Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Possible first tattoo need help



Recommended Posts

Hi everyone. I am considering possibly getting my first tattoo. My surgery is on April 9th. Do you think the tattoo might interfere with my surgery. Also I am anemic too.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Where are you getting your tat (where on your body); What size tat? Why now? Just FYI: I haven't hit the surgery scheduled yet, but I am pretty heavily body modified and my youngest son is my tattoo artist and has been a professional artist for ohhhh...15 years or so. So I can talk to you about ink.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I would think that it depends on where you get the tattoo. I wouldn't put anything on your back or where you can't reach comfortably (after surgery) because the first couple of days, you will probably spend sleeping on your back, which won't be comfortable at all. Also, my anesthiesiologist made comment about me having one on my inside wrist and the fact that I probably didn't think about getting an IV placed when I got the tattoo.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'd recommend waiting just in case for a few reasons. I wouldn't do anything that would make anyone second guess changing your surgery date.

If you've decided on what you want & where to put it, well.. hopefully it will be there a long time :) so putting it off a little longer shouldn't hurt. Also, your skin is going to be changing. I've heard about how images get stretched out after people gain weight, but not so much about how it changes with losing it. It might not matter so much in a location like the ankle I guess. I'd still want it to look it's best though & wait a little bit.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Where are you getting your tat (where on your body); What size tat? Why now? Just FYI: I haven't hit the surgery scheduled yet' date=' but I am pretty heavily body modified and my youngest son is my tattoo artist and has been a professional artist for ohhhh...15 years or so. So I can talk to you about ink.[/quote']

We'll I'm getting my first tat in my wrist. Nothing big just my late daughters name and her hand prints. Here's a picture of it.

post-49070-13813663697196_thumb.png

[ATTACH]10148[/ATTACH]

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'd recommend waiting just in case for a few reasons. I wouldn't do anything that would make anyone second guess changing your surgery date.

If you've decided on what you want & where to put it' date=' well.. hopefully it will be there a long time :) so putting it off a little longer shouldn't hurt. Also, your skin is going to be changing. I've heard about how images get stretched out after people gain weight, but not so much about how it changes with losing it. It might not matter so much in a location like the ankle I guess. I'd still want it to look it's best though & wait a little bit.[/quote']

Thank you so much Andi. I was going to get it in my wrist, not thinking that it will change much, but my wrist is big lol

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I would think that it depends on where you get the tattoo. I wouldn't put anything on your back or where you can't reach comfortably (after surgery) because the first couple of days' date=' you will probably spend sleeping on your back, which won't be comfortable at all. Also, my anesthiesiologist made comment about me having one on my inside wrist and the fact that I probably didn't think about getting an IV placed when I got the tattoo.[/quote']

I didn't even think about that. That is where I wanted my tat in my wrist. Great to know.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'd recommend waiting just in case for a few reasons. I wouldn't do anything that would make anyone second guess changing your surgery date.

If you've decided on what you want & where to put it' date=' well.. hopefully it will be there a long time :) so putting it off a little longer shouldn't hurt. Also, your skin is going to be changing. I've heard about how images get stretched out after people gain weight, but not so much about how it changes with losing it. It might not matter so much in a location like the ankle I guess. I'd still want it to look it's best though & wait a little bit.[/quote']

I have a tattoo around my ankle and have had it for 5 years. It always lined up with my Achilles' tendon, until I lost 100lb. It has now rotated and is off centre. I got one on my hip, then had a baby and it is an I recognizable smudge, but that is from stretching. My ankle one hasn't morphed or changed, just relocated. Any future tats for me will be done after I have been at goal for 1 year, to avoid migration.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Tats do migrate/smudge with weight change, but then gravity also impacts them. I have a wrist band on my left wrist of my 3 sons' names. It has not changed in looks or position regardless of age or weight. Nor has it been a problem for IVs as a good vampire (IMO) doesn't need to see to hit a vein - it is done more by feel. I have a unicorn on my right upper breast - it is about 3" tall and 2" wide. I got it prior to my 3rd pregnancy in 1982 and despite weight loss and weight gain and lactation/breast feeding, it has only gotten more muted due to aging. 5 dog paws on my left ankle above the ankle bone - no changes. 2nd degree Reiki distance healing symbol on top of my left foot - no change. However, I have a tribal floral that goes from my shoulders to mid butt cheek and it is inter-twined with english ivy that drapes off my right shoulder, winds through the tribal from right to left then trails down my outer thigh before wrapping 3x around my calf and finishing off running onto the top of my foot. I have seen it change in sharpness and clean, straight lines as I've yo-yo'd over the years AND as I've aged and gravity has pulled at it. Seeing the changes it has experienced, I am expecting to have some loss of neatness and symmetry with a large amount of weight loss simply due to the sag of the stretched out skin on my back and sides. You are looking at a minimum of 3 weeks healing time, if not more. You are currently anemic which means you are not likely to be a quick healer due to lack of white blood cells,,,the design and placement should be no issue at all in so far as design, sharpness and/or - however if it were me, I would wait until after the surgery so as not to have just put your body through one healing then expecting another; plus thee is always the chance of infection even in the cleanest shop due to a number of factors. You don't want to go into surgery with infection or the potential for infection running rampant in your body.. My 2 cents is for you to wait until after you have healed and are past the point of infection. If you want this design on your wrist, then another 6 months is not going to change that and will also give you the best ability to heal.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I very nearly got a tattoo prior to my surgery but held off. Our skin migrates as we lose weight and you just don't know where/how it will end up looking. I think its best to wait.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Holy crap! I got a tattoo a month before surgery on the inside of my wrist with my kid's names. I hope it doesn't migrate :(

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Lol it should be fine! Unless you carry the majority of your weight in your wrist!! :P

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm just over 2 weeks post op and got 2 tattoos Wednesday. One on the inside of my right wrist and one on the top of my right foot.

Here's my opinion for IV's. I'm a paramedic and from my 8 years of starting IV's the wrist is the most painful spot to go. There are a ton of nerve endings on the inside of your wrist. I will not stick there unless it is a last resort.

post-50003-13813664057842_thumb.jpg

post-50003-1381366405864_thumb.jpg

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am covered in tattoos and they have no effect in a good medical professionals ability to place an Iv. I always tell them, if my tattoos are an issue than bring me someone else that knows what they are doing.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I got George for my 30th bday. He's on the back of my shoulder. I hope he stays put! ;-)

post-39617-13813665056413_thumb.jpg

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 1 reply
      1. Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×