I am about 12 weeks post MX and LD recon and now my surgeon has said I can have nipple reconstruction. The method he uses is to make small incisions to release a tiny flap of skin which he then rolls into a nipple shape and stitches in place. I can have it tattooed about 3 months later. He said the nipple would be larger to start with than how it will finish up 12 months down the line. I am not worried about the procedure because it sounds simple, but am still not 100% sure whether to have the nipple shape made or just to have the tattoo. I would like my breast to look more “normal” again, but I suppose I am scared of ending up with a great big nipple that I don’t like and would be stuck with! I would love to hear from anyone who has had any nipple recon or tattooing. How do you feel about it. Has it made ytu feel better about yourself? Thanks.
I’m very interested too! With exactly the same questions and concerns.
River
Hello.
Whilst i’ve not had this, I spoke to a lady recently who had and she seemed pleased with the end result so hope thats of small benefit.
Rgds,
Suzi
I am in the same position but my surgeon wants to take some of my other nipple to put on my re-con breast. I am worried about losing any sensation in my normal breast nipple. I would end up with 2 breasts i had no real feeling in. He also is pushing me to have this done but i am not sure whether i should just have the tatoo done,i would hate to have i done and it still looked abnormal,sorry to use that word but thats how i feel about my breast sometimes.
Hi everyone, I am also waiting to go into hospital to have my port removed, also nipple reconstruction after masectomy in April 2009. Have been using stick on nipple. Would love to hear if anyone has had this done 
Divipops
Hi Looploo,
I understand how you feel because I would be nervous about using tissue from the other side for the same reasons. My other breast is a bit smaller than my recon but I wouldn’t want it messed about with in any way unless I had to because I don’t want to lose the sensation in it. Has your surgeon shown you pictures? Even with just a tattoo I think it looks a lot more normal than what I’ve got now. I am still undecided which option to take, even though the method my surgeon uses will not involve using tissue from my “good” breast. Don’t let the surgeon push you into it. Can your surgeon use the method mine is planning? Take your time and try and get some more information from others - hopefully someone will reply to us all! I think the problem is that after nipple recon people are possibly feeling a bit better and so don’t come on here as much.
Hi Ladies,
Had mine done last June and it settled down and looks fab. Take a look at this it is very funny.
alrighttit.blogspot.com/2009/03/dotting-i.html
Kathy x
I had nipple reconstruction exactly as you described a year ago. At first it looked huge especially as I do not have really large nipples but it soon reduces. I also have had tattooing done. I am thrilled I had it done. When I used to catch sight of myself in the mirror without a nipple Iused to double take but now it doesn’t bother me. To me it is the finishing touch.
I echo completely the last post - I thought my surgeon had lost the plot when I first saw the new nipple, it was enormous! But sure enough it goes down, and now tattoo’s been done I too feel it’s the finishing touch.
Plus, as I noticed Lola saying, i am on here a lot less now. (Fingers crossed for no recurrence - diagnosed 2002 then again 2008.)
Good luck with the nipples. xx
Hi, I too am interested in hearing about nipple reconstruction and tattoing. My surgeon told me I would need to have this under GA which I’ve decided against and asked for just a tattoo instead. I have had 3 ops in the past 6 months and the thought of undergoing another fills me with dread. I’ve been very weepy since.
Hi Wilson 52,
Sorry to hear you are feeling weepy, but totally understand. I am surprised to hear you would have to have a GA for the nipple recon. My surgeon told me it would be done with local and would just be a day case. I can understand you not wanting another GA and op. What my surgeon described was much more of a minor procedure. Perhaps you should ask some more questions. It seems a shame to say no to the nipple recon if it may be possible to do it under local. I hope you get some more info. Good luck. x
Thanks Lola
He said I needed a GA because my expander is just under the skin and it would be a bit tricky as he didn’t want to pierce it. x
Oh sorry to hear that Wilson 52. I don’t have any implants so I suppose it’s different. I have decided to go ahead and have just got the date for the first stage - March 11th - so will post afterwards to let everyone know how it went. Am still nervous about how big and protruding it might look, but have been reassured by others comments that it will shrink aqnd look good in the end.
Hi I have a sub pectoral implant and my nipple reconstruction was done under a local anaesthetic. Mind you I am sure he could have done it with nothing as I have no sensation!
I think having to have a GA is a bit excessive. I echo Lola’s views on not messing with my good breast. My good one is a different size and they would look better evened up but don’t like the thought of more surgery. With a bra on though they look ok. I would need two separate ops as he wouldn’t give me a new nipple at the same time. I still have the port in on my expander and feel loathe to get it taken out as at times it feels lumpy and wrinkled but if I was to get any more fluid put in there would be an even bigger difference in size with the other one.
I had my nipple recon & good breast reduction done a month ago. I was apprehensive about the new nipple because I was so thrilled with my LD recon and was worried messing around with it may spoil it but I’m totally thrilled with it. I’m sad that because of the reduction I now have no sensation in either side but that’s unfortunately the price I’ve had to pay.
It’s fantastic to now have boobs the same size & the new nipple on my recon has really finished it off - I’m amazed how real it looks.
My husband absolutely loves them too - result!
Hi
My surgeon has now decided to give me a new nipple under LA. Can I ask you ladies is it your general surgeon or a plastic surgeon that will be carrying out the procedure? I have never seen or been given the oportunity to see a ps it is the same person that carried out my mx.
My mastectomy was carried out in November 2007 by a breast surgeon.
I had my first LD flap recon in December 2008, and that was so successful that I opted for a further one in November 2009.
I now require nipple recon on one breast, and it is proposed that I have tattooing done first by a breast care nurse, and subsequently a graft of part of the nipple on the other breast under local anaesthetic which will be carried out by my plastic surgeon. (I would not contemplate reconstructive surgery of any sort by anyone other than a suitably experienced plastic surgeon)
Hi ladies, can I ask if any of you had nipple recon done under the NHS? I had mastectomy and DIEP recon through BUPA, they only paid part of the recon cost - the equivalent of having a silicon implant - as they said it was unnecessary cosmetic expense, not necessary as part of the cancer treatment. The breast and plastic surgeons said to wait at least a year after rads before having the nipple recon, but now I can’t afford to pay for it if BUPA won’t pay. I’m wondering whether to ask for a referral to the NHS to get this done, as I absolutely hate the freaky, nipple-less breast that I have now. Are stick-on nipples really worth considering? Where do you get them??
Hi all,
I am having my nipple recon tomorrow afternoon, so I’ll post back on here after.
Wilson 52, glad to hear you can have local anaesthetic now instead of a general. My surgeon is the same one who did my MX and LD recon. I think he’s what they call an oncoplastic surgeon which I think means he is trained in cancer and also plastic surgery. He certainly did a very good job on my LD recon and so I have every faith in him for the nipple. Still not looking forward to it being huge to start with though, which people have warned me!
Hi palomino98. I have private health and so have had mine done privately, but I’m sure they told me all aspects of my treatment would be available on the NHS. I would ask to get it done on the NHS if I were you.
Will report back in a coupe of days, hopefully with a (huge!) new nipple! x