Hello, I am pre-op and I was wondering about how the weight loss will affect the appearance of my tattoos or if anyone has had any problems with this? I have one on my calf, one on my forearm and three on my back/shoulders. I also was wondering if you are required to take out piercings for surgery or if I can get retainers/ clear plastic bars to put in so they don't close up? I'm not worried about my ears or tongue, but I am about my more discreet piercings. They are hard to change and I don’t want to have them close up while I’m in the hospital. Any thoughts or advice? Thanks much!

When I had a different surgery a couple of years ago I had the spacers put in and that was fine. Depending on location of piercing and length of spacer they can get caught on clothes, etc. if you'd really rather not take them out you can ask your doctor to be sure, but I just figured I'd take out the metal.

i was worried about my tattoo also i am fully sleeved but at the end of the day my health outweighed what my tattoos will look like. Before surgery i took out all my piercings. both nostrils,nipples, and genitals and just put them back in a few hours after my surgery.

I just worry that I will take them out and not be physically able to put them back in without clamps and help.... That would be weird to ask the nurse for help with... HAHA

New random thought. I have a chest x ray tomorrow morning will i have to take them out for that?

New random thought. I have a chest x ray tomorrow morning will i have to take them out for that?

I would think so.

Yeah you're gonna have to remove piercings for a chest X-ray

Sad...

Yeah you're gonna have to remove piercings for a chest X-ray

I would think you would need to remove underwire bra and nipple piercings for chest xray. You might need to remove a belly piercing but I would be surprised at that.

I have never had to remove earrings (in ears) for a regular chest xray. I had to remove ALL jewelry for a knee MRI.

Call the facility ahead of time and ask before you go.

I didn't have to remove my nipple rings but i told her about them and she said she would note it on the file when sent to the Dr.

I was told plastic is ok but no metal for my nosering

It depends on the hospital and surgeon. I had to remove all my piercings. I ended up losing my cartilage piercings on my ears, and my body went into rejection mode and I lost 2 other sets on my lobes. I'm fighting to keep the 2 I have left.

I am hoping for a March surgery date and don't presently have any tattoos...but for years I have been planning to get one when I take a vacation in a few weeks. Is this a bad idea? I really want a specific tattoo from a specific place (where I'm going on vacation soon)...

It will be quite a small tattoo and it will be on my wrist.

Is this a bad idea??

You should be healed before your surgery so i wouldn't see why it would be.