Hi all, has anyone had any experience of NHS nipple tattoos? Wondering how good they are compared to those done via a tattoo artist. Thanks x
Good lord. Do the NHS do this? No wonder health care is rationed
What the heck kind of a response is that? I have no issue at all with there being NHS tatooists, and neither would most rational people. I recommend a change of attitude.
Hmm. Okay you obviously like to be blunt so let me oblige.
I have issues with the NHS carrying out any service which is not strictly speaking health care. I would include tattoos in this category, ditto fertility treatment, sex change or nose jobs. My feelings are based on the viability of any free at the point of need service being used to provide anything outside of urgent medical treatment or preventative measures. Everyday we see the results of a system that simply cannot cope with the demands made upon it precisely because people have been lead to believe they can have it all. The inevitable result is people who are desperately ill being denied the care they need because resources have been used elsewhere and in a way that was never envisaged by the original creators of a scheme for public health.
Let me end by saying you will find that very many people also feel this way because they are not sticking their heads in the sand and are keen to investigate a better way of improving our currently lamentable standard of health care. We all know that cancer is an emotive subject but that doesnāt give us the right to ignore cold hard logic. There is sometimes a tendency on this website to overdose on emotion which is not always the best advice. Natural sympathy for a fellow sufferer is one thing; unrealistic demands quite another. I am often appalled at how frequently contributors blithely tell people to abandon work even before getting a confirmed diagnosis when they would do far better to try to keep their life intact as much as possible while they still can.
Criticise my point of view all you like. But irrational it certainly isnāt.
Wow teddy271,
You certainly say it as it is. I do agree with some of your points you make but the initial stages after finding a breast lump until receiving your treatment plan is a very traumatic time for many. I had just retired when I found my breast cancer so I didnāt need time off work but I would have struggled to work and to be honest I would not have been safe to work.
I did work in the NHS for 35 years so I do agree with you about us having limited resources and we have to choose how tax money is spent on the healthcare we provide. I also agree with the examples you give, although I donāt want to upset anyone as this is a very emotive discussion. I hope bearcat doesnāt feel upset as she was asking for advice and the NHS does provides a service of tattooing nipples.
Perhaps ask the nurses as they may be able to provide information about where to get this service / best NHS services . Also when I was on the Moving Forwards course I think I saw a register for private artists who do nipple and artistic tattoos to cover breast scars - not recommended as such but people who have gone onto a register of artists . Not sure I could find it again though. Xx
If you type in tattoo you should get results - seen a few come up with recommendations that may be relevant .
Whether or not any of us feel that this is a service that should or shouldnāt be offered on the NHS isnāt really relevant to this post .If it is being offered then people who are interested should have the right to inquire about it without being made to feel bad.
I saw an NHS nipple tattoo at my show and tell before my Diep, and was on the waiting list for one for about a year after my surgery. After a chat with the nurse however, I decided against it, as they are quite temporary and do fade apparently. The NHS nurses arenāt qualified tattooists and do a fairly basic job - the lovely nurse I spoke to was very honest about that! Iāve since seen a private tattoo and there really is no comparison⦠Iām still undecided about whether to have one, but if I did, Iād definitely go down the private route. There are lots of places that offer them free for breast cancer reconstructions - the https://mastectomytattooingalliance.org/
is a good place to start otherwise speak to your BCNs - they should be able to help .
Good luck with your decision! xx
Hello bearcat,
I was offered a tattoo after surgery at guys hospital, who were outstanding, however I decided not to take the offer up, unfortunately they donāt last very long (so Iāve was told) and have funny skin so was cautious about getting an infection.
Good luck for a good outcome with the root you decide to take.
Tili
Thanks everyone for your thoughts and the links. I had the consultation yesterday, and it confirmed that the NHS uses semi-permanent pigment, which fades relatively quickly and requires regular top-ups. The results Iāve seen do look great though, and I really appreciated the care the team showed.
That said, after 17 years of treatment and two breast cancers, Iām not keen to be in and out of hospital unless itās to volunteer. The tattoo artists Iāve looked at use permanent pigment and create more 3D effects, and since Iām fortunate enough to afford private treatment, Iāll go that routeāif I decide to go ahead at all.
Iāve had one nipple since 2009 and none since 2022. The thought of looking ānormalā again is a surprisingly powerful psychological boost. The emotional and physical impactsāon fertility, body image, intimacyācan run deep at any age, but theyāre often particularly sharp for those of us who go through this in their 30s or 40s. And itās not just about the immediate recovery. If youāre lucky, itās something you live with for another 30 or 40 years.
Just wanted to share this in case others are weighing up similar choices. Thanks again, all.
Hi bearcat
There is a charity called the Nipple Innovation Project (NIP) and qualified private tattoo artists provide permanent 3D nipple tattoos for mastectomy patients which are incredibly realistic. As itās a charity, you would simply provide a donation.
The psychological benefits of this can be huge post surgery and unlike the NHS nipple tattoos, there is no waiting list, itās permanent ink so no need to return for top ups and the artists are skilled and your tattoo will be more personalised.
If you google, you may find an artist close to your location. I know of two / Worcestershire and Shropshire.
Good luck. What a lovely prospect to look forward to after so long! I know I felt so much more like me after I had mine done by this charity a few years ago.
Thank you for raising this- I recently had revision surgery and nipple reconstruction. I will be investigating the options for a tattoo in the next few weeks.
All of these additional ācosmeticā procedures help in moving forward without facing a constant reminder every time you undress. For me, and Iām sure many others, that is very important.
Wishing you all the very best
For those interested in nipple tattoos, I had mine done. It is amazing. For the first time in 17 years I look in the mirror and recognise my body. I showed my reserved husband and he said āWow, thatās remarkable, you canāt tell it isnāt realā. It took about 2.5 hours and in 6 weeks Iāll need a top up. I couldnāt be happier. Iām hoping that this will be the first step in rediscovering my sexuality (one can hope!!). The lady who does mine runs a charity that provides free tattoos for people who cannot afford the fees. She had breast cancer herself and trains people all over the world do do areola tattoos. https://www.thetatafoundation.com/about-us If you are hesitating. Donāt. all best and thanks for the support from you all xx