Artistic tattoo after double mastectomy

Mommyathome

hi. Has anyone else chosen to get an artistic tattoo after mastectomy? Looking to get my first tattoo ever!

Snickersmom

I got my first ever tattoo last year at age 70 after my BMX but it's not on my chest. I thought I wanted it there and also thought I wanted to have the pink ribbon. But after my surgery, I realized I have my scars to remind me so didn't need the ribbon to be sitting there. I also wanted it to be visible to the world as well as to me. My surgery was May 3rd, my birthday was May 29th, and I got my tattoo in September. I got a pink ribbon with a blue/green butterfly over it (but you can clearly see the ribbon). Just above that is the word Warrior.

I don't regret it for a minute! It represents my rite of passage!

By the way, I live in Florida now but we lived in Manchester, CT for 27 years and in Putnam for 7. Where are you from? Much nicer weather down here!!

Mommyathome

snickersmom

I'm from thomaston ct. I'm 45 years old. Since the mastectomy in January 2014 I knew I wanted some sort of artistic tattoo and didn't want nipples done. I'm pretty nervous about the pain of getting it done as I am not sure how it will feel. I contacted my plastic surgeon today to request numbing cream.

How long did it take to do your tattoo? Mine is supposed to be about 3 hours! I'm doing flowers and butterflies vertically on each breast and then on one breast a heart with butterfly that says live, laugh, love. I'm doing 4 butterflies, one for each of my kids in the color of their birthstone

We are expecting about 10 inches of snow here tomorrow! Yes, much nicer in Florida!

Jackster51

mommya - your tattoo sounds beautiful and so meaningful.. I do tattoos (Nipples) in CA, and have also had them done on myself. I personally had no feeling there, but I use numbing cream for my clients... just in case :-) I'm sure your artist will also know what to use. You will most likely feel a sensation or pressure, but hopefully not pain. Good luck and if you're up for it, share a photo!!

LeesaD

I'm having my exchange on Jan 30th and my plastic surgeon mentioned the nipple reconstruction and tattoos and I said nope I'm getting something fun. I'm so over my boobs and don't want fake nipples or nipple tattoos. I'm going big chest tattoo to cover my scars and can't wait until I'm healed enough to do so.

Libber

Hi everyone. I would also love to hear from any of you that decided to do artistic tats to cover scars. I had BMX and appointment for consult on June 1. Instead of 3D nipples contemplating something to cover all scars. Live near Portland OR so have arranged a consult with Dermagraphics, LLC. For any of you who have done creative tattoos to cover scars, are you happy that you had this done? Any regrets?

Thank you.

Libby

Snickersmom

Mommyathome - Mine is pretty small considering what you all are going to get!! It only took about 30 minutes and was not painful at all. It's kind of like pin pricks but didn't hurt. A few times it was uncomfortable but not enough for me to say to stop. I thought about having a big one done on my chest but decided I wanted to be able to see it and have everyone else see it, to, so opted for my leg. It's about halfway between my ankle and knee on the outside of my leg. There are some gorgeous tattoos that pretty much totally cover the chest, but I didn't have the nerve to do that.

Are they doing yours all at one time? I thought they only did a portion at a time. Three hours is a lot to sit there. Good luck - I know it will be beautiful.

Mommyathome

jackster51-

I asked my ps for numbing cream. Does it interfere with getting the tattoo??

Mommyathome

snickersmom-

If I can handle sitting there she said I could probably do it in one sitting but she said if not we will do it in more.

This is similar to what i

m thinking about getting on each breast arou

nd the vertical incisions. On each breast I want 2 butterflies. I have 4 kids and the wings will be their birthstones

Snickersmom

Mommy - that is absolutely beautiful but if your incisions are anything like mine, your vertical scars will be short and under your arms. Across your chest will just be horizontal scars. So are you thinking of getting this horizontally?

The guy that did mine didn't use any numbing cream or anything. It really didn't hurt - it was just kind of like pin pricks. but when done on the chest, there are a lot of nerve endings that are cut and so robably there would be very little feeling at all.

Jackster51

Mommmyathome, your tat artist should have some creams they like to use. You can bring your's if you got it, but I wouldn't apply anything before you get to your appointment.

Mommyathome

my scars are vertical. They are about 4-5 inches from where the nipple used to be down.

Snickersmom

really? Is that because you had reconstruction? I think your tattoo that you picked is going to be gorgeous! Now you make me want to get another one!!!

Libber

Beautiful! I am feeling inspired:)

Mommyathome

snickersmom,

I'm not sure why my bs went with vertical incision.... I did have immediate reconstruction with tissue expanders.

This will be my first experience getting a tattoo..

Mommyathome

libber,

Thank you!!! I wanted something femine and light. Something with meaning to me. I'm doing 4 butterflies.. 1 for each of my kids and wings will be color of their birthstone

Libber

Mommyathome. Have you done yours yet? I am scheduled to meet with the tattoo artist in June to begin the process. Used some temporary tats to get used to the idea. And I think I am in. Different experience looking in the mirror.

Mommyathome

libber

I've met with tattoo artist but haven't started the tattoo yet. Where did you get temporary ones? What is your tattoo idea like?

Mommyathome

So this is the Tattoo I will be getting this week

Mommyathome

asking anyone who had an artistic tattoo after mastectomy........

If you get tattoo over scars, what happens when you have to have the implants swapped out? They only last 10 years or so right? Then we have to switch them out?

VegGal

The warranty on the implants lasts 10 years.  The implants themselves can last much longer. 

mitzi458

Mommyathome....WOW!!! That is GORGEOUS!!! Did you do it? Are you happy? Where did you find that image? Thank you for sharing!

Mommyathome

yes I started it! I created the image with the tattooist. I did this image on the left side. Haven’t started the right yet. For the right I am going to do the same larger rose on the but not the other flowers. I’m doing four butterflies. One for each of my kids and I’m adding the color of their birthstones to each butterflies wings.