I had a DI mastectomy 11 days ago. I know nipple grafts normally scab over but they've started oozing and bleeding more and when they flake what's underneath doesn't seem right. The doctor I spoke to confirmed that it does seem like my grafts didn't make it, and that there isn't anything to do for now. If this is indeed the case, what should I expect? Will I be met with bloody craters and pain as they flake off? Will they definitely flake off all by themselves in the first place? Thank you.
January 3, 2019
Answer: FTM surgery with double incision and possible failed free nipple grafts HI. First of all, hang in there and it will definitely heal eventually and likely look just fine. But here is my controversial opinion. In my opinion, free nipple grafts never really take. The areola takes just fine, but the thicker bigger nipple really never takes fully. The surgeon did not do anything wrong this is merely the nature of skin grafts. Skin grafts take and heal by a process called imbibition, whereby they develop a blood supply and their life source from the blood vessels on the chest. The thinner the graft the more readily it takes, and very thick grafts NEVER TAKE. Most people use this method for top surgery. I used to use this method, but no longer do because I was frustrated that my patients had to go through what you are going through. SO I developed a technique to make a new tiny nipple using the skin on your chest, and then I just graft the areola around it like a donut. And it works every time.
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January 3, 2019
Answer: FTM surgery with double incision and possible failed free nipple grafts HI. First of all, hang in there and it will definitely heal eventually and likely look just fine. But here is my controversial opinion. In my opinion, free nipple grafts never really take. The areola takes just fine, but the thicker bigger nipple really never takes fully. The surgeon did not do anything wrong this is merely the nature of skin grafts. Skin grafts take and heal by a process called imbibition, whereby they develop a blood supply and their life source from the blood vessels on the chest. The thinner the graft the more readily it takes, and very thick grafts NEVER TAKE. Most people use this method for top surgery. I used to use this method, but no longer do because I was frustrated that my patients had to go through what you are going through. SO I developed a technique to make a new tiny nipple using the skin on your chest, and then I just graft the areola around it like a donut. And it works every time.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
December 17, 2018
Answer: Time and tattoo Thank you for your question. If the grafts continue to have difficulties healing you will likely be left with partial nipple loss and some residual pigment. In this case I recommend that you wait a total of 2 to 3 months for all of the healing to be done. At that point you may desire nipple tattooing where a tattoo artist can place more pigment to the skin and give it the appearance of a nipple. I do not think you will have any pain or unmanageable scarring from this. Make sure you are following up with you surgeon to determine the best management. Best of luck!
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December 17, 2018
Answer: Time and tattoo Thank you for your question. If the grafts continue to have difficulties healing you will likely be left with partial nipple loss and some residual pigment. In this case I recommend that you wait a total of 2 to 3 months for all of the healing to be done. At that point you may desire nipple tattooing where a tattoo artist can place more pigment to the skin and give it the appearance of a nipple. I do not think you will have any pain or unmanageable scarring from this. Make sure you are following up with you surgeon to determine the best management. Best of luck!
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