Nipples ....

I had CV nipples created (I think they've been called origami style on here) a few months after my bilateral DIEP flaps were done in 2010. I've been toying with the idea of tattoo areolas since then, but in the mean time I have used temporary tattoos from https://shop.breasthealing.com/. My GYN dr was quite impressed with them on me.

As a fair-skinned redhead, I found many of the other temp tattoos were too dark and too large. I get the "Light-Peachy Tan" ones and use them sparingly—only when my bare breast might be exposed, like at the doctor's or if I'm shopping for clothing. I don't have a spouse, and I've gotten used to seeing my breast without coloration, but I'm sensitive to how it might freak out other people.

I don't wear a bra in warm weather. The very slight protrusion of the "nipple" isn't any more than I would get through a soft bra, so I'm comfortable they don't offend anyone.

Permanent tattoos are somewhere down on my list, but as of now, hardwood floors are at the top, lol.

One of the options my PS offered was "nipple sharing", which I guess means using part of my remaining nipple for the UMX reconstruction. Has anyone heard of or gone through that procedure? Does what's left of the original nipple retain sensation?

The other option offered besides the "origami method" was to have a 3D tattoo done by a Kaiser physician's assistant. I would have to pay for an appointment to visit her to see her portfolio. This does not instill confidence in the quality of the results.

I don't know that I'm up for a trip to Maryland to get a Vinny tattoo - anyone know of any good tattoo artists in California that do nipples?

NancyD- thank you so much for the advice and the link. Much appreciated!

Hi ladies, I accidentally posted a fairly long post over on Exchange City on the very last page and I can't seem to copy it and paste it over here without dragging the whole page so I'm going to let you know that I have found out that there is going to be a third type of nipple available to us it's going through the FDA shortly and a tattoo artist down in St Louis invented it and it's a microdermal nipple which basically means they create a nipple and aureola just for you and it snaps onto a post, it could be removed by a Dr. If necessary, similar to what is done for people who have snap on ears and noses! so you can go on to this tattoo artist website his name is Eric Catalano and look at the pictures and I know that they would love to hear any questions from anybody who might be interested in doing the phase I part of the trial and I've been inveatigating because 3DS are awesome but I wanted Vinny and he was so expensive plus the travel so this would be free and I wanted a more realistic looking nipple . Just encouraging you all to go look. Kind of like implants you never know what's going to come around the corner. If after looking at the video and the pictures you have questions for Eric or matt email them at nipplereconstruction@gmail.com

they stay on but could be removed by a plastic surgeon if necessary at least this is how I understand it for now it is still under development by the prosthesis company. I'm pretty sure it will be made out of silicon but it will be more permanent than not. What they previously were doing if you go on the website you can see the entire process and they're hoping to make the nipple and areola one thing instead of putting the nipple in and then tattooing around it. Go to Eric Catalano tattoo on Google and it will take you to the site. If you have questions please feel free to email Matt at nipplereconstruction@gmail.com, he always answers my emails and seems to be a very nice man.

Hello All,

Looking for advice.

I decided to get skin nipples. Surgery was yesterday using my reconstructed breast skin. I still had some extra after my implants.

Any tips and techniques for a speedy healing would be appreciated.

Coach Vicky

I am waiting on new nipples however I wish you the best and hope you love yours!!

are 3-d nipple tattoos covered by insurance? what would a tattoo artist have to to to be able to accept insurance for 3-d nipple tattoos?

Hey Coach Judy,
How fun to read your questions and then see what you ended up choosing (surgical nip recon, right). Glad it seems like a good choice for you. Congrats and happy healing!!

I had a uni mastectomy and didn't like the look of just one nipple. I've been using Naturally Impressive nipples for awhile now. I really like having the dimension, can't really imagine a tattoo looking right next to a natural nipple....or even a surgical nip really wouldn't match that well. It's a challenge for us unis! These do look very real! It's my new body image, for sure. It helps that they stay on for a couple weeks. If I have them off a few days between wearings, I feel like it's a stranger in the mirror with just one nip. They are super affordable for how great they look, it's been a great choice for me.

Interesting article about the microdermal implant nipples, will be interested in seeing how that develops.

Momor1 ... I had no idea such temp nipples existed!

Coach Vicky

Momor1

I only thought of the tattoos. One day a friend said she got skin nipples because she wanted them. I thought, me too!

I saw another friend last night that I have knows for decades. It was her first time to see me since reconstruction. She took one look and said finally, you got boobs that fit you.

She was right.

I think since I have nipples it is easier to focus on what I have NOW and not what I have lost.

Coach Vicky

I had a double mastectomy with reconstruction 3 years ago and my nipples could not be saved. I opted out of nipple reconstruction. but as time went on, it really bothered me looking in the mirror with scarred breasts and no nipples. I ordered Naturally Impressive Nipple prosthetics recently and I love them! The first ones that I ever ordered were from Pink, they were very expensive and I ended up losing one in the first month. I tried others that looked awful and fake, they would fall off too. I am so impressed with Naturally Impressive Nipples, they stay on so well and look and feel natural. I just can't brag on them enough and how whole they make me look and feel again. Any of you that have chosen this option need to try them, they are wonderful people to deal with and the communication is awesome.

Hi CoachVicky,
How are you doing now that it's been a few weeks? I liked what you said about having something to touch in the shower. It seems strange to me how I didn't think that the sensation of a normal body would be what I'd desire. Visually the scars don't bother me. It's the tactile sensation that is strange. Not that I have feeling in my reconstructed breast, but my hands seem to want the memory of before.

don't want to get off topic too much, but I find it so interesting to hear that you do have some sensation on your breasts (and nipples!). Sounds like your surgeon was sensitive to finding ways to minimize sensation loss. Love that! This article talks about surgery with reconnecting nerves to promote retaining sensation. https://prma-enhance.com/breast-reconstruction/res...

Thank you all for your kind and supportive comments.

The article for gaining sensation is hopeful. I will pass it on to others.

My Surgeon was young, funny, and awesome. He just honored my body. When he did the first lumpectomy, he cut at the areole border so, overtime, there would be no scar. Of course, that isn't an issue now! When he checked my lymphs, he cut at the lowest hair line.

As a side note, the first lumpectomy was wire guided to a leison. There was no marker in the removed leison. I know it was there because I saw it on screen as did the Radiologist who inserted the wire. My Surgeon removed 2 other masses looking for the marker. He brought in a portable X-ray machine looking for the marker. There was no marker. The other 2 masses were invasive cancer with no clear margins. My Surgeon's tenacity to do his best saved my life. Because he found invasive cancer in the left breast, my insurance paid for a breast MRI where a 4cm lobular carcinoma lurked undetected by 2 physician's physical exams and mammogram.

I have only gratitude on this journey. Sure, I miss my real nipples. But I am alive and that is what matters.

Vicky