to try and keep the nipples "up" so they wouldn't flatten. I called several medical supply store's but could not find anything that was made for nipple reconstruction. I went to Wal-Mart in the nursing section and.found contact nipple shields. using the shield along with gauze and tape seem to help but now I have to go back to work and I'm not sure what I'm going to do. I still don't think nipple reconstruction is all that great.

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  • Arlenrch
    Arlenrch Member Posts: 4
    edited March 2015

    I just had nipple reconstruction last week. The nipples are very large and I was told by my Dr to try and keep the nipples "up" so they wouldn't flatten. I called several medical supply store's but could not find anything that was made for nipple reconstruction. I went to Wal-Mart in the nursing section and.found contact nipple shields. using the shield along with gauze and tape seem to help


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  • LilacBlue
    LilacBlue Member Posts: 1,636
    edited March 2015

    Good that you found something that works. Hope you have no issues regarding healing and that you are pleased with the results.

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