I’m getting nipples, uhuh I know exciting isn’t it?! Well you may not think so because you might actually have nipples but at this stage I don’t.
**If you don’t want to see scars and reconstruction pics then stop reading now…pics ahead.
I started seeing my plastic surgeon in September 2013 and it looks like my nipple construction surgery will be scheduled for this September…two years in the making!
It’s been a while but I’m not complaining. I feel so fortunate to have been able to have my double reconstruction, many women don’t get the opportunity. I’m glad I’ve had time to consider my options, that my surgeon and medical team have been thorough and caring and sensitive.
We seriously have a good laugh together and my surgeon loves that I’m so open and freely strip off for his students. My boobs don’t feel sexual, they are more a representation of what I’ve been through and that I came out the other side…that I’m a breast cancer thriver. I will open my shirt and rip off my bra for surgeons, nurses and students, I reckon a few ring ins may have even copped an eyeful too.
Today was good, I got to ask loads of questions and received lots of answers. You see I wasn’t quite sure if I even wanted nipples. What if they were crap? What if they tattoo my areola weird? What if they are huge…or too ‘high beam’?
It’s amazing how I got used to one boob then my two Foobs, nipples feel far away and I can hardly even remember what they look like.
One day I’ll do a chest/breast progression post but for now here’s what my Foobs look like pre nipples. I snapped these images myself this afternoon…they are real and me.
They are a reconstruction not a ‘boob job’ and I’m pretty freakin happy with them.
Sure there’s scars, some worse than others, but I see past those scars now. In fact so does my mister, we just see ‘me’.
It’s been 8 months since my last surgery and the scars are healing well, one side is worse than the other as it needed revision work and my body rejected stitches causing some infection…which makes some scarring worse.
I’ve had 18 drains sewn into my body over my seven surgeries, all of these leave their own little scar inside and out. My back scars stretch all the way around to my front and my port scar stands proud on my chest.
Yup I’m a bit of a patchwork quilt but I’m breathing, living and loving…how freakin blessed am I?!! Hopefully there is just this one last surgery to go…nipples, how clever are surgeons hey?!
Til next time,
Jen x
*ELOMI ‘Lexi’ bra find stockist HERE
* item sent to me for editorial consideration.
Aww Jen, I got all choked up. A big step for you!
I’m actually excited Liz, didn’t think I would be. We are looking at September as I’m headed to Queensland in August and don’t want any complications.
Yay Jenni nipples I’m so glad you’re getting them ,they will be awesome I think just like you.
My son calls all my scars my tattoos as I don’t have any I’ve never thought of them like that Xx
They are like a tattoo…even more permanent. š I love all of mine for what they represent x
You are beautiful. Thank you for sharing your journey…
you’re welcome x
How exciting for you Jen !!! Can’t wait to see your new nips !!! Xoxo thanks again for sharing your amazing journey with us, helping us understand xoxo
I’m pretty jazzed Trish š
Jenni my aunt has gone through a similar journey as you and also her daughter. My aunt is a huge fan of pigs and decided to have pig faces tattooed onto her newly made nipples! They look fabulous and give her something to giggle at whenever she looks at them. Without a sense of humour the whole journey would be a lot harder. Best of luck for September and keep smiling lovely lady xx
Oh you gotta laugh…good on your Aunt! I’ve seen lots of various tattoos…I have two teeny tiny dots tattooed from when I had radiotherapy š
Love it…yay. Nipples for you….mine still on high beam. Thank god it’s winter. Can’t get enough of long scaves . Your scaring looks really good. Glad you posted pictures as it lets people know it is no boob job. Its a long hard road of recovery. I’m going in this week on Thursday for my date on swapping my expanders out…can’t wait they are hard and uncomfortable. Must try to get intouch with you regarding the sample bags for the accomadation for cancer patients.
