Barbie Boobs

(Click this link to watch video girls and I made for this post)?

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Let’s talk about nipples. Yep, I said nipples. We all know us ladies have them for nursing when/if we become mothers. I’m not quite sure why males have them. I suppose because they’re manly pectorals would look odd otherwise, or we couldn’t say they have man-boobs if we’re being mean or (possibly) funny. Regardless, both sexes have them from day one.

Apparently there’s no choice in the matter (I just looked this up). The human “blueprint” contains nipples and they sprout before the X or Y that determines our sex. So we’ve all got nipples wether they serve a purpose or not…….or do we?

Have you ever noticed Barbie doesn’t have nipples? Of course you have! Barbie and her fellow doll friends have been quite controversial historically for illustrating perfectly unrealistic female proportions to young girls. BUT, just think how crazy folks would get if they actually looked like a naked female does. Oh, and poor Ken, we just won’t go there.

Well, us breast cancer survivors don’t get to choose (for the most part). Lumpectomy and nipple-sparing mastectomies are options, but not all are candidates. Therefore, the majority of us that hit the boob do-over button end up with Barbie Boobs!

The “Barbie boob” mention first came to me from my friend Lara. She quoted a good friend (Alison) who had Breast cancer and used to say she had “Barbie boobs”. This cracked me up! Lara referenced the amazing spirit and attitude Alison kept throughout treatment and her battle with the C-word. I love that Lara shared “Barbie Boobs” with me and more-so I get to share it with others.

So here’s the thing. Unless your diagnosed with breast cancer you may not spend much time thinking about your nipples. Unless, of course, your wearing white and get caught in a rain storm. Men think about nipples. Men think about boobs. The male friends I have that I’ve mentioned Barbie boobs to each asked “do you get to pick what size the nipples are” when/if tattoo’d or reconstructed? Followed by “would you go the same or change?” NOT ONLY did that thought NOT cross my mind, I didn’t have an answer. It made for good conversation and food for thought.

(I should now take a quick moment to apologize to those women reading this that have gone through these scenarios & I’m outing your Barbie Boobs or even the inquiry of what you chose. My apologies for telling the world (or really just my readers) that we have to reflect on our nipples throughout this saga).

Ok, back to Barbie. Isn’t it funny that society as a whole would be appalled if Barbies anatomy was a true replica of an adult female. Yet, those reconstructing their breast(s) post mastectomy have to decide if they want a nipple again. It may feels odd to choose not …to choose to just have Barbie boobs.

Many of us ladies diagnosed post 40 are married, and won’t be flaunting our Tata’s outside of the bedroom so what makes a difference? Well, like the rest of the decisions made throughout this process, it’s up to us and what makes us feel warm and fuzzy when we are nakey. The reflection in the mirror and our reaction is what we see decides where we land.

I personally, want to experience all that this chapter in my life will offer. Ok, WANT is a poor choice of words, maybe intend is better. I intend to run the gamete. Hit the boob-do-over and pick the look. Maybe I’ll get crazy and tattoo the nips rainbow or different colors. I highly doubt it, but hey, it’s my choice!

Until diagnosed and being educated on my surgical options I took those nipples for granted. Not once in thinking about others that have battled this disease did I wonder if they have Barbie boobs or not. I had no clue what the reconstruction process entailed. Now, I just ask. I’m so curious what other ladies decided. Especially when you’re married. I mean, I’m not planning any trips to a topless beach or entering into a side gig at the local strip joint?

I, personally, prefer to be put back together as close to before as possible. After all, I need to see myself on the daily and need to feel as fab as possible at the reflection. Plus, I’m gonna be flashing doctors and whoever else wants to look (ok, not whoever, just my curious friends). I suppose I’ll want to feel (or look) like I can forget this ever happened. TBD! Each of us go our own route for our own reasons.

For now, I’m going to suggest Barbie be dressed in pink and call her Breast Cancer Barbie, because SHE HAS NO NIPPLES!

***Combining humor, sarcasm and facts along the way, I hope to help others going through this to laugh & learn during a rough time in life. Feel free to forward via social media or email. Each post goes to my #FOMO Facebook page and twitter handle @dsanfillipo