Opening a can of worms...

[Identity75]

Ok just prior to my liver playing up etc I was in the middle of getting a tattoo sleeve done. I've since cancelled two more sittings because I thought it for the best whilst I was ill.

I'm now at the stage where I'm almost certainly looking at a transplant. I want to get the tattoo finished but don't want to risk my health to do so.

I'm not asking for your personal opinions of tattoos, you either love them or hate them, what I would like to know is your thoughts on if it's a risk to my health, if it would be better to get it done prior to transplant, anyone out there who have had tattoos done whilst in a similar position etc etc?

Grateful for your thoughts and or experiences.

Mark

[Michiganpbc]

Ask your doctor best he knows and he can give you advice, good luck with everything let us know how you are doing.

[RodeoJoe]

Tattoos were on my list of things you can't do after transplant. I imagine due to the immuno suppression putting you in a higher risk of any infection. If your liver disease isn't from Hep C then there's also a risk of catching that. So I imagine the advise would be to get it done before transplant and make sure you go to a reputable tattooist.

[AyrshireK]

This is definitely one to run past your doctors as we don't know what state your liver is in just now or your blood clotting numbers or the state or your immune system. I know of others who have auto-immune hepatitis who have gone on to have tattoos ensuring that the tattoo parlour & artist have the most stringent of health precautions in place. Not just clean needles and equipment but also no sharing of inks etc. A lot of people obviously get infected with liver illnesses (Hep B & C) via tattoos also it's a big area of skin to have damaged and at potential risk of infection.

Having gone through transplant assessment with my hubby I know that post transplant with your immune suppressant meds / anti-rejection medication avoidance of all infection risk is a must, together with regular screening for other illnesses which can crop up due to immune suppression. Tattoos are a no no post transplant.

It's one to ask yourself if the risk is worth it but also to ask for proper medical advice as to whether doctors think it is wise or not.

Katie

[Millie09]

I have 4 tattoos , two were in Thailand . One was done just 7 months before I knew I had Cirrosis .. Had no warning signs untill after it was done other than losing weight and Alcohol dependant . If you were to ask your doctor he will tell you how bad the liver is .. Hope all works for you . Keep us posted 😊.. Linda

[SugarRush]

I work in a tattoo studio, and let me assure you that inks are NOT shared - they're dispensed into individual caps that are disposed of after use. It's never poured back into the bottle for reuse.

Your tattooist MUST be made aware of your condition. If your platelets are low, I'd advise you don't get tattooed as not only will your immune system take a knock, and impede healing, the tattoo will be difficult to perform (therefore heal patchily), and your immune system will be doing its best to reject the ink.

If your consultant gives you the go ahead (and I can't stress that enough, don't take chances here), ask your tattooist if they can use disposable grips to minimise any chance of infection. Grips are sterilised in a vacuum autoclave, but disposables are often preferable these days.

Blood borne disease transmission is thankfully rare in tattoo studios nowadays, but I'd still advise caution.

[Identity75]

Thank you so much for all your replies. Typical for this to happen half way through a full sleeve. Lol. I'm not about to do anything that would put my health at risk, I'll ask my specialist for his opinion, of course I'd like to get it finished but if I can't then so be it.

[SugarRush in reply to Identity75]

If I were to tattoo you, I'd want written confirmation from your consultant that he was happy for you to proceed - your tattooist may not be bothered about this, as we're not medical professionals, and understanding of liver disease isn't commonplace in our industry (somewhat ironically - a lot of the 'old boy' tattooists have died or are paying the price for a lifetime of heavy drinking!). Basically, if you're still standing and you LOOK well, they won't question it.

Feel free to message me if you'd like any more advice, and I'll help as best I can

[sheri44]

hiya im full of ink and had my transplant in April this yr. Im waiting to have some re coloured and a new one. Was told as long as its sterile etc same with my piercings im good to go after Xmas. I asked my surgeon last visit. Pls ask before you go ahead. Good luck 🍀