Hi, I'm about to have my nipples reconstructed in 1 month time and just wondering what to expect? I had a bilateral mastectomy in July 2012 and silicon implants put in December, after being diagnosed with DCIS. I feel that getting my nipples done will help me to feel normal again although I'm disappointed I have to wait 3-4 months for my tattooing!! So how long did you take to recover? Was there much pain involved in the surgery or the tattoo? Is there much more scarring? Any info that can be shared I'd be grateful for, thank you. Jo

My new nipples are absolutely awesome. My reconstruction has taken 12 months because the distance we have to travel. Just before christmas I had the nipples done. We went back to get the stitches out and then I had to look..... I couldnt believe what a difference they made. The went from mounds with lines, to boobs. I had tears of joys rolling down my face, they are brilliant. The op took an hour in the doctors private surgery. No pain, took 1 panadol after. The only inconvenience is having to bathe and not shower. They healed very quickly but I had 2 of the stitches work their way to the top and had to get them out.( 2 second job, after travelling 5 hours to appt) On the 25th I have the tattooing done. This involves 1 hour on the table. Wont hurt because I have no feeling. I tried to postpone it because of another family issue but husband said 'No, this will give us closure'. How good is he. So Im looking forward to the 25th. My advice is to go for it. Annie

Hi there, I had no pain at all from either the surgery or the tattooing of my nipples. Recovery time was quick for both :) I had no additional scarring at all and having the nipples tattooed was the most fantastic day! The end of such a long, hard journey! It made me feel normal again. Good luck x

Hi, I have just been diagnosed with DCIS in my right breast myself. Had an op to get out what they thought was there but with no clear margins. So yes back under the knife and take the rest of my breast :(. I would be interested to hear how you went with the implants. Have seen a plastic surgeon and I don't have enough fat to have anything taken off my stomach :( There seems to be such a mixed bag with the implants. I am keen to do something but what decisions to make. I still have a bit of time to think about it. Don't go back to the breast surgeon and plastic surgeon till next week for my next appointment. Hope to hear from you soon. Cheers, Jillian

I've got an implant in the right side. I don't really like the feel of it that much but it is way better than not having a breast at all. I can't lie on my stomach as it feels like i am lying on a rock! Sleeping on my side is fine. It looks really natural though and I am happy with the final result. The plastic surgeon used the lat dorsi muscle from my back and then put the implant behind it. The recovery was fine and I don't really miss the muscle from my back at all. Good luck next week!

Thanks Louise. Did you have the back muscle with the implant to match the size of the other side? The doc has also asked if I want to go bigger. I don't know!!! That would mean a small implant in the other side as well. Then there is the issue of bc screening on the other side. I will still have to have a nip and tuck on the good side as I have breast fed three children. Things just are not what they used to be. Maybe this is the chance to get the super model boobs!!! So many decisions! Let me know if you have any other words of wisdom. Thanks! Jillian

Nipple reconstruction | BCNA Online Network

19 Replies

jfimp
Member
12 years ago
Hi Jillian, thanks for that I will start looking around

Cheers

Fiona
Jillianb
Member
12 years ago
Yes that is expendive. I have private health cover and I think the key is to find (if possible) a doctor who participates in the gap scheme. My right breast skin sparing mastectomy and tissue expander (one op) cost me $500 for the plastic surgeon and nothing for the breast surgeon. Got a letter from medibank and they told me that I saved $18000 by having private health cover. I still have two more ops with the plastic surgeon and they are $500 each. After some research i found out that if the surgeon participates in the gap scheme they can charge up to $500. Hope this helps.

good luck. Jillian.
Jillianb
Member
12 years ago
Yes that is expendive. I have private health cover and I think the key is to find (if possible) a doctor who participates in the gap scheme. My right breast skin sparing mastectomy and tissue expander (one op) cost me $500 for the plastic surgeon and nothing for the breast surgeon. Got a letter from medibank and they told me that I saved $18000 by having private health cover. I still have two more ops with the plastic surgeon and they are $500 each. After some research i found out that if the surgeon participates in the gap scheme they can charge up to $500. Hope this helps.

good luck. Jillian.
LouiseTurner
Member
12 years ago
I have had a little read about your nipple tattooing and am glad it has worked out for you. It must be so nice to get to the end of all the procedures. I am looking forward to that day myself, but still waiting for revision surgery so nipples are maybe January. I was quoted $1000 private. I think id rather pay that than wait on a waiting list again.

I wonder if you would be interested to share your experiences within our private Breast Reconstruction space http://www.bcna.org.au/group/61026. Its a place where women are sharing their stories and pictures as a resource for others looking for information.

I know some people from this thread are already members, but ladies if you are interested in more information, stories, pictures or have something you would like to share more intimately, follow the link and request membership.

warmest regards Louise
Balijo
Member
12 years ago
Hi Jfimp That does seem excessive, I paid around $600 out of pocket and that was with an overnight stay in hospital! I am so pleased I did it, I now have had the tattooing done and really it's as normal as it gets. Good luck.
louiseg
Member
12 years ago
How much would you be out of pocket? Mine wasn't much at all!
jfimp
Member
12 years ago
Hi everyone, just went to my plastic surgeon today and my barbie boobs are pretty good. We discussed the nipple reconstruction but I nearly fell over when I saw the out of pocket cost, it seems a massive amount compared to the other two operations (double mastectomy with expanders and then the exchange for implants). ($2800) I am happy with the shape and had always thought that I had done this much I would get the whole lot done but now I am wondering if it is worth it??
Balijo
Member
12 years ago
Hi Julia, No I'm pretty sure they only do it as a separate operation. The way my surgeon explained it to me was that a triangular flap of skin is cut and then twisted into a nipple. The finished product is quite amazing, I cried when I saw them! I get my tattooing done on Saturday so I' m looking forward to some closure, all done within a year of being diagnosed on 6/7/12. Good luck with everything xx
Balijo
Member
12 years ago
Hi Fiona, I've actually healed very well. I had the op done on the 3rd April and I'm getting my tattooing done this Saturday. I used bio oil on the scaring and they healed very quickly. The tattooing apparently will cover the whole scar. I'm still hard to touch but they are softening. It's nice to be able to lie on my side again. Hope all goes well for you xx
louiseg
Member
12 years ago
Hi Julia

It is very unlikely that your surgeon will "make" you some nipples at the same time as doing the reconstruction. Mine was done in a completely separate operation (very quick one) after everything had healed. They just use skin that is in situ and sort of twist it to make a new nipple! It's really amazing what they can do :) Later on once it has all healed up, you can get them tatooed to a natural looking colour!

Good luck,

Louise