It all started off as an idea I had from way back in the seventh grade. I always thought it would be cool to have my tongue done. No real reason behind it, I just wanted it. I told the people I knew and they all said I was crazy, so I put it in the back of my mind waiting for another day...
At A Glance Author Danie Contact Danie@bme.anon When A year ago Studio Living Image Tattoo Location 5723 NW RADIAL HWY, OMAHA, NE 68104 Then I turned 16. I had a job, my own car, and the only piercing I had done were in my ears. I wanted my tongue done and I wanted it now! I had tried to do it myself, but that failed. I tried again and again, the farthest I ever got was maybe 1/4 through. Okay, that's a really bad idea, don't do that. I could have caused some serious damage if i had succeeded. I realized I'd have to call in the pros. One day after cashing my paycheck I had remembered a conversation with a friend about a little piercing and tattoo shop. Almost everybody I ran with had got something done there and all the work done looked good. That was it. I was going. I looked up the phone number and asked how much it would be. It wasn't that bad, then were they were located. As I drove I thought "What will people say? What will they think? What will mom and dad say? Will I talk funny? Do I really want this done? How much is this going to hurt?" I went to the shop anyways, I figured that if I had any questio ns they would answer them there, then I would decide. The lady was very kind, professional, and answered every question I asked her. It helped a lot that she had her tongue pierced as well. I went for it. After completing the paper work, she went over it. She then went over all the aftercare and what was going to happen. Aftercare wasn't to bad just the normal stuff. Brush your teeth two times a day, use a peroxide mouth wash, and I could gargle with sea salt once a day to clean it and take away any initial irritation. Then all I had to do was stay away from beer, really spicy food, and giving oral sex for a few weeks. No problem! I picked out what kind of barbell I wanted. She brought out all the supplies she would need. Each had its own little bag to insure it was sterile. I sat down in this dentist like chair that was actually pretty comfortable. "Now I'm going to walk you through this step-by-step. Okay?" She said as she but on a pair of gloves. She put a little black d ot on my tongue and asked me if I liked were it was as I looked into a mirror, I said that I did. Then she said it would have to be off-center to avoid a large vain in my tongue, but it would be very noticeable. She told be I might feel a small pinch. I braced myself for horrible pain, gripping the arm-rests tightly and closing my eyes. Then she said "There, your pierced. Now I'm going to put in a standard barbell in and you'll be done!" I wiped a single tear from the corner of my eye as I sat back up. She held up a mirror so I could see my new piercing. She cleaned the little blood near my piercing and told me that it didn't swell, but it might later so I should take some Alive or Midol when I got home and sip on cool water and suck on ice chips if it started to hurt. Before I left she went over the aftercare with me again and handed me a sheet just incase I forgot. I was still amazed that it didn't hurt. It felt like I just bit my tongue, having the cartilage in my ear pierced hurt more! As I walked out the door I started to play with it, ho wever I pulled on kind of hard. I rushed to the closest restaurant and got a cup of ice and put a piece in my mouth, ahhh.... so much better! I drove home, but got locked out so I yelled for somebody to get the door, my mother saw my new addition and gave me a funny look.
"When did you get that done?"
"Oh, about 20 minutes ago."
"I suppose we're not going to the movies then..."
"Of course we are, com'on lets go!"
Its now a year later, I still love my tongue ring. I've never had any problems with it, well except it took some time to master eating things like spaghetti and LifeSavers - the noodles kept getting caught around the barbell and my barbel likes to go in the hole of the LifeSavers, that just feels funny. It never swelled, I never got a lisp, nor have a chipped any teeth, I've swallowed a ball or barbell. I'm very glad I got it done, now I'm looking for a new addition to my body!
In short, if you want one but your only reason for not getting it is you think it will hurt, it doesn't! If your worried about swallowing a piece don't worry, you notice when its lose, believe me I play with mine all the time. If you have any questions ask. If your still not sure surf BME some more. I'm sure you'll be happy with your new piercing, if you decide to get it. I hope my experience helps you out.
--- Danie