Nipple/Areola Tattooing worth it??

By Peglet on 05 Nov 2012

I am nearly at the end of my breast reconstruction, having had a nipple reconstructed on my reconstructed breast a few weeks ago. I had my right breast reconstructed and my left breast had a few procedures on it as well. As a result of having my nipple moved a few times, I no longer have any pigmentation left in it, and my PS has suggested that I should have both tattooed. I have been thinking about this and am now leaning towards not having either of them done. Hubby really isn't fussed on me having it done either...although is leaving the final decision up to me. Can everyone give me your thoughts, especially those who have already had the tattooing (are you happy with it) and those like me, who had thought not to get it done. What are your thoughts please!!

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Knifethrower 14 May 2013

Hi. Sitting her with my expanders, trying not to lose my marbles. On tattooing: I found a fantastic page that offered a different way of looking at breast tattooing after reconstruction. After two surgeries in 3 weeks and not even hitting the filling phase of this journey yet, I am considering bagging the nipple recon and having something gorgeous inked instead. Here is a story about Molly and her choice to be creative and expressive... pinterest. com/ personalink/ one- woman- s- journey Hope this helps.

Peglet 25 Feb 2013

Thanks all for your comments..... I am still not sure which way to go, but it looks like the decision has been taken out of my hands, for at the moment at least, as I am having trouble with the implant in my "good" breast... It has slipped out of it's pocket and I need to have it replaced and my PS is also going to do a little work on it as well. He is still trying to get the 2 breast to look similar..... As we are going away in 6 weeks, for 6 weeks, I am not having the next round of surgery till the end of June..

BethH (Community Manager) 26 Feb 2013

Hope everything works out over the next few weeks. Keep us posted!

luvgardening 25 Feb 2013

Thanks for the heads up! I have never considered having one, so I don't know too much about it so I read about the care of a tattoo yesterday on a website. These are things that you don't think about when all of the decisions go down. There are so many things to consider and it's overwhelming so I guess your brain takes one thing at a time. :-) I'm so glad everything turned out well for you.

BethH (Community Manager) 24 Feb 2013

You have made a good point! Glad to hear everything turned out okay. Have you noticed any fading of the tattoos?

LGK 25 Feb 2013

they are still very new - no faiding yet. My PS wants to shade them again. I will do it in april.

BethH (Community Manager) 26 Feb 2013

Do let us know how it goes in April!

AndieNewBoobs 24 Feb 2013

I'm thinking, instead of "real" nipple and areola, I might get a honey bee on one side, and a flower on the other. (I'm way ahead of myself, here. I haven't even had my bilateral mastectomy, yet.) Does anyone know of anyone who's had creative tats done?

luvgardening 6 Feb 2013

Thank you so much for the information. Best of health to you!

LGK 6 Feb 2013

I does not hurt. (for me it did not). I have no feeling on my breast. I think you will do great. They do fade a little and don't be surprised on how (bright) they are at first, but no worries it fades. I'm going for a second shade soon. good luck

luvgardening 5 Feb 2013

Thank you for posting this. I had breast reconstruction in November and my doctor has also suggested tatoos. He told me that I can get them whenever I am ready. He did say it would hurt some, even though I don't have feeling on the surface of either breast. He did say that it was like completing the process and that my husband and I would have a 'focal point' and they would finally look like breasts again. I am reluctant, but feel that I should do this. Those of you that had it done, was there pain? Do you have feeling in the breast? My husband actually drew nipples on my breasts with a marker and it did make a huge difference. Maybe you should try that Peglet...it washes off in a day or two. Thanks for any comments and direction you can give me everyone!

Peglet 5 Feb 2013

Hi luvgardening.......What a great idea to draw the nipples on your breast....will try that. I am going back to my PS next week, but think I am going to have more work done on my breasts before I need to worry about the tattooing.... My nipple has shrunk to about 20% of what was reconstructed, and an implant in my other breast has moved.....Ho hmmmm

Peglet 2 Jan 2013

Thanks ladies will think again about whether or not to have them tattooed. At the moment I am feeling a little down as my new nipples have shrunk so much. Will see what my PS says when I go back in February...

LGK 23 Dec 2012

Hello, I just had my both my nipples and areolas tattooed. I feel complete.. I love them. Happy Holidays

Snidera62 16 Nov 2012

Hello. I have had both nipples tattooed. Imagine drawing a smiley face but leaving off the mouth. Getting my nipples tattood was like completing the face. If you do it, you will know exactly what I mean. I just underwent my second reconstruction and I'm getting both nipples tattooed again. You think you don't miss them. When you get them, you think, Wow!

Megan P (Community Manager) 5 Nov 2012

This is a great discussion you have started. I'm sure there are many other ladies who have wondered about the same thing.

While we are waiting to hear what the other ladies in the community have to say, here is a Q&A you might find helpful:

What Do I Need to Consider when Having the Areola Tattooed?

tnewtum 23 Feb 2013

Mine got infected, but I was very stupid and touched them to see if they were numb. I suggest you sit on your hands, and you should be fine. My infection was very dangerous to losing the implants, but cleared up after some very strong antibiotics.