Trip to see Vinnie

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  • Mantra
    Mantra Member Posts: 968
    edited November 2012

    After a disasterous tattooing experience with someone else, followed by corrective surgery, I have just booked an appointment with Vinnie for the end of March.  Yeah!!!

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  • chrissilini
    chrissilini Member Posts: 313
    edited November 2012

    Mantra... You won't be disappointed! Good luck.

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  • cider8
    cider8 Member Posts: 832
    edited November 2012

    I did get nipple recon as I did still want to feel a nubbin when I touched my breasts vs just smooth. My nipples are made from areola, so they can flatten a bit and swell a bit. I decided a year and a half ago I wanted Vinnie tattoos. I can hardly wait to have 'finished' breasts! (but I do have to wait)

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  • teddybear71
    teddybear71 Member Posts: 55
    edited November 2012

    My appt with Vinnie is January 24th. I can not believe my very first tattoo is going to be a nipple:) I am so excited to be done with everything.

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  • spunkyboobster
    spunkyboobster Member Posts: 738
    edited November 2012

    Teddybear-My appt is Jan 25th!

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

    I am less than a week away from seeing Vinnie in NOLA!  Getting so excited.  Because I am terrified of pain and needles, should I go ahead and take a Valium ( my sister is driving me) before I go?  I just do not want to feel anything and am getting scared it will hurt. Also anyone that flew into the airport in NO and drove to the medical center, have any helpful suggestions for route?  We get there at 9:30 and my appointment is at noon.

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  • DigitalCowgirl
    DigitalCowgirl Member Posts: 113
    edited November 2012

    Thank you for starting this thread.  I've enjoyed reading all the positive feedback and am now leaning towards tattoos due to all your raves.  Thank you!

    I will have my exchange surgery next week, but it looks like Vinnie is booked out for months so I had better book pretty soon--that is, if I can afford it.. I really want all this behind me, so I won't do nipple recon--just tats.

    Can you tell me how long you waited after exchange for your tats?  Also, can you please give me an idea of tat costs?  A PM would be great.  I'm trying to figure how I can swing the cost of airfare, hotel, tats, etc.  With all the medical bills still coming in I may have to wait until the middle or end of next year.. BC is really expensive!

    Thanks so much for your help.

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  • Mantra
    Mantra Member Posts: 968
    edited November 2012

    Vinnie charges $400 regardless if it is bilateral or uni. He said he gives you a receipt that you can use to get reimbursed from your medical plan.  I'm Canadian so I can't imagine I would be able to get it reimbursed.

    Has anyone used Emla cream to freeze the area prior to tattooing?

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  • DigitalCowgirl
    DigitalCowgirl Member Posts: 113
    edited November 2012

    Thanks Mantra.  Wow, I had no idea insurance may cover tattoos.  I'll check with my insurance company tomorrow.  

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  • chrissilini
    chrissilini Member Posts: 313
    edited November 2012

    grb42btexan....if you are that afraid of the process I'd say go ahead and take something. I don't know how much sensation you have but I did feel quite a bit. It was excruciating or anything like that but at times uncomfortable. Still worth it though. As you move up and away from by horizontal scars I have more feeling. My tatts are just above my scars so I felt more. But everyone is different. Can't wait to hear how you make out.



    cowgirl...I think Vinnie says you have to wait 12 weeks after exchange. Mine were done 7 months after for no particular reason. Guess it took me a while to decide! A far as insurance, I just got my denial in the mail today. I figured I would. I'm not sure if I'm going to fight it or not. I should just put of principle but in the end they can still deny it. Heck, at first they didn't want to pay for my bmx! But Vinnie's assistant gives you a detailed receipt with all of the insurance codes needed. Apparently my ins co didn't like them. I've where women don't seem to have a problem if they get there tatts done in NOLA. They take care of it all and I'm assuming because its done in a medical facility and not a tattoo shop that makes a difference to the ins companies.



    Good luck if you decide to do it and to all with upcoming appointments!

