Trip to see Vinnie

BayouBabe

Anyone gone to Vinnie's shop , but had Trent or Paul do the tattoo?  Considering this as an option as less of a wait.  Seems Vinnie's schedule is closed to booking right now.

Anonymous

Just a little FYI as I know this is a FAQ: The Hampton Inn in Owings Mills was wonderful. Very clean, good complimentary breakfast, and a simple drive to Vinnie's. As we drove in, Vinnie's was on the right and we had to pass the shop, turn right at the corner by the gas station and then another right to enter the strip mall behind a dentist's office. 

If you have a little tourist time and love history Fort McHenry is a short drive away. Here I am on the ramparts and yes! Our flag is still there!! (Late afternoon...not the Dawn's Early Light. Lol.)

And I did change into boots. DSW's Rule Book, page 35 expressly forbids Rampart Climbing in hot pink stilettos...;-)

farmerlucy

I second the thumbs up for the Hampton Inn. I took the train from BWI to downtown Baltimore and back before getting my car,  a visitor's center is right there, and they are very helpful. Just tell them what your interests are and how much time you have. 

uds17

Hi gals!

It's so exciting to see your Vinnie stories! My appointment is on January 30th and I cannot wait!

I wanted to know how y'all felt the first few days after your tattoos.... good enough to travel and enjoy some sightseeing? It's our anniversary that week, so my husband and I were thinking about going into NYC for the weekend before heading back home. I want to book for a show, but want to hear from you guys if you think I'll be fine to do that.

Thanks!!

lala1

uds17---You'll be fine for sightseeing. I rode in the car 3 hours home afterwards which was a little uncomfortable. I brought my small pillow from my mastectomy to put between me and the seatbelt which helped alot. But the next day I was back to usual routine....riding my horse, cleaning the barn, running errands, etc. But I also had more feeling in my foob than I thought I would so you might actually do even better than me!

KSteve

uds17 - You will be fine siteseeing afterwords.  My husband and I left the appointment and went to Baltimore for lunch at the harbor.  We traveled home the next day on a four hour plane ride.  No problems at all.

Kathy

uds17

lala and Kathy- thank you so much for your responses! You gave me the answer I was hoping to hear!!

xoxo

Anonymous

uds, 

Make those plans!

I was at Fort McHenry about 4 hours after my appointment. We ran (literally) all over and climbed up and down stairs. Sis and I went antiquing right after the appointment, too. I was a bit sore but I did not even take Tylenol. My tips would be to take a comfy supportive bra, but also to take a couple of loose, old t-shirts for when you are just sitting around. 

The day after this we went antiquing for 4 hours, then drove 10 hours.

cp418

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/73/topic/825774?page=1#post_4200908

(I posted this in the wrong forum....)

farmerlucy

As always . . . thanks CP!

bobogirl

Ooh, I love hearing these stories.  Dulci!

Good Baltimore report, but... where to stay in NOLA? So excited for all this good news. XXX

uds17

Thanks, Dulci! Plans for the trip are being made. Before I booked the airline tickets, I called Vinnie's shop to confirm I was still on his schedule.  This is all so exciting!!

cp418

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/10/31/vinnie-myers-tattoo-breast-cancer_n_6078806.html

Vinnie Myers' Amazing Tattoos Help Breast Cancer Survivors With Transition

BayouBabe

All right ladies - I think I'm up next!  My appointment is November 18.  Vinnie's schedule was closed to booking, so my tat will be done by Paul.  His look just as fantastic on Vinnie's website.  I am getting so excited to no longer have a blank slate on one side, with no worries about matching the spared nip on the other!  Counting down!  

Amelia123

Going to see Vinnie in December! Quite excited. But - I was wondering, do you sit there naked from the waist up, are you partially covered, or is it something else? Appreciate hearing from those of you who are already done.

Anonymous

Amelia,

You will be in a private room. You have a disposable sheet, but basically, yes. No shirt, no bra.

Something we are all WAY too familiar with by now, right?!

Amelia123

Way too familiar with, Dulcigirl! I'll be glad when I can stop flashing everyone.

Amelia123

Dulcigirl, I was looking at your profile, and saw that it's been a few years since your BMX and reconstruction. Does your chest feel back to normal now, or do you still have some slight pulling/tightness in the chest area when doing certain motions? I'm getting better each day, but am not sure if that tightness will ever fully go away. Also, if it's not too personal, I was wondering why you had 2 reconstruction surgeries.

Catie2013

the problem is that you will continue to flash people (Drs, Plastic Surgeons, PA's, etc) after the 3d nipples are done - they look soooooo good!

Hugs

Catie

Mine were done in May and I'm still showing my respective Drs when my visits come up, and that usually makes them ask if their staff can see as well!

placid44

I amDecember too and cannot wait...

notadaygoesby

Just thought I would chime in and tell you ladies my "Vinnie" experience.

