December 2011 Surgeries - want to wait together?

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  • Ginger48
    Ginger48 Member Posts: 1,978
    edited October 2012

    Chrissilini- congratulations on taking that step. I am glad to hear you are happy with your decision!

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  • Kayce234
    Kayce234 Member Posts: 249
    edited October 2012

    Chrissilini - your story gives me goosebumps - I'm so happy you are so thrilled with your results!!

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  • Moonflwr912
    Moonflwr912 Member Posts: 6,856
    edited October 2012

    Chrissilini, congrats on your nips, so glad you like them.

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

    Yeah Chrisslini!  I have an appointment on Dec 13 with the PS for the nipple recon but am still thinking about just getting the tat.

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  • chrissilini
    chrissilini Member Posts: 313
    edited October 2012

    It's been one week today since I saw Vinnie. I'm thrilled with the results.

    I have a little flaking but that's normal. They do look fabulous if I do say so myself. I look in the mirror and feel normal. No, I don't have the projection of a nipple but you wouldn't know that unless I was standing naked sideways and I don't generally take that position with folks, lol.



    I don't have any regrets and couldn't be happier. Vinnie is truly an artist. For those that are hesitant about tatts, don't be. Piece of cake compared to everything else and a pretty result. It's may sound strange but for the first time in a long time I feel pretty, even a little sexy. Not sure why the tattoos would make that happen but they did. Maybe because they make me feel whole again.



    I hope all my December sisters are well.

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  • QuinnCat
    QuinnCat Member Posts: 3,456
    edited October 2012

    Chrissilini...I've decided, if I do nips, it won't be until next year and honestly haven't given it much thought.  Whenever my PS mentions them, she has only discussed (a small bit and I mostly don't pay attention!) somehow fashioning the actual projection, with tissue. (There may be tatoos involved too.)  Did you skip this "projection" part??  If so, why??  I love to hear happy stories, so ofcourse I am happy for you!!!

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  • spunkyboobster
    spunkyboobster Member Posts: 738
    edited October 2012
    Thanks to Chrisillini's great report I called Vinnie today and made my appointment for my 3D nip/aereola tattoos.  I'm scheduled for January!  I can't wait Sealed
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  • chrissilini
    chrissilini Member Posts: 313
    edited October 2012

    Kam170... Yes i skipped the projection part. My PS talked with me about doing nipples. I'm not completely sure how he does them, I think he uses the surrounding skin to form a mound. I opted not to go that way for a couple of reasons. One being, even though it's done on an outpatient basis, I really didn't want anymore 'surgery' so to speak. Secondly, in my opinion, there really was no point, no pun intended, because I wouldn't feel it anyway. I don't have any sensation around my scars and wouldn't feel a nipple.I like that I don't ever have to wear a bra if I don't want and I'm not trying to cover up the headlights. I know there are plenty of women that have had them done and haven't had any issues but I've also read where they shrink, flatten, etc, requiring more work. That just wasn't right for me.



    My PS would have done just tattoos but I know I wouldn't have been happy. I mentioned about 3D tatts and he said oh thats just some shading. I knew then that Vinnie was the guy to see. I can't say enough about how I love my tatts.



    Yay spunky! I'm excited for you.

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  • QuinnCat
    QuinnCat Member Posts: 3,456
    edited October 2012

    Thanks for that....I'm sure you explained it much better than my PS would or could.  Now this Vinnie...where is he?

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  • chrissilini
    chrissilini Member Posts: 313
    edited October 2012

    Vinnie is in Finksburg, Maryland, about 30 minutes from Baltimore. He works out of his shop, Little Vinnie's Tattoos and does one week a month in New Orleans at the Center for Restorative Breast Surgery. I made a little mini vacation out of the trip and did some sight seeing in Baltimore and DC. The tattoo process took about 2 hours. He really is a great guy and for not being a doctor really knows a lot about breast reconstruction.



    I had all the confidence in the world with his abilities. He's seen more and worked on more boobies than me! I have no doubt he did a way better job than my PS would have done and I love my PS. My PS is great and did a great job, Vinnie even said so which made me feel awesome. But,as he told me, he's not a tattoo artist. Vinnie knows his stuff.

