VIRGIN HERE - As far as tattoos go.....

I have never had a tattoo and have always wanted one or two or three. I have decided that when I get to my 100 pound weight loss goal (only 18 pounds away), that I'm going to get my first tattoo. But I have NO IDEA WHAT TO GET! How do you guys decide on what type of tattoo to get. I don't want anything real general and traditional like the rose or a butterfly. Although I do like butterflies....and feel that a beautiful butterfly could be the new me transitioning since weight loss but that seems so corny. I do have a daughter, named Sierra, that I've thought about putting her name some kinda way in a tattoo, but just don't have a clue. I've been to some parlors and looked through books to try to get ideas. And I have a friend who gets tattoos all the time and says I need to pick something with true meaning....his are awesome and each mean something special to him. I just don't know where to start. Then there is placement. I don't want it real obvious, but I don't want it real hidden either. On women, I like the back between the shoulders, and I like to see tattoos on ankles. And maybe one day after I get some plastic surgery, I can get one put in a more sneaky place like hip or lower. HA HA HA! Any suggestions would be great! Thanks Lisa Engelkins lap rny 5/25/04 -82 pounds Oh and I hope everyone has a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving Holiday. This is my first since surgery and I'm not even worried. Actually I think it will be funny to see all the food and know that I can only eat a little while everyone else busts a gut! HA HA HA!

I have 4 tattoos and plan on a fifth in a few months. All of my tattoos are meaningful, I have a Winnie the Pooh for a special friend, a Dreamcatcher in honor of my mother and grandmother, an ankh (sp) with a rose and a rosebud for my children, the open rose is for my older child, the rosebud for the younger one, and a butterfly with a rose for me because i wanted to be daring. I think ur butterfly is symbolic of you and your experience with WLS, so go for it . As to location, if u decide on your ankle it will hurt because of the bone, try your lower calf right above your ankle. Good luck with your decision, and Have a Happy Thanksgiving.

I just wanted to wish you luck with the tattoo. I got my first about 8 months ago. And like you I wanted something different and only slightly out of sight. I did end up getting a butterfly on my left shoulder blade which sounds traditional but I personalized it. It's in sillouhette with only the right side showing. The top tip and outter edges of the left wings show behind it. I added my three kids initials on the upper front/right wing, a small cross on the tip of the upper back/left wing and simple circles that look almost like teardrops on the bottom wing tip that shows. I used only minimal colors and shading to make it stand out. Since I don't show my "fat" body much. Only a few friends and family know I have it but after surgery I'll show it off. My hubby wants me to get a band/design across my lower back. But since I'm pretty distorted with blubber right now and I'm trying to get surgery to lose weight. I think I'll wait a little while for that one. If I lose lots of weight then I'll do it. I may however cry my way through a small band around my left ankle. Who knows. Good luck deciding.

The choosing is the hardest part ot tattoo, in my opinion! What to get? Where to put it? I have a tinkerbell on my right calf, I have always loved tink so one day after a HUGE panic attack, I was driving around and ended up at the parlor and said now is a good time! LOL I just got a butterfly for my 100 pounds lost, I love them and that really was how I felt, caterpillars are cute, not pretty but everybody likes them ya know...butterflies are beautiful delicate fragile things...much like I am right now! I had it put on my right breast, high enough that I can show it off without flashing anyone but low enough that my bra can cover it yaknow? I LOVE IT! and if I have to have boobs raised later on well...it is high enough that shouldn't bother it! My honey thinks it is terribly sexy so since he is basically the only one who sees it that is a good thing! Nic 291/174/145

Lisa, For my 1st tattoo I always knew where I wanted it. Just took some time to figure out what I wanted. If you ask anyone who has a tattoo, it has meaning. I have never known someone to just go out and get one. Each of mine represent special meaning or turning point in my life. Each of my tattoo's also represent a point in my life of my growth as a person. I'm not going to lie and say they don't hurt, they do. My last one was an hour long and on my lower back. It hurt like heck (I cryed) and I swore I wouldn't get another one. Yea, right, they are very addicting. Good luck in finding the one you want. Cyndee