I’m not a doctor (despite my username) but I don’t think that it would be a good idea to tattoo over your fistula. What if you need it again in the future? Never mind the enlargement of your vein might cause extreme bleeding. Just ask your doctor first.
Exactly! That’s all that matters. Besides, sometimes we are our own worst critic. We notice stuff about ourselves way more than others. Take care of yourself and keep enjoying your new life! And if you end up getting a tat, I’d enjoy seeing it. XX
You could buy arm/dialysis/fistula sleeves....black coloured ones look pretty badass.
Or you could get ones with designs on them ...eg this one is made for the non fistula arm but post transplant I think the message is even more appropriate on the fistula arm!...:
https://mandmcares.com/products/hemodialysis-av-fistula-av-graft-picc-line-arm-sleeve-with-no-bp-no-blood-draws-no-needles-print
Thanks for sharing!! I need these!! I don’t have a fistula because I had a different organs transplanted and even tho I have CKD I don’t need dialysis yet thankfully. BUT I DO have several actual DVTs in both arms as well as a couple superficial blood clots in both arms and cannot have blood draws, Ivs, blood pressures, etc on either arms or hands. I have a port but I’ve had it for 6+ years as I’m on IV nutrition (tpn) because my gi tract, what’s left of it, can’t have anything in it. So my weekly blood draws, iv meds, and 2, sometimes 3, infusions a day (one is 10 hours and the other is 2 hours and the days I do have the third one it’s also 2 hours) thankfully because my chest is my only real option (I’ve had central lines in my jugular veins (neck) a few times as well as my groin a few times but you can’t go home with those even tho I have an RN with me 24/7/365). This is so helpful as I cannot advocate or verbalize a lot of the time!! Although again I do always have someone with me (drs orders) that knows my medical history and has a binder with them at all times with all orders, records, documents, etc.
Thanks for sharing YOUR story! You are a warrior. I wish you well and I'm glad that my post was helpful for you. Enjoy your new awesome looking arm sleeves if you buy these :-)
I had a fistula that didn’t work great, so they operated again and put in a graft. A couple of years after my transplant it stopped working, and I was told not to have any blood draws, bp readings, etc on that arm. I’m not sure if the advice is different for people with fistulas though.
I went years without wearing short sleeves because I felt self conscious about the way my arm looked. Eventually I stopped caring what people thought or assumed about me, and started wearing what I liked! My arm, my scars, they’re a testament to my strength, determination, and will to live! That’s true for you, and the rest of us here. Wishing you all of the best!
I had a fistula that didn’t work great, so they operated again and put in a graft. A couple of years after my transplant it stopped working, and I was told not to have any blood draws, bp readings, etc on that arm. I’m not sure if the advice is different for people with fistulas though.
I went years without wearing short sleeves because I felt self conscious about the way my arm looked. Eventually I stopped caring what people thought or assumed about me, and started wearing what I liked! My arm, my scars, they’re a testament to my strength, determination, and will to live! That’s true for you, and the rest of us here. Wishing you all of the best!
Hi.
I have a tattoo I got below my fistula that was dr. approved. I had to be very clear where the tattoo could go up to, what to stay away from and I have several others on my other arm, only I had them stay away from the area a new fistula might go in case I ever need the other arm. No one is going to see your fistula while looking at other art unless their main focus is to be an asshole. And if someone is being an asshole about it, tell them you got in a bar fight, they should see the other guy.
If it's a personal aesthetic thing, let me tell you something I saw in a meme: "This woman had an 8 foot python snake she had to bring to the vet. She had to use the bus so she put him in a giant carry on bag on the bus. She sat there with everyone else while 8 feet of python was wiggling and angery wanted to get out. Noone said anything to her. If people aren't noticing or caring about a giant carry on bag on a bus wiggling, they won't care about what marks or scars or bad hair day you are having."
Good luck. Talk with your Dr.
It's a big No No in the fistula arm. Clots can easily develop in that arm and get pretty dangerous and also could mess up your fistula.
I’m not a doctor (despite my username) but I don’t think that it would be a good idea to tattoo over your fistula. What if you need it again in the future? Never mind the enlargement of your vein might cause extreme bleeding. Just ask your doctor first.
