Trip to see Vinnie

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chrissilini
chrissilini Member Posts: 313
edited February 2018 in Breast Reconstruction

Hi all. So, I scheduled my appointment with Vinnie Myers for 3D nipple tatts. I'll be going in October. That was the first available which I'm not surprised.



I've never been to Baltimore and was wondering, for those of you that have gone or live in the area, where's the best place to stay without being right in the city? Now that I have the appointment I have to put the rest of the pieces together. Any suggestions would be soooo helpful.



Thanks a bunch!

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited July 2012

    Vinnie does great work; you must be very excited! Good luck in October!

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  • janhart
    janhart Member Posts: 331
    edited July 2012

    Hi Chriss just wondering how long you waited before scheduling this appt. My exchange to implants was in January and still getting used to the implants, but would like to do the 3D tattoo at some point. Good luck with this...sorry, never been to Baltimore.

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  • chrissilini
    chrissilini Member Posts: 313
    edited July 2012

    jan...my exchange was in March. So, by the time i get them, it will have been 7 months. I had an appointment with my PS a few weeks ago and he said all was well and I was ready for the next step. Not doing nip recon but want tattoos. I don't think I'll ever be completely used to the implants but I want to get the process finished.

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  • fitzdc
    fitzdc Member Posts: 1,467
    edited July 2012

    Hi - I live near Baltimore and can give you some suggestions for places to stay.  You mention you don't want to stay right in the city.  Will you have a car or will you being relying ont he public transport?  Do you like big hotels, funky botique hotels, or B & Bs?    Is there a reason you don't wan't to stay in the city - or it is just the center of the city you don't want?

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  • Tatina123
    Tatina123 Member Posts: 480
    edited July 2012

    I am seeing Vinnie too in October for 3-D tattoos! But I'll be seeing him at NOLA. Booking my flight in the next two weeks....hear the prices are dropping after the Olympics.



    Wishing you the best!



    T

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  • chrissilini
    chrissilini Member Posts: 313
    edited July 2012

    fitzdc...I'm really at a loss of where to stay. I said not in the middle of the city because I don't know anything about it. I will have a car. Vinnie's shop is in Finksburg so originally I thought somewhere in the middle of the airport and the shop.

    I'm planning on flying in on Saturday morning and out on Tuesday afternoon so I'll have a few days to explore. Any and all suggestions are welcome. As far as hotels, your average will do just fine.

    Is it difficult to get into DC on the weekends? I think I saw there is public tranport that goes. We thought we'd check it out while in the area. Just not sure what driving ourselves would be like even though I'll have a car.

    Thanks for your help!

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  • She
    She Member Posts: 503
    edited July 2012

    I stayed right on the waterfront at the Pier 5 Hotel.  It really wasn't too difficult to get there from Vinnie's (roughly a half hour drive) and there is plenty to do/see all around the waterfront (water taxis are inexpensive).  But it was August, not October so I'm not sure how inviting the waterfront would be then.

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  • fitzdc
    fitzdc Member Posts: 1,467
    edited July 2012

    If you have a couple of days to explore - the inner harbor is nice, as She says.  But August is HOT and HUMID.  That said, the inner harbor is where most of the nice places to eat are.  I find even when I stay downtown, I end up heading to the harbor.

    For a funky cool hotel, try the Monaco.   I also like the Admiral Fell (a bit pricy, though) and the Inn at Henderson's Wharf.  If you want luxury, I have heard/read good things about the Inn at the Black Olive, which bills itself as 'an organic hotel'.  There are the Best Westerns, the Holiday Inns, the Marriotts -- I've stayed in most of them.   (I live in DC but like to go to Baltimore for the weekend.)  And yes, you can get between the two cities on public transport.  It is a very short trip in a car, but having a car in DC  on a summer tourist weekend will be a challenge.  Parking is very expensive and there are few parking spaces.  Let me know if you need more info on hotels  or anything as I am just a hop, skip, and message away!

    Teresa

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  • mspradley
    mspradley Member Posts: 129
    edited July 2012

    I have mine scheduled with Vinnie in late September! I am really looking forward to getting this behind me!

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  • fitzdc
    fitzdc Member Posts: 1,467
    edited July 2012

    Sorry -- I made a mistake and thought you were coming to Baltimore in Aug.  Rereading I see it is October --- not so hot or humid then.  Rather nice, actually.

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  • chrissilini
    chrissilini Member Posts: 313
    edited July 2012

    Thanks for the info Teresa. I'm going to do a little researching today and see what I come up with. I know there are tons of places to stay. That's the problem! Too much to choose from. But, I'll figure it out. And it's so helpful having you to run things by!

    Good luck mspradley. You'll have to let me know how they turn out. Of course I don't expect anything less than fabulous!

