nipple reconstruction and tattooing

[mazaroo]

Hi all Im seeing my PS 2 morrow bout my nipple so will see waht he has to say thanx for all your input xxx

[Guest user]

Hi everyone

This is a very late reply to the questions about the dent in my breast. I had it filled through fat transfer from my thigh. My consultant 'overfilled' it, to allow for the dying down in size which he said always occurs after this procedure. I am now dent free.

When I noticed the dent is hard to say, as I had my recon done almost a year ago, but I think it was pretty soon after.

I've got a reconstructed nipple - not as 3D as I'd like - but better than being flat. According to my consultant, and what I've read on the web, the small projection I have is about as good as you can get at the moment. I'm hoping in a few years a new technique will be developed and I can have it looked at again.

I'm having my nipple tattooed this afternoon and I'm dreading it, as my consultant (a man) is doing it. I'd rather be unconscious - less embarrassment. He says it only takes 15 mins, which seems very quick given what I've read here.

Good luck to all of you. And if you hear of a technique that gives a good 3D effect, please post it on here.

Moirax

[Guest user]

Thank you petitepart but no, I was referring to shaunlev's question which raises an interesting possibility and as far as I can see has had no responses. However it is often useful to have names of highly recommended specialists and I'm sure this will be helpful to people yet to make a decision on their treatment. All the very best to you, Lyn x

[petitepart]

Good morning palomino98, am not sure if you are referring to poannie's question which I thought had come to me privately, so I replied privately. If it does, well, I was operated on for recon of breast and nipples by Prof Brigitte Pittet at Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève (Switzerland). She is internationally known, not only for her breast recon work, and I told poannie she could always "drop her name" to her own surgeon and ask for more details of the procedure. petitepart

[Guest user]

Bumping this up in case anyone has anything to answer the interesting last question?

[Guest user]

Hi all. I have a question (my apologies in advance if it sounds daft, but I have to ask......)

My partner (Liz) is having to have a bilateral mastectomy because she's been diagnosed with intermediate grade DCIS, (breast cancer runs in the family). We have seen her plastic surgeon and are happy with his intended plans for reconstruction, and we have spent many hours combing the internet for information. But...........Liz wants nipple reconstruction that would be more 3D than a tattoo. We are aware there are a couple of ways of achieving this (as some of the ladies have previously said in this thread), but Liz's plastic surgeon has told her that nipple reconstruction is likely to flatten over a period of time, and even if he implants cartlidge taken from elsewhere on her body, this can also be re-absorbed and flatten out.......My question is, does any one know of, or ever heard of any kind of nipple "implant" that could be inserted below the surface of the skin to give the 3D shape, that could then be tattooed over to get the more natural colour? I know this may sound silly (especially from a man. But I can assure you I have nothing but the wishes of my partner in mind). I am only equipped with a "technical" perspective of the concept, so we don't know if it would even be medically possible due to possible complications. Or, is this something that is not likely to be available from a commercial point of view (not enough profit from the invested development costs). Anyone's thoughts or information would be appreciated.

[Guest user]

i too have a dent!so glad to hear i am not alone.had mine 9 weeks ago.they are settling but dent hasnt really changed.as i had both boobs done the one with the dent is the one they had to use muscle in,what do they fill it with?cant wait to back to see consultant in april to see what he says!

zsazsa

[Guest user]

I too have a dent, though it's only 2 weeks since the mast/DIEP recon and I'm hoping it will settle down. Moira, how long was it before you felt the swelling had all gone and the new breast was as settled as it was going to be? Lyn xx

[Guest user]

Hi Moira

Just read your post and noticed you are having a dent filled. I have a dent above the new diep boob and have been offered bio-alcamid to fill it. Where is your dent? I'm also going to have nipple reconstruction but am not sure about the filler.

Many thanks
Cassie

[Guest user]

My tattooing was cancelled. I waited in the hospital for nearly 2 1/2 hours.
They said that they didn't have a bed for me but my consultant argued that as I wasn't even having a local anaesthetic, I didn't need a bed but the managers wouldn't have it and sent me home. I'm thinking about not having it done now and getting a different type of tattoo done in the same area- like a guardian angel and the BCC logo.

[jacks]

Hi was interested to hear about people's nipple experiences as I am due to have mine done this month. Its a few years since my recon and I had never thought I would want anything else doing. I just feel like or hope it will finish the job off!
Good luck to anyone having their nipple/s done
Suex

[Guest user]

Thats a great idea jacqc - wish I had had that option.
I was a bit taken aback to arrive in theatre and given a pen and told to mark the spots. Luckily a nurse came with me and took me to a mirror and together we dotted the plot..
Still waiting for my tattoo but having something different sounds excellent.

[Guest user]

Hi All

After my 2nd breast recon I plan to have nipple recon later. My surgeon has said that nearer the time she will give me some stick on nipples to take home and experiment on which position I would like my new nipples to be in. I will then return on the day, wearing them where I want them to be. I thought this was a great idea and reduces the risk of any 'suprises'!

It is enouraging to read all the positive comments.
Jackie.

[Guest user]

Hi Judith

I am having my left niple recon on 2nd April, so it would be great to hear how yours is when you finally get to see it!

Hope it is all ok, love Deborah xxx

[Guest user]

I haven't been on the site for ages, but just thought I'd have a look if there was anything about recon nipples.....

Can I join in the forum and add I'm just having a couple days off after having my nipple recon last week. (booked the time off but not really needed)!!

