Nipple reconstruction and does it work

[RevCat]

Hi Chrisalex, I will PM you the details - I am in Glasgow and my PS is internationally recongised - I am very lucky to get her on the NHS.

My nipple recon was made from a skin graft - a tiny piece of skin and fat cut from the end of my LD scar and stitched onto my breast.  She siad this was the best option as i'd had whole breast radiotherapy.  However, if you haven't had radiotherapy to that skin, then the 'origami' T-flap or star-flap method (where they cut and twist some of the breast skin) is the preferred route.  She said if I hadn't had rads I would have been an ideal candidate for that.

Hope that helps.

[chrisalex]

Dear RevCat

Wow, thanks for your reply.  This has put my dilemma into perspective.  It is a great shame that no one is allowed to name a specific hospital or surgeon as this would give me the ammunition I need to go back to my surgeon and cite.  However, I can ask you a question - was the nipple reconstruction made from your existing breast or taken from another part of your body??  As I have already stated, I have heard that the best looking ones are made from a flap in the exiting breast.

Kind regards Chris

[mary32]

Hi Revcat

I will be looking at nipple reconstruction sometime next year so your post is very interesting. Can you tell me exactly what the reconstruction consisted of? Did you an areola done as well? Wonderful to hear that it's is so realistic looking.

Mary

[RevCat]

Chris I totally agree with Lulu - if you have the energy you should be complaining, and certinaly looking for a new surgeon.

My nipple recon was literally a walk in, walk out appointment in an outpatient clinic... was booked at six weeks notice and could not be bumped by urgent surgery etc.  Literally went in, signed the forms, surgeon locked the door (!) took off top, nurse puts 'greens' over me.  Local, snip, stitch and out the door.  Coffee and cake with a friend then back to work (OK , so I think I'm wonder woman, anyone else would have gone for a lie down first!).  How good was it?  When I had an ECG as part of a pre-op for something else a few weeks later the technician guessed the wrong breast was the recon!!!

[Lulu34]

Chris this is terrible treatment... You really need a new surgeon.... He sounds hopeless... If theres another surgeon at your hosp you can ask you bcn to change you over.... If not ask you gp to refer you to a different hosp. Good luck xxx

[Guest user]

Hi I'm new to this site having had mastectomy 8 weeks ago.  It has opened my eyes a lot.  I genuinely thought I was on my own although I knew I wasnt. Anyway its a disgrace the way we are being treated.  Breasts are a part of us and to be messed about like this at a delicate time is so wrong.  I too have a seranoma - been drained several times but cant have it drained again and its agony. So I sympathise with you. Good luck hope you get it sorted.  X X

[NAZ]

OMG Chris, 2 years! That is just awful! It is a straightforward procedure and you should not have to wait that long!

The nipple can be reconstructed using any available skin, as far as i know - ear lobe, healthy breast, back flap - can't you ask another surgeon? Who wants a stick on nipple??

It makes me mad, the way we have to wait for everything,. Yes the cancer has gone, but reconstruction for those who opt for it, is all part of the healing process..and to play the waiting game for what seems like an eternity, when as you say, pelple like Angelina Jolie appear to be all sorted straight away is just so unfalr. I bet none of the other 'celeb's have to wait for months on end either! GRRHHHH!

I REALLY hope you get somewhere soon.

Naz xxx

[chrisalex]

Dear Sandy 45

I am afraid that the end of you mail did not come through.  I quite understand why you do not want further surgery as the mastectomy is quite an awful ordeal.

It is a shame that you have to pay for nipple tattooing but as my reconstruction op has already been postponed 3 times (and I had to write a complaint to the hospital) I now cannot wait to have it done.  My reconstructed breast is a bit of a mess with lots of lumps which they originally said was fat necrosis and the rest are stitches, or so the surgeon has said.  The fact that my surgeon has now gone back on his word regarding making a nipple for me has made me almost wish that I had the money to go private.  Perhaps this is what the NHS wants.  He has now said that I have to wait another 2 years before he will consider replacing the implant.  God I wish I were Angelina Jole - she had everything done in 3 months instead of playing the waiting game!!!!

Regards

[sandy_45]

I had five surgeries relating to my breast cancer and decided I did not want another surgery.
I decided to have nipples tattooing which I am having done nexy month at a cost of £350.00 for two.
I am disgusted that I have to pay but the nhs won't paye as its classed as

[Lulu34]

Hi chris

We cant recommend specific surgeons or hospitals on here. And havnt had the procedure myself..... But have seen some excellent nipple recons.... You can ask to see a plastic surgeon at your hosp if your breast surgeon is being bolshy or see another BS at your hosp.

It does look very very prominent at first as it shrinks back to be prepared for it to stick out loads at first but then shrinks back to a normal size..... If you dont want an actually sticky out nipple you can get one tattooed on including the shading to make it look prominent... These are very good too...

Dont be put off by a lazy doc who are prob just trying to reduce their wauting lists!

Hugs xxx

[Mema23]

Hi Chris, I had my nipple done last year using the skin from my reconstructed breast, looks amazing, especially now it has shrunk down a bit and has been tattooed.

[NAZ]

Hi Chris

I had my nipple  reconstructed a year ago.

The skin was taken from my back.

At first., it was really prominent,, but after some weeks, it shrunk and now, well it is  much flatter, but at least it looks kind of natural.. I had the areola tatooed in March and that has faded a bit.

Most good PS should be able to do a good nipple recon for you, or if not, be able to put you  in touch with a surgeon who can.

Best of luck

Naz x

[chrisalex]

Hi Lulu

Do you have any idea of a hospital or surgeon who does this with good results?  I have searched the internet and it appears that a nipple made from the skin of the breast gives the best results.  Sadly I cannot have this done unless my implant is changed at the same time - this is what my surgeon said.  This means another 2 years wait!!

Regards Chris

[chrisalex]

Dear Ladies

Thanks for all your replies.

Janey, who is your surgeon and was it done at a London hospital??  I am asking this as I am seriously thinking of asking for a second opinion via my GP.  My surgeon has already said that he does not do nipple reconstruction so would pass me on to another of his team.  I am rapidly losing faith with the hospital as they have alreaddy cancelled my op 3 times!!!

Thanks Chris

[Janey160359]

Hi had a reconstruction with nipple made from skin left from the procedure. It looks amazing.....need the tattoo but very pleased. I would speak to your surgeon again.

Janey

[Lulu34]

If your not happy with your surgeon request a second opinion..... There are loads out there who do this procedure so dont be put off.

Hugs
Lulu x

[RevCat]

Hello Chrisalex,

I had nipple reconstruction in May of this year made from a tiny piece of skin and fat from the end of my LD flap scar.  It has settled down well and although not very pronounced does make a huge difference to how the breast looks.  To start with I'd say it looked 'semi erect' but is now a bit flatter than that but still 'proud' of the surface.  I recently had tattooing and the end result is really pleasing.

I'm told the tattooing will last about 2 years but can be redone any time.

Hope that helps a bit.  Feel free to PM me if you want more details

[chrisalex]

Hello there

I am due to have further surgery in a few weeks time for a mastoplexy on my left breast following a mastectomy on my right breast last year,  I had a stratice with an implant which is partially saline.  This is to be done so that I can have some symmetry.

Originally my surgeon said that I would eventually have a new nipple made from part of my inner thigh, but today he said that this would not work.  He has now suggested a stick on nipple which I am not happy about.

Like so many of you ladies out there it has been a rough ride and although I know that my breasts will never be the same again, the thought that I would eventually have 2 breasts with nipples has kept me going.  So please, has anyone had an success with this??