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  • QuinnCat
    QuinnCat Member Posts: 3,456
    edited October 2012

    Ok --and the big question, does health insurance cover it??

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  • CookieMonster
    CookieMonster Member Posts: 1,035
    edited October 2012

    I'm so jealous of all of you who are getting the 3D tatoos. Since I only had a UMX, I still have my nipple on the left side, so to keep things even I'm going to get one on the right too. I'm starting to think that I should have just had a BMX given how much work it's been trying to get a reasonably matched set, and we're still not done yet. Oh well, onward we go, right?

    I'm feeling pretty down right now, especially since I tried to schedule a 2nd opinion visit with a PS just to have another set of eyes give me feedback on where we should go from here and the dr's assistant hasn't gotten back to me and sounded like she wasn't sure he'd be willing to see me. I'm feeling discouraged right now. Hopefully I'll hear back soon. I intend to call the office tomorrow.

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  • chrissilini
    chrissilini Member Posts: 313
    edited October 2012

    Kam....yes, insurance is supposed to pay. It's the law. However, having them done at a tattoo shop and not at a medical facility may pose a problem. I know if you go to New Orleans when they schedule you they deal with the insurance aspect and I'm assuming there isn't a problem.



    Vinnie does provide a detailed receipt with all the proper insurance codes, etc that are required. I just mailed my claim to my insurance company today. I'm planning on a denial and several appeals on my part. Richie, Vinnie's assistant went over all of that when I made my appt and then again the day of my tatts.



    Even if my insurance doesn't pay, I'm ok with it. The cost was $400. The result, priceless.



    Sorry to hear things aren't going well for you Cookie. Hoping things turn around soon.



    Be well all.

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

    Oh, chrissilini - I am soooo happy for you!!!

    Wish I could have gone with you...Vinnie is definitely on my "To Do" list, since I don't want any more surgeries.

    I just have to wait until I'm satisfied that my PS is done nipping and tucking, which could take up to a year after my weight loss.

    I also have some loose skin on the New Girls, and I wouldn't want to take a chance on messing up a great piece of artwork by having the 3D nips done too soon!

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  • spunkyboobster
    spunkyboobster Member Posts: 738
    edited October 2012

    Cookie-so sorry you're feeling discouraged, but think about how far you've come-keep it up,  don't let them get you down.

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  • QuinnCat
    QuinnCat Member Posts: 3,456
    edited October 2012

    Cookie - sometimes there are so many surgical choices and then the repurcussions of each choice, I wonder how any of us made the one's we did.  I went through one set of choices pre-brca, and then got to start all over again when the brca news came.  I have to say, brca became the driver for me and it was soooo much easier - BMX - no way did I want to do cancer again (not that I'm guaranteed, but I've greatly lowered my odds).  It was crazy though....if you do a lump, then you have radiation....should you later have another cancer, we can't do this or that on a radiated breast....oh, let's do the snb first, so you know if you will need radiation, so you can make the choice with that knowledge (my BS, for some reason was resistent on the BMX, even with brca!).  I remember going crazy that I would make the wrong decision with all of the if's that could follow.

    One of my coworkers did a DIEP, 17 years after her UMX.  She is very happy.  She saw a PS (female) in San Francisco.  Maybe it's just a matter of getting the right surgeon, though I feel funny saying that not knowing your personal situation.  Hey, even with my BMX, my right one is sitting higher than my left.  I'm suppose to massage it downward, but frankly, I'm not seeing much happenning.... 

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  • CookieMonster
    CookieMonster Member Posts: 1,035
    edited October 2012

    Thanks for all the support. I don't usually second guess myself, but I guess I'm struggling between not yet 100% happy with the results and tired of surgery. I had 3 lumpies before the UMX that didn't get it all, so now I've had 6 surgeries total.

    I see my MO on Friday for a follow up and then my PS on Wednesday to talk more about how things are now and what can be fixed and how. I hope I've got something scheduled with the 2nd opinion ps before then.