I go back this afternoon to the consultant plastic surgeon, but I don't think I will get to see it today as he did initially say 10days. But I can't wait to see the result.
I had a tram flap in dec 2006, followed by 6 months of chemo. Then as 2007 was coming to an end I thought I would have this done and then hopefully I will feel that it's all over and complete.
I had a skin graft , taken from my stomach scar area (extended it), I don't' feel any pain at all, my stomach is a bit uncomfortable but nothing compared to what I had been through with the tram flap.

Really interested in reading the ones that have had it done.Everyone seems please with the results.
Hope I am

Judith
x

[Guest user]

Hi, Kelley, that sounds like an option...though I'm not sure a body cast of my somewhat lived-in form would be overly decorative!

Ann rushes off the google the Boudicca within...

[Guest user]

PinkyAnn
have you seen The Boudicca Within? One of the women featured decided not to have a nipple reconstruction but instead to have a very elaborate flowery tattoo. It looks quite stunning although not what i'd choose. She also had a body cast done and the artist painted a copy of her tattoo on the body cast.

[Guest user]

Anyone looking to have something a bit more..erm...creative than a fake nipple? The surgeon who did my wide local excision told me about a lady who had a dragon and a lady tattoed on her altered boob. It set me thinking and i have a fancy for a more 'tattoo-ish' tattoo, probably something celtic. Plenty of time to think about that one!

Early days but at the mo, I'm hoping some sort of restoration will be feasible.

[Merlyn]

A lady I met at oncology insisted on showing me her breasts in the ladies loo. (So glad nobody saw us coming out of the cubical together.) She had had her nipple and tattoo as well as her healthy breast lifted. They looked amazing three years down the line. I can't wait for all mine to be done later in the year.

I am just blocking my mind to the stay in hospital for breast lift, and discomfort and putting my faith in my surgeon.

There are some photos of ladies from Maidstone on the web some look better than others I have to say but I am still keen to go ahead.

[petitepart]

Hello Mandy.

About nine months after my bilateral skin-saving mastectomy with implants (no rads, chemo or hormones, just surgery) where they had been unable to save the nipples, I had a recon done. It was quickly done under general anaesthetic (which is what I chose). The plastic surgeon said one should wait at least six months until the implants had settled down. They cut the skin on my reconstructed breasts in a kind of little clover leaf shape and pulled that up, and around the nipple the aureole was made of skin grafted from high up on the inside of my thighs where it is naturally darker.

Apart from some discomfort for about a week on my thighs - and when I say high up, I mean it! - the whole thing was painless. I had special dressings (greasy) as it is important that the grafted skin does not dry out, and to avoid the grease soaking through my teeshirt (it was summer, and one such experience was enough!) I put one of those pads in my bra which nursing mothers use to avoid leaks. That was for about ten days (during which I went on a weeks holiday to Spain!).

I am very pleased with the result. They are a natural "3D" shape but not exaggerated so I can go bra-less, but of course they don't erect or go flat, and there is no feeling. I could have had them tattooed but am not bothering as the colour is not too bad at all. Sorry I have no photos (although they took enough to fill an album at the hospital, where they, too, were very pleased with their efforts!), hope this helps nonetheless - all the best
petitepart

[Guest user]

Hi Mandy

I'm supposed to be having my right nipple reconstructed in April. I have seen two women who've had this procedure and the results looked very good. I'm having general anaesthetic as I'm having a dog tag (from my DIEP) removed at the same time and a dent in my reconstructed breast filled through fat transfer, but usually I don't think you need this as the area is numb. I've been told that the tatooing is painless, again because the area is numb. I would like to know which technique gives the best 3D effect (a problem with nipple reconstruction), so - like you - would like to hear of others' experiences/see recent photos.

Best of luck, M

[Guest user]

hI Mandy

Haven't got any photos I'm afraid. But I had nipple recon last summer and the tattoo in Jamuary. The results are great. Yours will be even better as they will match! The colour of my real one and the tattoo are not quite the same. The procedures are both totally pain free - they give you a local anaesthetic but with recon you probably don't really need it. The recon was done as a day case in hospital - in theatre. The tattoo was done in the outpatient clicnic by a nurse specialist. She put on an anaestehtic cream - I went away for an hour and then the procedure took about 45 mins after I came back. You have to wear a dressing for c 4 days and then take care showering etc for a couple of weeks.

Good luck

k

[Guest user]

Hi Mandy.

I have decided against having the nipple reconstruction but I am having a nipple and areola tattooed in February.
It is a 45 minute procedure and you can have a local anaesthetic.
I have had a tattoo in the past (over shoulder blade- more painful over boney area) and it took 2.5 hours and no local anaesthetic so this should be a breeze!

I haven't seen any photos but would like to

Kat

[Guest user]

When I had my first breast cancer in 2002. I didn't even contemplate having the nipple done or the tattoo. But now with having had bc twice and having both of them reconstructed. I am tempted to have them both done and tattooed at the same time. At least the should match!!! Can any one tell me about theirs. Does it hurt. Length of time, procedure, pain afterwards etc etc. I would also love to see some pictures so if anyone can direct me to some decent websites you can pm me. I don't think photos are allowed on here. But if I provide my home email address I would love some ideas. I have seen the ones that the breast nurse shows you but I would imagine they are old archieved stuff that they have on their files. I saw one ladies in the real so to speak when I had my mx beginning of this month and it looked truely amazing. Which is what made me want mine done in the first place rather than the photos the bcn showed me. They actually put me off!!! Thanks in advance.