Question:
a question for tattoo lovers only..
hi...i am going to get a tattoo to go over the top of my scar and wonder if anyone has any ideas as what would look nice.. i know tattoos arent everyones flavour so would apprecate no negative opinions thanks.... i was thinking about atrailng grapevine or rosebush with my new birthday underneath it .... any suggestions thanks.. — Rachel F. (posted on March 4, 2002)
March 4, 2002
Rachel: I was thinking about this myself and I think it would be really
beautiful. I had a lap bpd/ds but I want an abdominoplasty. I was
thinking of a vine with flowers (orchids are my fav!) along the scar
line.... I really don't know much about tatoos - never had any done. I
don't know about pain level in that area (lowest abdomen) or whether I
could get any kind of pain relief since it would be a rather extensive
tattoo... Hoping to learn more from other responses! All the best, (lap
bpd/ds Jan 25, 2001, preop: 307 lbs/bmi 45
now: 183 lbs/bmi 26 (5'10")
— Teresa N.
March 4, 2002
That's a great Idea. I'd consider it but I'd think it would be to painful
on the actual scar (mine is kind of sensitive). I already have a tattoo of
a seahorse on my ankle, and that's pretty tough skin. Hey! How about you
have your scar tattooed like a candle. Then on the top, have the
flame---with your surgery date in it! Like a Re-birthday candle! :-)
— Kristin R.
March 4, 2002
hi..me again just a quick update...i have 5 tattoos so far so this wont be
my first..
— Rachel F.
March 4, 2002
Rachel... I have a tat... and the idea of getting another one on my
incision from Open RNY has crossed my mind... My thought.. a vine and some
roses... because this surgery did make me bloom... :-) Good Luck with your
decision...
— California J.
March 4, 2002
— Karen R.
March 4, 2002
we were talking about a little train going down the tracks. And since my
scar kind of curves around my belly button, a little tunnel too. ;-)
— Ruth S.
March 4, 2002
Hi. I have 3 tattoos myself. Just a suggestion, but you should probably
wait until you have lost most of the weight you want to lose. I have
noticed that my tattoo on my thigh as changed shape some as I've lost
weight. Also, in case you may be thinking of a tummy tuck or panni later,
you may want to wait to cover the new scar. It is a great idea to cover
the scar with a tattoo - something I would have never thought of! Take
care and good luck.
— Paulette W.
March 4, 2002
Rachel,
I also was thinking about this. since I had an Open rny i was thinking of a
sword with roses or vines.
My Brothers suggestion to me was to get a ZIPPER! LOL
Michele Hartman
— Michele H.
March 4, 2002
Of course, if you're sick and twisted, you could always do the witch with a
rain cloud showering on her, and her yelling "I'M MELTING!!!!!!"
— Kathy O.
March 4, 2002
hi rachel - i think it's a great idea to do whatever YOU feel expresses you
the best! i currently have 1 tattoo (and was one person who thought she
would never get any!) i have tigger on my right calf. i hope he doesn't
look strange once i become a successful post-op! i've been thinking that
for my one year post-op anniversary i will get a butterfly done on my upper
back/shoulder. my niece has one done by our local artist and it is
beautiful. i personally feel like the butterfly will express the freedom i
will enjoy following a lifetime of being MO. whatever you decide, enjoy! -
anna
— Anna L.
March 4, 2002
Cool idea! I got my first tattoo about 6 months ago, and can't wait for the
next. I wonder if you should wait, however until you are at or near goal
and see if you will need reconstructive surgery. Your scars will change and
you may want to do something different then. Just a thought. Good luck,
whatever you decide!
— Maria H.
March 4, 2002
I have 3 tats...one on the back of my shoulder, flowers and butterflies, a
gecko on the top of my foot and a band of flowers and vines around my
ankle. After my surgery I would like to get a sun on the small of my back,
all of my tattoos are of significant times in my life and having the
surgery would definately be a significant time.
— Christine B.
March 4, 2002
I have both shoulders and my upper arms done in traditional japanese, a
pnck rock cat on my head (early 20ies) and a tribal cow skull on my lower
belly with both horms framing my belly button (I'm really worried about
that one with the weight loss). If my operation had not been done Lap I
would have covered the scar with a Very slender dagger with roses and a
thorn crown kind of a sacred heart thing. I'm almost sorry they did not
cut me open.
— Diane B.
March 4, 2002
Cool answers! :) I am only 2 months post-op, so I'm still afraid to get one
on my scar (it is still really tender, but if that goes away...). I think
I'd like a vine that went around my belly button and up the scar, like a
climbing vine. I'd probably get some flowers too. I also want a Celtic Knot
on my lower back eventually (I have a little butterfly on my thigh
already).
