6 months post MX with LD flap recon it’s time to start thinking about nipple recon. My remaining breast also had cancer (small but moderately aggressive ductal) so I’ve had a successful WLE on that side along with radiotherapy. My query is, will this rule me out for a nipple graft? Does anyone know? Also, those of you who have had a nipple recon via other tissue, how realistic does it feel? I’m imagining that a silicon nipple made from a mould/cast of your remaining nipple will be very lifelike, maybe more so than a tissue recon? Anyone had experience of both tell me which they preferred? I’m hedging towards a tissue recon as I don’t want the fuss of having to remember to attach and then detach a silicon nipple, but would probably decide against it if I knew that the end result was not really very ‘nipple like’. Any feedback gratefully received.
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Hello cal, I had mx, chemo, expander implant, rads, silicon implant starting sept 14 - final op March 16!
My surgeon said I can’t have nipple recon because of the rads. It makes the skin too delicate.
I do have a mounded silicon nipple which is very realistic. But it is a bit of a faf putting it on and removing it. The glue is like pva and very difficult to wash off.
A friend had natural tissue nipple after ld flap surgery and just had it tattooed to make colour realistic - she is absolutely thrilled.
I’ve been told I can have a 3D nipple tattoo, then there’s always something there when I can be bothered to get the glue out!
I had nipple sharing graft two years ago. My surviving breast had enough nipple to share.I am really pleased with the results. It made the tattooing of the surrounding aerola much more effective with good colour matching. I’m very happy with the results but can’t say if you’ll be not recommended given the cancer in your other breast.
I was draw to this thread because of an advertisement I saw on Facebook this week.
it was for a free service for 3D nipple tattooing, for breast cancer survivors. I think I shared it, so will go back and have a look, and if I can find it I will get you details. The pictures were amazing and the tattooists had just been given awards I believe.
Hi steph. My plastic surgeon removed a small potion of my surviving nipple. I had quite enough to share (couldn’t go out in just a tee shirt on cold days if you know what I mean). He seemed a cut out from the side and then attached my nipple tip back to the remaining. My new nipple was then grafted onto my reconstructed breast. I’m assuming he had to attached a blood supply but who knows? So now I have two nipples of same size and same colour, and equal protruding. No aerola was removed. I had breast lift and lipo fill at the same time as I told my surgeon he’d done too good a job and now I’d like my other to match. As a friend put it I wanted them to maybe not look like twins but definitely look like sisters! I then had the aerola tattooed. I’ve lost no feeling in my surviving nipple and as I previously said am really happy. When I am bra-less ( on the beach or in my nightclothes) they both look anazing, good symmetry and perky. Hope this helps. I found it hard to find any information online and think it’s quite a unique method of nipple reconstruction so if you’re plastic surgeon can offer it then that’s great.
Hi cal, sorry for delay in replying - somehow I must have switched off email alerts!
I’m not sure how long the dressings were on after the recon, not long. She was back up and active straightaway - had horses and dogs who needed exercise!
The surgeon recommended a tattooist in Aylesbury. It’s a mediclinic. However she also recommended someone in Birmingham and Luton - both regular tattoo artists who have trained in 3D medical tattooing. I’m seeing someone in hitchin in a couple of weeks.
It is a big decision. I think the mastectomy or lumpectomy is an easier decision as you are in a total daze at that point and so follow the professional advice. The aesthetic stuff is much more difficult and personal.
Hi Blueash, your 3 D nipple tattooing sounds amazing, and am presuming your plaeased with. Isn’t it amazing what can be done these days. I’ll keep it in mind as an alternative option, should I not have any other options to create a “nub”, so to speak.
I have to say, that my age (58) is now steering me towards easier options, from that of 10 - 12 yrs ago, when I could have had all this dealt with then, but didn’t due to other life “stuff”. I’m being worn down by other ops (recent cataract and another pending) plus other probs, such as a progressive hand prob, so don’t have the same “ooomph” I used to have in pursuit of the best possible result. In other words, I’m more prepared to settle for less than the possible. Time and your age does begin to make a difference.
Hi…I had a nipple recon sharing from my remaining nipple. I have been a bit disappointed as it has gone completely flat. I thought it would stick out a bit.It did take a long time to heal and I do wonder if that is the reason. What I think upset me more is that I used my good nipple so that is now only half the size it used to be. I think for me I could have had the same looking results from a tattoo. Xx