Nipple Reconstruction Experience

Bubu

Hello everyone

I am at a phase where I need to decide if nipple reconstruction (just one) is what i want. My PS will be using the tissue from the surrounding skin and was told it is a rather simple procedure and requires only local anesthesia. She said I will still have an IV just in case patient gets too nervous last minute and wanted general anesthesia. I am ok with local anesthesia but the idea of IV makes me nervous because I have tiny veins and the inserting of IV hurts! I have read the nipple recon topic on this website so I know what each procedure entails.

I would like to ask the members of this boards of their experience with nipple recon specifically using the surrounding skin? I know the pain will be very minimal due to lack of sensation plus local anesthesia, How did you feel during and after? Did they nipple stay "up" and no flattened after awhile? Were you able to go on with your day right after? I am also reading that (per vinny's blog) that nipple tattoo post-recon could be tricky and the result is not the same as just tattoo without nipple recon. What have been your own experience ? I am definitely getting tattoo, but i am trying to decide if I really needed nipple recon if I have 3D tattoo?

I know nipple or not or tattoo or not is a personal preference. I mainly don't want to put myself through the IV experience.

Any info you could provided is greatly appreciated!

Obxflygirl1

I had nipple recon. I would do it again. After surgery, they looked like bullets. Great big bullets....but I knew by reading these boards to expect it. They did shrink and flatten to a button size which is perfect for me. No pain after surgery. Had to keep clean and sleep in bra with supports for the new nipples. Basically I covered them with donut holedpads . I didn't have big nipples pre BC. Vinnie did my tattoos and I couldn't be happier. My GYNOB thought I has nipple sparing MX. Good luck with your decision.