Thanks. Again: I'm not asking for advice regarding which method to choose.
I have decided (all on my own!) that I am not going to use laser removal, or cover with another ring or another tattoo.

I'm curious about excision (a method I have seen muliple examples of posted recently on this site...)The thing is...I've kinda stumbled my way into a "real job" since then, so I'm not thinking of "adding" anything.

Tatoo artists have to be licensed. I cannot imagine any state or city licensing someone to do that. I know some cultures allow ritual scarring and possibly their is a religious exemption in the US, but she doesn't look like a Maori.

At least the guy doing the job is smart enough to wear a mask and gloves.

So do smart criminals. :D

A mask and gloves and... saran wrap?

I don't know much about the selective excision method, but I do know that over time all scars shrink/contract. This could cause some limited mobility in that finger, which would affect (or effect) your drumming eventually. The only question I would think would matter was how fast would it shrink and how much. Because if it takes 15 years to shrink enough to matter, then it might be worth it. Who knows. I would ask a dermatologist or something. They know scars and skin well and should be able to tell you more than anyone about how it would affect you. Or maybe a burns specialist... they deal with scars a lot too.

I think that sort of removal (all the way around the base of the finger) could lead to some very serious complications, particularly if your wound would become infected. No environment is sufficiently sterile to guarantee healing without infection. Worst case scenario ends with amputation of the digit.

I know that radial burns form their own sort of tourniquet around a limb, and that surgical intervention is necessary to slice through the burned tissue to keep the skin contracture from forming a tourniquet and limiting the blood supply below the burn.

@all: thanks again... one thing, though, just to be specific:
...actually the "ring" makes its way around just half of my finger...it doesn't proceed onto the "palm" side.

I guess your palm is reserved for other things?

(Sorry, Flint...couldn't resist) ;)