Today, most women who have mastectomies are good candidates for breast reconstruction. Women choose to have their breast(s) reconstructed for many different reasons.  Following a mastectomy, some women feel a lack of wholeness or a loss of femininity, while others simply don’t like the hassle or worry associated with wearing a breast prosthesis.   Breast reconstruction can dramatically improve a woman’s appearance, self-confidence and overall quality of life.

OFFICE PROCEDURE

Procedure: (L&R) nipple areola tattooing.

Procedure in detail:   The breast flap(s) prepped and draped in a clean fashion. The area for the new areola marked on the (L&R) side and the tattoo pigment mixed to obtain the desired color.  The tattoo machine then used to implant the pigment into the dermal layer of the skin of the marked areola and previously reconstructed nipple flaps.
Following this with A&D ointment and clean dressing applied then patient given written instructions on the care of the tattoo.

Tattooed area will be dark red or bright pink right after the procedure is normal. 
True color will show after scab comes out.

After Care Instructions:
Do not take hot, steamy showers for at least one week, Warm tepid showers are okay.  Do not scrub the tattooed area. For best results apply a layer of A&D ointment over the tattooed area to protect if from water and soap. Do this for the next 3-4 days.

Keep moist dressing over area: 4 x 4 gauze dressing with (A&D) for 4-5 days. If the dressing sticks, apply water to loosen. Change dressing once a day. Residual pigment may stain clothing or sheets. No heavy exercising for 48 hours.

Scabbing is normal.  Do not pick at scabbed area.

Office visit:  3 sessions to complete the procedure (4 weeks in between)