nipple covers

[Alexthecat]

So right now I'm using non adherent gauze and some paper tape. The paper tape is driving me crazy and comes loose too easily. I certainly won't be able to use it while I'm working.

What do you guys use to cover the nipples to avoid shear?

[Bimmer Guy]

So right now I'm using non adherent gauze and some paper tape. The paper tape is driving me crazy and comes loose too easily. I certainly won't be able to use it while I'm working.

What do you guys use to cover the nipples to avoid shear?

Garramone gives you this:  http://www.deroyal.com/medicalproducts/woundcare/product.aspx?id=wc-genwound-xeroform
and then instructs you to cut a square, put a slab (not a huge slab, but more than a very thin coating) of triple anti-biotic ointment on top and then a bandage of some sort over that.

You do this for 3 weeks after the removal of bandages.  You change it every 24 hours after your shower.

However, I would STRONGLY recommend you call your doc (Medalie?) to ask him his suggestion.  Since he didn't tell you to do this, and he was the one who did your surgery, you should go with his protocol.  I am sure other people have had the same question.  his receptionist can probably tell you what to do.

EDIT:

Sorry, I just reread your post and it looks like you were more interested in the bandage used.  I finally settled on using these:

http://www.band-aid.com/read_review&productId=1044

I got a rash from the adhesive (as I did with all the ones I tried), so I just rotated the sticky part around the chest as best I could (the incision got in the way, so I could only turn it so much) in order to decrease that issue.

As I recall, the bandage fit just right over the nipple and your nipples appear larger than mine, so it may not work for you.  Mine were like the ones in the link (extra large).

Good luck, wish I had asked more questions here right after my surgery.  I felt like I was recreating the wheel when it came to the bandages.  I spent a lot of money buying different types until I found the right one!

Jay might have a suggestion as well as he would have had to settle on something too since he and I had the same surgeon.

[SX0877]

I used extra-large Band-Aid.
The size is 1 3/4 in* 4 in and the pad part is 1 3/4 in*1 3/4 in which is big enough to cover a nipple+areola

[Alexthecat]

Guess I gotta go to the store. Since them really big bandaids don't have sticky on all sides do they get caught on stuff? I'll need to pick up boxes and throw them down and have things unintentionally rubbing my nips.

[Bimmer Guy]

Guess I gotta go to the store. Since them really big bandaids don't have sticky on all sides do they get caught on stuff? I'll need to pick up boxes and throw them down and have things unintentionally rubbing my nips.

Looks like SX and I are talking about the same bandage.  Here is a better picture.  They match the same measurements SX listed:

http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=39632&catid=59963&aid=338666&aparam=52388517592id39632&device=c&network=g&matchtype=

No, they get catch on nothing.

Side note, I meant to say covers the whole areola, but I am sure you know that.

SX, who did your surgery?

[SX0877]

Yes, Brett, that's exactly the same thing I used.
I had my surgery with Dr. Medalie.

[SX0877]

Guess I gotta go to the store. Since them really big bandaids don't have sticky on all sides do they get caught on stuff? I'll need to pick up boxes and throw them down and have things unintentionally rubbing my nips.

No they are not sticky all around, the two sides of the pad are not sticky.

[AdamMLP]

I don't know the name of it, it was quite a few years ago that I needed it for a cut that was too large for a plaster (band aid), but I was told to get some non-adhesive dressing that can be cut to size (just a pad that won't stick to you), and a roll of adhesive stuff and make my own dressing up out of it.

I wish I could remember what the stuff was called, the pads were generic non-adhesive stuff like what's inside plasters. The other stuff is harder to describe, it was just white fabric type stuff with stickiness on one side like a plaster, and came in sheets/rolls. It's what I was always given when I had injuries too large for a normal size plaster, and could be cut to the size of a nipple.

Edit: it was this sort of stuff I think, but cheaper.

[timbuck2]

I did fine with regular bandaids horizontally over the gauze.

[aleon515]

I reacted so much to band aids, I went to gauze and tape. I used a hypoallergenic tape, which was helpful. I reacted to that too, but less so. I also used hydrocortisone.

--Jay

[Bimmer Guy]

Yes, Brett, that's exactly the same thing I used.
I had my surgery with Dr. Medalie.

Alex, based on this, you should go get those specific bandages.  Medalie uses a sizing tool for his areolas, so you and SX should have the same size areolas.

(Back to cloning, eh, Jay?  lol)

[Alexthecat]

The awkwardness if you met in real life and touched chests trying to line everything up.

[timbuck2]

Oh! I also forgot to mention that occassionally I'd just put enough ointment around the nipple and surrounding area to hold the gauze itself and give my skin a breather. It really helped.

[Bimmer Guy]

Oh! I also forgot to mention that occassionally I'd just put enough ointment around the nipple and surrounding area to hold the gauze itself and give my skin a breather. It really helped.

I would do the same thing in the mornings before my shower.  I would take off the band aids when I woke up and then add some antibiotic ointment to make sure the squares didn't come off.  I would literally lather my pecs in vaseline to try to get some relief for 20 minutes before I had to get in the shower and put those blasted band-aids on all over again!  My skin was a red, rashy mess.  Was so glad when it was over!

It's true though, that short amount of time each day actually helped the skin a bit.

Who did your surgery?

[Bimmer Guy]

The awkwardness if you met in real life and touched chests trying to line everything up.

This cracked me up!  It felt really creepy to say that you guys had the same size areolas! 

[Elijah3291]

I got a rash from the adhesive (as I did with all the ones I tried), so I just rotated the sticky part around the chest as best I could (the incision got in the way, so I could only turn it so much) in order to decrease that issue.

YES, be sure to rotate your bandaids, I used bandaids for 3 weeks to cover my nipples and I tried to rotate as best as I could, but I still got a rash/scabs from the adhesive. I am 8 months post op and the rash lines are still a tiny tiny bit noticeable, I'm sure they will go away in time.. but yeah rotate your bandaids, let your skin breathe too, maybe alternate types of bandaids, or use the medical tape when possible.

[anibioman]

fisher recommends big square bandaid.

[Jeatyn]

I just used square bandaids and didn't get any irritation but here's a thought - you can get sticky pads that are designed to use when breastfeeding to stop the milk soaking through - when I had them they didn't feel like regular sticky bandaids, they were softer and I would imagine are designed for minimal irritation so that might be an option (and also thicker, if you're wearing tight stuff they would show through)

[aleon515]

Alex, based on this, you should go get those specific bandages.  Medalie uses a sizing tool for his areolas, so you and SX should have the same size areolas.

(Back to cloning, eh, Jay?  lol)

That's right Brett. BTW, maybe Medalie uses the same "cookie cutter" Dr G does. I mean how many could there be really? Dr G told me he uses a cookie cutter, I didn't take this entirely literally. LOL

--Jay

[timbuck2]

I would do the same thing in the mornings before my shower.  I would take off the band aids when I woke up and then add some antibiotic ointment to make sure the squares didn't come off.  I would literally lather my pecs in vaseline to try to get some relief for 20 minutes before I had to get in the shower and put those blasted band-aids on all over again!  My skin was a red, rashy mess.  Was so glad when it was over!

It's true though, that short amount of time each day actually helped the skin a bit.

Who did your surgery?

Probably one of the worst parts of the recovery process to haha. I've got sensitive skin in general but the paper tape ripped some skin off and anything I put on afterwards was terrible! You were definitely not alone in lathering on stuff for relief xD

I had my surgery done with Dr. Crane in San Fran.