Nipples ....

Hi Leslieva-

I have nipple envy! I have feeling coming back to my breasts.... does it hurt??

I’m really excited for it. I don’t care if it hurts just wondering your experience? I’m assuming they give you a local.

Breast Reconstruction is the only thing that kept my sane during this process! My PS is a godsend!!

Hi Ladies, I've been a member here since 2011 - I also tattoo 3D Nipples/areolas in Los Angeles www.inkbyroseann.com. I'm happy to answer anyone's questions regarding this procedure.. Thanks ladies and happy Sunday :-)

CBK - Usually it is a 2 session process spaced about 4 weeks apart. The 2nd session is for more detail work and to fill in anywhere that might not have taken so well. Some patients do ok with 1 session, but 2 is more typical.. And yes, I like to wait at least 6 months out of treatment and surgeries before a tattoo.. Just to give the body and skin time to heal itself. After the 2nd session you should be good without any further need for more tattoo work. The good thing is that nipples "usually" :-). stay out of the sun which is what causes most fading in regular body tattoo's.

so cool! Congratulations!

I am 5 weeks out from nipple surgery and while neither graft for lower areola took, the non radiated side is almost healed (after I kid you not looking like leatherface meets dead Frankenstein grayish black. disgusting!). My radiated side is still partially open, not infected thank God but I'm so sick of Neosporin, nonstick pads, gauze and tape!!! Im 40/60 thinking this was a waste of time for a lot of stress managing this crap. I'm so worried the slow healing, tenderness, bleeding is just going to kick off another recurrence. it's obvious to me I did this more for my self consciousness around my husband than me.

=(

The nipples are a bit better than I hoped for but they have been so much work and worry. I don't know if I will ever have confidence to finish with tattoos. Has anyone else taken so long to heal?

7of 9

Did you just do nipple reconstruction or were there other revisions involved?

I developed cellulitis after nipple reconstruction and they were draining 4-ever. I am a couple weeks shy of 3 months and they are just starting to look really nice.

That said, I didn’t have any tenderness! But a lot of draining for months. I used maxi pads taped into my bra cups and changed them twice a day. So much easier than gauze and tape. Cut one thin pad in half!

Ohhh I hope as they heal you will be happier. I had some pretty scary looking moments with mine early on!!

Wishing you much healing!

CBK... Anyone who has gone thru any phase of breast reconstruction knows what you are doing is NOT crazy! We may all make different decisions about how we want to look / feel / be and that is just perfect.

I think "letting be" for a few months is a very wise choice.

Coach Vicky

Coach Vicky- Well funny thing is one person that said just leave it alone and don’t do nipple reconstruction had BMX, reconstruction and tattooing. She thought it was nuts I was doing grafting reconstruction! Not that it would have changed my decision in the least .. since throughout my reconstruction I intuitively knew what I was going to do! But it certainly helps to have supportive people by your side. Thank you for your words.

Happyperidot- Good luck with your surgery on the 8th! May it be easeful as well as recovery drama-free!

my remaining nipple still has some sensation in it so I have been hesitant to use it to reconstruct the missing one, as the ps has suggested. But I’m realizing the sensation is kind of uncomfortable so maybe I won’t mind if it’s lost after reconstruction. I still go back and forth bw reconstructing the missing nipple or doing a 3D tattoo

I had my pre-op appt with the PS yesterday. I told him I'm ok with losing my nipples and getting tattoos. He reminded me it's really up to the BS and warned that sometimes the skin sparring MX results in a horizontal seam/scar that undermines a good cosmetic result. I might end up with a flattish breast instead of a natural-looking mound.

Has anyone experienced this? How bad is it?

Happy ... I think your PS sounds gloomy. Talk NOW with your BS and get these 2 on the same page.

I had skin sparing BMX and nipples removed.

My outcome, like CBK, is better than before!

Coach Vicky

Thanks everyone. That's what I was hoping you'd say.

Ladies I need some help here.

When you all discuss that “medical grade" tattooing is inferior to tattoo artists that specialize in nipple tattooing, can you enlighten me?

I'm not sure but I think my PS might do her 3D tattooing in her officeand I want to ask the right questions.

I love my PS and her nurse and not to finish this whole journey with them all would leave me feeling so empty! I would have not made it through without my PS kindness, humor and trusted advice on everything BC!

Hi, thankful for this discussion. Dx 2014, chemo then unilateral with reconstruction done in same year. Previously, I had wanted a nipple tattoo once breast settled. Fast forward to now, found out by accident through MRI that implant ruptured.

Just finished implant exchange, and now my reconstruction is pretty much matching my breast. Anyway, I’m looking for something noninvasive and pain free option for a nipple. Googled prosthetic, but need some more info. Anyone know if it’s covered by insurance? Do u need a prescription/note from oncologist or plastic? Where’s the best place to get/purchase?

I would appreciate any input. Thanks

thank you NicNak