To start things off, I had wanted to get my tongue pierced ever since I was 16. But my mom being strict like she is, told me I had to wait until I was 18. My 18th birthday finally came, but go figure it was on a day the piercing studio was closed (just my luck) and the day before I was to start my new job. I went in to work, and the first thing I asked was 'do you have a problem with tongue piercings?' and again with my bad luck the lady said 'we really wouldn't want you to have one since most of our customers are elderly people.' So I thought great, here I am at a new job just the day after my 18th birthday and someone is telling me I can't work there if I have a tongue piercing. So I thought, and thought and thought about it. Finally I came to the conclusion that I didn't care what my job thought and I'd just go through with my tongue piercing.
At A Glance Author Jo Contact Jo@bme.anon Artist Gus Studio 2nd Millinum Location Greeley, Co So that night I looked all over the web about experiences with getting your tongue pierced... it doesn't hurt, it does... etc. What I thought would help me learn about my tongue piercing only scared me. My best friend has her tongue pierced, so I just decided to go by what she had told me about the experience and just get it done.
I gathered up money, a camera and a few friends to join me on this momentous occasion, and off I went. I met my piercer Gus, and he had me fill out some paper work. (you won't sue us if something happens... you're actually 18... and so on) then with that out of the way he led me to the chair. He had me sit down while he got everything together. He washed his hands, and put on a fresh pair of gloves. Then he said to go over to the sink and wash my mouth out with listerene. *swish swish... spit* Then back to the chair. At this point my heart was beating a million miles a minute but I kept telling myself it'd be okay. "Stick out your tongue please" Gus told me.... and after a large gulp I did.... He got out a toothpick and some food coloring, and made a purple dot on my tongue. I looked in the mirror and gave him the go ahead on the placement. The next few minutes after that seemed like an eternity, he grabbed the 'clamp' and placed it over the dot. Then he got the needle out... from then on all was dark due to my closing my eyes. Then I hear Gus say 'now keep breathing' and in went the needle. I really wasn't expecting the odd feeling that happened next, by far one of the weirdest feelings I've ever felt. I could actually feel the needle go thought the layers of my tongue. I kept thinking 'this should hurt' but it never did. The only slight pain lasted for a half of a second and was the initial needle piercing my tongue. But now needle was through, the barbell was being pushed through... and the ball was being tightened. Everything happened so fast and the next thing I knew my tongue had been impaled and had a barbell in it. Amazing. I finally had my tongue pierced, and it was the weirdest feeling. I knew the next few days were going to be kinda rough, so I started them off by going across the street and buying a blue slurpee! For all of you to know, Slurpees are excellent to keep the swelling down!
The first day I didn't think my tongue was all that swollen, but the second day (when I had to return to work) it was 2 times its normal size. When I read about peoples tongues swelling two times their size I didn't think that was true... but let me tell you it is. Eating is a large challenge when your tongue is swollen, so I was sure to stick to finger food that could be tossed right into the back of my mouth. But within about 5 days I could eat somewhat normal food and talk without a lisp.
Friends thought my new piercing was cool, but of course my mom didn't like it too much. But hey I'm 18 and she couldn't say anything about it just 'keep it in your mouth when you're around me.' I was afraid of what work would think. But for once I had good luck: the day I returned with my pierced tongue my manager came up to me and said 'I think that it'll be okay if you get your tongue pierced, just as long as you keep it in your mouth.' I was so glad to hear that.
Well now it's been about 2 months since I got it done, and I love it. I'm just glad that I didn't let fear talk me out of getting it done.