My trip to Vinnie was October 24, 2014.  I couldn't wait for this day!  I had waited 9 months since my implant surgery to October 24.  The anticipation was like Christmas day as a kid.lol  To me this was the final chapter of putting this awful disease behind me and maybe, just maybe giving me a day to not think about cancer when I look at my body!  My sister and I drove from Michigan to Maryland to finally meet Vinnie!  Unfortunately, he took one look at my bilateral mastectomy scar on my left breast (cancer, rad's side) and felt the scar line was just not healed good enough in one area, about 1 inch long, directly where the tattoo would go.   Mind you, my scars are pretty nice looking straight lines, but Vinnie saw some flaking, redness on the scar and not wanting to risk infection because the area was still thin skinned and sensitive he was recommending no tattoos until the scar healed a little more.   What a blow it was hearing this!  He said he could make the nipples lower just under the scar but then I would look like I had saggy foobs!  Which just ain't right!  lol.  He rebooked me for May 1, 2015 and recommends putting a ton of lotion with aloe, vitamin E, lavender, not straight lavender oil it would be too strong, and some form of butter and no alcohol. Trying to find a lotion with all these ingredients is almost impossible.  I opted for Burt's Bee's with Vitamin E, Shea butter and I think aloe.  I put this on every morning after my shower, rub it in for 10 minutes.  I also added every other day the extra Emu Oil I had left over from radiation, which did wonders for my skin, not one burn from rad's.  I can already see a slight change in the scar line.  

Needless to say, it was a very quiet ride home that same day!

I hope this works!

 

 

 

KSteve

notadaygoesby - What a bummer!  I can imagine the disappointment you must have felt, and still do.  But it also wouldn't have been good to have a infection which could have risked your reconstruction.  That why Vinnie is so good.  He really knows what he's doing.  But I have so much sympathy for you and can truly understand your disappointment.  Just keep rubbing on the magic potion!

Hugs,

Kathy

notadaygoesby

KSteve - Yes, I agree.  Vinnie is good and appears to be looking out for the client.  I have no problems waiting, I sure don't need an infection.  It might actually work out better, as I'm going to try to get 1 or 2 fat graftings in before May 1, as opposed to waiting until after the tat's.    I have ripples that really need some attention!.  Guess everything works out for a reason. Time to go rub on the "magic potion".  lol

Catie2013

Notadaygoes...

Probably a VERY good thing you are rescheduled until after your fat grafting, because when I saw Vinnie in May he made it very clear not only asking but having me sign a piece of paper saying I was happy with my reconstruction and would not be having further work on it! He explained that after he does the permanent 3D tattoos that it might/could/would (can't remember the exact words) might make the nipples not be the exact same place as filling or shifting might make them wonky (my words - I was too excited to actually be doingit to remember exactly). But you get the drift, so good that you have the time to get them exactly the way you want before the tattoos go on! BTW I love mine!

Hugs

Catie

Anonymous

Amelia,

Sorry that I'm just getting back on here today. My chest (minus the lack of sensation) feels about 90% normal now. I rarely ever even think about it during the day anymore.

The 10% of not is due to an occasional twinge on the left side and some remaining weakness with certain motions. But I do not have actual pain anymore.

Why the revision? I was having quite a bit of pain after my first exchange. I also struggled emotionally because my first implants were just much larger than I wanted to be. It was a very difficult decision to make, but it was the right one for me.

If you are struggling with tightness and pain please talk to your doctor about physical therapy and/or myofascial release. (Search for those topics on the board.) Many women have been helped tremendously with that additional treatment!

notadaygoesby

Catie2013 - Yes, I had sent my pictures to Vinnie of my ripples, prior to the appointment to make sure that fat grafting after the tattoo's wouldn't change nipple location.  Vinnie felt comfortable that I would be in good shape.  The reason I didn't do FG before tattoo's was that I was on the fence about FG.  I needed to research it and learn more. My PS doesn't do FG or recommend it, so I had to wait 3 months to see a different PS.  Love the new PS and will do FG with him.  There just wasn't enough time to start the FG before tattoo's!  Guess it all worked out for the best, this is such a long process!  Do you ladies ever get tired of making decisions?  LOL 

Catie2013

Yes, tired of making decisions for sure!!!! Glad you had teh conversation with Vinnie prior. Hoping May brings great tats!

jenjenl

headed to MD December 19 to get my tattoos done by Trent. Of course everyone wants Vinnie but i feel comfortable with the ppl he's trained. He wouldn't cut them lose on patients of they weren't at a qualified level.

I'm traveling from Charlotte, NC. Staying at the Hilton. I'm taking a friend that i met during chemo. Is a special relationship and I'm so happy she started the journey with me and will end it too. Husband is sending us to a nice celebratory dinner.

I've met my oop so i assume i submit the claim but I'm worried insurance will dick around with me.

KSteve

Regarding insurance, I have Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City.  I submitted it and they just sent me a check for $30.30 (out of $800).  Oh well, I didn't expect anything from them.  No regrets at all.  Vinnie is worth every penny

Kathy

Blessings2011

I haven't even checked into the possibility of insurance paying for Vinnie's tatts.

I just look at it like a purchase of exquisite art, which I will keep for the rest of my life.