Can I get a tattoo before my breast reduction surgery?

Question

My breast reduction surgery is in a week and I want to get a tattoo on my arm. Will it affect anything?

Bennett Yang, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for the question. I would WAIT and do the tattoo after you have fully healed. Any time of procedure / treatment / ink that breaks the skin, has the risk of an infection. If you show up on the day of your planned breast reduction with a skin infection, your procedure will certainly be cancelled and rescheduled. There is no reason to ever do anything that increases your risks from having surgery, regardless of how minor it may sound. 
As always, best to be healthy, no smoking, and make sure any health concerns you have are managed by your primary care md. 
Best to you.

Maria M. LoTempio, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your inquiry. As long as the tattoo does not become infected before your breast surgery, you should not have any problems obtaining it before surgery! Good Luck

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

You are probably better off to delay having a tattoo. What happens if you develop an infection?......

Reza Momeni, MD, FACS · Answer

The arm is not in the surgical field for breast reduction, but it's possible your surgeon might have concerns, so best to speak with your surgeon or his/her staff about this.

Robert L. Kraft, MD, FACS · Answer

Wait until after the surgery to have the tattoo. You do not want the swelling to be affected or to affect the placement of the blood pressure cuff or IV.  If the "ink" has any complications, this could result in cancellation of your procedure.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Congratulations on your decision to proceed with breast reduction surgery; this operation tends to be one of the most patient pleasing operations we perform. If I were you, I would postpone (for a few reasons) having the tattoo one week prior to breast reduction surgery.   For example, if the tattoo is placed in an area where a blood pressure cuff or an intravenous line is typically placed, this could be problematic. If, you experience a complication with the tattoo process ( such as an infection), this may delay the breast reduction procedure. Best wishes for an outcome that you will be very pleased with.

Can I get a tattoo before my breast reduction surgery?

Answers (6)

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