Comments on: Testing Temporary Nipples after Mastectomy

By: Josie Kelsh

Josie Kelsh — Tue, 01 Mar 2022 22:37:54 +0000

In reply to Karen Hester. The temporary tattoos are a great way to test our how you will feel about a permanent tattoo. Good luck with your decision :-)

By: Karen Hester

Karen Hester — Sun, 27 Feb 2022 01:38:49 +0000

I am thinking seriously about the 3D nipple tattoos do this was a good read. My plastic surgeon just told me Thursday that I could now get them. I have my consult in a little over a month. I chose not to reconstruct to avoid more surgery, they wouldn’t really have feeling, and I would like to go braless, especially in the hot summer. Although I am like you, and not sure that I will actually go braless.

By: Josie Kelsh

Josie Kelsh — Sun, 16 Aug 2020 23:41:25 +0000

In reply to Jodie Maddison.

Hi Jodie

My surgeon uses a lady that specialises in 3d nipple tattoos. She’s not a doctor, but a professional tattooist. I haven’t actually researched it fully myself, and depending on where you are it might be different (although I’m assuming you are in Australia too by your email address) but I believe that if it is done by a doctor/medical professional here it is covered either by Medicare or Private Health Insurance, whereas if it is done by someone else it has to be paid for just like a normal tattoo. Maybe that is part of your doctor’s reasoning? Perhaps ask why that is the recommendation?

We also have a charitable group here called Survivor’s Ink that travels around the country doing nipples for free in different cities – but that is on hold right now due to a mixture of Covid and I believe the main tattooist has retired.

From what I have read, the results seem to be better when done by a professional tattooist. They are also permanent. The cosmetic procedures done by the medical professionals seem to be the ones that fade over time and need to regularly be redone.

Definitely something I need to look into more though in the next few months before I go down that track….

By: Jodie Maddison

Jodie Maddison — Sun, 16 Aug 2020 23:23:20 +0000

In reply to Josie Kelsh. Hi Josie, Your reconstruction looks amazing and good on you for going through with another operation. I still haven’t decided what to do about nipple reconstruction, I am still enjoying the freedom of not having to see my doctor. I have been advised by my Surgeon to have an actual Doctor do my tattooing around the nipple area. Just wondering if you have been advised the same?

By: Josie Kelsh

Josie Kelsh — Tue, 26 May 2020 05:30:19 +0000

In reply to Jodie.

Thanks for sharing your story Jodie – it is always comforting to hear others are going through the same things! Gosh, our dates are so similar too! My DMX was 5 Dec 19! I have the exact reason for getting this sorted by the end of the year too – the insurance excess! I hope things are going well for you now, and hope I can at least be a small help in your decision 🙂

By: Jodie

Jodie — Tue, 26 May 2020 05:15:03 +0000

Your cancer journey is my story too! It is like I am reading my own words. I was diagnosed early October and had the exact operations and outcomes. It was a very scarey time with a lot of tears. I was given the option to have immediate implants with the Bilateral mastectomy on 2 Dec 19. Unfortunately for me I ended up with Necrosis of the skin. It was Christmas so I decided to see if I could heal on my own, I had my 2 children and husband to think of. It became infected and come early January I was back into theatre to have the necrosis skin and implants removed and expanders in. I have since had the exchange to my implants and am nearly at the 3 week mark. It feels so good to be told you can drive again even if it is only to collect my children from school. I am too trying to work out what I will do next with nipple construction. And want to do this before the end of the year because of the excess in insurance. Thank you for writing your journey, I will be interested in hearing what you decided to do next.

By: Josie Kelsh

Josie Kelsh — Mon, 25 May 2020 23:20:26 +0000

In reply to Julie Hoar.

You are right! I have heard from many other ladies who have had nipple reconstructions that they DO feel “finished” – but I’m not sure it bothers me to be “unfinished”, if that makes sense. Other people say they prefer to stay without nipples, because really, who are we trying to fool – they will never be the real thing! It’s such a personal decision, and if you asked me twelve months ago what I would have chosen my answer would probably have been very different. Until you live it, you just don’t know!

By: Julie Hoar

Julie Hoar — Mon, 25 May 2020 08:50:59 +0000

Not sure I’d like the bumps either. I’d probably give each of the temp ones each a longer trial period before deciding. And speak to others women who’ve tried the various options including the reconstruction.
Personally I wouldn’t take advice about how a female would feel finished with someone who hasn’t experienced being unfinished.

By: Josie Kelsh

Josie Kelsh — Mon, 25 May 2020 02:34:55 +0000

In reply to Sally. Thanks Sally. I grew to prefer the tattoos over time - I think I got the colour completely wrong with the prosthetic nipples. Oh well, luckily they are temporary :-)

By: Sally

Sally — Mon, 25 May 2020 01:40:55 +0000

Those first ones look great - I personally much prefer them to the ones with “bumps” In the end - it is what pleases you. Only you and hubby are going to see them after all