which recons can be nipple sparing?

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Cheesequake
Cheesequake Member Posts: 264
edited May 2015 in Breast Reconstruction

I checked out the page on Types of Reconstruction and the photos but I'm confused - with which types of recon is it possible to do nipple sparing mastectomy?

Though I had a lumpectomy, docs are telling me now that with my Li Fraumeni Syndrome diagnosis, I should have a mastectomy to avoid radiation - doing my research, though I really don't wanna :(

Thanks ya'll.

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  • debiann
    debiann Member Posts: 1,200
    edited May 2015

    Did your surgeon approve of nipple sparing? My dx is similar to yours. My BS said the nipple on the cancer side definitely had to go and my tumor was no where near the nipple. I could have kept the nipple on the noncancer side, but I wanted them to match.

    I had diep recon. I'm nippless at the moment, but looking forward to getting my new ones in a couple months! Of course I miss the sensation, but they say even with nipple sparing surgery you often lose sensation to the nipple.

    I'm sorry you have to go with a surgery option that you don't really want. 

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  • nmh35
    nmh35 Member Posts: 96
    edited May 2015

    I don't think it's necessarily the type of reconstruction that dictates if it will be nipple sparing, it's more your diagnosis and location of the cancer

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  • Cheesequake
    Cheesequake Member Posts: 264
    edited May 2015

    I only got word from my MO on Friday that mastectomy is recommended - I haven't talked to my surgeon about it yet (he's on vacation until the start of June!) so I'm kind of flying blind until I can talk to him and the plastic surgeon.

    They did cut into my areola a bit for the lumpectomy, because my tumor was indeed nearby. Does that "disqualify" me for nipple sparing? I realize I'm going to lose nipple sensation (and I'm REALLY mourning that, they work damned well!!) but I do like how they look, too. I guess I can take lots of pictures and get similar tattoos...

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  • halee
    halee Member Posts: 28
    edited May 2015

    My spot was so close to my right nipple that my doctor didn't think she could get clear margins without also taking my nipples. I had the option to try or not to try, but it was made clear that if I tried to keep my nipples that I my have to have them removed later if margins weren't clear. I elected not to try to keep them because I didn't want the worry of whether it was going to work or not. I also had both nipples removed so that they will match.

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  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited May 2015
    Nipple sparing recon does, as many have stated, have more to do with whether or not cancer is believed to be close to your nipple, than the type of surgery. As far as maintaining sensation, very, very few do. Remember, you are only sparing the surface skin, no underlying nerves and tissue. You may gain some mild sensation on the surface, but that's usually all. I had a nipple sparing bmx with one step implants, but did lose one nipple after path report showed some bc to close to one nipple.
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  • nmh35
    nmh35 Member Posts: 96
    edited May 2015

    and you don't only have to do tattoos, you can get them reconstructed if you want. I just got my new nipples last week!

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  • kareenie
    kareenie Member Posts: 339
    edited May 2015

    Cheesequake if you like your nipples first be aware even if spared they will not be the same. I had NS on prophy side and spared nipple is flattened compared to before. Not much sensation, none sexually, and no erectile function.

    Check out Naturally Impressive nipple prosthesis if you do lose your nipples. You can take impressions of your nipples before surgery and they will make realistic copies exactly like your own nipples. They can be worn for weeks without removing.

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  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited May 2015
    Yes, spared nipples will not be functional in any way. My spared nipple looks the same, but is erect most of the time (a common issue), though not always but is not flattened at all. This brings up another point; the outcome will be different for each of us.
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