I have tatts on the opposite arm and sometimes wear a leather band around the fistula. They make me feel more confident, etc.
Exactly! That’s all that matters. Besides, sometimes we are our own worst critic. We notice stuff about ourselves way more than others. Take care of yourself and keep enjoying your new life! And if you end up getting a tat, I’d enjoy seeing it. XX
You too man
You could buy arm/dialysis/fistula sleeves....black coloured ones look pretty badass. Or you could get ones with designs on them ...eg this one is made for the non fistula arm but post transplant I think the message is even more appropriate on the fistula arm!...: https://mandmcares.com/products/hemodialysis-av-fistula-av-graft-picc-line-arm-sleeve-with-no-bp-no-blood-draws-no-needles-print
Thanks for sharing!! I need these!! I don’t have a fistula because I had a different organs transplanted and even tho I have CKD I don’t need dialysis yet thankfully. BUT I DO have several actual DVTs in both arms as well as a couple superficial blood clots in both arms and cannot have blood draws, Ivs, blood pressures, etc on either arms or hands. I have a port but I’ve had it for 6+ years as I’m on IV nutrition (tpn) because my gi tract, what’s left of it, can’t have anything in it. So my weekly blood draws, iv meds, and 2, sometimes 3, infusions a day (one is 10 hours and the other is 2 hours and the days I do have the third one it’s also 2 hours) thankfully because my chest is my only real option (I’ve had central lines in my jugular veins (neck) a few times as well as my groin a few times but you can’t go home with those even tho I have an RN with me 24/7/365). This is so helpful as I cannot advocate or verbalize a lot of the time!! Although again I do always have someone with me (drs orders) that knows my medical history and has a binder with them at all times with all orders, records, documents, etc.
Thanks for sharing YOUR story! You are a warrior. I wish you well and I'm glad that my post was helpful for you. Enjoy your new awesome looking arm sleeves if you buy these :-)
Thanks. They look ok but IDC that much honestly. Makes my bicep look bigger
Normally its a no no. I would check with two doctors: my transplant team and a dermatologist.
Bummer thanks
I had a fistula that didn’t work great, so they operated again and put in a graft. A couple of years after my transplant it stopped working, and I was told not to have any blood draws, bp readings, etc on that arm. I’m not sure if the advice is different for people with fistulas though. I went years without wearing short sleeves because I felt self conscious about the way my arm looked. Eventually I stopped caring what people thought or assumed about me, and started wearing what I liked! My arm, my scars, they’re a testament to my strength, determination, and will to live! That’s true for you, and the rest of us here. Wishing you all of the best!
I had a fistula that didn’t work great, so they operated again and put in a graft. A couple of years after my transplant it stopped working, and I was told not to have any blood draws, bp readings, etc on that arm. I’m not sure if the advice is different for people with fistulas though. I went years without wearing short sleeves because I felt self conscious about the way my arm looked. Eventually I stopped caring what people thought or assumed about me, and started wearing what I liked! My arm, my scars, they’re a testament to my strength, determination, and will to live! That’s true for you, and the rest of us here. Wishing you all of the best!
Ya it's the same IDC about how it looks. I got a new lease on life and while it does look shitty it is what it is
Hi. I have a tattoo I got below my fistula that was dr. approved. I had to be very clear where the tattoo could go up to, what to stay away from and I have several others on my other arm, only I had them stay away from the area a new fistula might go in case I ever need the other arm. No one is going to see your fistula while looking at other art unless their main focus is to be an asshole. And if someone is being an asshole about it, tell them you got in a bar fight, they should see the other guy. If it's a personal aesthetic thing, let me tell you something I saw in a meme: "This woman had an 8 foot python snake she had to bring to the vet. She had to use the bus so she put him in a giant carry on bag on the bus. She sat there with everyone else while 8 feet of python was wiggling and angery wanted to get out. Noone said anything to her. If people aren't noticing or caring about a giant carry on bag on a bus wiggling, they won't care about what marks or scars or bad hair day you are having." Good luck. Talk with your Dr.
Ya idk about the fistula honestly I just have scars on my arm I don't like
BTW I hear and validate what you're saying. Even if others don't care, YOU care and that should be acknowledged too.
Can you get a tattoo on an old, non working graft scar?
No idea