PlaceInTheSun

It's the lantern from his '97 flash sheets if you're familiar with that. It's a pretty small piece. Probably take an hour or less. I'm feeling pretty well and leaning toward doing it. 

I'd still call your doctor and ask their opinion.  I'm betting that they might advise against it, you know docs and liability.  But, if I were in the same position, really wanted it and was in good health, I'd probably go ahead and do it.
My wife's an RN and I just asked her.  She said that she wouldn't think it would be a problem as long as you keep any appendectomy incision bandaged and clean your tattoo as recommended.

I kinda dig the idea of some green leaves. I think it would balance it out. :)

Sometimes they don't turn out how we plan it out and sometimes we set the expectation very high for how we want that tattoo to look. But I think you're tattoo turned out very nice. Simple and readable.
You could add some green in the leaves and re-colour in the lily to make the design look a bit more finished. Or pepper some black/shading/smoke to increase the contrast and make it look less like a sticker. Re-working a tattoo always carries risk of making it worse. Talk to your tattooer, most will be happy to help you go from :\ to :)
"The tattoo is done now" - I'd leave it, accept and live with it, enjoy it for what it is. Use the experience to inform your next tattoo. 

this nice big one wasn't too bad, way better than ribs...

I am by no stretch of the imagination even half as tattooed as most of the people here, but even my personal experience has taught me that all of these things are really individual and there just aren't any rules about it. Examples:

The tops of my thighs didn't hurt, really, but the outside, over the IT band, hurt like a sonofabitch. All of them healed REALLY well, though -- no scabbing, not really any pain, and they barely even peeled. Contrarily, most people's complaints about where they've been tattooed on their backs, the worst spots, were not the worst spot for me; mine was in a weird spot between my shoulderblades -- not even the bit in the crease of my butt/thigh could compare with it, and that was no picnic either! My back has also taken a shockingly long time to get to a 'settled' heal state, where the lines aren't super raised, too...it's all just depends on the person. Trying to predict what anybody else is gonna feel seems like a fool's game to me. Plus, some people just do not feel pain like other people do, and that is science fact.

Anyway, this thread is about thigh tattoos, so here are mine! I'm including a healed pic of the one that @cltattooing did on me, too, since I don't think I ever sent her one!
It's very difficult to take pictures of your own thigh tattoos without warping them.
 
 
 

yeah good points @marley mission i've also have had rough heals on my thighs. i like your comment about front row action.
when I got my first couple of tattoos, I thought meh what's the big deal, it doesn't hurt! Then I got my ribs tattooed and I can still taste that salty single tear when he hit me with the shader (after lining). My tattooer's like c'mon buddy not even hitting ya that hard with the shader lol. Ah memories. I long for the younger glory days when tattoos "didn't hurt". I guess I got all the big stuff out of the way now. But I still have the tops of my feet and armpits, and damn I am terrified - especially of the feet. 
We say that all people are born with X number of tattoo credits. The more you get tattooed, the more tattoo credits you spend...and the more that shit fucking hurts !! 

so thigh tattoos heal like shit
but its a great spot to be tattooed imo
front row seat to the action
not too painful imo
and lots of size / placement options  
i have 3 thigh pieces
lava lamp (which my wife calls my teenage girl tattoo :)
fish in an espresso pot
and a smoking frog
have fun
 

So for April Fools Day I made a facebook post "looking for laser removal recommendations. I have enough business to put somebody's kid through college. I'm tired of looking like Walt Disney threw up on me. Time to grow up and look more professional."
My father texts me 10 minutes later saying if you are looking for a laser removal specialist to get in touch with him asap and he will connect me with someone who does that. LIKE, TELL ME HOW YOU REALLY FEEL DAD LOL
...aaand the next day I win a contest at the tattoo convention. oh geez

I tell everyone, when in doubt, get a dragon, bigger the better. Panthers are always in as well. Panther and a snake is another one.

Can't go wrong with a crawling panther.

Can't go wrong with a crawling panther.

Can't go wrong with a crawling panther.

@oboogie - I am totally clueless at this point...but that's normal for me. Front or back of either shoulder...inside or back of bicep....inner forearm.... side of ribs.....panther, dagger, another wolf or eagle...

Seeing people getting new pieces has been fueling my withdrawal pangs. I just can't seem to decide what I want to do.    Arrgggghhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I got mine as an 18th berthday present form my mother 

I wanted to add this one,it's not my first,but probably my 2nd or 3rd from around 1985,I still love this one.
and as long as the tattoo of the month is skulls,I thought my old school skull patch  is pretty cool.
this was by California Ralph @ world famous emporium of tattoos in Van Nuys, Ca
RIP Ralph 

Hey guys, I've got this old skeleton key on the back of my leg that I am not a fan of. The key itself is ok but I really hate the black shading in the background and always have.  I've been thinking about what to cover it up with. I was thinking about one of these Dan Higgs black sacred hearts. I am not a tattooer or an expert on these matters.  I wasn't sure if there would be enough space between the other tattoos or if the red would work. I wouldn't mind if it was touching the other tattoos but don't really want them covered. I figured we could get rid of some of the blood drops and change it a bit. Do you guys think this could work as a cover up? And if not what are some tattoos that might work to cover the key? I know it's going to have to be mostly black. I'd be open to anything in the American traditional style that looks decent. Any ideas or advice would be appreciated. Thanks

I like the sacred heart idea. Might not have to be all black, either. Or there's always the tried and true panther.

easy peazy. You could even just put something cool *behind* the key . . . 

Get yourself a sharpie and fix the dot.

Mine too! Time for a trip I'd say

Got another one a few days ago. Dan Higgs druid by Ryan Mettz.
 

Got another one a few days ago. Dan Higgs druid by Ryan Mettz.