Trip to see Vinnie

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  • Judy_63
    Judy_63 Member Posts: 247
    edited February 2014

    Two months from today I get my tatts.  Be glad to get this all behind me.  

  • bdavis
    bdavis Member Posts: 6,201
    edited February 2014

    Judy... I am right there behind you. April 10 is my day.

  • Judy_63
    Judy_63 Member Posts: 247
    edited February 2014

    We'll just miss each other we are leaving the 10th.  Everything went up in price on hotels and plane coming back on Friday so we opted for coming back on Thursday.

  • bdavis
    bdavis Member Posts: 6,201
    edited February 2014

    I am flying in Wednesday night... Got lucky with the plane. And staying at Homewood for like $135 per night.

  • CEY
    CEY Member Posts: 1
    edited February 2014

    am in Washington DC. Any recommendations for good tattoo artist in nearby area?  Not for nipple reconstruction, but for artistic tattoo by someone who cares about breast cancer survivors.  Much appreciated.  

  • MartyJ
    MartyJ Member Posts: 1,859
    edited February 2014

    Little Vinnie's Tattoos - Vinnie has a full staff in his Finksburg shop.  They do wonderful work. Call his assistant Richie and explain your need.  They will get you set up.

  • lala1
    lala1 Member Posts: 1,147
    edited February 2014

    CEY--All google Pink Ink Fund. Amy Black is in Richmond and does tons of tattoos for BC patients as well as very good artistic ones for everyone else. She and Vinnie Meyers are the go-to guys on the east coast from what I understand.

  • PinkHeart
    PinkHeart Member Posts: 1,193
    edited February 2014

    Lala1,

    Thanks for info on Pink Ink Fund! Trying to find someone other than Vinnie that is just as talented and compassionate. Not everyone can fly to Baltimore or New Orleans. 

  • renee-tattoos
    renee-tattoos Member Posts: 161
    edited February 2014

    www.PinkInkProject.com

  • KaseyAnne
    KaseyAnne Member Posts: 23
    edited February 2014

    I have a question for you all.  NOLA scheduled my tatts with Vinnie for June 11th.  That will be exactly 4 months post stage 2 (I just had that last week).  Is that too soon?  I see everyone saying to wait 5 months.  I don't know if I should reschedule it or not.  Also, do most of you visit with your surgeon for a follow up when you are there for tatts?
    I was scared before my stage 2 for some reason and didn't want much down time and didn't really weigh all my options like I should have.  I keep going back and forth that I should have had nipples done.

  • debbieg2010
    debbieg2010 Member Posts: 30
    edited February 2014

    Kasey Anne, I think 4 months is the required time for them to schedule for the tattoos. I had my tattoos done May 15,2013 which was 4 months after a revision surgery. I had the whole nipple done in the 3D, no bump to show through my tee shirts. He did a great job and he is so nice and very professional.

  • KaseyAnne
    KaseyAnne Member Posts: 23
    edited February 2014

    Thanks Debbie! I keep going back and forth about the nipple.  Why have one, if I know I would just spend time trying to make sure it isn't poking out though my tshirts lol.  But, Dr. Trahan made me feel like I should be doing them  (and also the plication and additional tummy tuck).  I said no to either as I really was just wanting an easy recovery.  Of course, after the fact now, I am second guessing it all.  I really feel deep down I just want the 3D nipples. 

  • Di2012
    Di2012 Member Posts: 925
    edited February 2014

    I thought it had to be 20 weeks since last surgery before Vinnie will do tattoos....

    I did get nipples which I am sorry I did...one is higher than the other, one is now flat and the other is not....and it has only been 6 weeks....so now another surgery for me, before I can book Vinnie

    Di

  • Judy_63
    Judy_63 Member Posts: 247
    edited February 2014

    I had my tattoos scheduled 3 months after my stage 2 surgery, no one said it was too soon, but I did have dr Trahan look at me before I was going to get them because I had some issues that I wanted taken care of before getting tats and wanted his input on it.  So I had another surgery instead of getting tattoos.  This was in sept. I have a appointment with Vinnie in April to get tatts and also the 3D nipples.  This has been my plan all along just tattooing all.

  • PeggySull
    PeggySull Member Posts: 686
    edited February 2014

    Di212,

    If you want both nipples the same size you can make the other smaller, once healed, by applying a nipple hider (some kind of flexible rubbery thing you can get at Nordstroms.

    I regretted getting nipples and I did this with both my nipples.  I will ask Vinnie to tattoo the nipples so when they flatten completely over time I will still have the nipple look.

    I see Vinnie on March 31.  Long wait but I hear he's worth it.

