DIEP 2011

hoya03mom:  I am thinking the same thing yet schedule first week in Oct for nipple recon. PS says she gathers the skin from the flap area, wraps it and who knows. She actually there's not much in terms of healing, as I take longer to heal as well, said there won't be pain cause the foobs are already numb. But what about 3D tattoo? 

Has anyone out there done the 3D tattoo? I've read it looks incredible, so what if you don't have a nipple, we'll never have feeling in it anyway... Oh god, have no clue what to do. I wonder if you can do the tattoo and then do the nipple recon if you change your mind? Anyone know????   

rtnyc:  I had the nipple gathering and then the tatoos and I am very satisfied with the outcome.  I watched the doc tor gather the skin to make the nipples as I only was numb in the breast.  It only took around 45 minutes.  I had the tatooing much later because no one would take my insurance until I found Jeanine who is out of New Mexico and comes out here to California once a month and does it in Tustin, CA.  When I was done with the process a friend of hers, who has a boutique shop called "Blondie's Boutique", gave me a "bling bra" that had rhinestones on the straps and was very sexy as a way to start anew.  Jeanine also threw in free tatooed touch up of my eyebrows and eyeliner.  All of it was a wonderful experience.  

I had my Diep in Sept. of 2011. Everything went great, but we knew then that I was going to have small implants put in as well, so I will have that done next summer. The reason for the implants is because I was a 34DD before and now I am a 34 not even an A. lol I just did not have enough fat to get the size I wanted. Right now I am scheduled on Oct. 2 to do the fat transfer thing. Where they do lypo and then put that into your breasts. Has anyone ever had this done? They are basically fixing the areas from the Diep and instead of wasting the fat, putting it in my breasts to make them more fuller. My cup size will not change, but I will just fill my bra up better. Has anyone had this done and if so, how did you like it?

I had my Diep in Sept. of 2011. Everything went great, but we knew then that I was going to have small implants put in as well, so I will have that done next summer. The reason for the implants is because I was a 34DD before and now I am a 34 not even an A. lol I just did not have enough fat to get the size I wanted. Right now I am scheduled on Oct. 2 to do the fat transfer thing. Where they do lypo and then put that into your breasts. Has anyone ever had this done? They are basically fixing the areas from the Diep and instead of wasting the fat, putting it in my breasts to make them more fuller. My cup size will not change, but I will just fill my bra up better. Has anyone had this done and if so, how did you like it?

There really was not that much pain with getting the nipples and they really look real, especially with the tatooing.  I think you may regret not getting them, at least I would.  Don't know about 3D tatooing or where to even get it.  It was difficult enough finding someone to take insurance and the damn insurance still has not paid my lady.  We are in appeals again.  I had had to appeal to get the DIEP but I won.  I know they say there is not any feeling in the breasts anymore but I still had some and had to be numbed.  So be sure to speak up if you feel pain. 

I was not able to wear an underwire right away but after 4-5 months I was able to.  Really the pain is not that bad with the nipples and after what we went through it is a walk in the park.  I think I still had some vicadin and took one but not sure if I really needed it now that I have already gone through it. 

There really was not that much pain with getting the nipples and they really look real, especially with the tatooing.  I think you may regret not getting them, at least I would.  Don't know about 3D tatooing or where to even get it.  It was difficult enough finding someone to take insurance and the darn insurance still has not paid my lady.  We are in appeals again.  I had had to appeal to get the DIEP but I won.  I know they say there is not any feeling in the breasts anymore but I still had some and had to be numbed.  So be sure to speak up if you feel pain. 

I'm scheduled for nipple recon this wednesday but I think they'll cancel becuase I have a really bad chest cold right now. Not so sure I'll be better by Wednesday. I spoke to the nurse, she said that she has had a few women do the tattoo only and thereafter come back to do the nips as they realized they wanted it. The 3d tattoo they said sometimes still looks flat but depends on who does it, still just tattoo and not a more natural feel and look. So its so personal.  I honestly don't want permanant headlights but it is more natural to have than not to have so I'm gonna do it; maybe not this week but delayed a few weeks now (I think)

I have only had the diep.  I think I am done with procedures.  Could care less about nips.  Don't want the perky nip thing.

RTNYC, how did it go.

Good article about 3D tattoos

http://articles.philly.com/2012-10-22/news/34629112_1_double-mastectomies-breast-cancer-marisa-weiss

That is awesome that she does it for free considering the time Im having getting the ins to pay for the tattooing even though it was done thur the PS office.

Bugot,  Who are you scheduled with in Dec?  Are you having second thoughts?  I don't know anyone in MD.  I heard of someone in Gainsville FL, but don't know anything about him.  I think his name is Rosenburg or something like that.  If you can manage at all to go to NOLA or SC, I would look into that.  I had mine done in SC by Dr. Marga Massey and love her.  However, she doesn't do stage I in SC anymore only NOLA. The Center for Restorative Breast Surgery in NOLA was not in network for me.  You should at least call the Center in NOLA and Dr. Kline in SC.  They are world leaders in Breast reconstructive surgery.

Good luck with your decision. Linda

Bugot - Dr. Ahn in NYC is also nationally recognized and excellent. 

Nipples are usually done surgically, with general anesthesia.  I know there are exceptions and have heard of women getting it done in a surgeon's office with local anesthesia, but I think that most often it's done surgically.  There might also be some fat grafting to even them out, or add volume, plus scar revision if necessary.  There could be 1 to 2 more surgeries, but nothing on as large scale as the first one, the DIEP and MX.

Bugot - I just was reading the Charleston Bound part II thread (page 45) and there is some conversation going on about choosing a free flap (DIEP) doc and also discussion about success and failure and how prepared doctors  are to go to plan B if there is a failure.  Very important.  You may want to go to that thread and take a look.  Pretty interesting.

bugot...i was referred to Dr. Carlin Vickery, NYC from the president of the breast cancer research foundation. Dr. Vickery was and has been great, highly regarded as well.

Bernard Chang did a diep on meand left my old tissue behind. I had problems from beginning. Stomach busted from hip to hip. He left a hole in my breast in middle. Alot of necrosis developed at bottom. During 5 yrs I emailed I'm. I begged him to help cause it was getting painful. He always said it will get better it's not cancer. I went 5 yrs with no mammo on that breast cause he said I did not need it. Finally 2010 a surgeon in Florida tried to help me only to discover that dr Chang never removed the old tissue from my chest. Dr Chandler thought he did but then admitted to my doc on the phone he did not. I was sick with worry . Well here I am that necrotic piece turned up cancerous 12 yrs later chemo again, Masectomy, radiation, and severe sadness and depression. What did Chang say? Sorry to hear this but I'm sure your in good hands.