Nipples ....

Does anyone know of a good tattoo artist near Portland, Oregon. Also, I had my exchange September 7 with lateral reinforcement because the pockets from the tissue expander went clear around towards my back. So my ps put a lot of stitches in both side to make the pocket smaller, now I have large dents on the outside of each implant. Has anyone had this problem corrected with fat grafting, my ps said he thought it would be too hard to fill it all in with fat grafting. Hate to think after all these surgeries this is the best result. Also, is fat grafting usually covered by insurance. Thanks for any info, sure hate looking in the mirror

Goldfish, I have a dent on one side, along my ribcage beneath my underarm. Mine was due to ps taking too much tissue while correcting a "dogear". And it was on my prophy side! New ps said he will try some fg there, as I now have just skin on bone, not a good look. As Imkopy said, it is a little early to assess the final outcome. That being said though, if it looks dented now that probably won't improve without some intervention. I know lumpectomies are greatly improved with fg, so there may be some hope for us! I agree with Imkopy to seek another opinion if your current ps doesn't feel confident in the fg. I am now under the care of the 5th ps I have consulted with, two of the previous 4 did work on me. The two that I didn't allow to work on me were with the very prestigious Johns Hopkins. Credentials aren't everything. Be very selective now that you are on the revision side of all this. Best wishes to you!

thanks to the women and coach Vicky for sharing their stories...I am 6 1/2 yrs after initial diagnosis. Over 2 1/2 yrs after bad axillary recurrence. I had original expanders, exchange, then after recurrence, oophorectomy and hysterectomy, radiation, taxoterrible and grade 4 capsular contracture on radiated side, so revision surgery ( and a chin lift!) last year. I think I'm finally ready to do the nipples. My PS thinks my tissue should do fine and since wanting very mild "bumps " ...I would LOVE to say what coach Vicky said...walk out of the doctors office and say " I'm done!". Anyone recommend a great tattoo artist in Ohio or how much is this Vinny guy/ his apprentices...? My coverage will pay for recon and part out of network provider for tattoos. I've waited a long time ( a 4th ultra sound, 2 CAT scans showing nothing is back ( yet) so want to do this right. I'm hoping to forgive my boobs for almost killing me. Being completely rebuilt, the phonies ( which my husband reminds me will never look like golf balls in tube socks) will at least be one part of me that will be indestructible no matter through the ages or anything else. Being borderline stage 3c stage 4...I've overcome my fear and am waiting for my surgery date ( with fat grafting and nipples) to be set soon. God bless you all.

7of9, I believe Vinny charges $400 each side. I did a Google search for nipple tats in Ohio and there are studios that do them. This one in Cleveland looks promising. I definitely feel you on wanting to be able to declare "I'm done!!" Best wishes!!

i decided after my exchange surgery in jan im done. I dont want any more surgery. Im not getting nipple tattoo. Im remaining nipplesless! And proud of it.

I got my Vinnies over the summer and I can't say enough about them. I really don't consider myself to be someone too invested in "cosmetic", so was completely unprepared for how much if a difference these tattoos would make in feeling complete. Its something I can't describe well, but every time I pass a mirror I don't see the scars, I see these amazing nipples. Strongly recommend! I have filed with insurance but got denied, I want to appeal but wondering if anyone has had any success with coverage?

Whats interesting about mine is they were Vinnies but done in my PS office.... so.... I will appeal and appeal- it is completely absurd.

Joy2,

https://www.reneemaschinot.com/re-nee.html

Sooooooooo excited! I’m getting my tattoos done on Monday!!!!!

I called my Dad all kinds of excited today after I got my appointment set upand said, “Guess who is getting tattoos on Monday!?!!!” My Dad said, “Oh no, don’t start doing all that stuff...”

I said, “No Daddy, my Nipples!!!!!” He laughed and said, “Oh, ok then. That IS exciting!” LOL

So funny, TaRenee, your Dads response 😄 You will enjoy the tattoos, it makes quite a visual difference. I had the tattoo not long ago, going for a retouch next month. Looks pretty darn good😉 When I told a few people I was going for my nipple tattoo, they said, "that's great, what are you getting?" 😂What??? So, I variously said,"I'm getting an American flag in the middle, with Make America Great Again !, or Resist! ,depending on who i was taliking to😉😄Took a beat before they realized i was joking!

I understand, Lorri. Getting the tattoos had a huge emotional impact on me, because now if I catch my reflection in the mirror, I just look normal. Before, my brain would always say, hey you’re incomplete. That feeling of closure is great.

Wonderful news Lorri, the "all clear" and your tat date all in one. You're on the home stretch now!! Please keep us posted with your progress! Many blessings

Perigrinelady & CoachVicky, I bet I will cry too. I think the hardest part of the mx for me was losing the nipples. The mirror doesn't get much attention from me now but I know I will feel complete and that sense of closure you describe after tats are done. I decided not to get temp tats or silicone nips but it is so cool that they are available for those who don't want to wait or just choose not to get tats at all. I will be finishing up my recon within the next few months. Can't wait to make that tat appt!! Truly will be the cherry on top!! Until then, I will be checking in here to see how everyone is doing. Thank you all for sharing, it means so much!!

Yes, they will flatten 3Bears.

And every time I shower and feel them, I feel normal.

I feel complete.

Coach Vicky

Question to anyone that wishes to chime in... why tattoo vs. reconstructing nipples with your own tissue? Everyone seems wildly pleased with their tattoos;sounds divine!!

Star2017

I can totally understand your position. My PS wants to take tissue from another part of body (inner thigh) and create nipple. I didn't have nipple sparing BMX ! Hope you are healing well from your recent exchange surgery, when did you PS want to attempt nipple reconstruction? Mine is not even mentioning much about it yet, but I've had one of the most drawn out reconstructions!!