advice for sitting through a long tattoo?

If you're getting your back done I'd bring an iPod for backup just in case you and the artist lose topics to talk about. I jammed out to my iPod for 7 hours on both rib cages and made it through just fine. And if you do sleep...naturally sleep, don't take anything to aid with that in case it somehow effects your blood which in turn would effect how the ink sets in you which would just turn into a bigger pain than need be. Like the others have said, it'll eventually go numb, and then get raw, and then numb, and so on and so forth. Good luck! :gj:

Bring a few magazines, or a book. A few bottles of water, some sugar candies (i prefere tootsie pops) and take some ciggarette breaks (if that applies to you) lol
And just make sure you've slept good and ate a meal before you go in. Thats about all I can say, oh and what are you getting? And when its done we want pics!

Well, you could always do what you told me you wanted to.... :P
10 hours would be fun...
:rofl:

Anyways, like someone said, when you get it, pictures are a must!

My longest was only three hours. I agree, talk to the guy while he's working, but maybe not too much, you don't want to distract him. Don't make him laugh either. I did that while getting another piece done and we had to take a break to settle down, lol.

Just thinking of your comfort level is making me uncomfortable. Good luck! :please:

the best thing i've ever done is plug in some headphones and crank up the volume. the buzzing noise irritates the ever loving crap outta me. make sure to eat well before hand. personally, i don't recommend showering that day unless you really need to (seems like it hurts more when i do, but that might just be me). be hydrated.

i have my own methods that i use on top of these, but i cannot, in good conscience, recommend them to you.

The one on my back took 8hrs , what i did for the pain is drink a couple shots and just concentrated on something else.:d

The longest tattoo I ever got was 3 hours on the back of my neck, the best advice I have is to like your tattoo artist dont just settle for whoever is there bring your phone so you can text ppl, a drink, and stuff to read or listen to.

I've heard at most places they don't let you sleep....just to know if your conscious. Bring an ipod.

I was a tattoo artist for several years and if the guy working on you says you can sleep he's being [a jerk]. Sleeping is great for you and the artist and really easier than you think after an hour or two. My back piece was done in one 9 hour session and after that long laying down it's tough to stay awake but bring a friend you really enjoy talking to. Make sure you truly enjoy talking to them though because if they annoy you even a little there's no escape from them once you start :)