Tattoo on unreconstructed mastectomy site or not?!

Hi 

I had my mx 29/11/15

Wasnt offered immediate reconstruction as it was surgeons first op back from a RSI.

She then left!

i got on with my chemo and herceptin ( due to finish in 3 weeks. Yay!)

I’m 5’5" size 10 (36A). I was a keen runner before all this and have kept this up ( just!) throughout my treatment . It’s often been my sanity.

When I saw the general surgeon in January ( still no breast surgeon in post at the time) ( I live on an island so 2nd opinion not easy) he was a little discouraging for various reasons re reconstruction. My husband doesn’t want me to have surgery, thinks the rest of me is in good condition (lol!) and worries I could end up with a load of problems, particularly re my running. The only suggestion they are making is lipofill, which I understand doesn’t always work first time. I have very little fat on me so they’ve said I might get dimpling as well.

Most of the time I’m ok with the scar.

SO

I COULD GO WITH A BIG TATTOO?

Does anyone have any thoughts?

i would really appreciate ANY advice!

Cath

x

 

Hi Runningfree

Sorry that you havent had a reply to your post yet.  There are various conversations about tattoos covering mastectomy scars hopefully someone will reply to you soon with thier thoughts and experience.

Best wishes
Anna
Digital Community Officer

Hi Runningfree, get the tattoo, I’ve seen many women with them and they are beautiful, and they mean so much too.

I waited 5 years after my surgery to have my tattoo over double mastectomy scars. I’d had radical mastectomies so my chest is like a washboard. Best decision I ever made. I love it. I think realistically the tattoo artist may want to wait for at least 2 years to make sure your scars are well and truly healed. It is sometimes quite difficult to tattoo over scar tissue. So I would find someone who is experienced in covering scars and have a consultation. Think carefully about the design because you have to be able to live with it forever.
Go for it! It gave me a feeling of regaining control, because it was my decision. It also makes me smile whenever I see it.
Good luck Cath. I have photo but not sure how to post one to show you.
Sue x

Here is link to article and photos. Copy and paste into search bar to access. Hope it helps. I’ve had a bit more shading since this but you can see the scale etc.
m.huffpost.com/uk/entry/uk_57fb5786e4b04e1174a4f805

Hi Runningfree,  Surely tatoos are lovely and after mastectomy they make them look beautiful.

Flossy, I’ve had the same and so impressed with the skill of the girl who did it. It faded quit a by over the first 4-6 weeks by hada top u booked an I think it looks fab. This tattoo is the same procedure used for eyebrows. Very impressed so far x