Tattoo Over Pm Area?

Hello everyone!

I read a thread earlier this week about a member looking to get a tattoo over the ICD area and i figured i would ask my own specific question. Im 22 Years old, athletic build, and not 100% reliant on my PM. In fact, my main lead detached while playing hockey when i was 18 (i received permission to play puck from my cardiologist) and i didnt know it happened until i went for my monthly check up! I recently graduated from a 4 year school and i asked my parents if my grad gift could be a tattoo. I explained i wanted it to be religious and involve most of my upper chest (to cover the icd scar which has keloid) They didnt have a problem as long as i could convince them it wouldnt cause problems down the road.

Heres my details. The Medtronic device is now 7 years old and it up for replacement in approx. 2 years. The scars have completely healed and are no longer active.

The device isn't physically apparent like it is in older adults. There is some fat and muscle in the area of the device. This i believe will hinder the ink and actual needle from entering the pocket or touching the device? Thats my main concern.

Finally, ive done my research and i guess the main cause for concern is infection. Money for this specific grad present isnt an issue so i figured i would travel further up state to a very well known shop. This, i hope, would help eliminate some concern for dirty needles and un-healthy practices?

What is everyone elses thoughts about this? Would you say go for it? My cardiologist has never told me "no" growing up and im a little concerned this might be the first time.

Thanks for reading

5 Comments

PM Tattoo

by TheMagichatter - 2013-05-23 04:05:49

Hey MWilson,

I'm not quite sure about the actual tattoo process and if the needles would somehow pierce the PM, but you may want to keep in mind the kind of tattoo you get, especially if your PM will have to be replaced down the road.

I have a swallow tattoo on my upper left pec and the surgeon had to cut through it to implant my PM. I have yet to see the incision as I'm still 6 days post-op, however, it's one of my favorite tattoos and have no idea how much damage has been done to it.

I'm all for tattoos, so don't let me dissuade your decision, but it's just food for thought.

-S

MWilson..............

by Tattoo Man - 2013-05-23 06:05:48


......................I am attracted to tattoo questions on this Forum....

If you are properly recovered and signed off by your Doc,..there is no reason why you cannot have a Tat on your PM site...the general understanding is that the equipment / process has no detrimental effect on the functioning of the PM...

But......

When you get to the point where in a few years time you need a replacement 'box'..just think how the picture will look with a new scar / stitching across it.

The word..Pacemaker will read Pacman..Pusmaker..or even worse P**staker....your Surgeon may well be the most clever guy in the world for 'cut and paste',..but will not give a monkeys about 'joined up spelling'

Even a lovely Pic Tat could become something out of Alien..or worse...

This is nothing new, but the best Tat I have heard about is on the LH side,...and it says.."Look over at the other side"

Now that is just cool and dandy....unless you have, like me , a box replant on the RH side..which means that you are stuffed again...

So..have a Tat in the middle that says.."Search me..its around here somewhere"

AAahh..Pacemaker Life...overflowing with choices...

In my experience Tat People do Tats...so ..please ignore all the above...

Do what makes you feel good..its your choice....

Tattoo Man


Tattoo man

by MWilson - 2013-05-23 07:05:33

Hahah i completely see where your coming from! Im planning on getting a rosary bead neckless with a cross which covers the scar in the center of my chest ( no worries there because it wont ever have to be re-opened), shading will appear to show light coming from the sides with wings which cover both pecks and wrap around my shoulders. Worst comes to worst i feel that the left wing will have a few messed up feathers down the road. But from what i understand as long as its not wording, it could be re worked once the scaring heals.

Thanks for the response bud i needed that!

RE: Lots of tattoo talk

by MWilson - 2013-05-23 09:05:48

Thank you for your suggestions! I am brand new to this site and find it very handy that people read and respond to these posts so fast.

But i completely agree with everything your saying. Sanitation has been a big concern of mine and will most likely be a big concern of my cardiologist when i go to see him on the 3rd to talk about this more. But I've done my research and found several places that, when i went to visit, look like dentist offices and have records of all sanitation exercises and checks. Although they are expensive, you get reassurance that things are sanitary and that the artists are top notch (and actually artists) as well as one use needle users (the number one concern)

I have also thought about the idea of what it will look like when I'm older but thats a very hard thing to think about. Ive been in contact with Medtronic over the past few years and have done my own research about the future of ICDs. From what i understand, by the time I'm 40, pacemakers will be lead less, cylindrical, and will be inserted through an artery in the thy so i really have one, maybe 2 more incisions to think about.

As for the idea of love interests, i don't feel as if a tattoo should matter when it comes down to it especially with a religious backing. If she doest like me because of a religious tattoo, then i'm not interested.

Thank you very much for the response! Every little bit helps.

Strange Coincidence

by IAN MC - 2013-05-24 10:05:01

Hi MW. I live in the UK and am having a week's vacation in one of the more beautiful parts, the Cotswolds.

Just half an hour ago I was having lunch in a rather fine wine bar and the chef apologised as he arrived slightly late ; he explained that he had just been to a tattooist . I asked to see his tattoo. He proudly took off his shirt and there was a religious tat in the middle of his chest...a cross with angels with wings spreading over where a PM would be.

Being one of life's cowards, I asked " Did it hurt ? " , Apparently he only felt it at the top end of the tattoo and was quite glad when they had finished that bit !

So if ever you are in the UK and wish to compare religious tats I would happily let you know where to go ( It was an excellent lunch ! )

Best of luck

Ian

You know you're wired when...

The meaning of personal computer is taken a step further.

Member Quotes

The experience of having a couple of lengths of wire fed into your heart muscle and an electronic 'box' tucked under the skin is not an insignificant event, but you will survive.