Nipple and areola reconstruction may help a breast cancer survivor really feel more consolationable along with her new breasts. Some girls find they’re content without having a nipple at all, while others select a type of reconstruction that does not require surgery.
Nipple reconstruction is only accomplished after the reconstructed breast has had time to heal (often requiring three to 4 months) and after any crucial radiation treatment. One factor in figuring out if an individual is an effective candidate for nipple reconstruction is the standard of the tissue at the reconstructed breast.
Surgically Created Nipples
A surgeon can create a new nipple to match the opposite breast (if the other breast maintains a nipple) or to match images of a affected person’s past nipples or a description of her desired nipples. After the new breast has had time to heal, this procedure can be done as an outpatient with local anesthesia. Making small incisions, the plastic surgeon elevates the tissue into the proper position. A nipple mound is created, fashioned and shaped into a protrusion that appears natural. Often tissue from different areas of a patient’s body, such because the upper thigh or buttocks, is used to rebuild the nipple and areola. In nipple reconstruction, the surgeon will make the protrusion about twice the size as the desired end-outcome because the nub will shrink because it heals into place.
Several techniques can be utilized to create a nipple mound. Each process entails cutting the realm in a specific sample and folding the skin and tissue. Here are just just a few examples of the numerous methods available:
Skate Flap or Modified Skate Flap – An oval space is reduce in the desired location for the nipple. The tissue is folded back on itself and is sometimes called the “origami” style.
C-V Flap – Two V-shaped flaps, in continuity with a C-shaped flap, are rearranged to create the new nipple.
Star Flap – Three points from a star shape are reduce to overlap and kind the nipple mound.
Double Opposing Tab – A “Z” is made in the space the place the nipple will be positioned and the sides are pulled together.
As soon as the created nipples have healed, tattooing (or micropigmentation) may be utilized to duplicate the color and recommend the feel of the nipple and areola of the opposite breast.
Dermal Implants
Another nipple reconstruction option is a dermal implant. Tattoo artist, Eric Catalano, developed this new nipple reconstruction technique. The tattoo artist inserts a small dermal implant under the highest layer of skin within the center of the tattooed areola, leaving a tiny submit extending above the surface of the skin. The tattoo artist then screws a silicone nipple, created to match each affected person’s coloring, into the post. Patients say the appear and feel of the prosthetic is amazingly realistic.
Areola Micropigmentation
The 3d areola impact of areola pigmentation is a popular choice, whether or not the women first go for surgical reconstruction. Advanced micropigmentation strategies contain shadowing, highlighting, feathering, and contouring. Color selection and mixing is significant for a natural looking result.
There are additionally many ladies with scars from their mastectomies or reconstructive surgeries who select to have an image designed and micropigmented over the scar. This action can be a part of a healing process, as the lady takes ownership of her scars. A favorite flower, animal, or personalized creation can transform a lady’s scars into significant reminders of the life those scars received for her.
A note for survivors considering micropigmention over scars. Scars need time to heal. While some scars can take up to a 12 months for this, others can take as much as 18 months. All scars heal at completely different rates based on both the injury and their body’s response. Scar tissue is way more delicate than undamaged skin tissues, so an individual can expect to “feel” pain more than they normally would, especially if the tattooing takes place on scar tissue that also has nerve damage.