    Christine

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  • Blessings2011
    Blessings2011 Member Posts: 4,276
    edited July 2012

    chrissilini - I am sooooo envious that you're going to see Vinnie!!! I'm ready NOW!!!

    (Except my exchange isn't til August 22nd Undecided so it will be a while.)

    My PS does medical tattooing in his office and I keep sending him links to Vinnie's gallery, hinting, ever so subtly, that perhaps he could hone his 3D skills by the time I'm ready for tatts, but I don't think that's going to happen...Laughing

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  • IamPam
    IamPam Member Posts: 10
    edited August 2012

    I have booked my appointment with Vinnie for December in New Orleans!  I am a little nervous but excited after seeing the photos online.  I planned a weekend before the tattoos to enjoy New Orleans.

    I have only heard positive comments about the 3D tattoos.  Anyone out there regret doing 3D tatoos instead of nipple reconstruction?  

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  • New-girl
    New-girl Member Posts: 358
    edited August 2012

    I am scheduled for Vinnie in New Orleans in November.  Any suggestions for breaking the news to my beloved PS?  He has done a great job and I truly appreciate him but want Vinnie for my tatoos.  Do I have to tell him at all?  Just wondering how sensitive PS's are.

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  • Sassa
    Sassa Member Posts: 1,588
    edited August 2012

    Chrisilini,

    I am a former 26 year resident of the Baltimore-Washington area (Columbia, MD).

     Finksburg is just over the Baltimore County- Carroll County line in Carroll County.  If you stayed in Baltimore City, you will need to travel out from the city, into and through Baltimore County to Carroll County.  Depending on the time of your appointment, it would take 45 minutes - an hour from the Inner Harbor without any traffic problems. It would be a complete nightmare in rush hour.

    Check out Owings Mills for a motel.  The town is between the Baltimore Washington Airport and Finksburg.  It would be all expressway to Ownings Mill once you leave the airport road and take either the Baltimore Washington Parkway or I-95 to I-695 (Baltimore Beltway) to I-795.  Ownings Mill is right on I-795.  

    To get to Finksburg, you get back on I-795 and continue to the end where it hits Route 140 (Reistertown Rd).  Rte 140 goes through Finksburg.

     Ownings Mills has a  nice mall and lots of restaurants.  If you wish to go into Baltimore and not drive, there is a light rail (subway) stop in Ownings Mills to downtown Baltimore.

    If you drive, there is plenty to do in the Baltimore area.  Ft. McHenry is there.  The Inner Harbor has the National Aqarium which, IMO, is the best in the country.

    If you want to go into DC, you will need to drive one hour (without traffic, again a rush hour nightmare) down I-95 and make your way to one of the metro stops (subway).  The New Carrolton terminus would be your best bet from I-95.  

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  • Blessings2011
    Blessings2011 Member Posts: 4,276
    edited August 2012

    KiangaDayo - Now I'm envious of you, too!!! I can't imagine not being pleased by Vinnie's work...I just don't want any more surgeries.

    grt42btexan - Have you shown your PS examples of Vinnie's work? Have you asked him if he can duplicate his work exactly? You know the answer would be no.....If he's as great a PS as you say he is, he would want the best for you!!!

    I'm still confirmed for August 22nd....permanent squishies in 9 days - wooHOO! Laughing

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  • Hoya03mom
    Hoya03mom Member Posts: 135
    edited August 2012

    So have heard great things about Vinnie. Just finished having muscle sparing tram. Healing gret but not sure want more surgeries to replace nipples so tattoo seems like good option. Is it covered by insurance? Cash only? How expensive?? Christmas is right around the corner! Anyway would love to hear more from folks who have done this

    Thanks!

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  • TAPPY
    TAPPY Member Posts: 283
    edited August 2012

    Does he still do this in NOLA ?

    What is the approx cost ?

    And how long does it take ?

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  • jacee
    jacee Member Posts: 1,384
    edited August 2012

    Vinnie is in NOLA approx. one week per month. The center asks for payment ($400) up front. They will bill your insurance, but $400 is the most you will pay out of pocket. This is for bilateral. The procedure takes around 2 hours in the clinic, with some of this being paperwork and before and after pics. Vinnie is amazing, as is his work. I had reconstructed nipples, but he did some slight shading to give a 3D effect on slightly flattened areas of the nipple.

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  • TSB1
    TSB1 Member Posts: 46
    edited August 2012

    I'm assuming you have to be a patient of the NOLA docs in order to have vinnie do the tattoos there? I tried to schedule mine in September at vinnies place but he's out of town when I'm there. I'm going to shoot for next spring. Unless they allow "outsiders" at the NOLA place. Does anyone know? Sorry for hijacking this thread. I bet you're excited!