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  • PinkHeart
    PinkHeart Member Posts: 1,193
    edited November 2012

    For those of you who went totally 3D tattoo nips, do you go braless?  I hope to do that, at least with dark colored shirts in heat of summer.

    I only wore bras before breast cancer to cover up my headlights in a t-shirt.  It's so comfortable to be without a bra.

    I had implants that failed, then went on to have bilateral SGAP natural breast reconstruction in Charleston, SC.  So my breast are soft and real, but only a B cup.  (I'm really thin).

    I suppose in a light colored t-shirt, even without a protruding nipple, that the tattoo 3D nip would show through shirt.

    It sounds like Vinnie is no longer doing nips at Johns Hopkins?  That's where he got his start.

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  • NatsFan
    NatsFan Member Posts: 3,745
    edited November 2012

    Hopkins still refers patients to see Vinnie at his studio located about 20 miles away.  As far as I know, he never worked at Hopkins itself or at least has not for the last couple of years.  And yep, I can go braless with my total 3D nips, but with a darker shirt.  If you're fair skinned, the nip tattoos will show through a light color shirt.    

    For those with upcoming appointments, you're going to love your Vinnie nips!

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  • tfm50
    tfm50 Member Posts: 1
    edited November 2012

    Hi everyone.

    I'm scheduled to see Vinnie in February to get my 3D nipple tattoo's.  I want to thank you all for posting your comments about your experience with Vinnie. It's helped me to make my decision. I do have one question for any of you that have had tattoo's done (either with Vinnie or elsewhere): Did your doctor have you take a course of oral antibiotics when you had your tattoo's done?  The reason I ask is that if I had chosen to have the tattoo's done in my surgeon's office, she would have required a 1 week course of both Keflex and Cipro.  Since I've decided to go with Vinnie,  my surgeon isn't involved, so I'm wondering if I should ask her for a prescription.  I actually think that taking antibiotics to get a tattoo seems like overkill (but what do I know).

    Thanks.

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  • PinkHeart
    PinkHeart Member Posts: 1,193
    edited November 2012

    Has anyone with lymphedema had flare ups with nipple tattoos whether with Vinnie or surgeon?  I have chest wall/truncal and arm lymphedema.

    Good question about the antibiotics!

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  • spunkyboobster
    spunkyboobster Member Posts: 738
    edited November 2012

    tfm50-congrats on making your appointment with Vinnie!  As for the antibiotics, as you say-it sounds like it may be a tad overkill.  I just heard another news story the other day that the overuse of antibiotics has left many people unable to fight common infections.

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  • chrissilini
    chrissilini Member Posts: 313
    edited November 2012

    Huh, my ps knew I was going with someone else and never mentioned antibiotics. But I've not taken them before any of my surgeries. Might be worth a call to the V man or your ps to,see what they say.



    Good question about the LE. I don't have it but did have cording. My arm is misbehaving a bit but I think it's from my workouts. I'd love to hear what a doc says about it.



    Good luck to all with upcoming appointments.

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  • mspradley
    mspradley Member Posts: 129
    edited November 2012

    I agree with Mary/NatsFan about going braless. I only wear a bra when wearing a white or thin, light shirt. I have mild lymphedema and bras tend to cause flareups. The tattooing process did not exacerbate my lymphedema at all. I didn't even think to ask Vinnie or my PS about that.

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  • spunkyboobster
    spunkyboobster Member Posts: 738
    edited November 2012

    Sooo sad.  Just called Vinnie and found out my January appointment had to be cancelled-he's going to be in NOLA that week.  Apparently since he's under contract with them, if they ask for him to do more than the usual one week he has to go.  Cry

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  • PinkHeart
    PinkHeart Member Posts: 1,193
    edited November 2012

    Spunky~  Did you lose money on your airline tickets?  Thanks for the heads up on this, and sorry it happened to you.  Did you reschedule?

