18 empowering tattoos women got after their mastectomies

Beating breast cancer is no small feat, and in celebration of this tremendous win, some women who lose one or both breasts in the process decide to get a gorgeous piece of body art.

Keeping in mind that it's not only women who get breast cancer, and it's not only those with breast cancer who decide to get mastectomies, here are 18 stunning tattoos to celebrate women's chests post-surgery.

You can tattoo your whole chest...

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Instagram/nathalie.kaid

...or just a small part of it.

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Instagram/chasetafoya

You can come up with a clever way to incorporate scars...

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Instagram/huffpostuklifestyle

...or hide them.

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Instagram/karenlazarovitz_brca

You can even tattoo nipples back on if you want!

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Instagram/elsysvontintenstich

It's totally up to you.

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Instagram/killerinktattoo

The way this peacock follows the curves of her breasts is gorgeous.

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Instagram/meloratattoos

These birds look sweet and delicate but they're stronger than you think.

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Instagram/tattoo_division_gravenhurst

(*cough metaphor cough*)

Black and white and *stunning* all over.

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Instagram/juju.tattoos
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Instagram/julielecuyer

After all, there are so many different options to choose from...

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Instagram/elle.tattoo

...and so many ways to place them.

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Instagram/karenlazarovitz_brca

Mastectomy tattoos are for the young...

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Instagram/secretary925

...and for the old.

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Instagram/phillydotcom

We can't wait to see this one when it's done!

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Instagram/miss_rin_doll

So true.

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Instagram/topnotchtattooparlour_

Mandalas? ManDAZZLING.

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Instagram/friday_jones

But at the end of the day, just remember that, tattoos or no tattoos, however you decide to present your chest is beautiful <3

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Instagram/chasetafoya