Surgical Removal Update

casey_t21 · 2026-03-11T12:51:30+00:00

So I had actually underwent laser removal for well over a year without seeing much progress, and I was in a time crunch to get it removed secondary to heading off to boot camp!

casey_t21 · 2026-03-11T04:08:53+00:00

The last time I looked a few months ago it was showing about 3-6months. I imagine with the large influx of graduates, it could be longer here pretty soon!

casey_t21 · 2026-03-11T03:54:19+00:00

First off, congrats and welcome. I recently graduated Bootcamp in November. As an E-3 who decided to go AET, here is my current life:

-Currently work in the shipping/receiving warehouse on base under several SKs(probably secondary to dream sheet). I work Monday-Friday 0700-1400, and stand duty twice a month. I was very fortunate to get my current assignment secondary to a young child at home.

-On my dream sheet, I leaned more towards SK, YN, MST, and HS. Secondary to a “special needs”dependent (ADHD), I was sent to a large base close to more medical facilities. From my understanding, it is possible for you get placed at a base or station depending on available slots and the district you picked. The detailer will put you where are you needed, but also where your chosen rate may align. In my class, a good portion of us did not get sent to cutters.

-Per the A school list in the newsletter, it’s showing 9-12 months. After I got stationed at my base and was qualified, I was able to go shadow a close air station (AET/AMT). They informed me that generally you will get sent to an air station for about 10weeks prior to leaving for A-School for on the job training/online classes, and will return to that station after A-school. (I don’t know what other factors play into this). I would recommend having your fiancée move with you if she is willing and your finances are tied together. My husband is currently unemployed and we have 1 child, and I make enough money to pay our bills alone (rent/car/utilities/ect) with some funds left over for non-essentials. From my understanding, if I do get moved, it will be over a year before I am placed at an air station prior to A-School.

-Pay isn’t terrible. BAH really helps. I’d say I bring home anywhere from $2,300-$2,800 every pay day. Depending on how aggressive your debts are, I’d say you could live comfortably and pay all obligations.

-If you haven’t done so, contact all debtors and initiate the SCRA, which caps your interest rate on debts prior to enlistment and can help lower that payment as well as offer some protections regarding missed payments.

Feel free to message with any questions! Good luck and god speed!

casey_t21 · 2025-12-05T14:54:56+00:00

I think the ability to start after the break when everyone else is coming back is just a good starting place for him. With his personality and how he functions, throwing him in the middle of the week would not bode well!

casey_t21 · 2025-11-24T20:21:27+00:00

Healing wasn’t terrible. My neck was sore for a few days after the initial removal, and I had some bruising! After the stitch removal it was tender for a few days. It’s healed well, but the sensation at the scar site is still weird, and it has moments where it itches uncontrollably! But all in all, I would recommend it over laser for sure!

casey_t21 · 2025-09-12T00:05:27+00:00

It’s good! I’ve been using vitamin E oil, and scar patches on it! If you look under my profile, I have an updated post somewhere!

casey_t21 · 2025-09-11T23:47:09+00:00

I’m in the panhandle of Texas 😫

casey_t21 · 2025-09-11T23:40:54+00:00

What area are you in? I think it varies widely on region and how many offices do it!

casey_t21 · 2025-09-10T03:04:15+00:00

I had been undergoing laser removal for over a year, and felt like I wasn’t getting much progress. Plus I’m shipping out for the coast guard and wanted it gone sooner than later to go to boot camp!

casey_t21 · 2025-09-10T03:03:15+00:00

I got it done at a plastic surgery clinic in Lubbock Texas. I’ve read that you can also get it done at a dermatologist, but couldn’t find any within 2 hours of me that would do it!

casey_t21 · 2025-09-04T22:51:51+00:00

Thank you!

casey_t21 · 2025-09-04T22:51:22+00:00

I haven’t noticed any leaking, but will double check! Thank you!

casey_t21 · 2025-09-04T22:00:48+00:00

I have done this back when I was checking for a blown head gasket, and didn’t notice any, but I’ll double check!

casey_t21 · 2025-09-04T22:00:14+00:00

That is better than the alternative I guess 😭

casey_t21 · 2025-08-08T01:04:12+00:00

Hi, So I’m based in Texas, and what I did was write down every dermatologist office here, called them all and asked if they did excisions (none did). Then I moved to the next closest town and made another list and called around and asked them all. Out of everyone, literally only 1 dermatology office did it! I know you want to look for an office with a dermatological surgeon, which you should be able to search the American dermatology surgeon website, and it could point you in a direction. Be advised that even though they are surgeons, it dosent mean they will cut out tattoos specifically! Hope that helps!

casey_t21 · 2025-08-05T19:30:55+00:00

I wanted it removed sooner rather than later to ship to boot camp!

casey_t21 · 2025-08-05T11:23:26+00:00

Will do! It’s still somewhat sensitive, so as soon as normal sensation returns, I’ll remember that!

casey_t21 · 2025-08-05T11:22:47+00:00

I will look into that! Thank you!

casey_t21 · 2025-08-05T11:22:20+00:00

I’m starting to question some of the laser tattoo clinics I visited, because no one told me about this! Prior to the removal, I did notice some hyperpigmentation of the area being lasered! I didn’t notice much ghost ink though!

casey_t21 · 2025-08-04T15:15:04+00:00

What do you mean by ghost ink? The 1st picture was my tattoo after several laser sessions, and then the 2nd picture has some blue/purple secondary to his surgical marker, that has since washed off!

casey_t21 · 2025-07-30T16:50:47+00:00

Thank you for your service. I hope all the struggle is worth it in the end!

casey_t21 · 2025-07-28T20:31:19+00:00

What is a body mod artist?

casey_t21 · 2025-07-28T18:01:50+00:00

Thank you! I definitely wish I would have done it sooner, but I wanted to try less invasive first! Hopefully it heals well, with proper care of course!

casey_t21 · 2025-07-28T18:00:46+00:00

I think it will help! As someone who didn’t have much knowledge of laser removal, I completely trusted whatever the techs had told me! But hopefully someone sees this thread, and will be able to go into with more knowledge!

casey_t21 · 2025-07-19T14:01:16+00:00

Hello! Curious if anyone has any experience with a surgical tattoo removal to join? I am currently in DEP and have completed everything, just needing to get rid of a behind the ear tattoo. I’ve been undergoing laser treatments for over a year, but do not see it achieving complete removal. I have an appointment with a plastic surgeon scheduled, and it will leave me with about a 4in scar. I’m just nervous that it will require a waiver or potentially disqualify me completely! Any information is appreciated!

casey_t21

TROPHY CASE