Sierra Gates, the reality TV star from "Love And Hip Hop Atlanta," got a new tattoo that went wrong. She ended up in the hospital due to severe pain and an infection. Despite her love for tattoos since she was 16, this experience taught her that too much numbing cream and extensive needlework can lead to serious health issues. She shared her ordeal on Instagram and with the media.
In a report by FOX5 Atlanta, Gates recounted the 12-hour tatt session that led to the hospitalization, saying, "On fire. Like literally on fire. Like I'd never been set on fire. But I swear it was burning so bad I felt like I seen flames around my leg." Things escalated quickly the following day when the numbing cream’s effect wore off, leading to discomfort that was impossible to ignore. Nurse Brittany Gould, involved in the subsequent medical attention Gates received, told FOX5 Atlanta about the diagnosis: "She was suffering from cellulitis to her right leg. It was pretty bad...You're at risk of becoming septic, which we were worried about with her because she ended up getting a fever while she was in the hospital." After a harrowing nine days in care, Gates was discharged, but the healing process was ongoing.
Gates' message to her followers was clear and tinged with the regret of hindsight. "I just want to say, again, if you are going to do 'Monster Numb' tattoos, do not get it crazy big like I did. Because when it numbs off, you’re gonna be in crazy pain," she warned in a post reported by WSBTV. The gravity of the situation was not lost on Gates, who acknowledged the severity and potential consequences of pushing her body beyond its limits.
Though the incident may have temporarily sidelined the reality star, Gates's spirit remains undaunted. "I'm a real soldier and I'll be back better than ever," she wrote on Instagram, a sentiment that's no doubt a comfort to her fans during her recovery. The true medical implications of her hospital stay were not initially clear, as noted by Essence Magazine, but Gates's story serves as cautionary tale of the dangers associated with extensive tattoo work—complications that could arise from practices many might consider safe or routine. Fans and followers have been sending their prayers, as per Gates's request, and undoubtedly awaiting her return to both full health and full glam, as reported by WSBTV.
