Tattoos after heart surgery

[holly_bosh]

New here

I am 26 and very into having tattoos

I have Marfan Syndrome and 1 year ago I had Aortic Replacement surgery

I am now on warfarin and other medications

Does anyone have any advice on getting tattoos after having this kind of surgery? I am very keen on tattoos and want to know if I should not get anymore or only get small ones

Help?

[NathanBlau]

You might find it difficult to get someone to do it - from the tattooists perspective there is a higher risk of infection and also that the result may be compromised due to the colour leeching.

There are many articles and discussions online but not endorsed by BHF or notable cardiologists!

I think I would prioritise my heart rather than a tattoo

[Dingledaw]

I think it's a matter for you to assess each risk, and how you could mitigate those. Then look at what you gain by doing something, and what you lose by doing it. Then what you gain by not doing it and what you lose by not doing it.

My own thought pattern and risk assessment goes:

I wouldn't want to go jabbing a load of toxic chemicals into my skin. Even a test won't guarantee long term effects.

Nor would I want my skin barrier compromised multiple times: I've seen a relative fight death from streptococcal infection caused by hospital needles. I imagine what goes on in tattoo parlours is not a sterile environment and I can't control that.

Completely unnecessary health risk and to achieve what? Stigma? Judged as an easy target for sex? Reduced job opportunities? People retching at the sight?

I can't think of any reason that negates these, so personally, my initial reaction is : I would never risk it to treat my body that way. Any tattoo, big or small, runs all those risks.

Standing back from the immediate response and thinking analytically:

Benefits of doing - none

Disbenefits - personal injury, toxicity, possible ME/CFS, or organ damage, loss of money, stigma, being judged, lack of jobs, possible regret, would feel like a branded piece of cattle, reduced privacy.

Benefits of not doing - health stays as is, money towards a holiday / hobby/piece of art, enjoying my skin as nature intended, summer tan, people get to know me before making moral judgements, can choose any job and wear any appropriate clothing for comfort, / health

Disbenefits of not doing - none.

[Cliff_G]

Holly, sorry to hear this but glad they got to your aorta before anything happened.

From the warfarin I take it you have a new mechanical (metal) aortic valve. The reason you are on warfarin is to stop clotting there, but independent of clotting there is also a risk of infective endocarditis, in the narrow areas of the valve, which you definitely don't want either. You should have also been told to have antibiotic "cover" if you're having dental work done, same reason

With this set of risks I would personally never have a tattoo.

In your case at the very minimum please ask your Consultant. I think you'll find they will advise against.

I'm in the Aortic Dissection UK Buddies Facebook group and this comes up regularly, both with Marfan buddies and non-Marfan. The advice there is usually also "don't"