Nipples ....

SuQu31

I know I didn't ask tons of questions about go forward, only about the surgery I just had. I was in there much longer than my surgeon originally anticipated.... so now I just apply a tiny bit of Aquaphor ointment twice a day and I tape a dressing to an insert of my bra. Nothing is draining it's just dried blood and light scar tissue falling off.

There is a lot of sutures in the area, but no pain and they look very good. I'm assuming in a few weeks I'll have a lot more information. I would totally recommend this to anyone that goes thru reconstruction. If I didn't have the other revisions I would have done it under a local.

But yes enjoy your summer as you will have downtime with the exchange portion of your surgery. This is so frustrating because I really wantto get back to my routine but I can only do bike and walk. Ugh!

I feel like I should be able to do certain yoga postures. I think I'll call in to my surgeons office later today to discuss that.

If you're going under anesthesia, then yes. If not, then probably not. But I did feel pressure with the tattoos, even though I have implants. I went under for the nip recon and fat grafting.

Thank you both! I suppose the seatbelt will be a problem regardless of who drives. I didn't realize the nipple hats got sewn on! I suppose there are activity restrictions after. I do have a dog I walk. Hopefully I can use the other arm to hold the leash.

Hahaha!

My nipple hats were stitched on, YES in a very putrid yellow color. I was not rocking any Madonna cones!!

Leslieva. I’m one month post-op and my nipples are still draining fluid.... I developed a little cellulitis on one side. But good side is still draining too. Seems like a long time. Still so happy I did this reconstruction!!

Hey I was just lucky to receive “soupy nipples”as my reconstruction partner coined them.

I guess once you get cellulitis it takes a long time to shed all the cells and fluid comes with it!

I went on a very short course of Kephlex and things are looking good now. Still very slight draining in one nipple!!

They look awesome though! Went for f/u Monday gain with my beloved PS. See her in two months to see if we need to tattoo or not!

I’m blessed to have the best reconstruction care! I would not made it thru without this Dr!

Hi Sara

I’m sorry about your reconstruction. It’s pretty common for them to flatten... like over 1/2 the time this happens, but can be fixed. Did you PS make mention of that? Since it doesn’t have to be done under general anesthesia maybe it’s worth a shot!

Mudstick-

Ugh.... I wasn’t awake for my nipple reconstruction because I had a ton of other revisions but when the sewn on cone bandages came off 5 days later they were huge!

I was told they shrink substantially so why would surgeon give you tiny concave nipple?

I actually think one of mine will need to be redone; flattened out too much. But I still need to wait a bit and see. At least my PS seems to think easy fix.

I hope you get the outcome you desire!

hey muds tick,

I also just had nipple reconstruction and mine are huge, just like cbk mentioned. Mine were done in the same surgery as my abdominal scar revisions and fat grafting to the reconstructed breasts, so maybe when they do those things for you they can revise the nipples at the same time. Best of luck.

I had mine done last week and they look AWFUL. They look like triangles sticking up and I honestly can't tell if the skin graft on the lower portion of each one is going to take or not. My doctor said he wants to see me again in a week. I didn't ask as I was too shocked (I didn't do a ton of research other than the success rate has gone up and my doctor thought since I waited 3 yrs after rads that I had good circulation, should be fine.) It's going to take an Ambien and Attivan to sleep tonight. Any words of encouragement or what the hell happens if one of the grafts don't take?! To make matters worse I had fat grafting too and my stomach is sore, my digestive track is still off. I wish I would have done the 3D tats at this point. So BUMMED!!!!!

To add I didn't do a ton of research but my plastic surgeon is highly recommended, was and still is as I started this SHIT journey 7 yrs ago. I do better when I focus elsewhere and thought I'd hop, skip and jump through this decision to help me move on. Was SO tired of seeing barbie doll boobs and just scars. I hope I don't regret the hell out of this. This and Game of Thrones ending was a let down in my opinion. Too much Monday for me!!!!

I have an update to my questions about driving home, etc. after single-sdied nipple reconstruction. The surgery that was supposed to take place on 4/30 got rescheduled because the surgeon had an urgent b.c. case come up. I had it done this morning. I drove myself because my husband is out of town. The surgery was done with no anesthesia whatsoever (not even local!) because I have no sensation on the DIEP flap reconstructed breast skin. I didn't really feel anything except that there were people standing there pushing on me a little bit. It looks bigger than the other (normal) side right now but I was amazed how more even it looks already. They had no issue with me driving myself home (did not mention the seat belt), and, best of all, NO PLASTIC NIPPLE HAT!! :-) They just put an eye pad on it (I kept thinking they were talking about an iPad - lol). And the sutures are the dissolving kind. No shower for 48 hours. I go back in 2 weeks for a post-op check. Thanks again everyone for the feedback.

7 of 9

Hmmmmmmm..... yellow worms sound ok!!

My reconstructed areola and nipples developed cellulitis, this turned them blistery red and had me draining fluid. Almost looked like I was radiated on one side. Did you tell PS about they greyish tan/ dark brown coloration? If you didn’t I’d call office!

I don’t say this because I think of anything one way or another. But in my case they had me go back on a short course of antibiotic to avoid infection and I’m doing well now. The fluid I was draining had a distinct odor. Please call them if you haven’t! I hope you are just healing ...please let us know what you find out!!

Come on Stubborn Dog no putrid yellow nipple hats? Hahaha! They were fabric and sewn on!!🤣And you got to shower day 2? Awesome. These surgeons all have their own ideas about how it’s going to go! I find that interesting.

That’s great no drugs at all, although I think I will opt for a little sedation when I go for revisions in office in a couple months! My right side flattened out, I think, a bit too much! So we will see. Overall I’m really happy, and I hope yours stays well projected too!

I just had my 3D nipple tattoo started last Friday. I say started because it will be done in two steps with the intent that color will be applied conservatively during first step. More will be added as necessary in a month along with details and shading for 3D effect. I also had nipple reconstruction 7 years ago with good results but the color clearly did not match. I was going to go to Vinnie Meyers in Maryland but never got to it. I’m in NJ. This medical tattooist that I became aware of is located minutes from my house. I’m already delighted with the result. So for me nipple recon plus tattoo was the best plan for me. If I were to choose one it would be the tattoo that made the greatest impact. I would have done it sooner if I had known how much it improved me physically and emotionally. I feel a lightness that I haven’t felt in years. I can finally put the burden of this experience down

Hi CBK,

Here goes:

Restoration Body Art

22Jackson Ave

Pompton Plains NJ 07444

Kris Fernicola

973 500 4018

Restorationbodyart@outlook.com

Restorationbodyart.com

She was featured in a recent article in the Bergen Record and nj.com at the end of April which is how I became aware of her. Good luck

I did nipple reconstruction and about 5 months later 3D tattooing.

The recons do flatten out some. With the 3D follow-up, everything looks balance and I have something to feel.

Coach Vicky

CBK, I did the nipple reconstruction followed by tattooing and they look real!