If it weren't for this superb site, I'd have never gotten my tongue pierced. I'd like to express my appreciation to everyone who took the time to write about their experiences & now I'd like to do my part.My first piercing (other than six various holes in my ears) was my navel, but that's another story. I thought I was satisfied with that, but a year & a half later, I decided shortly after my 18th birthday, that something a little more shocking & exotic was needed. I really didn't think a tongue piercing was for me, I still thought it was too extreme, but I decided to explore my options.
Being the inquisitive type, & not often overly spontaneous (I'm good at keeping myself out of trouble), I decided to search the 'net for answers to my questions. Without doubt, BME was the best info & best selection of pics I found. What started as curiosity & an interest in doing something new to myself turned into a full blown desire to shove a metal post through my tongue. (all in the name of personal satisfaction, with the added bonus of exciting others!)
So after a week or two of studying personal testimonies & then another week or two of trying to con a friend into going with me & getting his eyebrow done at the same time, I finally went down to get it done. I didn't tell anyone where I was going, nor had I ever been to the piercing place before. I did know though, that the place was into the beauty & cultural significance of piercing, rather than piercing "cause it's cool, dude". (FYI: Mastodon, in San Diego, CA, USA--they're GREAT!)
Anyway, I ended up paying $65 for the piercing & jewelry, which happens to be a 3/4 inch, 14 gauge barbell. I watched my bud get his eyebrow done, & took my turn on the padded table. I swished with the legendary Listerine, (this place had the nicer fresh mint flavor! yay!) & the gentleman performing my piercing (Francisco) screwed with my tongue for awhile & marked it with blue dots. He was pretty picky about it & took his time, which I thought was great. Hey, if you're gonna put a hole in your tongue, get it in the right place! He had me make sure I liked it & had me lay down. Then he clamped my tongue, which definitely wasn't comfortable, but didn't hurt.
I should add here that while he was preparing the clamp, needle, jewelry & other junk, he actually went through 4 pairs of sterile latex gloves. He was extremely cautious about contaminating the items he was working with, which I was very happy to see. (he also had a ton of glitter in his hair & was wearing a really neat shade of eyeshadow--and three tongue piercings of his own)
He rubbed some aromatherapy oil on my upper lip & had me take deep breaths, which was very soothing. I am positive that this helped. I was nervous, but not terrified. He maneuvered the clamp around & I kept breathing. Then he said "Here it goes," as he pushed the needle through. Phew! Owwww! I have never before, felt anything like that weird sensation of the needle popping through the layers of my tongue, one after another. There was plenty of pain & I really noticed the blood rushing out of my extremities. Then he said "it's through," & then "now here's the jewelry." Sheesh, I was very glad when the post went in & he took the clamp off & quit messing with it. I laid there for a second & then he asked me if I was okay to sit up. I grunted an "uh huh" & scrambled up to see my tongue.
What a glorious sight! I had actually done it! Wow!
We went through the aftercare & I floated right out of the building. I walked on air, right back to the Denny's and got a cup of ice, which felt wonderful. Immediately after the piercing, there wasn't so much pain as there was a huge numbness, that sort of ached.
I had anticipated eating apple sauce for a week, but couldn't resist the temptation of chocolate brownies when I got home, 4 hours after getting my tongue pierced. Ouch. The brownies weren't worth the pain. Sweet stuff tasted sour & even though I could move the food around my mouth, my tongue ached. I'd say it was about 3 days before I could *comfortably* eat solids. My mom didn't even notice the piercing! I finally had to show it to her.
I never really noticed much swelling, but things have definitely gotten easier to do as my tongue has healed. Also, stupidly, I started kissing & doing other *nasty* things a few weeks before I was meant to. Fortunately, I have not had to face any consequences for my foolish acts!
For awhile I had an icky whitish bump around the top of the piercing, sort of like a lump of loose tissue, but that has gone now. So, a month & a half later, my tongue is finally totally back to normal (except for the fact that it has a barbell through it) & I have regained the ability to roll my R's, whistle (even through my bottom teeth) & lick my lips (which I thought would be impossible)!!! And for those of you who are curious and like gum the way I do, chewing gum & bubble gum are no problem! I have not felt it necessary to get my barbell downsized either, as it seems quite comfortable.
Mastodon (Pacific Beach, San Diego, California) is a superb place to get pierced. They're professional, down to earth, *very* clean & reassuring. I plan on going there, & only there, for any other piercings I may get done in the future.
I would say my piercing is a complete success. I am more happy with it than I imagined, & it is versatile, hidden when I want it to be, & obvious when I want to get a reaction. It is fun in my mouth, & fun in other's mouths & fun in other places too!
My verdict: Well worth the money & well worth the pain!
Althea