Calling all tattoo lovers!

I have been waiting to get a tattoo for a very long time.  I decided on what I wanted about 10 years ago and have had the design for about 8.  Do you think it's time already??!?!  LOL  I promised myself that it could be a reward for success at WLS and I'm thinking my one year anniversary is a great milestone to mark.  :)

So, here's where I need opinions:

If you have a tattoo - how did you go about picking the location of the tattoo?  Was it based on size and space available?  Hidden/Not Hidden?  Etc. Etc.

If you don't have a tattoo but would like to comment on - what do you find appropriate or inappropriate for location of a tattoo and visibility?  How it affects someones appearance, maybe affecting their job (not professional?), etc. etc.

My questions were spawned from a conversation with Nate about it last night.  He has never balked at my wanting a tattoo but now that the time is getting closer he told me to reconsider my preferred location because it would be visible.  He said it isn't professional and people shouldn't know I have one.  WELL!  Did I mention he's a stick in the mud?  NO NO, just kidding.  :)  I'm looking to see how many other men and women share or don't share his viewpoint.

I am considering a small design (think 1" by 1/2") on my forearm close to my elbow.  I remember seeing someone (famous?) with a tiny tattoo there and thinking it was a feminine spot to choose.

I would not call myself a tattoo lover but I have several.  Only one is visable unless I WANT you to see them.  I work in a professional office setting and probably always will.  I do not want something like that to hold me back professionally.  Just my opinion.  I have the visable one on the ankle so I can cover it if need be.  I do plan to get more at some point.  Heck...Steve does them!  I bought him the supplies a couple of years ago and he has given me all of mine, several of his (he has about 15 I think) and several for friends and family.  If you are satisfied in the work you do and don't plan on having any other professions then go ahead and get it where you want it.  That is assuming your profession finds it appropriate.  If you don't mind wearing long or 3/4 length sleeves to work even in the summer then get it there.  I have several friends that are sleeved 100% and are doctors and lawyers.  They just wear suits and jackets year round for work.  I personally do not have a preference of visable or not unless it is a degrading tattoo (one I can't imagine you getting).  I do not find them unprofessional if they are done tastefully and placed appropriately.  Visable is ok but it should look nice still, IMO.   I plan on getting a bigger one on my back after I am able to have plastics.  I do not want them to cut thru one if I put it there!

Hi Lauren,

I decided for my 50th birthday that I would get a tattoo and designed it to be a fairy with purple on it. I really like it  -HOWEVER  - because it was pretty intricate it ended up being much bigger than I wanted it to be... I have it on the side of my leg above the ankle - very easily covered up..... but still bigger than I expected.... if I had to do it again - I would go for something much smaller....... oh and did I mention the PAIN!! Took them 4 hours for mine - hurt like the dickens - I will never have a second one because of that........

And speaking as a professional - it does affect how people look at you if you have a visible tattoo - Nate is actually right there... sorry lol!

Just my humble opinion.........

Jackie

I don't currently have any myself. I planned on getting one for my 30th birthday last year and at the last minute the good old Navy decided to cancel my husband's orders to Rhode Island and that gave us 2 weeks to find a place to live (had already given notice to base housing)...so I didn't get much of a birthday...LOL

Now I think I'm going to wait until my 1 year surgiversary (which happens to be 5 days after my 32nd birthday) and I will get mine. I have had a design in mind for a few years.

I have decided to get mine on my upper leg...my best friend has one there and it's her's to share when and with whom she wants and I like that. I certainly don't mind tattoos on anybody, even professionals. I think it makes then seem more like real people and a little more down to earth maybe???

Good luck and I hope it all goes well :)

Christy

I currently don't have a tattoo but want one, I think, or I like the idea of one...LOL. It's sad to say that there is a stigma in the professional business area for 2 things fat people and tattoos., but does that make it right oh Hell no, go and get one to express who you are and where you been. The only tihng iI have to say about placement is think about the pain that comes with it. Those normally done where there is less meat between the bone and skin tend to hurt more. My ex-brother in law has 95% of his body covered in art., he also has his prosthetic arm covered. He loss one arm in a Harley accident many years ago. Also think about what you chose, because, will it be something that will still look OK as you get older and the skin starts to sag a bit as we all know it does. So are you gonna tell us what you plan on getting???

twin dragonflies

I have one tattoo. That is plenty. I am a baby with pain. Mine is on my lower leg. Much larger than I had meant it to be. lol. It is a 4 leaf clover with a band with my sons name. He was born on St. Patricks day and our last name is O'Connell, so it was an easy choice. I have worn dress pants over a skirt to a job interview though. Was scared what they would say.

Hi Lauren, I have 4, with my newest one less than a week old.  Two are on my left one on my ankle which is a celtic thistle, the other is on the back of my calf a rose w/ a spider web (long story), I also have a celtic knot and a tribal design on my back.  The only one that has ever caused an issue is the tribal one as it can sometimes peek up over my shirt.  I am just careful of the situation to cover it.  I think nowadays so many people have them that it is commonplace.  Several of my professors have visible (some more than one) tattoos.  My mom is a teacher and several teachers have them that can be seen on a regular basis.  It seems to carry less of a stigma than it used to.  I have more planned, and see no issue with them. Just get it somewhere you can see and enjoy it!

I have one tattoo on my right hip, I got it so that I could still show it off some if I wanted but would be covered if I didn't.  I was in college at the time and didn't want my parents to know lol.  Mine is a unicorn sounded by a ring of roses.  It has faded and st reached unfortunately with the weight gain.  I want another one once I am closer to my goal weight.

There are still a lot of places that have issues with tattoos in the work place.  My sister has to have hers covered while at work.  In my office there are no rules against it as long as it is "tasteful" and every ones view of tasteful is different.  I would ask your HR rep at work if there are any company guidelines about tattoos and go from there. 

I don't know that I want to ask being that it is a personal decision and would feel resentful if they said no.  But I will check our company handbook.  I had not considered doing that.