Hello - I particularly want to find out about experiences of nipple recon using skin from a donor site. I've had DIEP two years ago and just went to theatre to have a nipple bud created from the skin, knowing it would need a tattoo. But also mainly because I didn't want to have surgery from a donor site under a local anaesthetic - having already had six GAs to get to this point. However, I was too nervous in theatre and we couldn't do the surgery anyway - I have been offered a general anaesthetic in a few weeks, which I am now prepared to have so that I can feel 'finished'. The nipple has always been important to me and I know I want to have the surgery, even though I have had a brilliant prosthetic nipple made.
So, now I have a chance to consider the donor skin option. My surgeon uses skin from the inner thigh, and it would mean that the nipple and areola will be a darker colour, so a tattoo may not be necessary. Having seen how nervous I was about the surgery I'm fairly sure I would find getting a tattoo pretty difficult and am now attracted the option of not having one. So, if you have had a nipple recon please could you help me:
I am worried that the donor site will be sore (very inner thigh)?
And what is the colour match like? Did you need a tattoo?
Has the nipple flattened over time?
Thank you, Sarah
