A torn labrum in his left shoulder was followed by a third left knee surgery to repair his meniscus, which led to Sauer missing the 2013-14 season.
"I had seven anchors put in my shoulder," he said. "The surgeon said it was a personal record for him."
The four scars left by the surgery became a second piece of artwork on his left arm, joining a Celtic knot tattoo that represents his family's Irish background.
Sauer tore the labrum when lifting 550-pounds during a three-board bench press. Before the surgery he benched 450 pounds with a personal record of 21.