nipple reconstruction vs 3D tattoo with/without reconstruction

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Anonymous
Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
edited June 2017 in Breast Reconstruction
nipple reconstruction vs 3D tattoo with/without reconstruction
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  • pinkvictory
    pinkvictory Member Posts: 58
    edited June 2017

    Hi everyone. I have recently been diagnosed with DCIS. Started with suspicions on my mammo which led to AHD on my core biopsy. I then had an excisional biopsy(lumpectomy) which revealed DCIS. my margins were only 1mm...which meant more surgery in the future to achieve the 2mm that is recommended. Following the surgeons advice, I had my MRI, which showed that the whole area was not excised at the time of lumpectomy..and that an additional 13mm remained. After many hours of research and lots of sleepless nights, I have decided to have a double mastectomy. The decisions are overwhelming at times. For every one decision made, it feels like there are a ton more to make regarding that choice. I am at the point that I have to decide about my nipples. I am wondering if anyone has had nipple reconstruction and how the results are, especially after some time goes by? I understand that they can flatten out over time...but, I am wondering if they still have projection, or are they flat, as if the nipple had never been reconstructed? my surgeon spoke of the "origami" method with using surrounding breast tissue( no skin graft...phew!), he says that he accounts for shrinkage, and initially makes the nipple 50% larger. I am just trying to weigh my options and looking for feedback about whether it has been worth it in the long run? Not sure if i should just opt for 3D tattoos alone...or the nipple reconstruction with tattoo. I would love to hear your experiences and if you would make the same choice again?

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  • farmerlucy
    farmerlucy Member Posts: 3,985
    edited June 2017

    I opted for 3D only, but my PS said I wasn't a good candidate for nipple sparing. Fine with me. Here is a recent discussion on this topic. https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topics...

    Take care!

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  • jenjenl
    jenjenl Member Posts: 948
    edited June 2017

    I love my nipple tattoos....game changer!

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  • pinkvictory
    pinkvictory Member Posts: 58
    edited June 2017

    farmerlucy, thank you for your reply. I noticed that you had your tattoos by vinnie....from what I have seen on the internet, he does beautiful work! .After seeing his pictures, it helped calm my nerves a little bit about the likelihood of loosing my nipples. I have been looking for anything to make this feel "okay"

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  • pinkvictory
    pinkvictory Member Posts: 58
    edited June 2017

    thank you jenjenl. this is such a hard decision to make...to rebuild or not to rebuild. with having tattoos instead,it must be kind of a nice option to be able to go without a bra if you want

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  • Mombytheriver
    Mombytheriver Member Posts: 25
    edited June 2017

    I had the nipple reconstruction in February and they look pretty real. Tomorrow is my big day to see vinnie for tattoos! Can't wait to have the finishing touches done. Best of luck.

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  • pinkvictory
    pinkvictory Member Posts: 58
    edited June 2017

    mombytheriver, from what I have seen,you can't go wrong with Vinnie...his work looks very impressive!


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  • Irishsweety
    Irishsweety Member Posts: 8
    edited June 2017

    Pink - I just had exchange surgery in April. I haven't done anything yet, but I have decided to go with 3D tattooswithout reconstruction. Prior to breast cancer, I would have never dreamed of going braless, but I have to say I kind of like it. Also I workout a lot and it's just easier not to be worried about whether my nipples are showing through my clothing. It's definitely a personal choice, and you have to decide what you are most comfortable with. Good luck!

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  • macb04
    macb04 Member Posts: 1,433
    edited June 2017

    Hi pinkvictory, I had the Origami nipple reconstruction. It went completely flat. Then I got a 3D nipple tattoo with Vinnie Myers last June in California. I am very happy with the tattoo. Otherwise, as sadly I have no nipple projection from the reconstruction, the tattoo at least gives a very, very realistic illusion so I can change at the gym in the locker room instead of in the toilet.

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  • SummerAngel
    SummerAngel Member Posts: 1,006
    edited June 2017

    I had origami reconstruction and then Vinnie tattoos. I'm completely thrilled. I specifically went with a PS who had lots of success with the origami nipples, as one of the PS' I consulted said they "typically go flat" and that he didn't like doing them. They go flat if they aren't VERY exaggerated on first construction. Mine were shockingly long at first, even after the PS warned me (he showed me a length of about half of his thumb as an example, which was very close to how they looked). Now, they're perfect: Enough to show projection but only a little bit. The tattoos were icing on the cake.

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  • pinkvictory
    pinkvictory Member Posts: 58
    edited June 2017

    summerangel, thank you for the feedback. that gives me a better idea of what to expect too, because when the PS said he would make nipples larger to accommodate shrinkage, I didn't realize they would look longer..I thought he meant in diameter.

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