LE and tattoos

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AnnetteS
AnnetteS Member Posts: 180
edited June 2014 in Lymphedema

I am extremely careful not to have any breaks in the skin on my LE side and pretty careful on my at risk side.  I have been planning on eventually getting 3D tattoos.  But, it just dawned on my that that is a million tiny breaks in the skin....

Is there any correlation between nipple tattoos and LE? OR with increased infection due to the compromised Immune system and getting tattoos? 

I was having a conversation, stating why I would never have an arm tattoo due to my lymphnodes being removed and all of the sudden it hit me that my foobs should possibly be included in that.

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  • Suzybelle
    Suzybelle Member Posts: 920
    edited January 2012

    My LE therapist uses a patient's experience with tattoos as part of a presentation she does to other therapists.  She had a breast cancer patient with le in an arm who got a tattoo on her back and wound up with le in her trunk and side because of the tattoo.

    I would be extremely careful of tattoos and would talk with some experienced LE folks before I went forward with it.

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  • kira66715
    kira66715 Member Posts: 4,681
    edited January 2012

    Annette, you're talking about nipple tattoos right? I think it's a bit of a risk--like maybe you should take antibiotics for a couple of days, but it's not like you're getting an arm/back/trunk tattoo as skin art.

    My LE therapist is horrified when women get tattoos on their scars or their affected quadrants, as the ink gets picked up by the lymph system, but I think nipple tattoos would be a different issue--a slight risk, but also something that completes your reconstruction. 

    Kira 

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  • carol57
    carol57 Member Posts: 3,567
    edited January 2012

    Annette, Suzybelle and Kira, Well, just when I was running short of things to worry about, you have filled the void. I'm supposed to get the areola tatoos in March or so.  Kira, to elaborate on your antibiotics suggestion, is the suggestion to take them ahead of time for a few days, or afterward for a few days, or both? 

    Carol

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  • kira66715
    kira66715 Member Posts: 4,681
    edited January 2012

    Carol, my LE therapist worked with Robert Lerner MD in NYC and this was his rule--if there was a skin puncture, he had patients take 3 days of antibiotics afterwards.

    No science, based on clinical experience.

    Kira 

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  • carol57
    carol57 Member Posts: 3,567
    edited January 2012

    Thanks, Kira.  This I shall do!

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  • AnnetteS
    AnnetteS Member Posts: 180
    edited January 2012

    Okay, so it seems that there is a risk, but probably worth it due to it being the final stage of recon as opposed to just fun body art.  I will talk to my doc about antibiotics when/if I do decide to get the nipple tattoos.

    My kids came in the other day with a drawing of the word "Mom" with the "o" being a pink ribbon and said that they are getting matching tattoos.  I told them the same thing I always say to their tattoo wants (they are 19 and 21), "If it is small and tasteful and you still want it in a year, go for it."

    If they go ahead with it in a year, I am thinking I want the same tattoo but with a red ribbon for my mom.  But, I can't figure out where to put it.  Maybe my ankle would be far enough away from my armpits?

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2012

    When I developed truncal LE after my implant exchange surgery, I decided nipples were not worth the risk. Just my own comfort level and gut feeling, as in my case I thought the nipple would be too close to the affected area. If you do it, definitely go with the antibiotics. I totally understand wanting to complete the recon though.



    By the way, when it comes to implants, my PS told me to always take an antibiotic prior to dental procedures, especially teeth cleaning, or any other procedure that would release bacteria into the bloodstream. So, I would think to be on the safe side, LE or not, if an implant is involved, an antibiotic would be in order for a tattoo.

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  • garnet131
    garnet131 Member Posts: 64
    edited January 2012

    I had nipple tattoo back in 1995 after tram flap recon. First one faded rather quickly so had it redone, and it faded again. Decided it wasn't worth the bother to try to keep it up. And despite barely any color, I always get raving comments any time I see a new doctor as to how excellent my recon is and how well it matches the other (original) one. Seriously, I was literally shocked by how doctors have gone on about that.

    Re other tattoos:  Two of my daughters have multi-tattoos. We have an event coming up at the end of the year that we've been talking about getting matching tattoos to commemorate--though perhaps half joking on my part, as I know I won't get sedatives to help me through this time. My LE is in left arm, so if I do go through with it, am thinking about right ankle...not really sure if the girls are serious about it, but I'll follow this thread to learn more. Not really sure if I'm brave enough...and of course, all those years of talking about it were before my re-entry into the LE world.

    Interesting about antibiotics prior to teeth cleaning...first time I've heard that.

    Garnet

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  • Jennifer1295
    Jennifer1295 Member Posts: 244
    edited January 2012

    I had my nipple/areolas tattoos done after my reconstruction and they fadded fast as well. I also had them  redone and once again they fadded so I said no more. I have LE in my right arm and it did not affect my arm. I never thought about the antibiotics after them. I always had them after any of the reconstruction procedures, although never had antibiotics prior to teeth cleaning.

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