Question about getting a tattoo.

[chiromac]

I  have a nasty scare on my right forearm; it starts at the wrist and goes to the elbow.  I got it because when my kidneys shut down the arteries around heart got blocked up, they removed arteries from my arm, leg and chest wall to replace the blocked ones.  The issue is I hate seeing this reminder all the time and I want to cover it up. 

Has anyone gotten a tattoo to cover up a scare and if so how did it turn out.  I keep getting mix info on it, some say a skilled tattoo artist can do it without an issue and other say it does not work.

Not sure when I can get it but I think I will get the Gator to cover up the arm scare. An acronym for G.A.T.O.R came to me ; G(get) A(a) T(transplant) & O(obtain) R(restart).  I added the gator to the arm with photoshop and I like the look, but just not sure if it will work.  If I can I want to get it for my birthday (Aug 19th).

[bleija]

that sounds really, really awesome way to alter a scar into something motivational. kudos.
from what i have heard, tattoos over scars are more painful, but i dnt see any reason why they couldnt do. i would say find a clean reputable tattoo parlor, go in with the pic and talk to one of their more experienced artists and see what they say. i mena they should know, he may have done some before.

[Annig83]

Getting a tattoo over a scar isn't as painful as one may think.  I have a few scars on my wrists and I have tattoos covering them.  It didn't hurt that much more than on "normal" skin.  The only issue you would have with getting one over a scar if it was keloid or super raised. Is it still pink?  The fresher the scar, the harder it is to tattoo over it. Most scars take 2 years to fully heal.  I would advise finding a highly praised and skilled artist who can help you find the right design to cover the scaring.  Most artists I've talked to suggest bright colors and textures to cover it up. If the skin is relatively flat you should be able to find an artist willing to do it for you.  I have 14 tattoos, and still adding!   Good luck!

[chiromac]

 I was using ScarAway patches & creams and the scare is very smooth / flat.  If you close your eyes and just run your fingers over it you can not tell it apart from the normal skin.  It has been about 19 months, so as you suggested I will have to see it it has healed enough.  I'll start my search for the best artist in St. Louis, but it would be a great help if the artist you have used might point in the right direction of the best in my area.  I guess I will look for a more colored gator image to use.

Thanks for the info, it was a great help.   

[Annig83]

All my tattoos range from a variety of artists... my favorite is David Vallejo.  He may have some contacts near you?  I think he's still in New Mexico or something?  He moved around a lot.  The only way I snagged him was because I was at the Chicago Tattoo Expo, and he was there and offered to do my tat.   

Here's his old myspace page.  At least you can see his work?  http://www.myspace.com/7magnumtattoos
7 Magnum Tattoos is his shop.  Hope this helps

[Rain]

I hate to be a downer but if your on the transplant list I would contact the transplant office to find out if it will change your status if you get a tattoo.  At my center if you get a tattoo or piercing it puts you on hold for a whole and then you need another round of blood work to make sure your clean.

[Cordelia]

A piercing and or a tattoo will take you off the transplant list, if they find out. For a whole year, at least that is what they do up here in Canada. I heard of one girl who had an ear piercing and she was taken off the list for a whole year.

[gothiclovemonkey]

holy crAP, i didnt know that about the list!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! EEEP!

I have tats covering scarage too, i asked them before they did it, they said sometimes the ink might not hold there, depends on ur scar and the artist im sure.
mine is yellow, so i can still see the scar, but it isnt any more noticable than it was plain, and u have to know its there to see it.

[Annig83]

My D center hasn't said anything about it, nor my transplant doctor here at IU.  I think it's because I get transplant evaluation labs every month??  Regardless, I'm not getting anymore currently lol.  I don't have the time, nor the money  

[bleija]

i got mine and just went with a "dont ask dont tell policy" i looked on here and looked up online and the only concerns i could find were just hep C make sure its a good place. i got my newest tat in april and had my transplant 21 days ago. i guess it would be smart to ask about it tho. we did mine on a spur of the moment for my anniversary prolly should have call and asked but it was a sunday.

[gothiclovemonkey]

My D center hasn't said anything about it, nor my transplant doctor here at IU.  I think it's because I get transplant evaluation labs every month??  Regardless, I'm not getting anymore currently lol.  I don't have the time, nor the money

who needs money? come here ill ink ya well, not yet, gotta get my supplies again. i sold mine a few years ago because i was shaking uncontrollably and couldnt use it.

[chiromac]

Very Cool thanks for the help, my doc said it would be OK to do.  I would just need to get it before I get the transplant.  My only issue now is my daughter does not like tattoos and does not want me to get one.  I will need to to sell her on the idea a bit more.  I really want to cover it up more now, some New Born Religious Freak  had the ball in front of my nephews (4 and after he saw my scare why did I try killing my self.  Needless to say my nephews learned a few new words that day and this religious nut learn a few things about his views.  I just do not want anymore stupid people asking me about my scares.   

[jbeany]

It's after transplant that I was warned about tats, not before.  Not that our immune systems are fabulous while in ESRD, but they are still stronger than they are on immunosuppresants.  I've never had the desire to get one, so I guess I didn't pay much attention to if it could keep me off the list.  Sounds like another thing that would vary by hospital, like BMI limits.

chiro, I've got a scar on my left wrist that got me a lot of weird looks, too.  It's too far off center to be a suicide attempt, but that doesn't seem to stop people from believing I'm just an incompetent nutcase.  How old is your daughter?  Is she little and scared of them, or older and worried about having you embarrass her? 

[MomoMcSleepy]

 Your daughter will get over it.  Maybe add her initials to your gator tatoo?

That religious nut is an idiot.  No one has ever asked me except when I first had surgery and needed help lifting, I pointed to my arm as explanation (and it looked sick, too.).  I nearly said that I got into a knife fight, but wussed out and said I had surgery. Next time, I'm going with knife fight.

I feel tough  with my gigantic upper arm fistula scar.  Plus, my fistula is huge on my tiny arm, I look tough!  I am about 5'2" 126 lbs., not much makes me look tough.   

Eff anyone who doesn't like my scar, they can eat something unpleasant, heck they can eat two!  Plus, it's like, my 50th scar, so whatever (ok, my 20th, and mist are covered by clothing).  Maybe you'll get over it.  I thought I'd be sad and wear sleeves all the time, but it only took a couple months before I was like,,  "whatever, dude."  Also, Christians who talk like that are instruments of Satan and should stay home, as should all cranky people.

I thought about a tatoo at various points, but I'd get sick of it later.  This is all new to you, and I understand wanting to regain some control..  Breast cancer patients who've gotten masectomies sometimes opt for tatoos instead of implants. Maybe you can find a story about their experiences online?

[MomoMcSleepy]

i got mine and just went with a "dont ask dont tell policy" i looked on here and looked up online and the only concerns i could find were just hep C make sure its a good place. i got my newest tat in april and had my transplant 21 days ago. i guess it would be smart to ask about it tho. we did mine on a spur of the moment for my anniversary prolly should have call and asked but it was a sunday.