I have a co-worker whose sister will be having a double mastectomy and breast reconstruction surgery on Friday...she's wondering (and doesn't want to ask her sister) how the reconstruction part will go. Will they save the nipples and build around them or how is that done?
Any info would be helpful...TIA!

By Trina~moderator on Wednesday, October 10, 2007 - 10:48 am:

Just did a quick search and found this. Hope it helps.

http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_6X_Breast_Reconstruction_After_Mastectomy_5.asp

By Janet on Wednesday, October 10, 2007 - 11:22 am:

Thanks!

By Kaye on Wednesday, October 10, 2007 - 03:59 pm:

There are two types of reconstructions they do. If she is a skinny gal, they use implants. BAcially they do the masecotomy, you heal and then several months later the reconstruction bit starts. The use hard plastic pieces to insert and stretch the skin, then another surgery does the implants, and they use extra skin to form a nipple. Basically your nipples have very little feeling left. Then after that is healed the nipples get tattooed.

The second type is using her own belly fat to build boobs. So she gets a tummy tuck with her new ones. But the same procedure follows with the nipple, it won't be her actual nipple, but they do look very real.