Testimonies

Today, An had a special appointment at the Tepelinstituut by Jeangout. After a double mastectomy due to breast cancer, she saw herself for the first time in twelve years… with nipples. Or rather: with lifelike nipple prostheses.

What did that moment do to you?

"It touched me much deeper than I had expected. I hadn't seen myself that way in years. I stepped closer to the mirror, then stepped back a bit and immediately thought: this image is just right. The nipple prostheses give your upper body a very natural appearance; they look really lifelike. Suddenly, the focus was no longer on the scar on my breast but on the whole. After all these years, I have accepted my 'mutilated' body and gotten used to the image. But now I realize: it wasn't so much my breasts that I missed, but my nipples. What a difference it would have made if this had existed ten years ago."

"The nipple prostheses give my upper body a very natural appearance. All attention immediately shifts away from the scars."

How did your appointment at the Tepelinstituut go?

"Owner Annick Jeangout and her colleague Tanja welcomed me incredibly warmly in a soft and stylish space. I felt completely at ease. First, we looked among the ready-to-use 3D nipple prostheses for one that had the right color and shape. Annick found the perfect shade almost immediately. Then we went together to the mirror to find the right spot on my upper body to attach the two nipple prostheses. A little more to the left and right, a tad up and down… We adjusted until the overall picture was right. And then I saw myself in the mirror for the first time in thirteen years with nipples. I had to swallow…”

Applying the nipple prostheses to your upper body.

How did that go, An?

"Actually surprisingly easy. It reminded me of putting in contact lenses (laughs). The material is super flexible and adapts perfectly to the shapes of your body. If the color is right and you place them in the right spot, the nipple prostheses almost blend seamlessly into your skin. First, I applied a thin layer of skin-friendly medical adhesive to the back of the prostheses with a brush. Annick had previously marked dots on my skin with a special pencil, so I knew exactly where they should go. And they fit perfectly right away. What I find so great: the nipple prostheses stay on for up to four weeks before you have to take them off to clean them. You can shower, swim, sleep with them... So you don't have to think about them every day, because they simply become a part of you." Fantastic, right? "You are allowed and can still shine, even with scars.”

What makes the Tepelinstituut by Jeangout so special?

“Health is about much more than just physical recovery. It's also about mental, emotional, and even spiritual well-being. And you feel that from the very first moment with Annick and her team. Their mission is to help people shine again, and they do it genuinely from the heart. Anyone who steps into the Tepelinstituut or the Hair Clinic by Jeangout often carries a heavy medical and emotional journey behind them. But the warmth and empathy that is present here immediately give you the feeling that you are allowed to reconnect with your body. You can just be here as you are. With tears, with a smile, with everything you feel. Everything is also so stylishly and cozy arranged that it almost feels like a form of wellness."
The loss of a nipple after breast cancer, an accident, or a condition does more than leave scars. It often deeply affects women’s self-image and sense of femininity. The Tepelinstituut by Jeangout is there for them.

"With the nipple prosthesis, the last piece of the puzzle fell into place. I felt complete again."

After her breast cancer diagnosis, Karine underwent a mastectomy of her right breast. A few years later, she had a breast and nipple reconstruction done. Yet there was still one element missing to feel truly complete: a nipple with an areola.

When I lost my hair ten years ago due to chemo, Annick Jeangout took fantastic care of me. She helped me with a beautiful hairpiece, washed and styled my hair... all in a discreet and respectful setting. I really felt relaxed.
During the startup of the Tepelinstituut by Jeangout, Annick called me and said that she had 3D nipple prostheses for people who had lost a nipple due to breast cancer or another condition. She suggested that I try one of these prostheses, just to see how it would look on my breast. The material of the nipple prosthesis turned out to be so flexible that it fit perfectly over the reconstructed nipple - my 'tsjoepke'. I was extremely impressed. Suddenly my bosom looked symmetrical and natural again, with a dark nipple and areola. There was hardly any difference between both breasts. The picture was just right, and I felt complete again. Something small like a nipple prosthesis may seem like a small link in the entire healing process, but the effect is enormous. You look in the mirror and you see a nearly natural bosom again. My self-confidence really got a boost then.

In the meantime, you've been wearing the nipple prosthesis for a few months. How is it going, Karine?

"Fantastic, I attach it with a special skin-friendly adhesive to my breast and it stays on for at least a month, even when I go swimming or take a shower. It's super simple. No mess, no hassle. Every month I take the nipple prosthesis off for a few days to clean it. I choose to let my skin breathe a bit, even though that isn't strictly necessary. In the meantime, I keep the nipple prosthesis in a nice little box. Putting it on and taking it off has become a ritual that feels like self-care."