Exchange City

MrsB88

RobinBlessed - Thanks for validating my feelings exactly! This was a revision surgery for me so I've gone thru 4 surgeries (expanders twice) and I am happy with the outcome but tired of all these procedures and definately don't want to create any potential complications. You were spot on in mentioning that often the recon. nipples flatten and many of the women who went thru it now wish they had just gone for tattooing. I appreciate my PS's perfectionism but it's not her body! I've heard that medical tattoo ink doesn't last as long as the inks used by tattoo artists and needs to be touched up from time to time. I've read that many medical centers are now hiring artists to specialize in 3D nipple & areola tattooing so I''ll continue my research to ensure the best & safest result. Thanks so much for your valuable input! I might have to get some of the glue on nipples you referred to once my scars heal. Thanks for offering to PM me but I'm new to this and don't know how to use it.LOL!

MrsB88

kingster - just read your message and thank you for the info. Congrats. on getting your appt. with Vinnie!. I've heard such great things about his work. Unfortunately, I live in California so I'll have to find someone else to do mine. Let us know how you feel after your big day. As I mentioned to Robinblessed, my exchange to implants was a revision surgery and I never got nipples or tattoos. I've lived without them for 6 years but this time I'm determined to have a finished look as you so aptly put it in your post!

SpecialK

MrsB88 - are you by any chance in northern California?

Lvbugs

Vinny does travel to San Diego area a couple times a year. So worth a trip to see him, or like me, I couldn't wait for Vinny in San Diego and decided to take a nice Florida trip to see Renee Machinot in Ft. Lauderdale. She has worked with Vinny and also appears occasionally in his shop. The tattoos make such a difference. Although I have thought about nipple surge

MrsB88

SpecialK - No, I live in Southern Ca.

MrsB88

LvBugs - I didn't know Vinny travels occasionally to San Diego. I live approx. 2 hrs. from there & have been to S.D. many times. It would be great if I could work that out based on his schedule & fit in a relaxing couple days visit. Thanks so much for the info.!

SpecialK

MrsB88 - there is a Grass Valley person also, that is why I wondered if you were in N. Cali.

MrsB88

SpecialK - Thanks for thinking of me and sharing the info. re tattoo artist in Grass Valley. Unfortunately, it is probably too far to go. I'm hoping that I might be able to get some great referrals from the Susan Koman Cancer Center at UCLA or City of Hope. It's wonderful to have such lovely, supportive & knowledgeable women on this site!

robinblessed54

Mrsb888, where in SoCal? I live in Yucaipa, San Bernardino count

MrsB88

Hi Robin - I live in Glendale between Pasadena & Burbank in L A. County..

robinblessed54

Very familiar with Glendale!! I grew up in Whittier

I sent a PM to you.

Molly50

MrsB888, I am a neighbor of yours!! Eagle Rock! I will ask my PS who he uses but if I remember correctly there is a tattoo artist that does 3D nipples for the doctors on that show Botched. They are in Beverly Hills.

cris8325

Has anybody else had their exchange surgery before radiation? The ps is wanting to do it 6 weeks after chemo and then start radiation 4 weeks after that. I was worried maybe that might be too long to wait. I finished chemo yesterday. Dealing with the cancer is more important to me so any advise would be helpful.

MrsB88

Molly50 - We are neighbors! Thanks so much for your offer to check with your PS re: tattoo artist possibly in B.H. I would love to see pics of their work if they have a website! Thanks again Molly.

SpecialK

This is the tattoo artist from the episode of Botched:

http://www.jasonlewistattoos.com/

He is in Costa Mesa

Molly50

Thank you Special! I will let you know what my PS says as well.

MrsB88

SpecialK - Thanks for the link for the tattoo artist from Botched. You are a wealth of info.!

Molly50- Thanks again for checking with your PS as well!

suz2016

Had my te to implant surgery yesterday.

It went great! I have one drain, and with my drain issues the first time (4 weeks, replaced, then 3.5 weeks) I'm more worried about that.

zero pain, none. it feels so much better to have that te out!!

Had surgery at 8:30am, home at 11:30. Did a little work and had some lunch and took a little nap. then went out to dinner.

now considering the tattoo thing. not sure about a nipple replacement. I'm still thinking that one over.

happy to be on the other side!!!

Seedsally

Hi Suz haven't seen you here before I don't think. Glad you are on the other side and pain free. I am to have exchange surgery done 11/11. I don't want the nipple recon but intend to get the tattoos. My reasoning is my PS said I would never need to wear bras again except maybe for the first 6 weeks after exchange. Right now I can't wear them with my TEs because of pressure and pain due to excess tissue and skin under my arms. My PS is supposed to take care of that during EX.