Oh Fleur the expanders were the pits, so uncomfortable and painful especially near the end. Once they swap them for implants you will feel relief. Yes, we must catch up for a cuppa, can you message me on the facebook page and I will give you my number x
gee they look good Jen! And I’m suprised that they do, so happy for you….don’t knowwhat I was expecting but I think those foobs look fab! If I get the courage I will show this to my GF as she was sure she just couldn’t do it. Thank you for the honest insight…you brave thing x
Thanks Chrissy, we are all different and our coping mechanisms too. I swore I wouldn’t have a reconstruction…it was bloody hard going but it was worth it š
Oh Jen, just beautiful is all I can say, just beautiful. You are amazing, I am glad today was a positive experience for you!! Xx
Thanks Lauren…it was a great meeting š
Wowza Jenni this is exciting news. You know how inspired I am by you. I’m so thrilled for you & your strong beautiful body. Onwards & upwards, from strength to strength. Kx
Thankyou gorgeous, I’m pretty excited!!
You’re an absolute bloody legend! I admire your strength & bravery! Can’t wait to see the new nips! š xx
Thankyou Lauren, it’s great to feel excited about a surgery
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I have nothing but deep admiration for you Jenni! Your honest approach is very appealing. What a day you have had, loving thought coming your wayxxxx
Thankyou Maggie it’s been a very up and down day but I’m pleased it ended on a high
Yay for nipples!! Once again you impress me with your openness and honesty. Jx
ALL the yay Jess
It brings a whole new meaning to nip and tuck, doesn’t it? I think your foobs are ace and the nips will be the cherries on the cake. Your courage and openness as always is so awe inspiring. You’re freakin’ amazing!
I like cake
Congratulations, your foobs look beautiful, your scars are your story alone and you are going to love your new nipples. I don’t even notice my bad scars anymore they fade and I think of the one going across my belly as a big happy smile. Keep smiling you are amazing. xx
Thankyou Moira, I’m sure that in a few years the scars will be even more faded…from my body and my memory x
How lucky are we that we live in an age where all this is even possible…….mind blowing!!!!
They are lookin’ good Jen……and a wolf whistle to the pretty bra and chambray shirt
It’s just incredible Sam, the medical staff are amazing and I’m very ,very lucky x
Good on you Jenni, you look fantastic! I have one breast and one flat side with a scar and most days I am happy to pop the prosthesis into my bra and feel fine with it. But every now and then it bugs me that I don’t have a cleavage any more (never had much of one to begin with though!). I think you’re incredibly brave to go through all those surgeries. I just can’t face it and living in a remote area makes it just so much more difficult if I did want to go ahead with reconstruction. You go girl!
It was something I swore I wouldn’t do Sue but for me it helped me past the ‘I’ve got cancer’ stage to the ‘I had cancer ‘ stage. It wasn’t easy and after the first reconstruction surgery I cried for weeks and wondered what I had done. It was awful…but here I am 15 months post that surgery feeling completely different. Pain is still a constant in my life but I’m so grateful and that conquers all xx
how amazing jen!
can’t even imagine what you have been through to get to here!
you are so brave and courageous! and so transparent!
I think that you really are a warrior/goddess paving a way for others!
go jen! lots of love m:)X
Thanks Merilyn, I don’t feel particularly brave, but I’m happy to be a voice and share, I hope it helps others x
Well this is exciting! YAY FOR NIPS!!
HEHE…YAY š
Jenni, I am so excited for you!
What an incredible journey you’re on. Making your way through with such grace.
Xx
It’s such a strange thing to get excited about (or talk about) but it is what it is and I’m embracing it all…pretty excited
Jen you’ll look and do look amazing.
Do you mind if I share your post with a Breast Cancer support group on Fb.
By choice I didn’t have any reconstruction after my double mastectomy. I couldn’t face the idea of more surgery.
I live in a large rural town ; there are still no specialists unless I travel 4-5hrs to Sydney.
I don’t even wear my prostheses because I still have my port (long story) and it puts pressure on it.
I am equally happy flat but I recognise how important reconstruction is to others.
Share away Trish…that’s why I write, if it can help others then I’m happy. Reconstruction isn’t for everyone but it’s great to have insight x