Nipple reconstruction

I am scheduled for nipples on July 26 and like all of yall, I am constantly rethinking what I want to do.  I am obsessed with the 3D tats by Vinnie.  I turn 50 this year and think it would add some fun to my life to get them done on my birthday.  Something SOOOOOO out of character for me but crazy enough to make this year alittle more than a horrible memory.  I see my PS on Tuesday to decided whether to add nips or not.  Regardless I what I decide, I still have to have fat grafting to even out my breasts.  I have a question for all of yall too.  My surgery was SS but left me with these two huge discs of skin from my stomach that are definitely not the same color.  Combined with the scar that extends up to my arm pits, I have frankieboobs.  When they take the skin to do the nips, do they reduce that huge disc?  I have looked at Vinnie's pics and some of the ones have a small nipple surrounded by the large different color skin.  Just trying to get my expectations realistic.

Has anyone done the "in office" nipple procedure, think could be called flap? Skin is not taken from elsewhere. PS said he'd make a w-like incision and basically create a nipple. Then tattoos would be done for coloring and areola. Wondering if this is a good happy medium between another surgery or just tattoos?! Also, I'm wondering how long the nipple needs to heal before the tattoo can happen.

Thanks lago, are you happy with the results?

Lago- if you don't mind me asking and I hope I didn't ask this already, do you have any feeling in your nipples?

nipples have no feeling. The central area of my "breasts" don't either. I have implants

I'm happy to hear so many have good results with no regrets.  My nipple surgery is Aug. 20.  I'm also having revision and fat grafting so it will be under general, but at least it won't be as long as my prior surgeries and I get to go home that day!  I'm excited to get a nipple, I'm a UMX, but sort of wondering how I will get used to it.  I've always been self conscious of that "headlight" look.  So it will be different with one side always on.

There are plenty of different nipple shields out there. Some are reusable/washable.

I have the Wacoal "No Peek Molded Foam Cups" that I used in the winter. Now that they have shrunk I find that only in thin shirts with a soft cup bra is it an issue.

There are so many posts here for forgive me if this has been discussed.  Initially I was talking with my PS about exchange surgery and a second surgery for nips.  Now he is doing them in the same, maybe because he knows I'm anxious?  Also, I thought that most nip recons came from the breast tissue.  He is taking skin from my inner thighs, no lipo or fat, just skin. 

Also, I'm reading here about making them as long as possible.  However, I never had large nipples anyway so the concept of them flattening some is appealing to me, especially since I almost went with tats.

Any help on these thoughts is most appreciated.

I'm still debating the nipples and appreciate all the insights shared.  I've never heard the term a "football frankenboobies" but it made me realize that is what I have - I'm single and as if I don't feel bad enough about my situation --- I never thought I'd feel worse after reading the posts here.  Any insights on who to handle then nipples in this type of situation? 

CMartin some PSs do it that way. I hear the advantage is they don't flatten out as much.

HGL4969 men like boobs. They like footballs too. Seriously when you are ready to get that close to a man you will find it easier than you thought to discuss and fill him in. It's not like you're going to let a stranger feel you up. By that point you should be friends and talked quite a bit.

Hils, I had nipple reconstruction 3 weeks ago in the public health system and it wasn't done the way you described. The PS used the skin that had been grafted from my stomach during my Diep reconstruction and sort of origamied it as someone else put it. Now it has started to shrink and soften I have to say it does look pretty real and I am quite impressed. I will still probably have the tattooing done to make the colours match the other side better.



HGL4969 I must admit there are days when I see myself in the mirror prior to a shower and can't get my head around how I look now. I would have my middle aged mum of 4 body back in a heartbeat if I could, but somehow I have to come to terms with this new version and feel pride in having survived everything it's been through!

Hi Suzy thanks for your message - I think I should have clariffied that I had a UMX with TE recon hence I was not offered the option of skin grafting. I tend to be a last minute decision maker, I only decided to have TE recon just as I entered the operating room prior to that I was having no recon. Its just me - I believe in don't cut if you do not need to. Hence I think I have gone for a minimalistic recon. As many have said before there is no right or wrong. But I am definately thinking about a nipple tatoo.

Unfortunately like many I have good and bad days and I still mourn the loss of by old but very much loved boob and have not gained such a love for my new boob as yet. Hopefully time will allow me to develop this love

1800oncologist - Not so much regarding the nipple.  Any other helps?

My PS makes them a little bigger as they shrink. Unfortuantely, my right one has shrunk to next to nothing. I'm not having the tattoos until fall so am witholding my judgement until then. My surgery was about 1 1/2 hours but he did some pocket work too.

I'm scheduled for my nipples 8/10. PS will do it in office under a local. Said it will only take an hour. I will get my tattoos 6 weeks after that. Anyone else do it like this??