Let's talk about nipple reconstruction....

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Rosa_Aurora184161
Rosa_Aurora184161 Member Posts: 73
edited August 2017 in Breast Reconstruction
Let's talk about nipple reconstruction....I had DMX, chemo, no rads. Expanders and shapped silicone implants. I'm undecided what to do with nipples. Could you share your experience, please? Some doubts aboutnipple reconstruction with a flap rise: 1. Would nipple shrink over time, with the possibility of becoming flat? 2. Does nipple reconstruction make breast to lose projection? 3. What nipple technique did your PS used for nipple reconstruction with a Flap? 4. What are the risks of nipple recons? 5. Are you happy with your reconstructed nipple/s? Pro's con's? 6.

What about areola and nipple tatoe afterwads, Does tattoe fade with time, Is it realistic? Thank you.

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  • Rosa_Aurora184161
    Rosa_Aurora184161 Member Posts: 73
    edited May 2016

    It seems noone would like to share their experience with this :(

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  • IrishByMarriage
    IrishByMarriage Member Posts: 1
    edited May 2016

    I too have questions about whether or not I should bother with nipple reconstruction. I know that many people from my ps are going to a 3D tattoo artist and not bothering with the actual raising of the skin area to mimic a nipple. But I'm questioning which way to go. I was hoping someone would answer you that had been through this also! Good luck with your decision!

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited May 2016

    And in case this is helpful, take a look at our article on Nipple Reconstruction

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  • anotherNYCGirl
    anotherNYCGirl Member Posts: 1,033
    edited May 2016

    you can find some answers here:

    https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topics/784146?page=1

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  • Obxflygirl1
    Obxflygirl1 Member Posts: 377
    edited May 2016

    I had the V flap nipple reconstruction. Nips were very long at first and scared me to death. I had ask for little buttons as I didn't want a lot of projection. They turned out great. I had tattoos and they made all the difference in the way I look and think about myself. The tats did fade but are still there . I would do it again in a heartbeat. vinnie Myers has a website with great before and after photos. Something to help with your decision. I'll be glad to answer any questions.

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  • Newgirls
    Newgirls Member Posts: 81
    edited May 2016

    I had nipple recon two months ago. I am very pleased with having that little bump. They shrunk a bit but are nice to have even without tattoos. I'll have those done in a few months. I had the origami nipple recon. And a little fat grafting which seems to have worked

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  • TruckGirl
    TruckGirl Member Posts: 7
    edited June 2016

    Hi,

    I had my first permanent implant put in last April & had nipple reconstruction done in July. I had the v-flap procedure, but unfortunately it went flat pretty quickly. I have since had to have my implant replaced twice (last one was 2 1/2 weeks ago), but finally have a good result. I had a bit of lipo under the ribs so the implant sat better & matched my natural side more evenly. I will have the nipple re-done again when everything's healed & am also considering tattooing.

    Best of luck!

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  • LML
    LML Member Posts: 55
    edited July 2016

    I had a bilateral mastectomy in 2008 with tissue expanders followed by silicone implants and nipple reconstruction. I had the flap technique where they kind of do an origami thing. I expressed to the doctor that I wanted a size similar to what I started with. She had her own idea of what was considered the most aesthetically pleasing based on studies that she had read. She told me I would end up with "pencil erasers." I thought that sounded okay even though my original nipples were larger. They did not end up as she stated, They are nearly none existent. It didn't take long for them to go flat. The doctor told me I couldn't redo this same procedure. I also followed up with the tattooing.

    My advice is to be sure of what you want and make sure you express it. If the doctor doesn't listen, find another doctor who will. It's your body and you have the right to be satisfied with the results. I regret not expressing myself more forcefully. That is my own fault. Good luck to you.

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  • pas
    pas Member Posts: 55
    edited July 2016

    I had the nipple reconstruction but the projection and tattoo faded. I found pink-perfect.com and just got them recently...a prosthesis that look so real and stay on with medical adhesive. I chose the bold style and they look great and the projection stays! Very pleased

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  • Rosa_Aurora184161
    Rosa_Aurora184161 Member Posts: 73
    edited August 2017

    Many thanks for your replies, girls!

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  • Sassa
    Sassa Member Posts: 1,588
    edited August 2017

    I did nipple reconstruction in 2010. At the time, I thought I would put the cherries on the cupcake. My goal was to have the nice little button pre-baby ones. I also had a skin graft from my abdomen to make the aerolas. I had a nice shade of pink (again the pretty pre-baby color) tattooed on.

    It gave me a feeling of completion when I looked in the mirror.

    However, now seven years later, if I had to do it over, I would probably find a good 3-D tattoo artist and have them tattooed on.

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