I have gotten used to no bra now and may choose to never wear one again so I wouldn't want nipples showing through or rubbing against my clothes and possibly getting chaffed. But that's just me. Good luck in whatever you choose.

Yaniza

The one sensible thing my first ps did was to use calipers to measure the width of the base of my breast. By doing this he avoided the changing nature of the other measurements related to weight gain and loss. I am still just trying to figure things out before making decisions related to exchange/revision.

MrsB88

suz2016 - Congrats on being on the other side! Glad your exchange went well and without pain. The drains can be a pain & it sounds like your previous experience was really a long haul. I'm 4 weeks post exchange & I had to keep my drains in for 3 wks. It seemed like forever! I can't imagine 7 1/2 weeks! Hopefully this time it will be removed shortly. The nipple vs. tattoo issue is a decision you have plenty of time to mull over. Like Seedsally, I am going for tattoos for the reasons she mentioned but also I just don't want another surgery with risk of infection or possibly compromising my implants. Luckily there are so many women on this site that have provided valuable info. on the decisions they have made and it helps those of us moving to the final cosmetic phase,

MrsB88

Seedsally - You will be so happy to have those expanders out & implants in on 11/11. I'm sure you will be happy to have the excess skin under your arms removed as well. It is so much more comfortable without the crushing expander device even though it is just doing its job! Good luck on the 11th and then you will be on the other side! Forgot to mention that I have to wear a surgical bra for 6 weeks post exchange. Maybe that's what your PS was referring to. It's not particularly pleasant but nothing like the expanders and I want to give my implants the best chance to heal. The most enjoyable thing is when I get to take it off & enjoy a shower!

Seedsally

Thanks for your encouragement Mrs

grandma3X

My exchange is scheduled for next Wed. I'm starting to feel a little excited! The TEs don't bother me and I kind of like how my arms bump into them, since I have always been a bit flat chested, lol I am just hoping for better symmetry after the exchange.
Also, my nipple on the left was removed while the right is still there and always erect now. Is there any way they can make it flatter?

JessieJake

Hey, good luck grandma3X! I'm over 6 weeks out from exchange and still surprised how easy this surgery is in comparisons to BMX. I hope you experience the same.

I was going to share that although I have both my nipples, one is flatter than the other. Plus, the more erect one is erect very often and it can be noticeable through clothes. I asked my PS about it and she said that she could make the more erect one flatter if I wanted. So, yes, I guess they can!

TEs didn't bother me either by the time exchange came around, yet surprisingly the implants still seem better!

Hope all goes well!

MrsB88

grandma3X - Only 6 more days to exchange, YEAH!! I'm 5 wks. post exchange and it's so much more comfortable than TE's. Re: symmetry, I was concerned as well. My left side is larger than the right. My PS said she would do her best to even things out but to remember they are sisters, not twins. I am very happy with the results. I don't notice any difference in symmetry and she used the same size implants on both sides. Hope that helps. Good luck next Wed. and I wish you a speedy recovery!

grandma3X

Thank you MrsB88 and JessieJake! I'll ask my PS about the nipple - it's definitely noticeable unless I wear a lightly padded bra.

SeedSally - hope are doing well! We were surgery sisters in March when I had my nipple removed because of close margins. It's unfortunate because it was looking so good after my MX, but I would have had to have radiation if they left it. No regrets I guess.

Seedsally

Grandma3x: I'm doing fine just trying to get prepared mentally for my 11/11 exchange. Got to get my pre-op stuff done. I have to say I'm not happy I have no nipples but I think since there are so many scars and I'll have what appears as breasts that look good from the outside, I will be satisfied with the 3D tattoos when all is done. You know it hasn't been all that long ago when we didn't have recon choices. I have had family and friends who didn't have that choice. If I was younger I would probably be in greater turmoil but now my attitude is pretty good I think

DeeRatz

I'm looking forward to my revision surgery. I didn't think I was going to have it done until the New Year. I got a call from my surgeon's office on Tuesday and they have a spot for me this Monday. I jumped at the chance to have it done. I was scrambling to have my pre-op done. My Dr was able to squeeze me in. Now I am "Nesting" again. Getting all the laundry done, house cleaned and groceries bought. I do this everytime I have surgery. My family is more than capable of taking care of all of these things. My kids are 18 & 21, and my DH is very helpful as well. I think is Justin my mother bear instinct. I need to take care of my cubs

MrsB88

DeeRatz - Congrats on moving up your revision surgery date to this coming Monday! Then you will be able to enjoy the holidays without having the upcoming surgery hanging over your head. Best of luck & sending healing thoughts your way! Let us know how you are doing once you feel up to it.