I've got a big piece on the left side of my ribs, it's a Japanese pea****, and it took about 6hours to do.

I'm not going to lie - the pain was awful and by far the worst of all my tats (I've got a full back, both legs from hip to ankle and my left foot). I started off sitting up with my left arm above my head then after the first smoke break I lay down on my right side completely stretched out.

I was completely topless throughout and spent a week in a bikini top while it healed. Wearing a bra was awkward as the top of the pea**** comes up onto my left boob a bit.

It healed really well and if my back wasn't so bad I'd have the other side of my ribs done but I've torn a ligament in my back and can't lie on my left side at the moment.