Nipple sparing or skin sparing

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wintnt
wintnt Member Posts: 4
edited May 2020 in Breast Reconstruction

Hi all,

I'm waiting to be scheduled for BMX with DIEP reconstruction and have a choice between nipple sparing (NSM) and skin sparing mastectomy (SSM). PS says SSM will give me a better aesthetic result, but BS said that PS say that because it is an easier surgery for them than when it is an NSM, which is what he recommends. If the nipples still had sensation, I would definitely want to keep them. And it would be nice to avoid additional nipple procedures, but if I'm going through this major reconstruction, I want them to look as good as possible!! Anybody have experience making this choice? What did you decide and why? Any regrets about your decision?

Thanks!

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  • SoulShine1969
    SoulShine1969 Member Posts: 3,047
    edited May 2020

    I had NS BMX in 2012. Aesthetically everything turned out great at the time. You're correct regarding reduced sensation, it kind of feels like having a wet t-shirt on for me. Fast forward to this spring, I had my left nipple removed for a biopsy (no recurrence). I'm planning on having the other nipple removed at my next revision.

    To be honest, I didn't want to keep the nipples to begin with due to BRCA. My PS at the time talked me in to keeping them. Were I to do it over I wouldn't have kept them. The less tissue the better.

    Good luck with you surgery.

    Rebecca

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