I've wanted my navel pierced for quite a while. Some time in the early 1990's I had noticed this was a possibility (Areosmith videos anyone?) and have loved them ever since. Unfortunately, being born in 1985, I couldn't really get it done until recently.
At A Glance Author Electrick Contact Electrick@bme.anon IAM electrick When A week ago Artist Six Studio Exotix Location Toronto, Ontario My mother does not like piercings, but after learning to live with my 22mm lobe piercings and nostril piercings, she decided that a navel piercing would be acceptable. I guess I don't really need her permission, but I choose to respect her opinion as I still live in her home.
I have had the opportunity to have my navel pierced for quite a while, but due to several factors including boyfriends opinions and monetary constraints I have waited until now. I decided to get my piercing as a celebration of the end of (most of) my midterms. I currently study chemical engineering at RyeHigh and needed a bit of a "release".
I decided to get the piercing on the Thursday prior to reading week. I have a 4 hour break that day and thought this would be the best time as it would not interfere with my classes. At 11am I walked the block to Exotix on Church street and was surprised to see the shop was closed. I was quite scared about the piercing so I decided to wait till after the break when I could bring my boyfriend to "support" me. That was of course until the meeting in the "dungeon"...
Engineers hang out in a room called the dungeon in the basement of an ancient building known as Kerr hall. I started a conversation with my colleague there about tattoos and piercing and then all of a sudden we were off, I was determined to be pierced, and she to be tattooed.
We entered the shop and looked around while the employees had conversations with customers. Shane (I believe?) asked me what I wanted and joked around a bit, which made me fell welcome and comfortable. Six was busy so I had to wait a while, which was fine by me. My friend looked at flash but was not able to find a tattoo she wanted, nor was she ready to have one designed for her. I was given a form to fill out, which included the standard disclaimers. Six discovered that he did not have a barbell sterilized, and asked that I come back later. I had class until six that evening, so I made an appointment to come back later.
Unfortunately, my class was terribly boring so I left early, bringing along the original friend and one other companion. We arrived and hung out talking and waiting. There was a printed copy of the latest article about piercing guns from BMEzine, which was nice to see.
Finally, Six was able to see me. He asked if I wanted anyone to come in with me, but I said no. I was determined to be strong. Shane asked why a girl with huge ears and nostril piercings was scared. I guess I'm just a bit of a sissy. I stood before him and he marked me up, using a caliper and a marker. I was surprised by the amount of time and precision he used to measure a perfect placement. It was nice to be so well taken care of. He asked me to lay down on the table, which I happily did. My legs were weak and my stomach was sweating because I was so nervous. Six was very kind, he joked about my stomach not liking his marker and was very patient.
Then came the clamps. Oh my, I've never felt anything like that before. To be perfectly honest, I wasn't expecting the piercing to hurt very much at all. I had both my nostrils pierced one right after another and they hurt less then even a dentists needle. These clamps however, shocked me out of this misconception. I have quite a fat, thick stomach and I suppose those clamps were not meant for people like me. After struggling for a while, the clamps were locked.
The needle came next. It felt like an eternity as it make it's way though my skin. My skin is quite thick, as I have mentioned, and I could feel each agonizing second. The jewelry insertion was also quite painful. I know I make this seem quite exceptional, but I'm sure it only lasted a few seconds and my mind made it seem much longer. Six was merciful and put some water on the piercing and asked me how I felt. I replied honestly, which certainly didn't make me sound very brave.
He went over some aftercare information while I became "stable" again. We left the room so that I could pay and he gave me some salt in a plastic bag, which he then taped. Everyone who saw it thought it was crack, but that just goes to show the maturity of my friends and family. I thanked him and left.
As for the after-effects, I found it very difficult to bend over for the first little while. Sleeping was not fun either, but I have learned to adapt. Sexual relations require some great flexibility, as I am not to have contact with the piercing, and especially not have bodily fluids come in contact with it. I find time for salt soaks, which are very comforting. I have to say, this piercing produces the most interesting discharge. While I know white discharge is good, I've never seen it in its "non-crust" form. The top of the piercing is still a little bruised, but I bruise quite easily.
I like the way the piercing looks on me; it gives me a new sort of confidence. As you may have come to notice, I am not fond of my stomach. This piercing does not mean that I will go around with very small shirts on, but it makes me feel better should someone catch a glimpse of it. I enjoy the idea of making my body fit my own specifications, but that is a story for another experience.
Please do not let my experience scare you off, I have quite a sensitive stomach and thus probably felt it more then most people. I highly recommend you visit the people at Exotix, because they are both professional and personable. Most of all, respect your body and have fun!