I had a left side skin sparring mastectomy just over 5 months ago (Sept 23) I’ve been very happy with the results and recovery. I had a lumpectomy on same breast 15 years ago & at that time lost about 1/4 of the breast. I’ve been 1 1/2 sizes smaller on that breast for 15 years.
As I had DIEP surgery, I now have a disc of skin “flap” where my left nipple used to be. I’m quite fond/proud of it.
I’m now on the list for symmetry surgery later this year. I’ve also been offered a nipple reconstruction on the left breast, as a third procedure. I’m really not worried about having a new nipple.
I’m really tempted to ask to have my right nipple removed (or not re-attached) It would have to be repositioned anyway.
I wondered if anyone had this surgery & opted to not keep their nipple or had talked to their surgeon about it?
Thanks
Laura
Ps I tried to post in the right forum but suspect I’ve done it wrong. If it is in wrong place could the moderators move it
The one thing I’ve noticed about most women is that symmetry is big. We just aren’t comfortable if one side of our body doesn’t really match the other. It feels weird. So in saying that if your remaining nipple isn’t good for anything feeling wise or just isn’t useful anymore then yeah, I don’t see why you can’t ask for it to be removed so that both breasts match more closely. I don’t think a nipple reconstruction will ever match the look of your natural nipple anyway so maybe you want to just start from scratch. Anyway I got matching nipple tattoos. They work fine for me!
Thanks Kay for your reply.
When I was younger I’d never have considered having a nipple removed but I’m 58, my breast feeding days are clearly behind me & I think I’d be happy to have the right nipple removed.
The surgeon said it’s removed when they do the surgery & then re-positioned. I think I’ll ask the question & see what the surgeon says.
I was seen by a world renown reconstructive surgeon who performed a TRAMFLAP immediately after my masectomy. I asked back then (1994) about saving my nipple and was told by both doctors, it would lead to recurrence. Also I would have to have the nipple grafted to my leg to maintain the blood supply. yter
I healed he created a nipple using skin inside my leg along underwear line. Still have a 5 inch scar.
Looked good but only stayed erect for a few months. The aerola he created with same skin 2.5 times bigger but did maintain the color. Unless they have new surgical techniques, Think I would get a tattoo instead. Best of luck and may you feel stronger everyday,
I have read that nipple reconstruction using existing skin flaps has a better result.
You have to plan ahead so they can test the skin on the aerola & nipple.
However my nipples were very sensitive ( in a good way) . Lost all feeling in the nipple as well as in my abdomen from the TRAMflap.
I hope & pray that with more female surgeons & improved techniques that reconstruction has vastly improved with more options. They can do amazing plastic surgery for cosmetic reasons. Top quality reconstruction is what breast cancer patients deserve.