Nipple reconstruction help

Hi I'm sorry I can't answer your question but I do understand as I'm in a similar dilemma about having reconstruction. I'm 50 now diagnosis age 48 and couldn't have immediate reconstruction. I'm considering options now but although I do want it after over two years don t know if I want to go through It all. I noticed your earlier post about Ld Flap or Implants did you just go with implants and if so are you happy with that I'm only small busted so result may be ok  Hope you don't mind me asking in the post many thanks x

Hi

I ended up going for the implant as the recovery time was less and with a 5 year to look after I wanted to get back to normal, if you can call it that asap.

Sometimes I find the implant uncomfortable but only because I have a soft left breast and hard (implant) right breast, but most of the time I dont even notice it. Am I happy with my decision to have a the implant. Yes I am , as I said in my post my implant breast isnt as big as my natural breast, and obviously sits higher than my natural breast without a bra, but once in a bra you cant tell I only have one natural breast, small price we have to pay for being cancer free I guess.

H Emgerry

I am really sorry but I cannot help regarding your nipple reconstruction. Until I become a member of this club I didn't even know a nipple reconstruction existed. 

I am not as far down the line as you. I had a mastectomy (right side) and implant January of this year and go to see my consultant on Tuesday to discuss a full reconstruction using fat from my stomach,  which I am very much in two minds about which way to go. 

Like you the implant is uncomfortable and you know its there. But not enough to think it is worth the full reconstruction. Was you informed that you will have to have the implant removed after so many years? If so how long did they say. 

I will let you know if my consultant informs me regarding the nipple reconstruction. 

regards
El

Hi

i had reconstruction by diep and then had nipple reconstruction. The new nipple doesn't stick out as much as the other as it has gone a little flat since being done. But, it's there and makes it all look more natural. The tattooing - which I'm having done at the moment adds to the real look of it all. Looking in the mirror quickly it's difficult to tell which one is the new boob!!! For me there were no cons just pros to having it done!!! Only con is having to go to the appointments. Good luck!!!!xxxx

Hi howaboutthat

Like you say I do sometimes find the implant annoying but not enough to have any further surgery, I've had enough of that.

He did inform me that the implant may need changing in the future but he said not for 15 - 20 years as he said they have been improved and last a lot longer now. He also said it may not need changing at all. If it did he said it is a 20 minute procedure, pop one out and put another one in, my hubby joked it sounds like your changing a car tyre, to which my consultant laughed and said it is really, so didn't feel so bad about having the implant reconstruction instead of the should muscle way.

Regards

Hi I was thinking of getting  a new nipple made but only if it doesn’t involve loads of trips to the hospital.i know it’s only a day case procedure but does anyone know if it takes several visits to get the finished product . Knowing my luck something will happen and since it took 4 surgeries to get to where I am now with my LD flap and a lot of waiting in between I’m not sure if I want to bother with anything else.

Hi Moresleep

Thank you for the reply. Did you have your nipple done under local anaesthetic, how long did it take and was you allowed home the same day.

Was it easy to care for, I've been told stitches need to stay in 2 weeks then I have an appointment to have them removed. I was told in those 2 weeks not to do any exercise or anything to physical that could damage the nipple.

Regards

Emma

Hi

I understand where you are coming, I know it's only meant to be a day procedure, but it's the after care for 2 weeks, the fact the nipple could go flat, then going back to have the tattooing done several times. I ve been this long without a nipple I dont know if I want to go through it all again.

Like you I would like to know if anyone who has had it done can let us know, how it all went etc.

Regards

Emma

Dear Emgerry 

Thanks for replying. Its good to hear from others who have the same thing done. 

I wish you well with your decision and am sure which ever you decide you will be happy with. 

regards
El

Hi Emma,

I had my nipple reconstruction at the same time as some lipo modeling so it was under a general anaesthetic. I believe if you are just having nipple recon they do it under a local. It was very easy to care for. I had to go back to the hospital 2 weeks afterwards for  the stitches to be taken out and shown how to dress it. You need to protect it in foam donuts for 6 weeks. It's all quite straightforward although I had to order a load of special dressing via my local GP. I think i went twice to the nurse at my surgery twice over the 6 weeks just to check everything and it was fine. You may need to wear some loose T shirts but I wore my normal bra, albeit an old one just in case it was messed up. I also used a cushion strategically placed to keep the seatbelt from putting any pressure on it. The lipo modeling was  more restricting than the nipple reconstruction as the bruising was horrendous and a bit painful until it started to heal. XXXxx