BMX....save the nipples or not?

HuskerFan

I have a tentative date of May 24 for my BMX. My surgeon says she is able to do nipple sparing. For those of you that have gone that route, are you happy with the results? I have larger breasts (36DD) and envision something a little smaller and perkier and being able to go without a bra at times when this is all said and done. If I do the nipple sparing BMX, will I have to worry about my "headlights" being on all the time? My husband thinks I will be happier with the nipple sparing surgery.

muska

I had niple sparing BMX and am very happy with the results. I definitely recommend it as long as the surgeon can do it (sometimes they can't if the tumour is too close to the nipple.) I went from 36DDD to 36C.
Good luck!

Twaz

I am a ways off from surgery but this is something I am considering, as long as I am BRCA negative. I am triple negative with dense tissue, so I have a higher chance of it coming back. I believe because the nipple is still breast tissue that you still have to have some screening done- not sure if it is MRI or some type of modified mammogram.

Englishmummy

I had nipple sparing bmx and my results are fantastic. I don't have headlights on all the time but when they are they are pretty prominent!! I have some little silicone 'daisies' that I can stick over them, if needed as I never really wear a bra except for working out. I was a small 34 b but am a 34d now, like I was before I had my children.

Be sure your surgeon is super experienced (ask exactly how many they have done) and be sure to ask about the risk for necrosis, lots of surgeons seem to skip that also make sure they go over how everything will look afterwards; I don't want to scare you but it can be a little frightening when you see everything for the first time. If you have that option (not everyone does), I would say use it. Some surgeons use nipple delay technique but mine surgeon did it all in one go. My surgeon is part of an on going research study of NSMX, and told me that the chance of recurrence is NOT increased with NSMX but ask your surgeon about that to put your mind at ease.Also, if it has not been mentioned, ask about a paravertebral block and On-Q pain balls. Those things were fantastic! I was virtually pain free immediately after surgery and healed very quickly..... I did not have the need for narcotics which aids recovery no end. I also used a specific protocol to assist with healing which I totally believed helped me heal significantly faster than either my PS or BS had seen. PM me if you're interested.

Without knowing you, I agree with your husband: and based on my own experience...nipple sparing is 'kinder' psychologically - I look down and still see 'my' breasts. Good Luck! These are all tough choices. Hugs.

HuskerFan

Englishmummy, thank you for the info! I always like to hear from people firsthand what their experiences are vs. reading about statistics. Since having 3 kids and breastfeeding, I've never really liked my breasts, so I don't feel that I have a huge connection to them right now. But I just don't know how I'm going to feel when they are actually gone. To be honest, I am looking forward to the end result of breasts with more lift (it makes me feel a little guilty to say that), so I just want to make the right decision about my nipples during this process.

JessieJake

Hi HuskerFam (we are "neighbors", by the way),

I did a nipple sparing BMX on 3/1/16. I was aware going into surgery that if there was an issue the BS might need to remove them during surgery. I was just naively confident that all would be well. My right nipple did have problems during surgery - inadequate blood blow. Their treatment is to use Nitro-bid paste during surgery and then I had to to use it for 10 days afterwards. The BS thought I'd probably lose that nipple but the PS was confident it would be fine, but maybe darker than my other one. It was dark/blackish right away. Nitro-bid is super potent as I found out. Within minutes of applying it your blood vessels dilate and allow increased blood flow (why they use it to prevent heart attacks). I could feel it instantly and so I'm sure it did its job. When I returned at 10 days post-op, tiny bits of the dark skin were just beginning to flake off. I don't recall how many days later I noticed a peeling spot and pulled it off to reveal completely normal skin below. To my surprise even my healthy nipple shed a layer of skin after that. IMHO, I think some level of that is normal. Perhaps the nitro-bid did indeed help the right one, though.

My nipples were small before surgery. As I've had my skin stretched with getting the TEs filled, my nipples have stretched, too. So, I do indeed notice the left one for sure can be erect but much less so than before surgery as it has stretched out. My right side tries to do the same but can't achieve the same uprightness. I wonder if that is from the issue during surgery. Never really thought about it before, but they aren't always doing that so hopefully it'll be ok.

I agree with Englishmummy, I look down and see my chest; albeit bigger from the expanding TEs! Glad I did it and suffered through the horrid nitro-bid.

Seriously, ask about that with your doctor. I cannot adequately describe the hell I woke up to from surgery due to the glob of nitro-bid they applied during surgery. What's the next level up from migraine? Well, I was a few levels above that due to the effect of having my blood vessels overly-dilated. Sick, heart palpitations, dizzy, low blood pressure, and that headache!!! They wanted me to apply 1 inch of that stuff (like toothpaste) 3 times a day! I'd go from upright to flat out, sick, moaning, pain. Once we figured it out (2 days after surgery!) when I was laying there with my head in ice packs, my DH wiped it off and viola! in about 15 minutes all the effects dissipated. After that, with great trepidation, I allowed him to apply what he thinks was probably 1/16 of an inch. In just a few minutes I could feel my temples pounding as my blood vessels dilated, but no debilitating headache. So that's where we stayed until I hit the 10 day mark. However, if I couldn't have figured that out I would gladly have taken the risk of it dying to avoid feeling like that. We discussed this seriously with my PS afterwards. They won't say it straight up, but I was overdosed. Where one person may handle that prescribed amount without out issue, I needed a lot less at the 108 pounds I was at that time. Ok, that's a load off my chest! But otherwise happy to have my nipples!

If you are comfortable sharing, maybe PM me. I'm curious if there is any chance you are going to the same place I did. No worries, if you don't!

Good luck on may 24!

HuskerFan

JesseJake, that's really scary that they didn't realize you were getting too much of the nitro-bid. I will definitely ask about that when I meet with the PS.

Mom2Winston

I had the nipple sparing, skin sparring BMX on 4.28. My nipples and areola are the same color as before the surgery but in a different position, more sideways than forward facing. They do seem to want to be erect all the time but I have very small nipples so I don't think that will be too much of an issue. I'm glad to be able to keep them. I didn't have to do the Nitrobid.

MaryAgatha

I had a nipple sparing BMX a year ago. I LOVE the look of my new breasts. They look the same as they did before I had babies. Of course there are scars that will never completely fade, but I can live with that. It took me longer to get used to the change in sensations. I'm sure you already know this but only a very small percentage of people get any feelings back on their nipples. I got a lot of the usual skin sensation back everywhere, but my nipples feel totally numb. It feels weird when my husband kisses them because if I'm not looking I can't even tell that he is doing anything to my nipples. I used to actually freak out a little bit at first and told my husband not to touch my nipples. But as with anything, you get used to it. Now it's a turn on for me to watch my husband make love to my nipples. As for the "headlights", they do become erect with temperature change, or sometimes for no good reason it seems. I can't go braless for that reason. I wish you all the best with your surgery. Remember it takes months for the swelling to go down and for your breasts to settle, so don't judge your breasts at first. Don't even look at them if you can help it. Just focus on healing and being good to yourself.

Clauclau

'Twas, I am also a triple negative. I got my BMX 2 weeks ago and I will start on chemo on Monday. I chose to save the nipples because of the location and safe margins after BC was removed. Nipples have been dark and they are bleeding sometimes. I don't know how it's going to be after a month or two...

Right now I am more concerned about chemo and side effects. Your chemo drugs might be the same as mine, but how is your regimen? And for how long?

Good luck on your recover. Many positive thoughts and blessings in your way.

Clauclau

Maryagatha , thank you for sharing your experience further down during romance. I will be looking forward to getting happy with my breast in the future.