I've wanted large lobes for quite sometime now. Fate however always seemed to be conspiring against me when it came to them. My original lobes piercings had to be removed for work purposes. I had plans thereafter to have them pierced again at 6 gauge and then stretch them up to 1/2 inch overtime. However, all of my other piercings started having issues and eventually all had to be removed. Apparently my body just doesn't like standard piercings, which is why until two days ago the only piercing I had was my septum that was punched at 4 gauge.
At A Glance Author LostEtrnl Contact LostEtrnl@bme.anon IAM LostEtrnl When It just happened Artist Steve Studio Cape Fear Location Greenville, NC
The success with the septum restored my confidence that not every piercing would conflict with my body. It was around that time that I decided I would like to have my lobes scalpelled. Alas I could not because the job I had would not allow it. After several months, however, I left that particular job, moved back home and was hired for warehouse work that did not have a specific dress code regarding piercings and such. This was when my plans to have my lobes scalpelled became official.
I arranged a time and date to meet up with Steve at Cape Fear for the procedure. Having witnessed him doing the same procedure on Elizabeth a little more than a year ago, and having visited him many times during that year for other work, I had complete faith that he would do great work as always. Anyways, when the date came around, I went and picked up my friend Kat, who wanted to watch and we left for Cape Fear.
We arrived at the perfect time, although it was about an hour and a half past the original appointment time. Steve mentioned he had been somewhat busy, but everything had just recently died down and he was completely free now. We did our greetings, talked for a bit, then he showed me the 1/2" Pyrex tunnels he was going to be putting in my lobes and went to get everything sterilized and ready. We then spent roughly 30 minutes full of more conversation waiting for everything to get ready. Afterwards, we all went into the room to get started. 'We' being Steve, his new apprentice, Kat and myself of course.
Once we all were settled and Steve was set up and prepared, which took a few minutes because of an uncooperative lamp, he cleaned and marked my lobes for the cutting. He then asked me which lobe I would like to start with. Favoring neither lobe over the other, I had no particular preference, so he said we would just start with the right. He then asked me to lay back and tilt my head to the left, which left me looking right at the couch which held the two member audience. I would get to watch their reactions to the procedure.
He prepped his scalpel, and as always, he had me take a few deep breaths. On the exhale of about the fifth he pushed it through the right lobe and made the cut. His apprentice sat up attentively to get a better view, while Kat covered her eyes. I felt the warm flow of blood run down from the side of my neck to my back, which was a magnificent sensation. One I've felt several times before, but always during a rather depressed mood thus never really receiving it the same way I did this time. It was incredible.
After a few seconds, the cutting was complete and he began to push the taper through. It wasn't a particular comfortable situation. I wouldn't say it was really painful, it was just uncomfortable forcing the taper through the freshly cut lobe. This section took a little longer than the cutting, but soon it was all over and the tunnel was in place and set. He cleaned up a bit of the excess blood then began prepping for the left lobe. First he asked if I was okay and would like a little break before getting to the next. I was wonderful actually, and told him I didn't need a break unless he needed more time to regroup. He was all set up and prepared, so we went straight into the left lobe.
This one was slightly different. Seeing has how there was a fresh 1/2" tunnel in my right lobe, I had to maneuver my head a bit to find a good position that didn't irritate the right lobe, but also exposed my left completely. I sadly wouldn't get to watch the audience reaction to this one. The procedure went basically the same as the left, only it seemed to be a little more difficult to work it. It took a few extra seconds on the cutting, and a few extra seconds getting the taper through. The end result was the same however, and he got the tunnel through all fine without that much more discomfort than the right.
Afterwards, I stayed on my back a little longer while he cleaned me up very thoroughly. Kat and I were going out to eat directly afterwards, and I didn't really want to walk into the restaurant with dried up blood on my face, neck and back after all. After he was done and I was all relaxed and back in my normal mindset, I sat up. I did this a little bit too quick considering the blood loss, and got a bit lightheaded, but it settled quickly and I was fine. I checked myself out in the mirror while he cleaned up his area and disposed of everything. After letting him know that everything was fine and wonderful, we all piled out of the room back up front to complete payment and all.
Steve brought some gauze up with him to give me in case of bleeding throughout the day, and then gave me a can of Wound Wash Saline for cleansing. I then paid him the agreed upon amount, we talked a bit more then said our goodbyes because he needed to help another customer with a jewelry purchase. Kat and I then talked a bit to the apprentice and said our goodbyes to her as well before leaving the shop.
Now, two days later there is a little bruising and some slight swelling, but everything seems to be going fine so far with the healing. Sleeping was a bit difficult the first, but last night I managed to find a good comfortable position to enjoy my rest nearly perfectly. It was really a great experience, only made better by the fact that it was rather symbolic as well. You see, the first time I ever went to Cape Fear and met Steve was when I was going with Elizabeth to have her lobes scalpelled. This, which will probably be the last time I'll ever go to Cape Fear to see Steve, since he is leaving soon, was with Kat so she could watch me have my lobes scalpelled. It was the perfect closure, to the symbolic circle that has been the last year of my life.