Hi
Am due to have nipple construction shortly having had breast recon last year.
Any tips/ideas/recommendations on what sort of recon to have? My surgeon is keen on nipple sharing but think I’d prefer to have my ‘good’ breast left well alone!
Has anyone lost sensation in the nipple following nipple sharing?
Thanks
Gill x
Hi Gill, I’ve not heard of ‘nipple sharing’ but, I agree, I think I’d want my other breast left well alone too! I know in the scheme of things it shouldn’t be a priority but the thought of losing any sensation in my one remaining breast (irrespective of whether or not I would) would be enough for me to want to avoid any surgery to it if at all possible.
I did have a nipple reconstruction last Monday (and removal of scar tissue from my back after initial LD op) but I didn’t ask him - and he didn’t tell me - how it was going to be reconstructed. I’m going back tomorrow to have the bandages removed so I will be interested to see what he has done. I understand, though, that there is a risk that the nipple will flatten out over time.
I wish you all the best with whatever you decide.
Naz
Hi Gill and Naz,
I have finally got an appt with PS to see about nipple reconstruction.I had my Mx in July 08 and my surgeon has made me wait for my nipple.I also had a plum sized lump on my side/back at the end of my back scar that I hope they can remove as it is so unsightly.
I am like you Gill ,I hope they don’t want to use my good boob as I want it left alone.I think they can make an s-shaped incision on the new boob and sort of twist it into a nipple shape.Then tattoo on the areola.Hey ,never thought I would have a tattoo! LOL!
I wasn’t bothered about a nipple pre-op but I am desperate for one just so my boob will look a bit less like a mastectomy/recon and more like just a boob with a scar.I had a stick on one made and it looks great on but I keep forgetting to put it on…I am also scared I lose it! LOL!
Good luck,let us know what they do to you Gill,
Dot
xxx
Hi,
I had my nipple reconstruction last month and am thrilled with the results. I’m not sure how it was done, but somehow the skin from the reconstructed breast was twisted round - it looks amazingly realistic (it’s bigger than my natural side at the moment, but I’m told it will shrink). As you say (and I have shown a couple of friends - their jaws dropped)now my breast just looks like i’ve had some kind of accident, rather than a mastectomy and reconstruction. My surgeon also managed to hide some of the mastectomy scars as she did the nipple reconstruction.
Appointment now in May to see about the tatoo.
Good luck - from my experience so far I can only recommend going for it!
Katherine
xx
P.S. I’d previously had a lift/reduction on the healthy side, where the nipple was moved. I haven’t lost any sensation, but I know this can happen and is possibly more likely if they’re taking some of your nipple away? I’d also be more worried that the reconstructed nipple would be more likely to die if it’s a kind of graft - but I’m not a surgeon or expert and this may not be the case at all. I was warned by my surgeon that mine could die anyway
Hiya, that’s good to know, Katherine. After having the bandages removed on Monday I’m a bit put off by the sight of it at the moment - apologies if I am being too graphic but its still very bruised and still a bit bloody. I’ve been told that the stitches will dissolve but they haven’t yet and I’m worried that they will have to be removed - the surgeon did say to visit my practice nurse in a fortnight’s time if they haven’t gone by then but I don’t particularly want to have to bear myself again to another stranger! I have even begun to think that perhaps it would have been best just left alone - after all I’d put up without having one for over a year. I have tried to tell myself that I need to give it time to heal but to hear how pleased you are just helps so much more! I shall be going back in June for the tatoo so will be interested to hear how you get on in May.
How you are doing, Gill? Are you any closer to a decision?
All the best
Naz
Hi Gill
I logged on today since my appt is getting close, and I havent got a clue what to do either.
I would prefer to use skin on the breast and twist it round if it is possible - Mr Hayward did describe this when I was in having the DIEP.
Have you decided yet?
Lisa
Hi girls
No I haven’t decided yet. My PS is a very ‘forceful’ woman (sorry if you’re reading this Elaine!!) but I am determined not to use my ‘good’ nipple. The twisty thingy sounds good although I do know they can use the labia too (ouch!).
I still haven’t got a date for my appointment but when I saw the PS in January she indicated a 4 month wait which takes me to May.
Naz-am so sorry that you have suffered-I am sure you will be pleased in the end. I can’t wait to just look normal and not to be on the receiving end of double takes or funny looks in the changing rooms at the gym! Am just waiting for someone to ask where my nipple is and could then act out an ‘OMG, I must have dropped it. Everyone stand still! Don’t move!’ scenario!!!
Katherine, your recon sounds really successful. Have you had to take time off work? Can’t see me going back the next day (I work in a school full of little children!).
Dot-I can’t wait to tell my teenage children that I’ve had a tattoo!!
All the best girls and thank you so much for responding. Will keep you updated!
Love Gill xx
Hi again,
yes, my wound is not a pretty sight either. I had my op on 18th Feb and still have the stitches - my surgeon isn’t concerned though, but obviously just said to go back if i’m worried. Yes, it is a bit gruesome isn’t it? My friend who had a look said “it looks like your titty has been through a mangle!”. It looks better every day though as the scab heals.
I had 2 weeks off work but i had some lipofil at the same time, so was a bit stiff from that. I was just worried about banging into someone, but apart from that it’s fine.
bye!
Katherine
Hi everyone. Interested to read your posts, both Katherine’s positive one and the others. I am going for a nipple recon on 1st June. Wouldn’t have bothered really, but there’s this ‘port’ thing at the bottom left of my implant (LD recon) that is driving me mad, and can come out because I’m happy my ‘boob’ doesn’t need blowing up any more. I have to have a general anaesthetic for that, so I thought he may as well do the nipple as well, as he’d offered. I am quite excited now, reading Katherine’s reaction.
One thing though: i’ve been told I’ll just need a couple of days off work afterwards, which is all I have booked. What does anyone else think?
PS Dx last August, MX with LD recon, chemo, rads - but now the nice bit, I hope?
I hsd nipple recon oct 08, I firstly had lippo as the recon was a cup bigger than my good one then had the nipple using the twisted skin method.
I opted for a local rather than a general, I was in theatre for about an hour and half in total and had 2 days of work, mainly due to that fact op was a thursday and really didn’t fancy going back in the friday. also was quite aware of dressings.
Am going back in either this or next month to have more lippo just even shape and then to use some of this to re plump the nipple as its shrunk quite a bit, then due tatoo next month, which I am really looking forward to as think it will distract the eye from scar lines and finish the job off.
I a really pleased with my results the shaping is fantastic (used tummy).
Debbie