Nipples ....

When you say after four months your nipples were flat, what do you mean? Getting my nip in a few months, so reading up on all this. Thanks!!

Nickel103, I had nipple reconstruction after radiation and didn't have any problems on the radiated side.

Coachvicky, yes you did explain that well. It'll be interesting to see how I turn out since I'm a uni. But I remember what you said about the sensation of normalcy as you showered. Looking forward to that.

Jenwith4kids, CONGRATULATIONS!!! That is super exciting! I thought I had to wait a long time for nipples! I am going through staged revisions. Had stage one, stage 2 is being delayed because I have to get back surgery April 4. I am gettin my implants downsized from 440cc to 220, and the difference filled with fat. I want to eventually be implant free. Flap was not an option for me. At this rate though, it looks like I will be all this year doing fat grafts. I am thinking about prosthetic nipples just because I am so sick of seeing these blank barbi mounds!!

How long do you have to wait for your appt?

Regarding wait time for tattoos, tattoo artists want to make sure that you are totally healed from surgeries so they require at least a 3 month wait. The wait at Vinnie's shop is not as bad as it once was unless your schedule is not flexible. I deliberately waited 6 months because of my work schedule. Since I was comfortable using someone other than Vinnie, I was able to get the week that I wanted with no problem. I did see Vinnie in the office when I arrived. I think I called the office in April and had the appointment for early June.

The important thing is that these are real tattoos that need time to heal. Therefore, you cannot go swimming or soak in hot tub for a few weeks. I cheated a little. I went to Florida 3 weeks later and briefly got in pool one evening. The tattoos started to peel. There is a little discoloration but overall they are fine. My new nipples look as good as my original set.

InkByRose in Huntington Beach Ca is awesome! And only a few blocks from the beach :-)

https://www.yelp.com/biz/ink-by-rose-huntington-beach

Mine flattened as well but they are still nipples! I think this happens because of the skin used.

Have you talked with your Surgeon about this? Mine was very clear upfront how they would look once settled.

I am thrilled to have them. 22 March I get my 3D tattooing to finish the look.

Coach Vicky

Lorri, SInce they are artificial, they will always be "on". Depending on the clothing you're wearing you might not want them to be very prominent. I found mine show through a soft bra—and this is eight years later.

I haven't had aureoles tattooed—I use temporary tats if there is a situation where they might become visible, like a dress fitting. But a really good artist can make them look more 3-D. That's all I'd want.

Imkopy2 ... thank you. I appreciate your kind words. When I realized (beyond hearing the words) that I had cancer, I worked not to waste this. I figured there was something for me to learn and live differently.

Vicky

I'm happier today, the dr said they were a bit flat but he felt they were fine he took a photo and showed me and they actually looked good, I'm having my other breast reduced to match then a 3D tattoo after that

Grammieshell that’s awesome news! I’m having mine rebuilt in April. What is a porcine implant? How long/painful was the procedure? Having it done on a Wednesday hoping to be able to return to work by Monday or do you think I’m over shooting this one?

I also cannot wait to get something more boob like... this Barbie smooth thing isn’t cute especially since my name isn’t hasbro lol! Hope you are doing well.

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I GOT MY NIPPLES!!!

Here is the story.

During the horrid storm last week, DH drove us to Owings Mill, MD. We did not fly as so many flights were being cancelled and I did not want to delay this appointment. Thursday, 22 March, we went to Little Vinnie's Tattoo Shop in Finksburg. BTW, he is probably 6'4".

At first I was somewhat concerned about being topless. Got over that. So much so that hubby made pictures during the tattooing.

It is a very clean shop. We went to a room (little larger than an exam room) where before pictures were made. They have sterile paper drapes an use gloves. The ink is mixed for your individual tattooing. I rested in a long office type reclining chair. There was sterile drape on the chair and one over me.

I did have some forms and paperwork to fill out before the session. Vinnie asked some questions about my reconstruction.

He sterilized each breast. He put a plastic circle on my breasts with a hole in the center for the nipple. He outlined in a pink Sharpie.

I wanted a rosy color and I got it! I shared I wanted to look like the girls in the nasty magazines.

This was my first tattoo, my second and last as well. I have sensitivity and feeling. It did hurt but today I don't remember it.

There is a lot of sanitary (I think alcohol) wiping along the way.

It took 48 minutes. I thought it was a couple of hours.

There are VERY SPECIFIC instructions to follow for post care. I did EVERYTHING I was instructed to do. I think "airing" has sped up the healing process. I had NO oozing and so far NO flaking.

You know the picture you stare at? One time you see an old lady and then a young girl. Looking at my tattoos was like that. I could not see the 3D when I looked down. When I look directly in the mirror, I can see the 3D and now when I look down I can see the 3D.

I have some small skins nipples that my Plastic Surgeon made. The 3D finishes those so that they look the same.

Vinnie also made those little "bumps" on my areola. Such attention to detail!

My Primary Care (PC) had never examined my reconstructed breasts. He would ask how everything was going with my Plastic Surgeon but never examined me. Well, I had a follow-up on Monday and before I left he said that he wanted to see the tattoos. His mouth dropped open and he turned to DH saying he could not believe how real they looked.

Here is the biggest learning ... I never could grasp the size of my reconstructed breasts. I have Mentor Classic Style 45 round, moderate profile, 600 cc each with 6.1 projection. Now that I have my areolas and nipples I can grasp the size of my implants. Before I had no reference point(s).

When I left my PC's office, I said "it's over." There is nothing else for me to do reconstruction-wise. I feel whole once again.

This was a great experience (despite the pain). I love the way that I look. Sometimes I just raise my shirt, look, and cry joyful tears.

Coach Vicky

Vicky! Congrats! Great to hear. I am looking forward to mine this summer. I guess I should be thinking about color? How does one go about picking nipple color?!? So happy for you!

Jenwith4kids

I’m super excited for you....it’s funny how in this journey we learn to cheer for those who are at the point we want to be. Cannot wait to hear about your experience. Please be sure to post or DM me.

Vicky- you kill me I crack up every time you get something new done. Congrats on getting the final nipples!!! Hmm so I was thinking I wanted Paul from Vinnies crew but now there’s little Vinnie? And I never thought about nipple color... I guess I’m gonna have to check out those nasty girls and figure this out LOLOL. My nipples are getting rebuilt in 3 1/2 weeks. I meet with him Tuesday to discuss the whole FG process and how much were looking at moving up north.

Crossing my fingers I can check off breast recon from my bucket list by his fall so I can also be done. Such a long process and I pray for you all. I’ll let you know how things turn out

Thanks for the details Vickie, I am havig Vinnie do my nips and arreola's on April 10th. I had origami nipples done and waited for everything to heal and so he'll just be depositing some ink in the nipples and creating arreola's, so thank you so much for the details. I've been looking like a Barbie doll since November 16th 2016!