    OK, off to get ready to teach today. Have a good day everyone, I'll be trying to keep my head up.

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  • QuinnCat
    QuinnCat Member Posts: 3,456
    edited October 2012

    Keep us posted Cookie - I hear what you say about surgery...it certainly gets old and you've had some tough ones.

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

    Big hugs to you, Cookie......

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  • CookieMonster
    CookieMonster Member Posts: 1,035
    edited October 2012

    Got my appointment scheduled with 2nd opinion PS for Nov. 16, will have to be patient until then.

    Friday is appt. with MO and Wednesday is with PS, we'll see how the convo with the PS goes.

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  • chrissilini
    chrissilini Member Posts: 313
    edited October 2012

    Hugs to you Cookie and hope it all goes well.



    On a completely different note, I don't know if any of you live on the East coast, but I experienced my first earthquake this evening. I'm in NH and there was a 4.6 mag centered in Maine. Wasn't a biggie but still rattled the entire house and my nerves. Another first, hope its the last!



    Take care all.

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

    Whoa, chrissilini - your FIRST one? Wow....come on out to Cali...we have them 24/7 here. Laughing Most of the time they're too small to feel, though.

    A 4.6 is a pretty good shaker!!!!

    Were there any injuries or damage anywhere else that you know of?

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  • chrissilini
    chrissilini Member Posts: 313
    edited October 2012

    No injuries or damage that I know of but I haven't seen the news yet this morning. Don't think I could handle 24/7 of quakes! I'll take the once in a lifetime hopefully instead.

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  • Ginger48
    Ginger48 Member Posts: 1,978
    edited October 2012

    I have friends in Maine who really felt it. Some friends in CT felt it but I was at a BC support group at our hospital and did not notice anything.

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  • Moonflwr912
    Moonflwr912 Member Posts: 6,856
    edited October 2012

    I heard about it, I hope no one got hurt. Don't get too many here in WI. Now, blizzards, that's another story! LOL

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  • Bogie
    Bogie Member Posts: 286
    edited October 2012

    Cookie, take a break from the surgeries for awhile. Sometimes we caught up in the cycle of reconstruction and the long road traveled so far we forget to remember we are alive! I'm grateful just to be alive right now. I currently don't have any reconstruction done because it failed, but I appreciate every day a cancer doesn't spread :)



    Take a break and enjoy the rest of the year and the holidays...hugs to you.

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  • Moonflwr912
    Moonflwr912 Member Posts: 6,856
    edited October 2012

    Cookie, surgery of the month club isn't fun. So take your time and give yourself time to heal, so everything will go the right way.

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  • Ginger48
    Ginger48 Member Posts: 1,978
    edited October 2012

    Hang in there Cookie!

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  • CookieMonster
    CookieMonster Member Posts: 1,035
    edited October 2012

    Thanks for all of the support everyone! It is much apperciated. I'm definitely of the "just get it done" philosophy, but since I'm working I can't just do surgery whenever, I'm a teacher and I don't want to leave my kids again if I can avoid it. Because of that I had surgery in April (spring break), July (summer break) and then have a procedure scheduled for December (winter break).

    The appointment on Wed. will be with my PS to see what he thinks we can do at the next procedure and what that procedure will be. I hope he'll tell me he can flatten out my areola. The non cancer side got a lift and reduction in July and the thing that bugs me the most is the raised areola, especially since the DIEP side will be just a tatoo for the areola. We'll see what he says.

    My MO gave me permission to take a 2 week break from Tamox to try and determine if it's the cause of my mental troubles. I feel less sharp, more disorganized, lacking focus, I'm not as good a teacher as I was before. So once the stress decreases from having to do quarter grades and comments, I'll take the 2 week break and see what happens. I'm not sure what knowing will help, but I think I would like to know, just so that I have something to blame it on.

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  • spunkyboobster
    spunkyboobster Member Posts: 738
    edited October 2012

    Cookie-your students are so lucky to have such a dedicated teacher.  Good Luck.

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