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  • spunkyboobster
    spunkyboobster Member Posts: 738
    edited November 2012

    I was going to be in Baltimore for work, so no loss on airline tic (but it would have saved me $$ from having to pay myself).  Have not rescheduled yet, and they refunded my $50 right on the spot.  So now I either wait until August-the next time I'll be in Baltimore for work-or make a trip to NOLA.  I know the upside to NOLA is they file with your insurance for you (and more likely it'll be covered).  Ah well, this isn't the worst news I've gotten in the last year...

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  • chrissilini
    chrissilini Member Posts: 313
    edited November 2012

    That stinks spunky. The insurance bit can be a big deal. Mine denied it and I'm not sure I'm going to fight it. I think ultimately they will deny it regardless of what I send them. I don't have any regrets but the $400 in my pocket would,be nice. Heck, when my ps submitted for my bmx, they wanted more info! Like having breast cancer wasn't enough info!



    It'll happen. Good luck.

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  • teddybear71
    teddybear71 Member Posts: 55
    edited December 2012

    I am so excited, my appointment with Vinnie got moved up because they had some cancellations. My appointment is now December 19th!!!!!!! I decided I didn't want my first tattoo to be nipples so for my birthday last month I got a tattoo of a butterfly on my left shoulder blade. So now my niplples will be my 2nd tattoo :)

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  • chrissilini
    chrissilini Member Posts: 313
    edited December 2012

    Yay for you teddybear. I had an appointment with the pcp today and my ps last week. They were both impressed with the tatts. Vinnie does an awesome job!

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  • IamPam
    IamPam Member Posts: 10
    edited December 2012

    @teddybear71: I had my appointment with Vinnie on December 11 in New Orleans! I am completely thrilled with the results! He was really great and calmed my nerves. The staff at the clinic was really nice too! He took his time explaining all along. I flew home three hours after with no problems. (We arrived the weekend before to experience New Orleans in style!). I did have some pain with he tattoos which surprised me because I thought I had lost all sensation. So I took the pain as a good and welcome sign! A little advil for a couple day really helped. I wish you good luck at your appointment. After everything we have been through 3D tattoos makes me feel whole again.

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  • PinkHeart
    PinkHeart Member Posts: 1,193
    edited December 2012

    Klanga-

    Thanks for sharing your experience. Whenever the time comes i plan on going to vinnie. I will probably take pain med and xanax before appt even though he makes everyone totally at ease and i dont think i have sensation anymore.

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  • teddybear71
    teddybear71 Member Posts: 55
    edited December 2012

    I had my tattoos done by Vinnie today. I am so impressed with how they turned out! Vinnie is great and does amazing work.

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  • chrissilini
    chrissilini Member Posts: 313
    edited December 2012

    Yay! I still love mine. Having trouble with my insurance company though. They've denied it once so I resent the claim with a letter citing the law that says they have to pay and the pages of their policy stating they cover them. We'll see what reason they come up with this time. Doesn't matter in the end, wouldn't change a thing!

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  • Sue713
    Sue713 Member Posts: 14
    edited February 2013

    Have my appt to see Vinnie for my 3D nipple/areola tattoos l on April 2. Excited to meet Vinnie and finish my reconstruction process. Flying into Baltimore and seeing Vinnie in Finksburg. Any input on driving between airport and Vinnie (I'm not a big city driver). Also any suggestions on places to stay and/or eat near the airport. Will be flying in on April 2 and flying out on April 3.

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  • Sassa
    Sassa Member Posts: 1,588
    edited February 2013

    Sue, you will not have to go into Baltimore City unless you want to.  The trip from the airport to Vinnie's will be on expressways, IS-195 to IS-95 toIS-695 to IS-795.    I believe Vinnie's website gives direction from IS-795.

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  • MLP
    MLP Member Posts: 59
    edited February 2013

    Mantra,

    I just saw your post from November and hope it's not too late to let you know about Emla cream. Vinnie's assistant told me they will not tattoo if you use a numbing cream. I was hoping to use it too as I am a big chicken and scared to death of needles. I guess Xanax will have to do. My appointment is in April. I feel like it's the last step towards being "normal" again.

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