I have had a Mastectomy, LD reconstruction and full node clearance 2 years ago. I have recently been offered a nipple reconstruction and tattooing. However, I want to mark a landmark with something more personal and artistic. I want to have my whole breast tattooed perhaps with something floral, in my favourite colours. Before I speak to a tattoo artist I want to find out if there is any advice out there on the subject. As we are advised against injections and blood pressure taken in the “precious arm” would that include tattoes if they are done for nipples anyway. Has anyone else had good or bad experience of this? There are some good pictures on the internet of this kind of work but it is not clear what kind of treatment and surgery the women have been through and if lymph node clearance is a factor. Another consideration for a larger piece of tattoo work is the pain, but I am resigned to the fact that it would not be worse that the original surgery.
I looked at tattooing as well - with me it was part of my curiosity as to whether to go for recon, or just get a stonking tattoo over the area - but I wasn’t sure if you could tattoo over scar tissue. Well, apparently that’s not a problem (if I’d known that years ago, I’d have gone ahead with my plan to have all my baby stretchmarks covered in flames, lol). The lymph nodes shouldn’t be an issue, because your breast tissue can drain in other directions once the axillary nodes have gone.
Even if I do go for recon, I’m tempted to go for a celtic ring instead of a nipple…
I’ll be watching this thread with interest!
Sophie xx
Also, on pain - the breast is probably one of the easier places for a tat, as there is so much flesh there - it’s the tats near the bone that hurt, so don’t expect much more than some discomfort…
I saw a really beautiful tattoo recently of a lady with a tattooed reconstruction. I’m not normally into tattoos, generally hate 'em, but this was particularly beautiful. I’ll see if I can find it, maybe someone else can find it? Reckon it was a link from here…
Thanks for all the comments. I searched the internet and found two or three particularly appealing tattoo designs. I don’t want to copy them exactly but these pictures are what I will use to base a consultation with a tattoo artist. The first one is on a page at buzfeed.com and titled The 10 best/worst breast tattos of all time. Picture 6 is the one that caught my eye. And by far the best one is on flickr.com/photos/allentattoo/5058385828
I have thought long and hard about doing this, and while the mastectomy was not my choice, this is! I will research very carefully the artists out there, and consult to find something I truly love and will be able to live with before I go ahead. I plan to have it done just before Christmas 2011. It gives me just that little bit of control over what my breast looks like.
Good luck Luggy! I agree - it’s a way of re-claiming your breast as your own, taking it back, as it were. I think it’s a fabulous idea. Though I have to admit… I love tattoos anyhow!! I’m also planning on getting a medic alert tattoo on my right wrist, warning about the lymphedema risk on my left arm… well, I work in a kitchen, so can’t wear jewellery, and all those sharp knives/pans of boiling water…
Sophie xx
Luggy, No. 6 that you linked to is exactly the one, isn’t it beautiful!
Good luck, and I think it’s a very positive way to respond to the crap that you’ve been through to get to here.
I to have been thinking about a tattoo. I don’t think I am going to have breast reconstruction, so as soon as I was told I was to have a mx I started to think about a tattoo as a way of celebrating and embracing finishing my bc journey. I have even gone as far as phoning up my local parlour to see if he will do it. You need to wait at least a year for scars to settle down, but I’m going to use my chemo/rad time to think of design, and of course a blue dragonfly will be part of it. I will have to look at the previous posts websites. Thanks for a "hopeful " " something to look forward to’ topic. Ruth x
Gorgeous tat, , , I’m looking at having one also, , I’m thinking ivy leaves intwing a breast cancer ribbon n a heart with two smaller ones, , I’ve looked for deeds then change it a bit to be my own, , in pinks n purples., , , the ivy is strengh n will continue to grow through darkness, , the bc ribbon speaks for itself, n heart fr my lather n 2 smaller ones for his daughters who without their strength n love this would have been he’ll
Xx
Hi all
Love the idea of the tatts and both ideas sound really lovely. I am also thinking of a tattoo, I am only 2 weeks post rads so and breast covered in a lovely itchy raised rash so will be waiting a while but looking for something suitable. I have seen a really beautiful training vine going along under the breast and up the side with curling tendrils. I would sort of like to do something significant with the little ‘tats’ provided by the lovely team at Exeter. Will be interested in your final plans…good hunting on the design front
Hi
I have had two significant tattoo’s since I had BC, I have had the pink breast cancer ribbon on my left arm and 2 pink boxing gloves, with survivor 2011 written around them on the back of my neck. I have picked a Guardian Angel tattoo to have next but I would like it on my right shoulder. I am not sure if I can as I had full lymph node clearance on the right side two years ago. Can anyone advise ??
Thanks
J
xx
I love this thread, Am over 2 years DX and last year I had a tattoo of the breast cancer ribbon with forget me nots and a butterfly around them on my right foot. It is a luvly tattoo.
For dennykp the best tattoo artists I have seen and its been many are Phill Bonds in Tor hill road Torquay. Its a family business and they are amazing. You can go down with your design and discuss it with them and then arrange to go in… They are luvly and like nothing more than doing something different.
To all the other ladies,… go for it girls
babs
xxxxx