Testimonials My name is Patty, I am 51 years old and I was diagnosed February 2016 with stage 2B aggressive ductal carcinoma breast cancer that had already spread to my lymph nodes. I also have the BRACA 2 gene which means that I have a much higher chance that breast cancer will reoccur. With all that being said, of course I decided to have a complete mastectomy, that decision was the easy part. The hard part was reconstruction. Reconstruction was a choice between nothing (which I could not do) Implants (which I did not want to do) or Trans Flap reconstruction (which scared the hell out of me). The only choice for me was a Trans Flap reconstruction, put into the simplest explanation means that the doctors remove your boobs, remove a football section of your stomach (skin and fat) move that tissue to your chest and create new boobs. I call them my “Belly Boobs”. My results (after months of healing) are perfect. I love my new body but every day I had to look at all the scars left behind. I do not have nipples, I have a 4 inch diameter circle scar on each breast and a scar that goes from hip to hip. My plastic surgeons office connected me to Mel at Rite of Passage. The original plan was to get a 3D nipple but when my husband and I met Mel she showed us her artistic work (which was beautiful) she started us thinking about other options. Mel spent an hour with us, looking at my scars and the contours of my body. We just weren’t sure, then Mel suggested that she place a stencil on me. It was an incredible and emotional moment for both my husband and I. She pulled back the stencil paper leaving the ink on my body, and like magic my scars were gone. My husband and I stared into the mirror with tears in our eyes ... NO SCARS. We were sold. Mel also give us a great piece of advice... “This stencil will be gone in a week, you will either be glad it is gone or you will miss it” ... I missed it. My tattoos are now complete. I have beautiful black and grey roses and leaves that cover both my breasts, my chemo port scar and my hip to hip scar. On my chemo port scar Mel put a small pink ribbon for breast cancer. My tattoos are perfect and I feel sexier than ever. Also, because of the tattoo process, the scar ridges have flattened and look better than ever. Now I must tell you that some of your body parts hurt when you are being tattooed but Mel is a saint and will work with your tolerance level ... any pain that I felt was well worth it. I could not be happier and at the moment healthier. Thank you Mel for all you did for me and my husband. Cancer took so much from me, it strips away beauty, youth, strength, confidence.... You gave them all back to me.... You will be in my heart forever. - Having a bilateral mastectomy last June, I have spent the last year, not exactly loving my appearance. Although doubtful and unsure of what emotional outcome areola tattooing would essentially provide, I contacted Melanie.
Yesterday, I had the absolute pleasure of meeting and working with Melanie; I truly cannot express the deep gratitude, which consumes me. I only wish my words, could sincerely reflect the smile that radiates from ear to ear, since leaving her shop- a newfound self-confidence.
Upon meeting Melanie, I instantly felt comfortable. Melanie provided a professional, relaxing, and private environment, always ensuring I was content. I could realistically ramble on for hours about how down to earth, patient, kind, caring, and sincere Melanie truly is, and how her drive for doing this type of tattooing on us women, is much more than just a business. I left there feeling as if I had gained a friend.
There are no words to describe the talent Melanie possesses. Melanie’s 3D areola tattooing is truthfully realistic, and beyond beautiful. I honestly feel as if I want to share her talent with the world, especially us women who have had to endure the devastating effects of breast cancer. I have not stopped looking in the mirror, and for the first time since this journey, feel more like myself, and utterly loving it!
Thank you, Melanie- I will forever be grateful. - Leslie P. |
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