— Angela B.
March 4, 2002
I have 5 tattoos, the newest is a cover up of one that was chosen by my ex
husband, I now have a tribal bracelet on my left ankle. Express yourself,
girl! I love tattoos. I also saw the special on tattoos, and the woman who
had breast cancer and had a tattoo was beautiful, inside and out. I'm
planning as a gift to myself for my one year anniversary (tomorrow!!!!)
another one. Probably on the small of my back. Be you! Congrats. That scar
is a badge of honor, mine is 8 inches long and I'm proud of it!!! 8 )
Donna in AL
— Donna S. C.
March 4, 2002
Hi, I also have three tattoos, I have one cross above my left breast with a
bumble bee, and butterfly, and one vine and roses around my belly button. I
had planned on having my scar covered up with a vine that match my belly
button one, but when I approached our local tattoo artist, he said he was
not permitted to go over scared tissue. Ive spoken to several people about
this, and they said it is kinda dangerous to do that. I planned on waiting
anyway till I was at goal, and had my tummy tuck and all to see how its all
gonna look. I also have to find out if they will be able to save the one
around my belly button when I decide to have my tummy tuck. I think that
tattoos are great, and have meaning to many of us for periods in our lives.
My first was when I turned 30, and I got my cross to show my love for god,
and a rose that twined around the cross for my grandmother,and 7 little
hearts for the years I had been married. You need to check with your tattoo
artist though and see what his or her take is on going over scars. Good
Luck *Smiles*
— Ann A.
March 4, 2002
I never had a tattoo, but i have been wanting one. I want an obese woman,
split down the front with a thin woman stepping out. kinda cool. It is
different. but I was thinking for a while and came up with that a
reflection of what I've done and sooooo many others here have done too.
good luck! down 170lbs 23bmi in 13 mos.
— Patricia C.
March 4, 2002
I have a huge scar running almost 18 inches from Sternum down around my
belly button. If my scar does not fade to my liking in time I have decided
to get a tattoo of a Zipper. So it looks like I can just unzip my skin like
a jacket, and take it off. I have 3 tattoos already.
— sbinkerd1
March 4, 2002
Great question! I had an RNY LAP, so I have 7 small scars about 1 inch
each...I was thinking about this too, maybe little daisies over the scars
with a thin vine with small leaves connecting them....whose going to see
them except me and those that I really want to see them? I think it's a
great idea....Good luck!
— lily1968
March 4, 2002
I have thought of doing the exact same thing. I plan on getting my scar
turned into a butterfly! The long line will be the body, and the two spots
on either side (from g-tube and drain tube) will be spots incorporated onto
the open wings. I have 5 other tattoos, so I'm an addict! LOL. Here is a
page w/pics of my tattoos... http://www.angelfire.com/in/blwed/wls.html
— Lisa P.
March 5, 2002
I don't think it's a bad idea at all - when I got my first & only one
(age 30), I said it was a committment to myself. :) It turned out a lot
bigger than what I wanted it to be and it's right below my right shoulder
but that's okay. Here's my question to the tattoo group ~ I am currently
at 346 - got the tattoo somewhere around 250 pounds and with the weight
gain, she's still looking pretty good. (fairy sitting on the moon). My
question is this: My surgery is April 9th and I'm wondering, if I get
below the 250 mark (where I originated with the tattoo) - what's going to
happen to her? <giggling> I know this sounds dumb....is she going
to end up the original size that I wanted her to be in the first place?
Any guesses on what will happen if I get below the 200 mark? Goodness
gracious !! The things we worry about...hahah ~
As for the original questions ~ I like the grapevine idea. You could also
think about some sort of Chinese or Egyptian symbol that means
"rebirth" or "new life" or something that is
"you" now.
Let us know what happens. : )
— Lisa J.
March 5, 2002
I think tribal or celtic is the way to go. They have some really neat
designs that I think would fit nicely over a scar. Great idea!
— emilyfink
March 9, 2002
I have a tattoo band around my right ankle....it's the signs of all the
planets with a large sun on the outside of my ankle..and in the sun is a
halfmoon. I got this tattoo while at my current size and I'm worried about
shrinkage. I also I'm planning for additional tattoos after the
surgery...celebratory tattoos. Maybe the symbol of the earth on the back
of my left ankle. My right ankle reaching for the stars and my left
keeping me grounded. And something special for the small of my
back....once I actually HAVE a SMALL of my back!!
— Wendy C.
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