Skip to content
My WebMD Sign In, Sign Up
Nipples - yes or no?
avatar
kaoli posted:
I have finished my reconstruction (double mastectomy) and am agonizing over whether or not to do nipples. Yes, they would look nice, but I'm really enjoying not wearing a bra and don't want to have the "gee, I'm cold" look going on all the time. My doctor says he can make them with very small protrusions. Any advice?
Reply
 
avatar
TXGalBornNRaised responded:
I had the tatoos and nipples done. I am very pleased, and the people that I have shown them to are astounded.

Actually, the nipples were done at the time of the reconstruction, for me. It was just the tatoos that came later.
 
avatar
kayjoedwards responded:
I had nipples and tattoos done too. The nipples start out really large right after surgery but they shrink significantly after a few months. You can barely see mine now. I had them done at the same time as the implants and the tattoos were done a few months later.
kayjo
 
avatar
Springfever01 responded:
I did not get nipples, and I have remained pleased with my decision. It's individual preference. My husband left it totally up to me and as I was happy to have one less procedure done. Didn't really need them anymore. I call it the mannequin look. Never seen nipples on a mannequin, lol.

Good luck with your decision.

Bonnie
 
avatar
564deb responded:
I just had my surgery yesterday to exchange my expanders for my implants. ?Like you, I am enjoying not wearing a bra, even though I am an older (and conservative) woman:) Was very large busted before and always had to wear very large and cumbersome bras my entire adult life. Now I like wearing a snug fitting camisole. ? I think I will continue on with the nipples and the tattoos just so that I can look complete to myself when I look in the mirror, and probably more so for my husband than for myself. ?He says that he does not care, but I can't imagine how it must feel for him after all these years of feeling nipples to now feel none. ?I asked my plastic surgeon about doing the nipples at the time of my exchange yesterday but he likes to let the implants sit for 4 months before doing the nipple. ?This way if they settle differently, the nipples can still be straight. ?He also told me that even though they seem to project a lot at first, they do shrink down to a very small nipple in the end. Then it is another 4 month wait after the nipples for the tattoos. Maybe I will look sort of normal again for Christmas:) ?Think about it because I think these two things can be added at any time. ?You don't have to rush into it until and if you are ready! Deb


Helpful Tips

Guidline Suggestions after Breast Cancer Diagnosis
BREAST CANCER GUIDELINES I. Diagnosis II. Find a Breast Surgeon and/or Plastic Surgeon, and/or Radiation ... More
Was this Helpful?
53 of 58 found this helpful

Related Drug Reviews

  • Drug Name User Reviews

Report Problems to the
Food and Drug Administration

FDAYou are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

For more information, visit the Duke Health Breast Cancer Center