Question:
Tattoo on scar? Different type of scar for tt?

I'm wondering if anyone has ever put a tattoo over their tummy tuck scar(I was thinking a very fine vine with tiny flowers) and if that is a good idea. I was thinking it might be kinda neat. Also if you did, what did something like that cost for what you had done. I was thinking also of having my legs and arms done and wondered if they had a tattoo kinda thing to just try and match the scar color to the rest of the body color if it doesn't seem to heal colorwise enough for me. My other question is...I had the WLS a long long time ago and its a scar that runs from my breast bone to my belly button. I also have a bunch of stretch marks above my belly button....yet the skin below my belly button is almost stretch mark free. My question is, has anyone ever heard of them taking the skin above the belly button off and having a scar that would be closer hiden under a bra instead of the panty line? I think it might be better for me if they can. Any imput would be soooooo greatly appreciated.    — Stephanie T. (posted on January 30, 2003)

January 30, 2003
I think you need to ask your Plastic Surgeon about covering a scar with a tattoo. A friend of mine had a TT in November and her scar is already starting to disappear. Its alot better looking than the WLS scar. I wouldn't worry about it too much. I have a couple of Tat's but I don't think I would want my scar covered by one. But thats me. Also, I have never heard of any Dr. doing a TT like you are suggesting. Who cares if its in the panty line? Scars fade and really, who's going to see it?
   — Kris T.

January 30, 2003
I agree with the previous poster, ask your surgeon about that. And also, ask the tattoo artist who you plan to go to. I know some of them won't put tattoos on scars for fear that something bad could happen. Even though they aren't doctors, they may know more about it, I'm sure there are many others who have come to them for that. Goodluck to you!
   — Lezlie Y.

January 30, 2003
I saw a photo of a woman who had a large mastectomy scar tatooed over with a rose, and while I am not a big tatoo fan - it was beautiful and according to the article it was helpful to her. I would consider a tatoo to cover my wls scar after my tummy tuck. I have heard of birth marks being covered with flesh color tatoos to hide them, maybe it would work on a scar too.
   — **willow**

January 30, 2003
Check the library. There was an awesome thread of discussion months back. In fact, a couple weeks ago I was trying to follow up on that thread again by asking pretty much your question. From what I've been able to gather your scar needs to be well healed, like at least a year old. Scars are tattooed over all the time by surgeons who use natural coloration to try and blend the scar with the natural color of your skin. But also people have decorative designs put over and around scars to either celebrate them or disguise them. Not all tattoo artists will do it but there are ones out there who will. The cost depends on the tattoo artist, the complexity of the design, and the size. One thing I also learned is that tattoo ink tends to fade more quickly and easily out of scar tissue. So you will be facing having to have touchups done much more often than a normal tattoo needs. And its costly for the touchups too. As for your question about doing the tummy tuck sort of in reverse, I don't know. I've never heard of that being done. When you look for your surgeon for your tummy tuck I suggest you really scrutinize the post op pics. If the look of the scar afterwards is important to you, you'll want a surgeon whose techniques lend itself to a very thin, well placed scar.
   — Shelly S.

January 30, 2003
I was thinking the exact same thing! I havn't had a tummy tuck yet, and don't know if I will, but I thought of covering the scar with the same thing. Ususally tattoo artists charge a flat rate, if it takes less than an hour. But if it's more than an hour, they will charge by the hour. Good luck!!!
   — D S.

January 30, 2003
I have a very good friend who is a tattoo artist ( a very good one judging from the work he has done for me lol) and i ask him about tattooing my scar when i evintualy reach goal. He said that it can be done and he had doen it before but that the reason that many artist wont is because there can be problems "with the ink laying right if they dont know what they are doing". Like a previous poster He also mentioned that the ink will fade a bit faster then is normal and need more touch ups. So my advise to you befor you get the tatoo done (any tatto for that matter scar or not) is investigate the artist well see if they have ever done scar work and look at their work befor you get inked. also some states actually have licensing boards for tatto artist you might check that out as well. I to plan to have a tattoo done to commerate my struggle with my weight and the sucess of my surgery though i am not getting my scar tattooed. I am getting a anklet done that i designed that has me starting weight incorperated into a celtic knot design...kind of a reminder of where i never want to be again.
   — Becky M.

February 4, 2003
My husband told me to get a zipper tattoo'd on my scar, and when I get a TT, have another zipper on that one. He say's it would remind him of me being a butterfly, Just pop the zippers and out came the new me!! I'm thinking about a trampy fairy to hide the tt scar myself. LOL Anyone have any good pics of some, please email me.
   — JutziGirl