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  • IamPam
    IamPam Member Posts: 10
    edited August 2012

    I just scheduled my 3Ds with Vinnie in NO. When I called the clinic they took my insurance information and called to check on coverage. Three days later I got a call back saying that they have confirmed that my insurance will cover the 3Ds!! So happy! Now just to book a hotel and plan the adventure!!

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  • rayofsun
    rayofsun Member Posts: 204
    edited August 2012

    Chrisilini I live 20 mins from vinnie so I can definetly suggest hotels. The mall at Owings mills has gone downhill they are going to gut most of it shortly. There are good priced chain hotels their, Hampton inn etc and yes is an expressway ride to vinnies. The cities of Baltimore and DC are fairly easy to navigate. What time is your appt with vinnie?



    Ray

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  • chrissilini
    chrissilini Member Posts: 313
    edited August 2012

    rayofsun and sassa.....thanks so much for the info. I actually will be staying in Owings Mills. Seemed the most logical place and I really didn't want to stay right in the city. I'm more of a country girl. I do plan on checking both Baltimore and DC out while I'm there. I'm flying in on Saturday, figured I'd check out Baltimore that day and then head to the hotel. Sunday I'd like to do DC. My appointment is Monday morning at 11. Not sure what I'll do the rest of the day but I'll figure it out. Flying home on Tuesday morning. Oh, I'll be going in October.



    For those with questions, I spoke with the Vman himself when making the appointment. He works out of his shop and NOLA. You don't have to be a NOLA patient. $400 total for both. Insurance should cover but if they make an issue your ps can write a script for nip/areola pigmentation and submit it with the paperwork you'll get from Vinnie. I was told it takes about 2 hours and some of that time is spent having a consult. I can't wait!



    grt42btexan....I was wondering the same thing. I love my ps and almost felt guilty about going to someone else to finish the job. But, I remember something he said in the beginning. We talked briefly about the entire process and nips/tatts. He said he was not a tattoo artist but does the tattooing. And that if I had someone I liked, by all means go with that person. So, I sucked it up and called the office today to cancel the appointment I had with my ps for tatts in a month. He was completely understanding. I explained who Vinnie was and what he does and my ps has no problem at all with it. I was relieved and, even though I won't have the tatts done until October, I'm excited to show my ps in December when I have a followup.

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  • TAPPY
    TAPPY Member Posts: 283
    edited August 2012

    I live 2 hours from NOLA so this would be so doable for me.  And really $400 is not bad.

    I still have some more recon/fills/exchange - but this is good news.  His work really looks awesome.

    Is it painful to have them done ?

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  • Sassa
    Sassa Member Posts: 1,588
    edited August 2012

    Rayofsun,

    WOW!  What a shame about the mall in Ownings Mill.  If that one is a goner and Security Square is now the pits, it looks like the Columbia Mall is the only left on that side of Baltimore.

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  • Sassa
    Sassa Member Posts: 1,588
    edited August 2012

    Chrissilini,

    While Maryland is famous for crabcakes, try Pit Beef or a Pollack Johnny while in Baltimore.  They are strictly Baltimore specialities.

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  • TSB1
    TSB1 Member Posts: 46
    edited August 2012

    Chrissilini, thanks for the info. I'm in Texas so NO is a short flight and very doable. I'll call Vinnie and see when he will be there and get going on this. When I showed my beloved PS pics of Vinnie's work he said, "go see this guy and have him do the tattoos. These are great and I can't beat this. Then come back and show me". It was really funny because he kept zooming in and out on my phone to look at the pictures : )

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  • geewhiz
    geewhiz Member Posts: 1,439
    edited August 2012

    I swear, if I ever get to that man's office, I am probably going to be choking back tears of relief, exhaustion, frustration and JOY!!! For me getting to the Vinnie stage is the brass ring. The final stage in a very LONG journey.



    Congrats on a great choice! Post over in TimTam's forum so we can see your results!!

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  • New-girl
    New-girl Member Posts: 358
    edited August 2012

    TSB1- I am in the DFW area of Texas. My appt with Vinnie is at 10:30. I'm thinking of flying in that morning and back home that evening. I will put on my big girl pants and tell my PS next week. Don't know why I am so nervous. Probably my constant need for approval that I am doing the right thing. I just want to look pretty and I feel Vinnie will do the best that can be done.

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  • dee7493
    dee7493 Member Posts: 155
    edited August 2012

    I had nipple recon done by my Plastic Surgeon in Feb and Vinnie did arerola tatts in April - my nips look so real

    Made a pre tatto weekend getaway to DC and it was a complete pleasure and honor to have met Vinnie.

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