Question:
How does significant weight loss affect tattoos??

I have 3 relatively detailed tattoos, one on my ankle, one on my thigh and one on the back of my neck...I am wondering how these will be affected by a large weight loss? Does anyone have any experience with this?? Thanks!    — Kristine P. (posted on February 22, 2002)

February 22, 2002
Hi, I can't give you an expert opinion, but I have two tattoos on my chest , which has become relativley small over the last 7 months, and they have not changed in size that I can see. But I am curious as to the effect in other areas of the body. I wanted to get one on my back, but as you are, I was concerned that with the 70 lbs I need to lose, if it would change any.
   — Carey N.

February 22, 2002
It's funny to ask that question...I have a tattoo of a wolf on my calf, and as my calf has gotten smaller, so has my tattoo. I kept joking that if my calf got much smaller, my wolf would soon be a puppy. Its leveled off now. But when I lost my first 30 lbs, is when it was really noticible. But "Wolfie" still looks great and actually, his color has gotten a little brighter because of it. Another friend of mine who has had gastric bypass, her tattoos were not affected at all. She has one on her shoulder and one on her chest---and they remained the same. I guess it depends on the amount of fat in the area where you tattoo is. Good Luck!
   — Mustang

February 22, 2002
Good Question..I was worried about my tattoos at first also. But right now i'm down 60 pounds and they haven't changed. I have 6 of them on various parts of the body and they look great. And i'm glad someone else mentioned their color getting brighter because I thought mine was also and my husband thought I was crazy when I mentioned it.
   — Kelly S.

February 22, 2002
I have a Bull's Skull tribal on my lower belly, right over the fat part too (like there's a skinny part of my belly..LOL) needless to say I'm very worried about the poor thing..
   — Diane B.

February 22, 2002
I have 4 tattoo's in various places and have lost 80lbs and the only one I have noticed being different is the one on my shoulder it seems to be moving outward, but nothing dramatic.
   — Lynda T.

February 23, 2002
I have a red rose on my cleavage. I always said that it would turn into a long stemmed red rose as I aged. Well now after a 140 lb. loss I have a long stemmed rose bud!. Oh, well it still looks pretty good all things considered. If I have a breast lift the surgeron said I might end up with only a stem due to the need to move the nipple. Oops !. I'm not sure what to do about that.
   — Cheryl H.