At A Glance
Author	Megan
Contact	Megan@bme.anon
When	Three months ago
Artist	Myself

Hello =)

My name is Megan. I've been interested in body mods since I was about 4 and saw my cousin's belly button ring. Since then I've had several of my own piercings and intend on getting many more.

I've always been very captivated by gauged ears. I wanted to stretch my lobes, but was hesitant on it because a) at the time I was 14 and I come from a very strict family, where gauged ears just wouldn't be accepted, and 2) I didn't know much about the stretching process at the time. I brushed the prospect of stretching away until last year. I was looking around on BME and saw a size 0 cartilage and soon decided, with some encouragement of a close friend of mine, that I should do it. I've been at it for a few months now and am currently at a size 4.

First stretch 20 to 16:

I got my cartilage pierced years ago at a store in the mall. Now that I know what I do now I shudder thinking about how I let an under trained cashier get near my head with a dirty piercing gun, but at the time I couldn't have been more happy. It healed quickly. I never really had a problem with healing my peircings, though.

Anyway, the first stretch. I had acquired a size 16 captive hoop months ago from a friend as a gift. I took a deep breath, preparing myself for the pain that would come, but really it didn't hurt at all. It slid right through, although putting the ball on was such a pain that I just left it off, turning the hoop to look like an orbital, keeping it in place.

Second stretch 16 to 14:

I have a conch piercing at size 14 so I had a ton of jewelry. That stretch was just as easy as the first, and I did the same orbital method that I had done with the size 16.

Third stretch 14 to 10:

Somehow, I had let the previously mentioned dear friend of mine talk me into skipping size 12. Looking back on it, it probably wasn't the best idea, but honestly it didn't do any harm. Of course I am not trying to tell you to skip a size, that's one of the most foolish things to do while stretching.

Anyway, the stretch was relatively easy. I did have to lube it up a little, though. I just used some bacetracin (sp?)

Fourth stretch 10 to 8:

I waited about 3 weeks before I did my next stretch. Again, I had to lubricate it a bit to get it through. It hurt a little, and itched quite a bit but there was no blood and the pain and swelling was gone by the next night.

Fifth stretch 8 to 6:

I bought my supplies for this stretch over Christmas vacation and after my birthday while I had a lot of money. I picked up my supplies to stretch to a four as well, only because I had the money and it was a buy one get one half off kind of deal. I wasn't even sure at the time if I was even going to go to a four, it seemed pretty large.

The stretch was again quite easy, a little more pain than before. It mostly has a burning sensation, but again there was no blood so that was a good sign.

Sixth stretch 6 to 4:

This was definitely my hardest stretch yet. I waited a month before attempting it. I soaked my ear with hot water before hand to soften it and after about 20 minutes of stretching I decided my ear was just not ready. I waited 2 weeks before trying again, and surprisingly it slipped in with barely any trouble, however it hurt like crazy and the pain lasted several days.

Other tips and such:

-Soaking your ear or taking a long hot shower before stretching seems to help a ton and I greatly recommend it. It softens the tissue making it a thousand times easier and less painful to complete the stretch.

-Listen to your body! Something I couldn't stress enough! If you think for a second that there might be a chance for a tear, or you're having a lot of trouble stretching let it go, take it back to the last size and let it heal for awhile. The last thing you want is a torn ear.

-Stench. My ear smelled so bad during this process. I'm not sure exactly what causes it to smell but as I continued cleaning it it began to fade. Everyone I talk to that has stretched there lobes (I don't know anyone else who has done cartilage personally) said they smelled. My advice is to just keep it clean, and if you suspect infection get to the doctor straight away.

Stretching has been such a great experience for me. I said that size 4 would probably be my last stretch but I'm not sure now, I'd really like to continue it.

My advice, think about your actions, if you're not willing to care for your mods just don't do it. But if stretching is something you feel your heart is in don't hesitate. It's a beautiful learning experience.

Good luck and happy stretching :)