Nipple reconstruction

Teresa: I had nipple reconstruction just last March 4th.  Just to prepare you, the first look see was shocking.  My DH and I both thought we would toss the old cookies.  It is very large and swollen.  It may have a large black scab on the end that will make you think you are looking at dead tissue.  But, be patient, it does reduce in size and the scab does fall off and the end of the nipple looks textured just like a normal nipple.  I had skin graph and I will not have a tatoo.  It took about a month and a half before I could stop dressing the site.  Also, use Vit. E liquid around the site to keep the skin soft.  It didn't hurt as I was under because they had to replace the first permanent implant at the same time.  The nipple always is protruding, as of course the normal breast does not. It also hasn't settled yet and both nipples are lopsided and not the same size.  I am not sure if that will change. Right now the P/S is telling me that it is as good as it will get.  He has discharged me and I will not have to see him for a year or two.  They only had so much tissue to work with, but I do fill a bra cup, sort of, and I do have cleavage again.  They always say that hindsight is 20/20, so I will say that I would not have the nipple reconstruction done.   BUT, that is me.  At this point in the journey I would not choose reconstruction at all.  I wanted to be able to look at myself and not see CANCER, but the reconstruction did not accomplish that for me.  I know I had CANCER and that knowledge will never go away.  I will always look different.  The old breasts are gone or changed and nothing will every bring that back.  But, it doesn't matter, it is not important, I am alive. It is different for each and every one of us.  You will make the right decision for YOU. Prayers and hugs, Candy  

Teresa, there is no hurry to do the nipples; that can be done any time. I am very happy with mine. It really made me feel completely "put back together" like Humpty Dumpty! They do stay erect, and I didn't want a full "salute" so we kept them modest. But after time, they will flatten out anyway. This is fine with me because I go braless a lot and nobody can tell. They still resemble real breasts (not exactly) so I think that is important for the self-esteem part. I had to have the tatoo redone once because it didn't all take the first time. There was about a six month wait time for the retouching because of waiting for complete healing from the first round (something to do with risking infection). I don't remember how long I had to wait before getting them wet, but I think it was a couple of weeks. Have a great time on your cruise; you can take care of this when you get back! L&H, Frayda

I didn't have the nipple done either because I didn't want the outline showing through my clothes. I have only seen one reconstruction besides my own and she had bilateral and the nipples did not match even though they were both done at same time. I thought I could live with just feeling the normal breast feeling and not worry about how it looks. As far as tattooing goes you can not feel it on the breast. I did have some done, but it faded after time and now just looks like a circle that in no way looks like an aereola. LOL As I said it feels normal and I don't dance nekkid so who cares. Hugs MK

Erin: I slept and continue to sleep on the "new" skin grated nipple and areola. Haven't noticed anything askew!! LOL. Hope to see you in October. Any round houses there? Love and hugs, Candy