Trip to see Vinnie

Sue713, Thank you so much for the information, I feel a little less nervous. But vey excited! I was curious about the right side being the cancer side because mine was the left and I have less feeling there. I will let evryone know how it goes. Did you get to enjoy NOLA any while you were there?

Tamiami, Congratulations on your appointment! I know you are excited!

Thanks Sue! 

Keep me posted Froggy!

Froggy~  I just noticed that our DX are almost identical...except yours was much bigger.  Kinda weird when you see such a close DX.  Have a great time in NOLA!

Froggy~  I have a very strong family history.  Mom had BC twice 11 years apart, her mom had BC twice 15 years apart, my only aunt had BMX, and now me.  That is EVERY female in our family over 40.  I have 2 much younger sisters, and a 28yo daughter.  I should have the results of my BRCA and BART testing next week.  If anyone says anything about the BMX, I always say that given my personal and family history of breast cancer I know with 100% certainty that I did the right thing!  No one has ever disagreed (or they knew enough to keep it to themselves)!  Is your family history crazy too?

Interestingly, I only knew about the DCIS in my left breast before the BMX.  When pathology came back, I also had LCIS and ADH in the left breast and 2 precancerous conditions and 3 different atypical cells in the right breast...surgeon said it was just a matter of time before I had cancer in the other breast.  Also, had I followed protocol and had the lumpectomy and radiation, I would not have known about the LCIS which was in a different quadrant and is a precurser to bilateral BC, and would have needed the BMX eventually...hopefully before it became an invasive cancer!  Like I said, 100% sure I made the right decision!

Jeskachi will you be posting the results in the picture forum? I have been considering this route and would like to see the results on a natural recon as well.



Thanks much

Yes, very light. I'm a fair-skinned redhead and my natural areola were pretty much skin-colored, so barely visible, like a blush pink.  I wanted more color than that to make the nipples look more natural, but not so much that it doesn't seem like it belongs with my coloring. He had to mix in some blue to his lightest shade to get it to be more pink than peach, but I think it'll work. It's still darker than what I had originally but that could be the scabbing mixed in (I bled a lot from the tattoo).  It's only been a few days, I'm sure I'll know more in a week or so.

I'm guessing Vinnie is more focused when he's at NOLA... what else is he gonna do?  But at his shop in Finksburg there are walk-ins for regular tattoos and this weekend there was also a tattoo convention in Baltimore he was getting ready for.  So his state of mind was understandable, but it was a distraction for him.  I waited an hour past my appointment time to be seen because he was working on another woman, then he rushed through my appointment in 40 minutes. Not sure why I didn't warrant more time, but I felt a little cheated.  

Jeskachi~  Thanks for the explaination!  I took pictures of my nipples and areola's before my BMX and plan to bring them.  My mom and sisters are natural redheads, and I have fair skin so I understand what you mean about light and pink...not peach.  Sounds like you knew what you wanted and I'm x-ing my fingers that it will turn out perfect! 

Jeskachi, I am sorry that you felt rushed, especially after waiting so long and of hearing so many rave reviews of his talents.  I am hoping that with time you will be pleased with your results, please keep us updated.  I am sure you are right about his newfound popularity, I hope he can figure it out.

the rates changed??  hmmmm

Tamiami, Wow! I at least knew about the LCIS prior to my decision. I never doubted my decision, but there have been times when the pain was so bad that I wondered about the reconstruction! Were you by any chance taking any hormones when you found out? I was.

Home from NOLA from trip to see Vinnie! The visit was amazing. The Breast Center is very nice and the staff are all very friendly and helpful. My appt was at 2 and I didn't have to wait at all. I never felt rushed at any time and he made me feel very comfotable. My husband was with me and the three of us talked the whole time. As I expected it hurt more on the right than the left, but it was tolerable. He told that any time I needed a break to just let him know. I am very excited about the way they look! Kinda of shocking to see nipples again after almost 10 months! The clinic gives you all the supplies that you need for follow up care.

froggy12, so nice to hear a good report from NOLA. I was getting a little nervous. Scheduled my appointment today for December10th 9am. Figured if I was his first appointment he might not be quite so distracted. Glad you are pleased with your tatts!

Carrol2, It is very realistic! There was a little discomfort but I took some tylenol and was fine! Since we only live about 3 hrs away, we drove home afterwards but did stop for dinner. I think you will be fine. Keep me posted! We love to go to New Orleans!

Gee I wish I would have gone to Vinnie in the first place.  I had a horrendous tat experience in Ontario.  Still having surgery to fix her mistakes.  Vinnie was $300 at the time when I ended up going to someone else instead .. . huge mistake!! I was supposed to have them done last week by Vinnie but I ended up needing one more surgery.  Now I see that his prices are $600.  With airfare, hotel, car rental etc, in addition to the $600 having tats may now be out of my reach.  Very disappointing