[Sheila]

I agree that the most painful part is the tissue expander being filled. There is always a chance of complications, I developed caapsular contracture around the implant, which makes it still hurt after 3 years. My friend just had hers rupture, after 1 year, saline, and can't get in to get it replaced (which is major surgery again) until December....kind of like driving around with a flat tire and no gas station! Everyone is different, just like everyone's pain tolerance...I developed mets during reconstuction so I don't know if I would chance it again. I refused to get a lift on the unaffected side, so now I am uneven...I guess I was just tired of having surgery. Never went back for nipple reconstruction either...again, just tired of it all. I do know if I ever get a whim to get the tatto...it won't be of a nipple....I have always thought of getting a tattoo of a smiley face, or a dream catcher....reminded me of my idea when I watched the show "Why I Wore Lipstick to my mastectomy last night."