It's definitely a personal choice.

For me, I've chosen not to get full on nipple reconstruction for a few reasons:

1. Your nipples will always protrude. You know how a normal nipple is usually soft but got hard when cold? Reconstructed nipples are always hard/always stick out. So if you think you'd be self-consious about always having your "high beams" on, you may not want to get reconstruction. If you will wear padded bras all the time anyways that will be able to hide that, then it wouldn't be an issue.

2. The results are not always predictable. Meaning some will stay put and be fine... while other women's results eventually end up flattening out and barely protruding. In which case you'd have to get it redone? Not entirely clear on this one, but apparently it can be an issue?

3. There are tattoos out there that LOOK like real nipples. It's called 3D nipple tattooing and there is one artist in particular that is PHENOMENAL at it. I hope to travel out east in the next few months to see him. Check it out at www.vinniemyers.com

That's my 2 cents :) Hope that helps!

I am debating just getting tattooed and no nipple reconstruction--my sister lives in Chevy Chase MD so could fly up from Miami and go see Vinnie for the 3-D tattoo in July if possible--really sick of surgeries after a double mastectomy and have to have permanent implant surgery in June (still have expanders right now). I didn't like the tattoo results my doc showed me locally--he doesn't do the tattooing himself--I joked that he was going to "send me to the Swap Shop" for my tattooes! Plus I'm in my 50s, single etc--so no one is going to see them anyway--and if I ever did get a "significant other" he is going to have to accept the fact that I have been reconstructed!

I had 3D nipple tats. I have pain on my left side and did not want to add any more to it. I also didn't want to have "headlights" through my shirts all the time. I like my tats but they still show through some shirts so I wear "breast pettles" in the summer so I can wear a tank top with nothing else!

I had nipples reconstruction and mine are very soft. I think it depends on the technique the plastic surgeon uses.

I had them done over a year ago. A little big and perky during recovery but just fine, and soft now. Plastic Surg did the tatoos. Quick procedure in the office. Very dark in the beginning but perfect now.