Trip to see Vinnie

lala1

I got my Vinnie in June and just posted my pics on the picture forum. Take a look!! He is awesome!!

pegs54

Getting my Vinnie a week from today ! Excited but nervous.  Helps to read all stories here

AZ85048

lala1 - And your Vinnie looks AWESOME!  Thanks so much for posting your pictures!  

pegs54 - I'm SO jealous - I have 142 more days to wait...  And don't be nervous, you're going to the very best man for the job! 

http://whatweekly.com/2013/12/17/tattoo-the-ta-tas...

http://www.baltimoremagazine.net/2012/10/tattoo-ar...

Anonymous

I haven't been on bco in quite a while, but had to come check in on this thread. I am about 8 weeks from my Fantastic Finksburg Finale. 

I've decided to make it a sister trip, so my sis and I will be driving in one or two days before my appointment. I know it's been covered a few times here and will go back and read through the thread, but...where did you love to stay/eat and any other tips for our trip planning. My sis thinks we should stay in the area the night after my appointment too...in case I love them so much I want to go back the next day to get a third one. Ha!!

So excited!!!! It's almost time to wear the pink heels!!!! 

AZ85048

Hey, Dulcigirl, we've missed you!  (And those pink heels...)  I'm so excited for you!  

  

Anonymous

Thanks, AZ. Going through some "stuff" and trying to keep my head above water. :-)

I missed you all, too. 

And I'm so excited about this trip!!

bethq

Anyone with Carefirst BC go to Vinnie in Maryland and was it covered?

Catie2013

Vinnie gives you a form to copy and submit to insurance, my deductible wasn't even close this year so I didn't submit it, but have different insurance anyway.  Sorry.

ironmagnolia

Coming in behind the eight ball here, how far out is Vinnie booking for MD?

bethq

March

70charger

This was just posted.  This guy is in California & was trained by Vinnie. Hope this helps someone.

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topic/...

MartyJ

Yippee - the end is in sight!  Just scheduled with Vinnie for Feb. 3rd.

AZ85048

YAY, MartyJ!  

KSteve

My appointment is coming up.  It's September 22 in Baltimore.  To say I'm excited is an understatement!  I'll let you all know how it goes.  Just hit my 4-year cancerversary last weekend, so this will hopefully close that chapter, fingers crossed    

 

AZ85048

KSteve - Congratulations on the anniversary - and the 22nd is only two weeks from Monday!  A trip to see Vinnie will be the perfect 'gift' for the occasion!  Please let us know how it goes...

bobogirl

I must say, I am just reading your posts and getting excited!  I have been thinking a lot about nips -- won't be ready for them for a while -- and about Vinnie.  I know my PS wants to do them himself.  I have a strong pull toward going to Vinnie.  What to tell my PS?  I just feel like going to Vinnie will be a celebration.  I've had such a hard road -- six surgeries so far, two to go, and things have just been a mess.  I want to turn a corner when it's time for nips.  No worries about outcome, just happiness.

Hi Vinnie!  I hope I can get on your schedule!

MartyJ

Bobo - my ps can do tattoos, but she suggested Vinnie.  His results are amazing and he uses a different kind of ink than a doc does.  My understanding is that it lasts longer.

AZ85048

bobogirl  - I look at it this way - I feel like if I'm going to do tattoos, I might as well get the best ones I possibly can.  It's kind of like if you can afford a good handbag, then why settle for a knockoff from Canal Street?  Vinnie's work and his dedication to the women (and men) who've endured breast cancer is unparalleled.  But just a heads up: Vinnie requires that you be at least five month out from your last surgery before he can put the 'cherry on the cupcake'.  I'm so happy that you're excited about this - it sounds as though you've had an unspeakably hard time and it's always so nice to have something to look forward to, isn't it?  (I'm at 126 days and counting, but at least I'm waiting for a good thing this time.)

Here's a video that pretty much sums it all up:

http://www.wdsu.com/news/tattoo-artist-completes-w...

bobogirl

Thanks Marty!  And -- really well said, AZ!  Why not get the best handbag?  Since you're going to be looking at that handbag forever...

I'm so happy I'm excited about it too.  Haven't been too excited for a long time.  Many thanks for your kind words.  126 days, huh?  Not that we're counting  Are you going to whoop it up in NOLA? XXX

AZ85048

bobogirl - No, I'm going to scenic Finksburg, Maryland, on January 8th.  (Come hell or high snow drifts, I'll be there.)  It's a little easier to get in at the Maryland shop as Vinnie's only at NOLA one week per month, so that one fills up fast.  I called the shop in Maryland the middle of July and they were already booked through the end of the year; so when asked, I got on a waiting list for 2015.  Two days later, they called me back with a date and I jumped on it!  (I about fainted when I saw 'Vinnie Myers' come up on my caller ID!)  Even with four months to go, I'm excited!  (Go over to the picture forum and find lala1's thread (on the second page of Under Construction), then check out the awesome job Vinnie did for her on page 4.)  

 

MartyJ

I called Maryland last week and didn't get a return call.  Apparently there was a death in their Tattoo family and they were closed for a couple of days.  The first day she offered me was end of January, but I asked for a Monday or Tuesday.  We are flying Southwest and the fares are lowest those days.  Just booked the flight - up in the AM, off to Finksburg (abt 45 min from airport) and back that evening.    The countryside is beautiful, even with snow.  Though I am hoping the snow stays away or the little car we rented will have to be upgraded for something with snow tires.

bobogirl

Ooh, beautiful Finksburg!  You know, I bet it will actually be beautiful, now that I think of it.  So looking forward to hearing all about it!

Will not be finished until December, myself... and then I've got to wait five months... so I am going to try to shoot for NOLA.  Could drive there.  And will want to save up for a little stay with my partner!  Does anyone want to babysit?  

bethq

I haven't heard back from Vinnie yet.  My question is if we need our implants replaced will they go through the old scar? For me that would mean cutting thru both tattoos!

Hildy910

Finksburg actually is really pretty--lots of rolling farmland.  And just wanted to reassure the folks from the warmer states that Maryland is really not in the snow belt. My sister lives about 45 minutes from Finksburg, and while they do get snow, it doesn't tend to accumulate, or stick around long. 

Good luck y'all!

MartyJ

Beth, just give them a call tomorrow.  With a death, they were closed for several days and are a bit behind in returning calls.

AZ85048

Hildy910 - Thanks for the heads up on Finksburg!  I really appreciate it.  (Maryland, East Coast, January - it all spells snow to someone from the Southwest.)  It's good to know that there's not likely to be six foot drifts when I get there...  

Blessings2011

bethq - I worried about that a lot.... if I went through the effort and expense of getting Vinnie tatts, I sure as heck wouldn't want to mess them up with a revision surgery. 

But then I remembered - there are always IMF incisions! 

bethq

oh good! Wasn't sure that would be an option!

shorfi

Is there anyone in the Philadelphia area willing to do a trip together to see Vinnie in Maryland? I had my final exchange on April 9, 2014, and after reading and goggling, it seems like Vinnie would be the perfect option for me.

lala1

AZ85048---I just wanted to let you know that you have totally made my day/month/year!! Recommending that people look at my results in the picture forum made me happier than I've been in a while. I'll admit it.....I cried. You have made me feel like all this crap was worth it. I have the most amazing doctors and I can't wait to tell them that other women think they did a great job with my recon. My heart is full. Thank you.