Nipples! The choices!

Hi Merylee

I have had two reconstructions, 7 years apart, and both times I had my nipples reconstructed.  They used the skin that was on the breast to pinch up into a new nipple.  It doesn't stick out too far and looks really realistic.  I am really pleased with the final product!  After you have that done, you get the colour tattooed onto it and the medical tattooists are really good at getting it pretty lifelike!

I'd definitely recommend this way...very small surgery and great results!  I think I would feel that something was missing if I hadn't had it done this way and had a little bit sticking out....but maybe that's just me!!

Louise :)

Goodmorning Merylee,

Haven't been on line in awhile either, I just had my expanders changed over last Tuesday, feels so good to have the silicone in there instead of the expanders (my boobs feel almost normal and soft instead of feeling like blocks of cement). Nipples are a personal choice of what you feel comfortable with, I myself am going to be different and when I am fully healed (and can afford it) I am getting stars tattooed, although I have to admit i have gotten used to being nippleless, with regards to feeling comfortable in bathing suits alot of them now come with the extra removable padding in the cup, I found last summer (when I still had nipples) that the padding kept the erect nipples in check (not visable). With regards to cream for your scars/boobs I have found bio oil to be really good, a little bit goes a long way (i made sure my incisions were healed before rubbing it in those areas) I have areas along my incision that you cannot even see a scar now, just need to wait for my new incisions to heal now. Hope this has helped you a bit

Take care

Regards

Kim

Goodmorning Merylee,

Haven't been on line in awhile either, I just had my expanders changed over last Tuesday, feels so good to have the silicone in there instead of the expanders (my boobs feel almost normal and soft instead of feeling like blocks of cement). Nipples are a personal choice of what you feel comfortable with, I myself am going to be different and when I am fully healed (and can afford it) I am getting stars tattooed, although I have to admit i have gotten used to being nippleless, with regards to feeling comfortable in bathing suits alot of them now come with the extra removable padding in the cup, I found last summer (when I still had nipples) that the padding kept the erect nipples in check (not visable). With regards to cream for your scars/boobs I have found bio oil to be really good, a little bit goes a long way (i made sure my incisions were healed before rubbing it in those areas) I have areas along my incision that you cannot even see a scar now, just need to wait for my new incisions to heal now. Hope this has helped you a bit

Take care

Regards

Kim

Hi again Merylee

I'm a bit of a name person also so I try to take particular care - made all the more worthwhile when it means a lot to you as well!

Yes at the moment the new nipple is what I'd say semi-erect - not as obvious as my own when that's erect but standing a little 'higher' than when not!! It doesn't show through that much in t-shirts, etc. It will still supposedly shrink a little further.

For the scars I was initially given an antibiotic eye cream and then when that ran out (2-4 weeks) the recommended was sorbolene or acqueous. It can't have or be any vitamin E or bio oil on the scars for quite a while because the scar tissue underneath will grow too quickly!! I'm sticking with the straight sorbolene still.

Hope this helps, Dette xxxxx

thank u for taking the time to reply Dette! & thank you for noticing my 'real' name... so many ppl just call me sillysam (my username) I dont mind being called that but was soooo nice to see my name there :) So thank you... With ur procedure does is it always erect - can u see if thru ur shirts or anything - or does it soften up? 

Great that you are doing well aswell & that scars are healing! I'm a bit concerned about the scars too... do u use a cream or anything or do u just let them heal naturally? 

Hi Merylee

It's really good to hear that you're so busy doing fun things and looking after yourself. Well done!

My experience for what it's worth! I had my reconstruction (latissimus dorsi flap) at the same time as mastectomy and the plastic surgeon was also able to use some of the skin from my back to create a new nipple. The thought at the time was that I'd probably get it tattooed for matching colour 6 -12 months down the track. From day 1 I have been so impressed with the whole look and feel of my 'new boob' and currently doubt that I'll worry about the tattooing. I have matching nipples under bathers/fitted t-shirts and as you said, it is only me and my husband who see the different colours!!

It's almost 12 weeks post surgery and scars are very tidy and fading (except for week after chemo) when they turn bright red!! There is still some 'shrinkage' around the new nipple to occur which means the new areola is still slightly larger and wider near incision side.

The choices - I had those you speak of as well as false 'stick on/attachable option although I didn't look into that too much when I could have all at once.

Hope this is of some help and I wish you all the best as you pursue what's best for you with this one.

Take care, Dette xxxx

Hi Merylee

It's really good to hear that you're so busy doing fun things and looking after yourself. Well done!

My experience for what it's worth! I had my reconstruction (latissimus dorsi flap) at the same time as mastectomy and the plastic surgeon was also able to use some of the skin from my back to create a new nipple. The thought at the time was that I'd probably get it tattooed for matching colour 6 -12 months down the track. From day 1 I have been so impressed with the whole look and feel of my 'new boob' and currently doubt that I'll worry about the tattooing. I have matching nipples under bathers/fitted t-shirts and as you said, it is only me and my husband who see the different colours!!

It's almost 12 weeks post surgery and scars are very tidy and fading (except for week after chemo) when they turn bright red!! There is still some 'shrinkage' around the new nipple to occur which means the new areola is still slightly larger and wider near incision side.

The choices - I had those you speak of as well as false 'stick on/attachable option although I didn't look into that too much when I could have all at once.

Hope this is of some help and I wish you all the best as you pursue what's best for you with this one.

Take care, Dette xxxx