Well, before I even start, I will mention the extensive research I did before getting this done. Although a lot was common sense, I learned a lot and it better prepared me. I URGE anyone and everyone to research thoroughly before doing anything.
At A Glance Author becka Contact becka@bme.anon When It just happened Artist Randy (on June 27, 2002) Studio All Is Vanity Location Highland Park, NJ On with the story. And I will most definitely be as thorough as possible. I found that a lot of people just weren't specific enough. And just to calm my nerves, I would've liked that.
I met my piercer twice before I decided upon him. And luckily, he was also HIGHLY recommended to me. And now I DEFINITELY see why. If anyone is in the central NJ area, I urge you to see him and have him do your piercing(s). He has approximately 20 years of experience and is extremely knowledgeable. He's beyond amazing. Amazing doesn't even give him justice.
In those two meetings before getting the piercing, he spent about an hour (yes, a whole hour) explaining everything and making me calm. The first time, he said he wouldn't pierce me because he could tell I wasn't ready yet. In hindsight, he was so right. He also was able to choose my jewelry accordingly so that I wouldn't need to come back and have it changed.
So, finally to the actual piercing. I came in, and we were just making small talk. He then inspected my tongue (for the third time, which reassured me). He handed me aftercare instructions and papers to sign and fill out and was getting ready as I filled out the form. When I was done, he took the form, filled out his part, double checked my part and filed it away. He reiterated the aftercare too. He then proceeded to continue to prep. Everything came out of sterile packaging (which you should always be on the lookout for) and he was soaking my new barbell to sterilize it even more. He then showed me where he thought it'd be best to pierce, and I agreed with his placement. He didn't mark it, he eyeballed the whole thing. Now I know this is rare, but I trust him and his judgement, so I was OK with it. But come to think of it, and he thinks so too, after you've just cleaned your mouth with Listerine, you're gonna go in and mark the tongue with a marker? Ever think a bout the ink? Doesn't seem clean to me. Thankfully, I had his experience to rely on and trust.
OK, so I finally get comfie in the chair and am ready for him to go for it. While he's prepping, he gives me Listerine to rinse my mouth with. Also, before I even got there, I brushed my teeth (courtesy) and rinsed with Listerine too. My mouth couldn't have been cleaner. After the Listerine (which made me salivate a lot), he sprayed the numbing agent on the top and bottom of my tongue. It literally only took seconds before I couldn't feel my mouth anymore. And yet again, I was salivating even more. So he puts a scrunched up little piece of paper towel underneath my tongue to soak up all my drool. I've never drooled so much in my life! Now come the clamps, which I hear a lot people complain about. What the hell is there to complain about? It was nothing. He wasn't squeezing hard where it hurt, nor did he use them to forcibly hold my tongue out. It was merely his guide for the needle. Now, apparently, my tongue web was where I couldn't stick my tongue extremely f ar. He almost decided not to do it. I kept trying and trying and at times, I'd get it out far enough where he was "Don't move! Stay right there." But it was just so uncomfortable, because I was actually having to make an effort on sticking my tongue out far enough so he could work. And I kept trying to clear my throat too. Not on purpose, just instinctively I guess. Anyhow, it kept screwing up the clamps, and I could tell he was getting a bit annoyed at me. He had to reposition about 5 times before I stopped swallowing and had my tongue out far enough. Mind you, he's talking me through this entire process and reassuring me about everything. He made me that much more calm and relaxed. At this point, he asked me to close my eyes. I shook my head as to say, "I don't think so, I gotta see everything that's happening to me!" But he kept assuring me it'd keep me calmer and more relaxed if I didn't see the needle coming at me. He was SO right. He told me the clamps were perfect, and then went in with the needle. I cannot even begin to emphasize the tremendous LACK of pain that, that needle inflicted on me. I FELT the needle. Don't get me wrong. But it was NOT a painful feeling. I just felt a sensation, like, maybe perhaps a crunch? Or a scrunching feeling. But a soft crunch. It wasn't even an uncomfortable feeling. I didn't really have time to notice that the feeling was uncomfortable. It was a split second thing.
So there I am sitting with a needle in my tongue. I still have my eyes closed and knew I'd better keep them that way. He then threads the barbell in and the needle out. By this time, my tongue is tired and I've strained my web so much, that I'm trying to adjusting my tongue in at least a slightly more comfortable position, and I made him drop the ball as he getting it screwed on. So I'm sitting there with his one hand on my tongue and barbell and his other hand picking up the ball and sterilizing it, and letting it soak. And I STILL had my eyes closed! I knew I shouldn't open them until he uttered the magic words, "OK, I'm done." He screwed the ball on tightly and rotated the barbell and took out that scrunched up piece of paper towel.
Ahh, and then I heard them! The magic words. I opened my eyes! My head SHOT over to the mirror. Wow. Just wow. I fucking love it. It's perfect and looks so, so, SO good! He was adding last minute pointers as he cleaned up and handed me a paper towel to wipe off my mouth. I had minimal blood. Just spotting. And just one little spot, if that. I was talking funny at this point, but only because of the numbing agent. I couldn't feel my mouth, even my lips. I tried saying things, but it was particularly difficult. And again, I STRESS that it was only because my whole mouth was numb, and NOT because anything was hurting. Nothing was, nothing did and nothing has. Hallelujah, baby.
Now the money aspect. And I'm talking about the dollar here. So if you live outside the US, I apologize. I know it's fairly easy to go get a "cheap" tongue piercing. Hell, $50 for everything, including jewelry. But I myself payed $120. That's outrageous. I know, I know. But the trust and comfortable level I felt has no price. And always remember that. Pay extra if you feel more comfortable with a certain piercer, it's SO worth it. My $120 was the cost of the piercing, my barbell and tip.
Well, in a nutshell (yes, a small nutshell, I tell looooong stories, this was the short version), that was my experience. I hope to God that everyone and anyone who gets any kind of piercing has a positive experience like I did. I also believe that it's not just the piercer who makes the experience. Go into this educated. It's your best bet. And in the end, maybe you'll write a story like me one day, absolutely gushing over what a great experience you had.
I also wanna urge anyone in the central NJ area to check out this shop. Randy is beyond amazing (yet again, I repeat) and I will forever be thankful to him for making my experience a memorable and exciting one.
I hope I've helped and eased you a bit. Good luck to you if you plan on getting this done, or any other piercing(s).
:o)