Nipple reconstruction, Yes or No?

Hi fly, and welcome! Thanks for your first post.

While you wait for the ever-helpful advice from our incredible members, you may want to visit our main Breastcancer.org site's pages on Nipple Reconstruction, which helps you weigh your options, including nipple tattoos, as well as discusses what to expect with this type of reconstruction and risks involved with the surgery.

We hope this helps. Please keep us posted on what you decide to do!

--The Mods

I had nipple reconstruction three weeks ago, and even though they're extra-big right now to account for shrinking I'm SO happy I got them! There's just something so much more natural-looking about my foobs now, I'm thrilled. I have an appointment set up in June with Vinnie to get tattoos, too.

I was fairly ambivalent about getting nipples, but decided to do it since my insurance would cover it. I am so glad I did. I almost forget that my breasts are not original. The surgery was minor and recovery was quick. A year later I had the micropigmentation specialist who works with my PS complete the process by tattooing areolas. She was terrific! The tattoos are so natural looking! She matched my skin tone and added some depth. And it cost almost half as much as Vinnie and was a 30 minute drive from my home. My results couldn't be better. There are a number of tattoo artists who very talented, so no need to travel too far. I believe there was a post listing recommended tattoo artist who are able to do this sort of thing. I can't seem to find it though.

I'm scheduled for nipples Jan. 18. I called to make an appointment with Vinnie, but they won't schedule till after the procedure is finished. The total cost is $800. They want 1/2 down at the time you make an appointment. The procedure takes about an hour. That sounds a little steep to me, $800 an hour???? What do others think? A regular tattoo artist gets about $75-$100 an hour in my area.

So now I'm considering a decorative tattoo instead. If I'm going to be spending hundreds of dollars, I think I'd like something prettier than a nipple, lol. I've seen one artist. He is drawing up a design for a peacock on the side I had my port. The head would cover my port scar and the tail would curve down around my nipple. On the other side, a single feather would look like it is falling over the nipple area.

Anyone get a tat of something other than a nipple?

Debian - I see you are in PA. I had my areola tattoos done by a woman tattoo artist who is trained in cosmetic tattooing. She works in NYC, Philly, and I believe somewhere in the burbs. I am really happy with the results and she charged half as much as Vinnie. Her name is Mandy Sauler. If you google her name you can find her info. I know there are other artists out there who come highly recommended.

I had nipple recon done, but I had a uni BMX and I wanted to look as symmetric as possible. I then had tattooing done. The recon nip looks pretty darn close to the real thing. In addition to the nip tattooing I had some "extra" work done to help cover up some of the scars and give me something pretty to see in the mirror now. This was all covered by my insurance as part of the post surgery repigmentation (after my deductible).

Monis, beautiful!

Debiann, your peacock idea sounds so lovely!