Nipple reconstruction

Wise advice, Stix.
A friend of mine has had radiation and is wondering if there are women out there who have had successful surgical nip recon after radiation (lasted more than a year) or do they pretty much all flatten after radiation?  Thanks so much for any information about yourself or others you know.

Just over 6 weeks now post nipple recon. I'm very happy. If I wear something tight, the nipple seems to rebound once the pressure is off. In clothes, bras, etc, it compresses just enough to look very well matched to my natural nipple on the other breast. In the mornings, after having no pressure overnight, it is still prominent, but not "weirdly" so, at least to my eyes. Again, long term, things may still shrink, but, at this point my PS is pretty reassuring that I will always have "enough of something", and that was exactly what I hoped for.

The fat grafting area is significantly better than what I had before, and since we discussed doing the other thigh to even things out, I will likely use that small amount of lipo to compensate for what didn't take the first time around. Timing for that is yet to be decided.

mammalou....do you mean uneven in projection or in location? If it's something you notice, then why not at least discuss it with your PS. 

mammalogy, I hear you. I just want to be done. I am going to live with the imperfections and I am ok with that. It sure doesn't hurt to ask your PS about it, though. I have weird risks from anesthesia  so I'm done with that.

Sort of new to this topic and have been reading and have some questions.

First, what's this about the thighs?

Second, why Vinnie over the doc.  i've very happy with my PS so far (one more fill to go before exchange).

Third, what is 3D about?

Thanks so much.

I just had my nipple tattoos done by my PA. I globbed on Lidocaine before I went. That combined with my numbness anyway=no pain. We picked out a color and away she went. It really was no big deal. I'm bandaged up and bloody, but that is normal. She went over the nips 4 times to get the color in there. They are brown and will fade a lot, perhaps requiring a touch up in three months. My only restrictions are no pool (wah!), hot tub or bath until they are healed up in about two weeks.

Headeast, I think it's a combination of all of those things. I still don't have all my energy back. Chemo and rads were done over a year ago, two recon. Surgeries in July and Oct., nips in Feb.  it just takes more time than we expected.

globalgal I'm still learning too, but Vinny is a tattoo artist that seems to do amazing 3d nipple and areola tattooing. Women go to him from all over the world. There is actually a thread on here dedicated to him. There is a video about him that was posted on the DIEP thread. I'll try to find it and post it here. 

Thanks Trinity!

Hi Ladies,  I'm getting nipples done next week. I read somewhere in this thread can't remember where about getting nipple stickers so I can visualize placement.  For the life of me, I can not find anything on Google.  I am finding the silicon ones, but they are a little pricey.  Does anyone know of a site or store that sells them?

Thank you,

Elysa

BayouBabe -  Wow, thank you so much.  Just looked it up and found them on here.  Will be buying them today.

Tennisopera....If you're unsure and/or "medically fatigued", why not wait until summer is over and see how you feel about things? There shouldn't be a now or ever timeline for you to have nipple recon, if that is what you decide to do. It is easier to camouflage the recon nipple/dressings when you're wearing layers, scarves, etc. anyway. It's a different choice for each of us, but isn't something you have to rush. FYI.....I've been down the shoulder saga too.....hang in there, it does get better. 

2 timer- how did they reconstruct your nipples? My ps mentioned something about cutting the skin around the top of my BMx  incision to recreate it... I'm nervous about the nipple reconstruction. I'm holding off probably until October or November. 

this is two weeks after nipple reconstruction.

thinkpink, thank you. They are still healing but I am pleased with the outcome. I feel more normal now. 

In my case the skin to recreate the nipples came from my lower abdomen, the PS cut an elliptical shape skin with a 10" diameter. It is below the bikini area and is healing as well. He told me to use gauze for the next two months to protect the nipples. I still can't rub it or swim until he sees me in two weeks and tells me if I am ok to go.