    Hugs,

    Peggy

  • bdavis
    bdavis Member Posts: 6,201
    edited February 2014

    Kasey Anne. I was always told three months before tattoos. I had my last revision in November with tattoos scheduled for April 10, about 3.5 months. I am seeing Dr D beforehand, half hour beforehand, but they tell me most people do NOT see the doctor. I do have a question about adding volume to my one breast so I want to see him, but getting tattoos. Vinnie tells me that Dr D can fat graft even after tats.

  • Stix
    Stix Member Posts: 723
    edited February 2014

    has anyone ever had a nipple tattoo removed with laser...?

  • Downey30
    Downey30 Member Posts: 337
    edited February 2014

    hi everyone,  have been out of the country for a while. I have a lot of catching up to do. I just wanted to say that Vinnie did my tattoos yesterday and he is "THE MAN". It was well worth the wait and drive. Great guy. Thanks a million Vinnie for truly putting the cherries on the cupcakes. 

  • MartyJ
    MartyJ Member Posts: 1,859
    edited February 2014

    Way to go Downey!  I am excited to here.  Still in a quandary over nips, then will schedule Vinnie.

  • mrenee68
    mrenee68 Member Posts: 383
    edited February 2014

    If you a near Florida, Renee also does awesome tattoos. She has a great little place and makes you feel at ease. Thank you Renee!

  • PinkHeart
    PinkHeart Member Posts: 1,193
    edited February 2014

    Does Renee go to Charleston?

  • lala1
    lala1 Member Posts: 1,147
    edited February 2014

    PinkHeart--Here's her website....

    http://www.reneemaschinot.com/default.html

    I believe she does go to Charleston but check.

  • bdavis
    bdavis Member Posts: 6,201
    edited February 2014

    Downey... where did you meet up with Vinnie?

  • Downey30
    Downey30 Member Posts: 337
    edited February 2014

    bdavis, I saw Vinnie at his shop in Finksburg, MD. Your are just going to love him.

  • bdavis
    bdavis Member Posts: 6,201
    edited February 2014

    At the parlor, eh?

  • Downey30
    Downey30 Member Posts: 337
    edited February 2014

    You betcha.  My husband was teasing me and trying to talk me in to another  tattoo.  Nipples seemed enough for the day.  It's an interesting place.  We had never been to Baltimore so we stayed downtown in a cute B&B.  Had some fantastic food.  It was about a 45 minute drive out to Finksburg.  Not bad at all.  It seemed much easier for me to go up rather than down to New Orleans.  It's a great feeling to look in the mirror and not see the usual blank canvas.  I keep peeking in my shirt to make sure they haven't gone away. Jamie

  • PinkHeart
    PinkHeart Member Posts: 1,193
    edited February 2014

    Downey30,

    So happy to hear about your great experience and results with Vinnie, and how good it makes you feel.   Thank you for kindly sharing here because it really does give me hope even though I still have a lot of miles down the road before I get nipples. 

    I am curious to know if scars from microsurgical flap surgery (ie, skin paddles) are still visible, and if Vinnie is able to cover those somehow, or if the incredibly awesome nipples he creates takes away the noticeabilty of scars. 

  • cascader
    cascader Member Posts: 599
    edited February 2014

    Downey, I am heading to BWI in a few weeks. I have booked a hotel at the Inner Harbor area, I may be going alone so thought this would be convenient location for sightseeing shopping etc. . Will probs take taxi from airport to hotel then just rent a car for the day to drive to Finksburg. It won't be a problem to drive afterwards will it? Any suggestions on the area appreciated, I will have 3 nts. Did you love the B&B? Suggest it even if by myself? Thanks Downey, so happy that you are pleased!

  • Catie2013
    Catie2013 Member Posts: 1,023
    edited February 2014

    Cascader, I used to stay at B&B's when I traveled for work, and loved them.  You can get to know the owners over the phone a bit, check the sites and see recommendations, and then feel comfortable that you are more than a room number to the hotel, but a guest at a B&B.  Nice to sit with a glass of wine and chat with the other residents at night or at breakfast too!

    So curious about your upcoming finish!  Mine is still the 6th of May in Finksburg, think my son or DIL will drive me and wait for me.  And, Downey, so glad to hear about your experience.  

    I know it will all be worth it - so the wait isn't bothering me.  When I first pondered a bmx 17 years ago, I decided against and went with a lumpectomy.  The deciding factor was the nipples.  My son and his then girlfriend were with me and when I came out of the PS office crying they were perplexed until I told them that the reason I was crying so badly was that I was single, facing chemo and rads, and to have a bmx meant I'd have to have my aerolas tattooed on!  My son broke the tension by telling me that he would volunteer to draw on my aerolas/nipples whenever I had a date!  LOL  

    Fast forward 17 years, after my bmx with the new cancer, and 2 years from the start of the surgery I am patiently waiting and expecting a beautiful result from Vinnie who I feel will exceed my expectations!  How our minds can change, wow!

    Thanks so much for all of your input!  Makes the wait easier!

    Hugs

    Catie

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