WARNING: NSFW / graphic content below.
In other news: I had my fifth expansion. 50ccs have been added to each expander, for a total of 400ccs/side. We’re getting there.
184ccs (pre-op) vs. 400ccs
I am very happy with how these things are looking so far. Compared to how expanders usually look on women, mine have a pretty natural shape. A bit lop-sided, with righty higher up than lefty, because of how the internal pockets healed post-op. The right pocket closed up a little bit on the bottom, so the expander sits higher in my chest, but it’s not too bad. This will be fixed during the exchange surgery in September.
I have a few more decisions to make before September. Mainly: will I get silicone or saline implants, what shape will they be, and what am I going to do about my nipples. If you’ve been following me for a bit (or can tell from the photos), you know that I lost one of my nipples to necrosis. I need to figure out what I’m going to do about it. The options are:
- Nothing
- Reconstruct the lost nipple via skin graft or skate flap
- Get a 3D tattoo
- Remove the other nipple
I can’t decide what is best. On one hand, I went through all this trouble, so why give up now, but on the other, I just don’t think I’m going to like the aesthetic result if I do nothing or reconstruct/tattoo just one. What’s more awkward than two hard nipples? ONE! I like symmetry. I think I’m going to remove the other one and maybe reconstruct them both. Not 100% on that though. We shall see.
Here are the pics. Big difference between what 100ccs looked like after my mastectomy in January and the 400ccs I have today.
100 + 50 +75 +75 + 50 + 50 = 400ccs
Saying NOPE to Breast Cancer 
Looking good!
Thanks, Lady!
Nice result! I had the nipple via skin graft and I’m really happy. My tattoos didn’t ‘take” (I think I may have posted this comment before on your blog)
I had saline and I’m very happy with it. I fugured I am really 100% not putting anything synthetic in my body like avoiding paestasides, parabens etc. so why would I put a bag of chemical inside me? I feel much “safer” with the saline (even though I am told the silicone is very safe, this is just a personal feeling)
Any choice you make for your self will be the right one
Keep it going!
Are you planning on re-doing the tattoos? Do you know what makes them fade? I have seen some amazing results, so that is definitely an option.
I have also heard and read a lot about silicone implants and whether or not they are safe. Even thought I’m leaning in that direction (the cohesive gel version), still undecided. I would not be interested in connective tissue problems or worse. I still have a couple fills and two months to go before I make the call. I have fairly recently started to really pay attention to the chemical contents of personal and household products and am just astounded by what I am seeing. It is scary and sad what we are exposing ourselves to.
Mogatos, it is coming along nicely! I see my third plastic surgeon next Tuesday to discuss options after mastectomy so I too will be in this decision making mod. Thanks for being so open with the details of your experience.
Sending you some virtual hugs, Diane. I just got caught up on what’s been going on in your world. 😦 How have the appointments been going so far? Do you have an idea yet of which route you’ll want to take post-op?
As of now I plan to have an expander put in when they do the mastectomy tentatively Jul 24th. Then we’ll proceed with radiation for 6 weeks, not sure what the protocol is for the reconstruction during this time, guess she’ll tell me next Tuesday when I meet with my third plastic surgeon (who has come to me on heavy referral from insiders).
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